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Hardwood Decking Info & Inspiration
Your Guide to Hardwood Decking
Hardwood timbers are typically exotic species that are sourced from tropical forests worldwide. Our range of hardwood decking materials come in several varieties and colours that can be maintained to retain their colour or left to weather and silver naturally. Hardwoods are denser than pine, more resistant to mould and rot, less susceptible to cupping and splitting but some varieties do ‘bleed’ colour.
Kwila Decking
Kwila is sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia. A popular choice for Kiwi decks, kwila is reddish-brown in colour. It is known to leech when first installed.
Kwila ShawdowDeck
Designed in NZ, ShadowDeck is a decking system that uses pre-grooved timber and hidden fasteners to create a nail-free deck.
Garapa Decking
Imported from South America, garapa is a honey-gold timber. Hard-wearing and durable, you can expect a garapa deck to last at least 25 years.
Vitex Decking
Sourced from the Solomon Islands, vitex is a pale-yellow to creamy-grey timber that silvers off quickly. A vitex deck should last 25 years.
Purpleheart Decking
Imported from South America, this timber is a deep purple colour when first cut. It quickly turns brown and silvers off with time. Purpleheart is one of the strongest timbers in the world, and you can expect your deck to last decades with this product.
Hardwood Decking Inspiration
Installation Guides
Maintenance and installation guidelines for building your deck.
Installation GuidesEthically Sourced and Managed
PlaceMakers is committed to the sourcing of timber from legal and responsibly managed forests, and where possible ensures imported and locally sourced timber carries a recognised international certification such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)® or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Looking After Your Hardwood Deck
Hardwood decks should be cleaned with a stiff brush at least once a year to clear gaps and remove surface mould.
More information on our range of hardwood decking timbers:
About Kwila
A popular choice for Kiwi decks, kwila timber is yellow-brown when freshly cut and quickly turns red brown in colour. Known to ‘leech’, kwila will bleed colour when first installed, so it is imperative to consider the location and surrounds of your deck when opting for this timber.
Species Name | Intsia bijuga |
Other Names | Ipil, Vesi, Merbau |
Country of Origin | Malaysia and Indonesia |
Sustainability | FSC® certified |
Colour | Red/Brown |
Texture | Slightly interlocked grain with a moderately coarse texture |
KWILA DECKING SIZE AND PROFILE AVAILABILITY
Kwila decking is available in:
- 100 x 25mm (90 x 21mm finished sizing) – griptread
- 150 x 25mm (140 x 19mm finished sizing) – griptread and smooth
KWILA INSTALLATION GUIDE
When building a kwila deck, you’ll need to consider ventilation, span, end sealing, coating, spacing, and fastening. For all the details, check out our installation and maintenance guide by clicking here.
ShadowDeck Decking System
ABOUT SHADOWDECK
ShadowDeck is a ‘barefoot-friendly’ decking system that uses pre-grooved kwila timber and a hidden fastener to create a nail-free finish. Designed in New Zealand, ShadowDeck provides a flawless timber deck that isn’t plagued with popped nails or split boards and features a dome profile to aide watershed and prevent cupping.
KWILA SHADOWDECK SIZE AND PROFILE AVAILABILITY
ShadowDeck is available in:
- 140 x 21mm smooth
Garapa Decking Timber
ABOUT SHADOWDECK
Sourced from South America, garapa is a warm sandy-golden colour that will naturally weather off to silver. A hard-wearing timber, you can expect a garapa deck to last at least 20 years.
Species Name | Apuleia Leiocarpa |
Other Names | Ipil, Vesi, Garapa, Brazillian Ash |
Country of Origin | South America |
Sustainability | FSC® certified |
Colour | Honey/Gold |
Texture | Straight grained with a fine texture |
GARAPA DECKING SIZE AND PROFILE AVAILABILITY
PlaceMakers garapa decking timber is available in:
- 100 x 25mm
- 150 x 25mm
- Smooth profile
GARAPA INSTALLATION GUIDE
Check out our garapa installation and maintenance guide, which covers ventilation, span, end sealing, coating, spacing, and fastening considerations by clicking here.
Vitex Decking Timber
ABOUT VITEX DECKING
Native to the Solomon Islands, vitex timber decking is pale-yellow to creamy-grey in colour, has minimal leeching, and silvers off quickly. A durable smooth hardwood, you can expect a vitex deck to last about 25 years.
Species Name | Vitex Cofassus |
Other Names | Vasa, New Guinea Teak |
Country of Origin | Solomon Islands |
Sustainability | Sourced from village-based community operations |
Colour | Pale yellow to creamy-grey |
Texture | Even grain with a fine texture |
VITEX DECKING SIZE AND PROFILE AVAILABILITY
PlaceMakers vitex decking timber is available in:
- 100 x 25mm
- 150 x 25mm
- 125 x 25mm
- Smooth profile
VITEX INSTALLATION GUIDE
Proper installation and maintenance will ensure you get the best performance from your deck. View our vitex decking guide here.
Purpleheart Decking
ABOUT PURPLEHEART DECKING
Purpleheart timber is a deep purple colour when first cut, but quickly turns dark brown and slowly silvers off with time. Incredibly dense, purpleheart is amongst the most durable of decking timbers that will last decades.
Species Name | Peltogyne species |
Other Names | Amaranth, Purpleheart |
Country of Origin | South America |
Sustainability | FSC® certified |
Colour | Initially purple, then brown |
Texture | Straight grained with a moderate texture |
PURPLEHEART DECKING SIZE AND PROFILE AVAILABILITY
PlaceMakers purpleheart decking timber is available in:
- 100 x 25mm
- 150 x 25mm
- Smooth profile
PURPLEHEART INSTALLATION GUIDE
Always follow the unique installation guides for each type of decking material. To view our purpleheart decking installation and maintenance guide, click here.
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Get Inspired
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