What does Merbau look like?
Merbau (Intsia spp.) Color/Appearance: Has an orangish-brown color when freshly cut, which ages to a darker reddish-brown. Color between boards can be highly variable. There are also small yellow mineral deposits found throughout the wood, making it easier to separate from other lookalikes.
What is the best stain for Merbau?
Merbau Decking Stain The low sheen finish with Dexpress protectant creates a beautiful look that will last 3X longer than traditional oils. In addition, the stain is UV- and mould-resistant, making it ideal for use in Australia's climate.
Does Merbau come in different Colours?
Merbau timber is known for its enticing orange golden-brown colour and contrasting sapwood in a soft yellow to ivory white, which can be lightened or darkened with oils based on user preference. Pro-tip: It's important to seal and protect your deck; decking oil will increase the merbau deck's life.
What wood is similar to Merbau?
Cumaru is a very hard, dense South American hardwood known for exterior decking and interior hardwood flooring. Teak is a close-grained hardwood with high natural oil and rubber content.
Should I stain or oil Merbau?
If the deck is Merbau, Teak or Jarrah for example, you will most likely want to use an oil to enhance the natural beauty of the timber. Alternatively, if your deck is Treated Pine, you may want to use a stain to change the colour and achieve a more rich, solid look.
Does Merbau need to be oiled?
While merbau is one of the timbers that contains an abundance of natural essential oils that keep it organically preserved, the benefit of treating it further with oils is that the oils will replace the natural ones as time goes on, and allow the timber decking to further thrive.
How do you keep Merbau looking natural?
Our Favorite combination for Merbau decking – 2 Coats of Light Oak with added Jarrah to maintain the natural appearance of the timber. We recommend Natural/Light Oak with a touch of Jarrah decking oil due to the minimal use of pigments which helps prevent further darkening of your timbers.
Will Merbau decking go grey?
Given a year or so it will turn grey (we all do). I recently cleaned up my Mum's merbau verandah that had sat in the sun for about ten years and turned well and truly grey. Merbau is very dense and oily, it won't present any problems untreated unless water can sit in one spot for a long time, such as under a pot plant.
Is Spotted Gum better than Merbau?
Both timbers are rated “High” for durability, which means they should last 40+ years. However, Spotted Gum is considered to be a slightly lower grade timber and slightly less durable than Merbau. Merbau has a Durability 1 rating while Spotted Gum has a Durability 2 rating.
How can you tell Merbau timber?
Its heartwood is orange-yellow-brown when freshly harvested, but develops into a deeper red-brown as it ages. In contrast, the sapwood is pale yellow, white or buff coloured. Most Merbau has a wavy and interlocked grain – one of the reasons why it's so popular.
Is Merbau a good wood?
Merbau is a hardwood. Literally. It is one of the hardest and most durable timber species available. It is so tough and durable that special machinery — and a lot of saw blades — are needed to harvest, process and manufacture the timber.
What is the difference between jarrah and Merbau?
Jarrah can be highly polished and accepts most finishes well. It is commonly found on flooring, panelling, joinery, decking and furniture. Merbau is a South East Asian rainforest hardwood that is also known as Kwila. It is a durable, dark reddish brown timber that is high in tannin content.
How do you keep Merbau looking natural?
Our Favorite combination for Merbau decking – 2 Coats of Light Oak with added Jarrah to maintain the natural appearance of the timber. We recommend Natural/Light Oak with a touch of Jarrah decking oil due to the minimal use of pigments which helps prevent further darkening of your timbers.
When should you stain Merbau?
You are correct 6 to 8 weeks of full sun to weather a new deck. Otherwise the tannin from the wood will just bleed the oil out and you would get a spotty finish on your deck. You could accelerate the process by using deck cleaning chemicals but better to let it naturally weather. I am a Bunnings team member.
How long do you leave Merbau before staining?
Merbau is a very resinous timber. It is preferable to allow it to weather for 6-8 weeks, or wash it regularly with fresh water if under cover for about the same period. It's the water that bleeds the resins out of the timber. In other words, timber finishes work best when you allow the timber to weather.
How do I stop Merbau bleeding?
Try washing it two or three times before you put it up. Try washing it two or three times before you put it up. Yep, if it doesn't get washed out with rain, water it yourself each week. It's the tannins in the merbau which make it a good timber for outdoor use.
What is merbau timber (or kwila) and where does merbau timber grow and where does merbau wood come from?
Merbau or additionally referred to as Kwila or Pacific Kwila is a tropical timber.
What is the first step to take when coating a deck?
The first step is weathering, that involves exposing the timber to rain, sunshine and everything middle.
