I was trying to be a clever deck and tackle some DIY so I decided to increase the size of my deck.I noticed that Masters had merbau for $3.98 so rang Bunnings for a price match but they said that Masters deck was different from their deck.
Merbau Decking $3.98 Per Lineal Metre @ Masters
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Different brand , apparently.
comes from a different tree.
Far out… I have never been able to price match with Bunnings because of this reason. Kind of like the mattress industry. Same bed. Same factory. Different name. No price match.
Just heard an advertisement for this on the radio too.
I was going to mention that..
nice onethat's awesome :D
We had a Bunnings in my area, then a Masters opened nearby - in the month before Masters opened, Bunnings had clearance sales on hundreds of items. I asked why of a friend that worked there and was told that Masters stocked those "identical" items so they had to clear them out to make sure they didn't stock the same items, and replace them with different stock, because it would clash with low price guarantees.
I'd rather they just stock everything at a reasonable price (not necessarily the lowest) than play games with product codes and slightly different brands / descriptions, and ditching product lines to avoid having to price match. Its hardly guaranteed lowest prices when you avoid stocking "identical" items by changing the sticker.
Different endangered forest
You sound like a real deck head
Judging by how excited he sounds in his post, he must have a really big deck
we were going to extend the deck at our place. but it was already right to the edge of the driveway. so if we wanted to extend we were going to have to reduce the size of the drive way. turns out if you want a big car you must have a small deck.
Unfortunately I am deckless, but one day I hope to have a really deck
Not a bad price, but it really adds up if you're building a big deck
Don't want to brag but I have a big deck and it was expensive.
I bet your deck is amazing! Would love to have a party on it
You know if you trim the bush around your deck it will make it look bigger.
Bet your deck is not hard-wood. There's a limit to the amount of timber you can gather from the bush..
Also, be careful of beavers, they love hard-wood.
A bit personal to party on another mans deck.
Not if you have been invited
thats a swinging idea..
someone reviewed that the merbau wood is not sustainably harvested…
Spotted gum all the way for me. Mostly for sustainability and use of excellent Australian hardwood, but also for more character in the grain and colour, and less tannin leaching. Just my 2c.
Great choice mate! Spotted Gum is a terrific decking option.
Spotted gum and Jarrah (not that pacific jarrah crap) are beautiful deck timbers. Merbau has no character and has yellow sulfur flecks throughout. Ugly timber.
Spotted gum, perfect timber for benches/tables/outside. Looks great every time
and less tannin leaching
Merbau is shit in this respect
I have a boat that has Merbau rails.
10 years later I still have tannin issues, I am about to seal and paint them.
10 years later I still have tannin issues
Remove the tannin from the timber before installing using sodium percarbonate mixed with hot water (in Napisan and the cheaper homebrand products). Rinse and repeat a few times and your tannin problems will be solved.
Why don't we all put up pictures of our decks and compare to see who has the biggest deck?
A shy friend would like more deck pics, please :o
hey do u mind me asking what did you put underneath the timber frame to raise it from the concrete slab..i need to do mine as well. a tip would help :)
what wood did you use for the timber frame/joists? treated pine? thanks
Yep, treated pine H3.
thanks, what's the spacing between the joists? around 450mm? how are you finding the DIY decking? harder/easier than you expected?
Spacing them evenly worked out to 400mm. It's pretty easy , it just takes longer when you only have weekends.
yep, reckon setting up the timber frame and making everything level would be the most difficult part.
@nocure: If exposed to rain and sun I would recommend a polyurethane glue between the timber joists and concrete and screws to reduce the rot rate. Because water will stay there a long time and it cannot dry out quickly.
Just because it is treated timber does not make it bulletproof. It is timber and it will fail eventually. Keep regular maintenance.
I would highly recommend composite joists or aluminium as an ideal solution to eliminate the chances of rot, termites, cracks, wood borers and mould.
If slight variations in level of concrete you can use window packers. Use a string line or aluminum straight edge to assist. Laser level if you have one. If areas of concrete that can pool where the joists are be sure to use self levelling concrete so it cannot.
Also ensure you do not split your joists when fastening. It's a disaster.
Also be sure to check out the QBCC's guide on low level decks to increase the longevity. I added a link down the page. Also note that you might need a 25mm space between your structure and your deck for termite inspections. If not it may void your termite warranty. Check with your pest inspector or builder prior to building.
Nice one. FYI when we built our deck we pre-sealed the timber before laying it. Gave a good result and saved extra work as we too had to take time in laying (let's see the comments on long lays). Better if you do both sides of the decking boards for extended life. I would also consider sealing or painting the joists and bearers otherwise with water you may have a issue later on. Take what you need from comments.
nocure, I didn't know you were from New Zealand.
Merbau is bad juju.
Comes from 3rd World Countries chopping down beautiful rainforests.
