WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JARRAH FOR DECKING

Known for its unique colour range, its strength and its durability, Jarrah is an excellent choice for exterior projects, such as decking. Also known as Swan River Mahogany and Eucalyptus marginata, Jarrah grows in the iron and aluminium-rich soils of the south-western corner of Western Australia.

Jarrah trees can grow up to 40m in height, with an extensive root system that seeks out water and nutrients deep underground. Jarrah does not germinate from seed, but from lignotubers – underground swellings that store nutrients, which allow young trees to regenerate after bushfires.

 APPEARANCE

Jarrah heartwood ranges in colour from a light red or brown, to a darker, richer red or brown. This colouring tends to darken when exposed to sunlight. The sapwood is usually a pale yellow, orange or pinkish colour.

Jarrah timber tends to have a moderately course and even textured grain. Its grain can be interlocked or wavy, which can create an interesting fiddle-back figure. Some boards can contain streaks or gum pockets as a naturally-occurring defect.

 DURABILITY

With a natural resistance to rot, termites and extreme weather conditions, Jarrah is a great choice for decking. Its high density also makes it relatively resistant to fire. We’ve found that if using wider decking boards for Jarrah, it’s best to do so when your deck is covered as there can be some movement with extreme weather.

 WORKABILITY

Due to its high density and interlocked grain, Jarrah can be difficult to machine. It’s easiest to work with when green, although it can be worked with when seasoned if you are using sufficiently sharp tools (bear in mind it may blunt cutting edges).

Jarrah can be machined or turned. Jarrah timber also accepts oil, stain and polish well.

 COMMON USES

Its strength and durability make Jarrah a common choice for heavy engineering projects, as well as structure and infrastructure applications. This includes wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross arms, poles and piles.

Jarrah is also a popular choice for construction, and is used in general house framing, decking, flooring, linings, joinery and fencing. Due to its striking colouring and attractive grain, it is often used to create turned objects, cabinets, parquetry and outdoor furniture.

 WHY USE JARRAH IN YOUR DECKING PROJECT

Available in a range of beautiful reds and browns, Jarrah is a timber that becomes even more appealing as it ages, as it is exposed to sunlight and its colouring deepens to a richer hue. Choose Jarrah for your decking project if you’re looking for an attractive dark coloured decking board with more natural character than other darker decking timbers such as Merbau.

Not only does it look good, Jarrah is also strong and exceptionally durable. It can withstand extreme weather conditions, and is resistant to rot, fungi and insects, such as termites. Due to its density, it is also resistant to fire, which can be beneficial in bushfire prone areas.

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Timber - Knowing the difference

ACQ Clear Treated Pine

ACQ Clear treated pine is a new product which offers the great colour and performance of treated pine decking without defects (knots) or green tinged CCA treatment to discolour it. Produced as a DAR (Dressed all round (meaning smooth on all sides)) decking board with a reeded (small ridges) top surface, ACQ treated pine has a density rating of 550, a toughness rating of L and a durability class of 1. Its colour varies from a Pale Straw to Yellow. As a softwood product, treated pine decking performs exceptionally well and is our highest selling decking product. It is also very economical, and comes in a variety of sizes and widths. It’s clear finish after treatment means that it takes stain exceptionally well and the treatment means that it is hard wearing and durable.

Merbau

Merbau is an imported hardwood, originating from Indonesia. It is also a DAR decking board with a reeded top surface, and is available in 90mm wide boards as well as 120mm wide. Merbau is an exceptionally well performing decking board with a density rating of 850, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 2. It is a deep red brown colour, and is subject to some initial tannin bleed when first unpacked.

Kapur

Kapur is also an imported hardwood, originating from Indonesia. It is a DAR decking board, with all four corners slightly pencil round. Kapur has a density rating of 750, a toughness rating of M, a durability class of 3 and a colour of WPR, which is usually a light reddish brown colour which is a little pale. Kapur is a great value decking board that performs well and has a great grain and colour.

Ironbark

Ironbark is an Australian Eucalypt hardwood, selectively forested from NSW and QLD. Ironbark produces exceptionally hard wearing decking boards. The boards are a DAR product and have a density rating of 1100, a toughness rating of H, a durability class of 1. They vary in colour with a rating of WRB and usually have the appearance of light grey, red or a dark brown.

Spotted Gum

Spotted Gum is a selectively forested Australian hardwood from NSW and QLD. Spotted Gum decking is produced with a DAR finish. It is also very hard wearing with a density rating of 1100, a toughness rating of H and a durability class of 2. Spotted Gum boards are bron, and can range from a light to dark colour. They have a distinctive wavy pattern in the grain of the timber.


Tallow Wood

Tallow Wood is another variety of selectively forested Australian Eucalypt hardwood from South East Queensland. Tallow wood is also produced as a DAR board and has a density rating of 1000, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 1. Tallow wood is generally a light coloured yellow brown.

Blackbutt

Blackbutt is another selectively forested Australian Eucalypt hardwood. It is also sourced from NSW and QLD, and is produced as a DAR decking board. Blackbutt has a density rating of 900, a toughness rating of M, a durability class of 2 and is a blonde or pale coloured hardwood.

Jarrah

Jarrah is also a selectively forested Australian Eucalypt hardwood. It is produced as a DAR decking board and is sourced from WA, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Jarrah decking has a density rating of 800, a toughness of L and a durability rating of 2. It is usually a vibrantly coloured red/brown decking board and makes for a very nice looking deck.






River Red

River Reds are yet another variety of Australian hardwood Eucalypt. Selectively logged from WA, NSW and QLD they are produced as a DAR decking board. River Reds have a density rating of 900, a toughness rating of L and are durability class 2. They have a great range of deep to light red and brown shades and provide great contrast and variability in a deck.

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