Balau Deck Boards For Sale In Durban
- Garrick Dunstan
- Apr 26, 2016
- 2 min read
Besides offering a full supply and install service for timber decks, Ocean Timber Products sells Balau deck boards in Durban for DIY projects
We sell these both in 19 x 68 mm and 19 x 90 mm Balau reeded (grooved) deck boards in various lengths from 2.1m to 4.8m. Smooth four sides (S4S) Balau deck boards are also available from time to time but it is not advisable to use these in decking as water gets trapped between the joist and deck boards accelerating rot.
The 19 x 90 mm Balau deck boards are more expensive than the 68 mm deck boards per square meter. If you are using 68 mm boards you will need 15 boards of 1 m each to make one square meter and if using 90 mm boards you will need 11 boards of 1 m each to make one square meter. The difference in price is generally about 20% more.
The reason for a slightly higher price is that the 90 mm boards are cut from the tree before the 68 mm boards. When the mill cuts timber, from any tree, they will start with the widest and thickest lengths and work their way down to thinner and narrower pieces. The same is true for structural Balau in thicker sizes such as 90 mm x 90 mm or 40 x 140 mm.
The bigger pieces are generally cut first and then the 90 mm deck boards and lastly the 68 mm deck boards. The best wood is normally found in the middle of the tree and is therefore more valuable. Hence the difference in square meter (or cubic meter) prices of wood based on thickness and width. This is true for all woods.
The quality of wood between 68 mm and 90 mm boards also varies. As you get closer to the middle of the tree the harder the heartwood is and vice versa .The softer sap wood towards the outside of the tree is younger and therefore less dense. However the difference in quality vs. the difference in price needs to be weighed up to make an informed decision. In my experience of deck building and supplying Balau deck boards to the industry, I can quite honestly say that the difference in quality does not outweigh the price difference of 20%. i.e. you are not going to get 20% more life out of 90 mm boards than 68 mm boards.
Besides supplying deck boards to deck builder and DIY builders, we can also assist in planning your deck with you to avoid waste and maximize space without creating “dead space”.
For a quote please contact us on 082 496 5444 or use the contact form below.
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