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Why is Spotted Gum A Good Decking Timber?

As one of Australia&rsquo's most sought-after timber species, Spotted Gum offers a stunning colour range and truly striking appearance, bringing a sense of warmth to every space that its used. As a result, it is well loved by architects and designers, and can be used in everything from interior to outdoor applications. One area where it is experiencing huge amounts of popularity is in decking – with enviable strength and durability, you can be sure it will stand the test of time. If you’re wondering if Spotted Gum is the perfect decking timber for your home, then you’ve come to the right place.

Attractive Finish

One of the reasons that Spotted Gum is such a popular timber for decking is due to the stunning finish that it offers. Ranging from rich coffees to light browns, it is the ideal choice for bringing character and warmth to any property. It also offers a lovely wavy grain patter with a fiddle-back appearance, ensuring your new deck will stand out from the crowd.

Easy to Work With

Though one of the harder Australian hardwoods, Spotted Gum still remains easy to work with – in part due to a slight greasiness within the timber. It can be easily machined or bored, and, when seasoned, takes incredibly well to nailing and screwing; a must for any decking species. However, if you’re concerned that its workability means a compromised strength, then fear not.

Durable and Strong

As a timber deck is continuously exposed to the elements, from damaging UV rays to endless rain and wind, it’s important that the deck can stand the test of time. Thankfully, Spotted Gum is known for its resilience, and, when used above ground, can be expected to have a lifespan of well-over 40 years. It’s also naturally resistant to termites, offering maximum peace of mind.

Maintained Appearance

When investing in a deck, it’s important to choose a timber that looks stunning now, and into the future – and Spotted Gum is the ideal choice for achieving just that! Not only does it have a low shrinkage rate, it also offers a low tannin content, meaning it won’t ‘bleed’ as other timbers are known to do. Whether you choose to oil or stain your decking, or leave it to weather naturally for a more organic appearance, you can be confident it will look breathtaking for many years to come.

As you can see, Spotted Gum is a well-loved decking timber for a wide variety of reasons, including its strength, durability, and of course, striking appearance. Readily available and easy to use, it is the perfect choice for many applications – decking included! Whether you live in a fire prone, rural area, or you’re looking to bring a touch of nature into the city, we can’t recommend Spotted Gum more strongly. If we don’t currently have it in stock for you, we’re more than happy to source it for you! Speak with our team today to learn more.