Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Sep 25, 2010 12:49 am Need some really good tips here. is it well worth the extra dollars to go for steel frames as oppose to treated pine? my decking size will be 6m x 3m what kind of price range should I expect to pay for Merbau? would anyone recommend the finger joint merbau? thanks paul Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 2Sep 25, 2010 1:03 am I asked the same question on a woodwork forum and was told that rather than using treated pine, you should use treated hardwood for the frame. I'm still not convinced though. I'll keep an eye on this thread though as I'm keen to see what others have to say. I'm not trying to get all high and mighty on you now, but have you considered alternatives to Merbau? I was reasarching it for use on a project at our place, and got turned off by the fact it is linked to deforestation in New Guinea. Like I said before, I'm not trying to change your mind, I just don't know how widely known this is. It certainly made me re-think my choice of timber. http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/resources/maps/deforestation/merbau-map Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 3Sep 25, 2010 10:28 am cmooring I'm not trying to get all high and mighty on you now, but have you considered alternatives to Merbau? I was reasarching it for use on a project at our place, and got turned off by the fact it is linked to deforestation in New Guinea. Like I said before, I'm not trying to change your mind, I just don't know how widely known this is. It certainly made me re-think my choice of timber. http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/resources/maps/deforestation/merbau-map This isnt a problem with all merbau supplied, only the merbau that is being illegally logged. You can still buy merbau without contributing to the illegal trade by ensuring its certified and its history can be traced to legitimate operations. So demand certified merbau from your supplier when you make your purchase and enjoy your deck! As far as the structure, im building with treated pine. Using an alternate material didn't even cross my mind. TP will last many years, is cheap, treated to protect against rot and termite attack and I wont be living here when it needs replacing (so why increase the initial capital cost?). There are products such as "protect-a-deck" (or just damp proof course) that can be laid on the bearers and joists to limit contact with water. This should help extend the life of TP frame. As a DIY, TP is also so easy to work with, each piece exactly the same and it cuts like butter. From research, most decks are constructed with treated pine. IMO, unless you have special requirements that would make it not suitable, I would stick with that. Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 4Sep 25, 2010 2:57 pm A steel frame can make the deck sound noisy (echoey) too. Our house has a steel frame and inside it isn't so bad because there is flooring and then floorboards on top but the decks "ring" when you walk. I'm really hoping it won't be that annoying once there are potplants and furniture to help dampen the sound a bit. Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 5Sep 25, 2010 8:04 pm Had the same question as OP. From scratching/damages perspective ... it's easier to repair and paint a timber frame than a painted or perhaps factory sprayed metal frame. Also, timber can look so good too, and if it's TP, it's also much lighter. So far we are leaning towards timber. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 6Sep 27, 2010 3:05 pm Thanks for the input everyone.. the only reason i would lean to towards steel frame is because ive been told that it will last longer than treated pine... Building at Kellyville Ridge - First Home buyer 11/5/10 - Port-a-loo delivered hahahaha 14/5/10 - Land was scraped (NEED TO GET RID OF ALL THIS UNWANTED DIRT) 20/5/10 - Concrete Piers all 45 of them. 21/5/10 - Plumbing 27/5/10 - concrete slab completed Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 7Sep 27, 2010 11:06 pm The main reason I'd be thinking of an alternative to TP is that I've heard it has a tendancy to warp. Having said that though, I agree with one of the earlier posters that suggested that most deck designs suggest TP. I think in this instance, it is important to select the correct grade (I forget the grades H5/H7 or F3 or something like that). Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 8Sep 27, 2010 11:09 pm Sierra This isnt a problem with all merbau supplied, only the merbau that is being illegally logged. You can still buy merbau without contributing to the illegal trade by ensuring its certified and its history can be traced to legitimate operations. So demand certified merbau from your supplier when you make your purchase and enjoy your deck! This is great to know. I certainly wasn't aware. Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 9Sep 27, 2010 11:33 pm BTW, saw a load of merbau decking being delivered - it was oozing quite a bit of "liquid". If merbau does that, it makes it less appealing to me as it can probably stain other things like bricks or driveways if it's not handled carefully. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Need Advice on Decking for Alfresco Timber VS Steel Fram 10Sep 28, 2010 12:22 am I've heard that Merbau bleeds a bit at first, but my impression is that it is only until it is fully dried out. Other than that, I think it is a beautiful timber. I first came across it when I was looking for ideas for a bench seat. See http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/diy/projects/article/-/5830091/diy-bench-seat-with-storage/ for the article that got me inspired. This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 5354 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14435 Hi, as per the subject. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best value decking oil (Bunning is close to where I live) for a treated pine deck? Thanks 0 10970 |