Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 36

FEATURES
Massaranduba is a dense and heavy timber perfect for outdoor decking.
All hands on deck
African Lumber Traders share tips on how best to select and treat
your outdoor timber decking.
By Candace Sofianos King
W
hen considering laying a timber deck to enhance
your outdoor entertainment area there are a few
fundamental decisions to consider before diving
into the project, says Carl Watermeyer, general manager of
African Lumber Traders, Cape Town-based timber trader
that sells a select variety of timber sourced from all
corners of the world.
These factors include durability, stability, sustainability,
widths, colour and budget. Weighing up the readily
available decking options in the market against these
criterions, Watermeyer notes there are three main
categories: southern African lumber, tropical hardwoods
and thermally modified timbers (TMT).
34 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 //
SOUTHERN AFRICAN LUMBER
SOUTH AFRICAN PINE (PINUS PATULA)
The cheapest option available – treated South African pine
– is a perfectly acceptable choice that will look great for
three to five years, but don’t expect it to look like new
forever. Various widths are available, but as with all
timbers, go with a thicker (>30mm) option if you are
looking for boards that are 150mm or wider.
EUCALYPTUS (EUCALYPTUS CLADOCALYX)
Eucalyptus is a broad term encompassing a number of
locally harvested ‘gum’ species like red river, karri and
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