How long does it take for a Merbau tree to mature?
A main factor in this is the lengthy maturity rate of the tree, about 75-80 years, and even in wealthy woodlands with merbau, individual trees are scarce and difficult to get through. Therefore, logging merbau without harming the surrounding area is very hard.
What is Merbau wood?
MERBAU wood is a beautiful, warm, reddish-brown in colour and a gorgeous, natural colour variation, it is perfect for bringing depth and warmth to any setting. Merbau timber is of course oily with a high tannic acid content, creating it extremely sturdy and immune to weathering, decay and termites.
Why is green lumber unpredictable?
His effectiveness as a green lumber can be unpredictable due to the inevitable loss of moisture after the living tree is felled. As it dries, wood can twist, crack, warp, and shrink in its physical size, making it less than ideal for building, flooring, or woodworking. 3. Cutting & Moulding – This is the final step.
Where does Merbau grow?
It naturally grows in varied regions throughout the South East Pacific rim, Papua island, Philippines, king Islands and Fiji. Merbau species can grow up to 40 metres in height, with a 0.6 metre trunk diameter. The bushy tree, with distinctive local names, will often form a spreading canopy.
Can a deck be used as a living room?
In a comparatively short time, a deck can turn an indoor area into a versatile living room. It is a excellent way to extend fun room by adding a deck to your home. Your fresh deck starts here with some instruments, wood and an additional set of hands.
How to tell if a lumber is hard?
Within the flooring industry one of the most reliable indicators of the durability of a particular type of lumber is its rating on the Janka scale. The Janka scale assigns a number, ranging from zero to 4,000, which describes the hardness of the lumber. A Janka rating of zero indicates a lumber is much too soft to be successfully used in flooring while a ranking near 4000 means the lumber is too hard to be used for flooring. The Janka scale rating of merbau is 1,925; this rank shows the lumber is well suited to being used in flooring. It is quite a bit harder and more stable then red oak. Additionally, the dimensional stability of merbau is excellent, further qualifying it as a flooring option. Finally, the wood is very resistant to termite infestation.
What is Merbau used for?
A detailed description of Merbau and it's uses as hardwood flooring.
Why do you put pads under furniture?
Pads need to be placed underneath the feet of all pieces of furniture in order to prevent the furniture from causing indentions in the flooring over time. Finally, animals that will routinely be walking on the floor need to have their nails trimmed regularly.
Why is Merbau so popular?
Merbau is a favorite in Southeast Asia because of its natural resistance to decay and its superior strength, relative to teak. Its botanical name is Intsia Bijuga. Fast Facts. Color:The heartwood of merbau is typically a brownish orange when first cut and becomes a darker reddish brown upon exposure to air.
Where is Merbau hardwood flooring found?
Merbau is an exotic hardwood that is typically found in Pacific Ocean islands and Southeast Asia. Trees may reach a height of up to 160 feet. The tree thrives in the wet settings such as swamps, floodplains, riverbanks, and rain forests.
Is merbau hard to work?
Merbau can be very difficult to work. The wood has a tendency to gum the saw teeth and also dull cutting edges. Because of this carbide tooling is strongly recommended. Sanding can be accomplished easily as long as standard sequencing is followed. Nailing and gluing pose no problems in installation. Finishing the flooring can be difficult if a stain is requested, however, neutral finishes pose no difficulties.
How often do we vacuum with Bona Kemi?
We vacuum, dust and then mop them weekly with Bona Kemi;
What is Merbau hardwood?
It is commonly found on flooring, panelling, joinery, decking and furniture. Merbau is a South East Asian rainforest hardwood that is also known as Kwila. It is a durable, dark reddish brown timber that is high in tannin content. Merbau may require repeat applications of Intergrain UltraPrep Timber Cleaner prior to coating.
What is Oregon wood?
Oregon is a North American softwood that is also grown in New Zealand. It varies from yellow brown to pale reddish brown in colour, and has a high resin content that can crystalise on the surface. Scrape off crystals before coating. Oregon is commonly found on Pergolas and structural framing.
What is spotted gum?
Note: Spotted Gum is often present in decking timber sold as ‘mixed hardwood’. Spotted Gum is commonly used on flooring, cladding, decking, fencing, landscaping, retaining walls and as structural timber. Teak is a golden brown Asian hardwood with a waxy or greasy feel.
What type of wood is Oregon?
Oregon is commonly found on Pergolas and structural framing. Radiata Pine, a common plantation softwood is a pale yellow wood that is suitable for interior use only - unless preservative treated (ie. Treated Pine). It is ideal for staining, particularly liming colours.
What is a jarrah?
