Timber slat decks – split/damaged/rotten decking

Causes

The timber treatment was not adequate for the exposure

The timber is at the end of its serviceable life

Moisture remains trapped in the junctions of decking with framing

Listed under: Exterior, timber and wood-based, timber, decks, durability, rot

Cause

The timber treatment was not adequate for the exposure

Repair

  • replace damaged or rotten decking. Options include:

    • H3.2 treated New Zealand-grown pine timber

    • New Zealand-grown macrocarpa timber

    • imported hardwood timbers such as kwila. Look for certification (from the Forest Stewardship Council or similar) that it is sustainably sourced

    • plastic/wood composite decking made from recycled HDPE plastic and rice husks, bamboo, and/or woodfibre, sawdust or woodwaste

  • seal timber ends immediately after cutting

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for fixing. In some cases, especially with some hardwoods, this will be with stainless steel screws rather than nails and for composites, a concealed fixing system

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for coating and maintenance.

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Cause

The timber is at the end of its serviceable life

Repair

  • replace damaged or rotten decking. Options include:

    • H3.2 treated New Zealand-grown pine timber

    • New Zealand-grown macrocarpa timber

    • imported hardwood timbers such as kwila. Look for certification (from the Forest Stewardship Council or similar) that it is sustainably sourced

    • plastic/wood composite decking made from recycled HDPE plastic and rice husks, bamboo, and/or woodfibre, sawdust or woodwaste

  • seal timber ends immediately after cutting

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for fixing. In some cases, especially with some hardwoods, this will be with stainless steel screws rather than nails and for composites, a concealed fixing system

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for coating and maintenance.

Back to top

Cause

Moisture remains trapped in the junctions of decking with framing

Repair

  • replace damaged or rotten decking. Options include:

    • H3.2 treated New Zealand-grown pine timber

    • New Zealand-grown macrocarpa timber

    • imported hardwood timbers such as kwila. Look for certification (from the Forest Stewardship Council or similar) that it is sustainably sourced

    • plastic/wood composite decking made from recycled HDPE plastic and rice husks, bamboo, and/or woodfibre, sawdust or woodwaste

  • seal timber ends immediately after cutting

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for fixing. In some cases, especially with some hardwoods, this will be with stainless steel screws rather than nails and for composites, a concealed fixing system

  • follow the decking manufacturer and/or supplier’s recommendation for coating and maintenance.

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