Australian Lattice & Timber supplies quality Merbau decking to homeowners, builders, landscapers and DIY customers across Melbourne. Merbau is a popular hardwood decking choice because of its rich colour, natural durability and proven performance in Australian outdoor areas.
Quality decking supplies • Helpful local advice • Dandenong pickup • Melbourne delivery available
Why Choose Merbau Decking?
Merbau’s deep reddish-brown tone gives it a warmer, more traditional look than paler hardwoods like Spotted Gum, which is part of why it remains one of the most requested decking timbers for Melbourne homes. It’s a dense, close-grained timber that holds up well to everyday foot traffic, making it a practical choice for family entertaining areas as well as pool surrounds and alfresco spaces.
One thing worth knowing before you commit to Merbau: it naturally contains tannins that can leach out in the early weeks after installation, especially during rain, which is a normal part of the timber settling in rather than a fault. Our team can talk you through what to expect in that first period and how oiling early can help manage it.
One of the appeals of Merbau is the natural variation within each board. Freshly cut heartwood typically ranges from a warm golden brown through to a deep red-brown, and individual boards can show noticeable colour differences side by side before they’re oiled and settle into a more even tone. This natural variation is part of what gives a Merbau deck its character rather than a uniform, manufactured look.
It is particularly well suited to outdoor entertaining areas, pool surrounds, verandahs and residential decks where a warm hardwood finish is wanted. Our team can help you compare the options, work through likely quantities and choose appropriate decking supplies for your project.
Appearance, Performance and Uses
Decking needs to suit the look of the home as well as the way the space will be used. Consider sun exposure, moisture, foot traffic, maintenance preferences and budget before making a final choice. Merbau Decking gives Melbourne customers a clear option within our wider decking range.
Premium Merbau Decking for Melbourne Homes
Our premium Merbau decking is one of the most requested products in our extensive range, chosen for its rich colour and proven performance in Australian outdoor conditions. Whether you’re planning a small deck refresh or a full outdoor entertaining area, our team can help you scope the right boards for your decking project.
Merbau Timber: Posts, Boards and Decking Range
Beyond decking boards, we also stock Merbau timber posts in a range of sizes, useful for matching your deck’s structural timber to the same species as the decking above it. Boards are supplied raw, ready for you to oil and finish to your preferred colour once installed.
Sizes and Availability
Board sizes, lengths and stock availability can change. For current options, contact Australian Lattice & Timber or visit our Dandenong showroom to see boards in person before you order. Merbau decking is available in 42x19mm, 42x42mm, 70x19mm, 90x19mm and 140x19mm profiles, along with 90mm and 140mm finger-jointed lengths for larger runs without visible joins. Narrower boards suit a more traditional look, while wider boards cover ground faster and reduce the number of fixing points needed.
Merbau Decking Prices in Melbourne
Pricing depends on board size, length and the quantity you need. If you provide the approximate deck dimensions or a materials list, we can help you identify suitable boards and give you an accurate price. We supply homeowners, DIY customers, builders and landscapers, with trade pricing available on request.
Sustainability and Sourcing
All our Merbau is sourced from sustainably managed forest plantations, consistent with our approach across the full timber range. If sustainable sourcing matters for your project, our team can talk you through where your specific order comes from.
Installing Your Merbau Timber Deck
Correct joist spacing, ventilation, drainage, board gaps and fixings are essential to long-term performance. Always follow relevant building requirements and product guidance for your specific project.
Caring for Your Merbau Deck
Merbau should be allowed to weather or be cleaned appropriately before coating. Regular sweeping, washing and re-oiling help preserve its colour and protect the surface over time.
Decking Melbourne Homeowners Choose: A Reliable Supplier
As a reliable supplier based in Dandenong South, we’re conveniently located for pickup across Melbourne’s south-east, with delivery available further afield. We supply Merbau timber decking products to DIY customers, builders and landscapers alike, backed by practical advice from our team. We deliver Merbau decking across the Melbourne metro area from our Dandenong South yard, with many south-eastern suburbs able to arrange same-week delivery depending on order size and current stock.
Compare Other Decking Options
Spotted Gum offers a distinctly Australian hardwood look, while ModWood is worth considering when lower maintenance is the priority. Explore the complete timber decking Melbourne range or compare these related options below.
Merbau vs Spotted Gum
Merbau’s warm reddish-brown tone suits a traditional look, while Spotted Gum has a paler, more varied grain that reads as distinctly Australian. Both are durable hardwoods; the choice usually comes down to colour preference and how the deck fits with the rest of the home’s exterior.
Merbau vs Treated Pine
Merbau is a denser, longer-lasting hardwood with a richer natural colour, while Treated Pine is a more budget-friendly softwood option. Treated Pine generally needs more frequent recoating to maintain its appearance, while Merbau holds its colour and structure for longer between treatments.
Decking Supplies, Advice and Melbourne Delivery
Australian Lattice & Timber supplies decking from Dandenong to customers across Melbourne. Visit the showroom to compare boards in person, ask about current sizes and pricing, or arrange delivery for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merbau good for decking in Melbourne?
Yes. Merbau is naturally durable and well suited to Melbourne outdoor areas when it is installed correctly and maintained.
Does Merbau decking need to be oiled?
Oiling is recommended if you want to maintain the rich brown colour. Left untreated, Merbau will gradually weather to a silver-grey tone.
Can Merbau be used around a pool?
It can be suitable for pool surrounds, subject to correct design, fixing, ventilation and regular maintenance.
Do you supply Merbau decking to homeowners and builders?
Yes. We supply DIY customers, homeowners, builders and landscapers from our Dandenong showroom, with Melbourne delivery available.
How do I get a Merbau decking quote?
Contact our team with your approximate deck size or required board quantities and we can help with product options and pricing.
Is Merbau decking slippery when wet?
Merbau has a naturally textured grain that provides reasonable grip compared to smoother timbers, but like any timber decking it can become slippery when wet, particularly once it develops surface algae or mould over time. Regular cleaning and oiling helps maintain grip, and a non-slip decking oil is worth considering for pool surrounds or shaded areas that stay damp.
What’s the typical lifespan of a Merbau deck?
A well-maintained Merbau deck can last several decades, Merbau is a naturally dense, durable hardwood suited to Australian outdoor conditions. Lifespan depends on installation quality, exposure to weather, and how consistently the deck is cleaned and re-oiled over time.
What are the downsides of Merbau decking?
Merbau’s main downsides are tannin leaching in the weeks after installation (especially during rain), a higher price point than treated pine, and the need for regular oiling to maintain its colour, left untreated it will weather to a silver-grey. It’s also a denser timber, which can make cutting and drilling slightly harder work than softer species.
How much does a Merbau deck cost?
Cost depends on the size of your deck, the board profile you choose, and current stock pricing. Contact our team with your approximate deck dimensions and we can give you an accurate price based on current rates.
What’s harder, Jarrah or Merbau?
Jarrah is generally rated harder than Merbau on the Janka hardness scale, though both are dense, durable Australian-favoured hardwoods well suited to outdoor use. Merbau remains the more commonly used decking timber of the two due to its availability and colour.
Do termites eat Merbau decking?
Merbau has natural termite resistance due to its density and natural oils, making it a popular choice for outdoor structures. No timber is entirely immune to termite activity, so standard site precautions and regular inspection are still recommended, particularly in termite-prone areas.