It is commonly used for structures, poles, flooring, panelling and decking. Jarrah is an Australian hardwood. It is heavy, tough with a distinctive dark red colouration. Jarrah can be highly polished and accepts most finishes well. It is commonly found on flooring, panelling, joinery, decking and furniture.
What is Victorian Ash?
Victorian Ash is the trade name for a blend of Mountain Ash and Alpine Ash. Another trade name for this blend is Tasmanian Oak. Colour varies from pale pink to pale yellow. Victorian Ash is commonly used for interior applications like flooring, kitchen cupboards, wall panelling and furniture.
What is brush box?
Brush Box is an Australian hardwood. It is a dense, pinkish grey to reddish brown timber with a natural waxiness. Most commonly used for interior flooring, furniture, cladding and fences. Cypress Pine is an Australian softwood, despite its apparent hardness. It varies in colour from pale yellow to variegated browns in colour.
Why is Merbau wood bleed?
Merbau grows in the rainforest and has a high tannin or oil content. The tannin is an oily compound that causes the timber’s colours to bleed when wet. This is something to consider when choosing a decking timber – any materials (paving, walls, concrete) near your deck might be stained if (or when!) your merbau deck bleeds.
Why use Merbau decking?
Decking experts and carpenters choose merbau for a variety of reasons; the main reasons being its unique beauty, resilience compared to other timber decking, and the variety of uses of merbau, along with its comparatively high resistance to termites and weathering.
What is Merbau used for?
Merbau is used mainly for flooring, decking, marine construction, outdoor furniture, music instruments, and more. This hardwood is popular for its unique beauty, often compared to that of jarrah. It’s known for its unparalleled resilience and usability, along with the resistance to termites and weathering that comes with some merbau timber ...
How long does it take to oil a deck?
If you’re using water-based oil, the deck oiling process will take a day to complete. Oil-based decking products are traditionally used for their penetrative qualities, as they seep into the wood and give it a polished look. These oils are best used on naturally dry wood.
What is the ugly truth about Merbau timber?
The ugly truth about Merbau timber, like other timbers, is that it causes deforestation of rainforests. This becomes especially problematic when the wood is imported from Asia and continents where the priority for sustainable logging practices is lower.
Where does Merbau come from?
A beautiful hardwood timber species deriving from a few locations around the world, merbau comes from the Kwila tree. The species is found in tropical climates in locations such as Queensland, Australia and Indo Pacific islands like Fiji, and Samoa, as well as Tanzania, India, and Madagascar. Merbau is used mainly for flooring, decking, marine ...
How long does it take to stain Merbau?
The hidden costs for merbau come from the maintenance cost; merbau requires staining on a 3 to 6-month basis forever.
How long does it take for Merbau to mature?
Merbau is generally considered to be difficult to harvest without harming the surrounding natural habitat, and the tree’s long maturity period (75 to 80 years) make repopulating forests an uphill battle. It’s predicted that the tree could be extinct within 35 years if these sort of unsustainable practices continue.
How tall is a Merbau tree?
Merbau trees can grow up to 40 meters (131 ft.) tall with a trunk diameter of about 60 cm (24 in).
What are the factors that come into play when planning a project?
There are several factors which come into play while planning a project, including total cost, overall design aesthetic, and safety. In the majority of cases, it makes the most sense to look for something that’s durable, stylish, and low-maintenance without breaking the bank. But with all that in mind, is Merbau the best choice for you?
Is capped composite decking better than timber?
The cost is much lower. While timber may cost less initially depending on the type of wood, the costs of continued maintenance and necessary repairs will add up quickly. Unlike wooden decks, capped composite boards aren’t susceptible to mold, mildew, insect infestation, or general decay. This also makes capped composite decking the safer choice as they do not splinter or warp.
Is Merbau a good wood?
While Merbau is a beautiful and durable wood, it comes with considerable downsides. Here are a few ways that the alternative, capped composite decking, addresses the concerns left by Merbau decking without sacrificing the look of your deck:
Does Merbau decking need to be refinished?
While its high durability makes it more resistant to cracking than some other timber choices, Merbau decking will still have to be refinished and repaired when needed.
Is Merbau decking good?
Merbau is still a traditional favorite of both homeowners and builders when it comes to decking. In fact, if you’ve ever researched decking options, you’ve probably heard of this timber. While there are many strengths to Merbau decking, there are also some vulnerabilities and drawbacks that are well worth considering. Whether you’re thinking of building a new deck or renovating an old one, it’s always best to understand the advantages and disadvantages of all of your options. Let’s explore what Merbau is, where it comes from, and a little about what makes it so popular.