Finding the Prefect Type of Flooring

Tallowwood is Good: 4 Sturdy Reasons to Choose Tallowood for Your Decking

If you are looking to add some decking around your pool or to your backyard area, tallowwood, an Australian hardwood, is one of the finest timbers available. Traditionally used in the building of wharves and bridges, and to create wheel spokes, railway sleepers, tool handles and even boats, tallowwood has many positive attributes.

When choosing a timber for your decking, you need something that stands up well to wear, is pest-resistant and looks good. Tallowwood has that and much more. Here are 4 good reasons why tallowwood is the right choice for your decking.

Tallowwood Decking is Termite-Resistant

Tallowwood has been used for construction in Australia for many years and one of the primary reasons for this is that it is naturally termite-resistant. This was proven by a study in Hawaii which measured trees' susceptibility to formosan termite attack and found that Eucalyptus microcorys (tallowwood) was among the most termite-resistant species.

In a country in which subterranean termites especially, are the bane of homes, fences and decking then, tallowwood is highly prized.

It Stands up Well to Wear

Tallowwood is one of the hardest timbers in the world with a Janka hardness value of 1,933 IBF (8,600 N). This means that it doesn't dent easily, however, despite its hardness it is easy to work with due to its oil content which makes it greasy to the touch. This wood was also used in the construction of the Hornibrook Highway Bridge from 1932-1935, a bridge that was once considered a superstructure and which still stands today.

Obviously, decking should be hard, and there are few timbers that can match tallowwood in this regard.

Tallowwood Won't Burn Easily

Even untreated, tallowwood is on a par with fire retardent treated timber due to its greasy nature. Because of that, it takes longer than most timber to burn, and flame spread is also on the slow side. If you are a fan of backyard barbecues then, tallowwood decking will ensure that your decking won't burst into flames if a stray ember lands on it on a hot summer day.

It Has a Long Life Expectancy

On a durability scale of 1-6 with 1 being the most durable, tallowwood has a durability rating of 1 when in contact with the ground. This means it has a life expectancy of around 30 years, according to research conducted by the Australian Government. It is also highly resistant to rot. This is why tallowwood timber, along with spotted gum timber is used for Australian telegraph poles.

If you are thinking of adding some decking to your backyard or swimming pool area, you would be hard pressed to find anything more impressive than tallowwood. 


Share