Blackbutt Timber and Blackbutt Timber Decking

Blackbutt timber is a popular hardwood grown in the coastal regions of NSW and southern QLD.  It is one of the taller eucalypts and the trees can reach up to 50 metres in height.

There are many reasons for the popularity of Blackbutt timber including the two important ones noted below.

1. Blackbutt timber is popular because the Blackbutt trees grow quickly thus making regeneration easy.
2. Blackbutt trees are resistant to bushfires.  In fact it is from this bushfire resistance that Blackbutt trees were named.  After a bushfire has swept through, the Blackbutt tree’s buttress (or butt) is blackened from the fire, hence the name Blackbutt.

Properties of Blackbutt Timber

Blackbutt timber is fire resistant.
Blackbutt timber is strong and durable.
The timber machines well.
Blackbutt decking timbers have very little movement.
Mature Blackbutt wood has a high level of extractives.
Blackbutt wood can also be prone to surface checking if it is not stained or oiled properly.  This too can causes problems when painting.

What is Blackbutt Timber Used For?

Blackbutt wood is used for a wide range of different uses including: structural uses, outdoor decks, framework, sleepers, poles, furniture and cladding.  It is often also used for joinery and flooring as it has a slightly different ‘look’ to other hardwoods when the straight grain interlocks.

Blackbutt timber is also used for paper-making.

Advantages of Blackbutt Timber

Blackbutt wood stains and oils well.
The strength and long service of life of the wood is a very important characteristic.
The wood is an attractive colour which can range from golden yellow to light brown.  Sometimes a pinkish hue may also be present.
The timber has mostly a straight grain which makes it a popular material for both internal and external use.

Disadvantages of Blackbutt Timber

Blackbutt wood is not termite resistant.
The timber performs only fair for steam bending.
Blackbutt wood can result in problems with some adhesives.
As a decking timber one disadvantage of Blackbutt is the high level of extractives, this can however be avoided by using stainless strews in the construction of a Blackbutt deck.
As Blackbutt wood is prone to surface checking this can cause problems when painting.
Blackbutt decking has been known to have a tendency to splitting.
It can be difficult to obtain Blackbutt decking in uniform lengths.

Blackbutt Decks

Blackbutt decking is a good choice for an outdoor timber deck.  The durability and strength of the timber means that your deck will stand the test of time.  The attractive colour and pattern of the wood also means a highly attractive deck.  The timbers acceptance of stains and varnish too make it a good choice as a deck building material.  Blackbutt decking boards if left untreated are also attractive providing a natural, weathered appearance.

If you are building a new home then Blackbutt is a good choice as it can be used both indoors and outdoors.  Thus your internal floors can complement your decking boards creating a natural flow from the inside to the outside.

If you live in a bushfire region then Blackbutt should definitely be on your short list of choices of decking timbers.

All We Do Is Decks

We are highly experienced deck builders in Brisbane and would welcome the opportunity to build a stunning and durable Blackbutt deck for you.  You can be assured that should you engage our services the Blackbutt decking that we use in the building of your deck with have a Chain of Custody certification.  This means that the timber will be sourced from a legal source that practises sustainability management.

For more detailed information regarding Blackbutt timber visit timber.net.au