There is no such thing as sustainable Merbau, because its a hardwood that takes so long to grow.I know this is OzBargain, where the cheapest is the best. And normally I'd be happy to go along with it. But there are other options for hardwood that cost just a little more. Please dont buy Merbau guys.
If that's not enough to motivate you, try this on for size….
It screams "I don't give a crap about the world" to anyone that sees it on your house.It'll be extinct in 30 years folks, dont use it :(.
Edited: Cool. Neg votes already from those obviously offended by my comments. Guilty conscience?
Extinct in 30 years? It'll be a collectors item! Now's the time to buy up!
normally how much?
"Enlarge your deck"
is funnier if you have a Kiwi accent.
Not to mention Kiwi decks are large too.
They may be large, but the problem is where they are located.
Don't sheep live on Kiwi decks? Lol!!!!!
Somehow, I get a feeling that we're not really talking about timber decking, are we?
It's a generalised discussion about 'getting wood', Gorman.
Guys, wanting a deck done but can I do that on concrete ? Pros and cons please.
Concrete and timber do not mix well. Sure if you want your deck to last 2 years go right ahead. See here.
https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/13_Residenti…
I have been decking industry for quite a while and do not use timber anymore even if our clients request them.
I have built a few composite wood decks on aluminium frames and it works a treat. I can do it all for around $140 p.sqm for everything. E.G Fasteners and the frame. Ex labour.
Think about the life cycle cost not just the initial cost. Termites, rot and sealing. How long will it last.
Also timber is a pain to cut, it's dirty, hard on the tools. Not to mention takes ages to install.
Oh for the love of gawd people, do not use nails if you are using timber. Get some good steel screws.
What sort of materials are we talking about then?
Composite wood gets so hot under the sun, it's almost impossible walking barefooted on it. Not to mention the lack of grain and texture makes it very boring looking.
Anything in the sun gets hot. The hollow core or honeycomb ones dissipate the heat quite well. Also lighter colours work well.
I love the look of timber myself. But being exposed to the elements I just would not go there personally unless the deck was undercover from rain and the sun. There are a number of pros and cons with anything so it's up to the end user. Here is a good comparison between timber and wpc http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:160367/Burke.pdf
Some really nice ones
Check out millboard
http://www.millboarddeck.com.au/?gclid=CjwKEAjwoPG8BRCSi5uu6…
@wooldogs:
Yes, anything in the sun gets hot, but how hot is the main question. I have a hardwood deck that i could walk on barefooted on the hottest of days. Couldn't do the same for a friend's composite eco deck, it was like walking on lava.In the summertime I am going to run some temperature tests with some hardwoods and composites. Do not think it has been done yet.
I can't speak for eco deck because I haven't used it but ours get slightly hotter, similar to pavers, but not dangerously like metal or aluminum decking boards.
Would you be interested in giving us a quote with labour for approx 40sqm deck, we are in Brisbane south-west?
I am personally away for 3 weeks overseas but you can contact http://rubicab.com.au if you have a plan and some photos email them through with a description of what you are after.
Yep use 60mm stainless 10 gauge decking screws through HWD in to the softwood joists & if screwing in to HWD joists i prefer using 50mm stainless 10 gauge decking screws & pre-drill with a Smartbit for the countersunk screws & always remember safety comes first so have a coldy in one hand whilst drilling with the other ;)
You just reminded me of the 3000 stainless screws we put in last summer..
3 Drills. Corded with berbit 2nd Corless Drill for predrilling, then impact driver for screws.
Also prepaint underside of boards before installation.
Another thing to watch out for is prices when comparing. Never compare in lineal metres because boards can be 88 to 160mm so it is always good to convert to square metres. Because the cover you need is the most important.
Cool comment. My new challenge is where I am to build is 3x3 length x deep. 9m2 but I due to a concrete ramp underneath (size of back door) it works better for me 90mil wide 10milfor space = 100mil into 3 M ie 30 boards x 3 metres. Just missed out on masters clearance of pine 3m long Under $9. Do not want or need joins. Sums are subject to measurements at site back door as house is not plumb lol.
If bought this I suggest I may have enough off cuts for the 3 steps or screen edge.
Credit to nocure for original posting. I went to our local Bunnings (Kirrawee) this afternoon and showed them the deal from Masters. They not only price matched from their $4.69 per lineal metre down to $3.98, but they also reduced it a further 10% down to $3.58 per lineal metre! Bought over 400 metres as we are replacing our deck. It appears the Masters deal is on until the 10th August 2016. This is for the 90 x 19mm Merbau decking.
They not only price matched from their $4.69 per lineal metre down to $3.98, but they also reduced it a further 10% down to $3.58 per lineal metre!
You do realise that this is their policy don't you?
"If you happen to find a cheaper price on a stocked item we'll beat it by 10%*"
https://www.bunnings.com.au/price-guarantee
How is Bunnings merbau different from Masters? It's the same wood…