Deck-Max™ Timber Species available in most regions are:

• Merbau – available in two pack sizes
  • 2100 m set length - 4 pieces per pack (approx. 1 sq.m. per pack)
  • Random Packs - 4 pieces per pack, lengths will vary from 1200mm long up to 3600mm long.
• Spotted Gum (Qld.) -
  • Random packs – lengths will vary from 900mm long up to 4200mm long
• Iron Bark (Qld.) -
  • Random packs - lenghts will vary from 900m long up to 4200mm long
• Qld. Mixed Hardwood – predominantly spotted gum and iron bark – beautiful colours and quality.
  • Random packs – lengths will vary from 900mm long up to 4200mm long
• BlackButt (Qld.) –
  • Random packs – lengths will vary from 900mm long up to 4200mm long
• Blugum (Qld.) –
  • Random packs – lengths will vary from 900mm long up to 4200mm long
• Profiled timber - Timbers are all profiled for the Deck-Max “Pro” biscuit and End Matched both ends for the use of the World First E/M biscuit joiner.
• Standard and Better - It is carefully graded to include the most interesting and moderate natural features to enhance the look of a timber floor but has a fairly clean appearance.  Australian timbers have beautiful variations in colour and grain, you can see this by highlighting selective gum veins, spirals, burls, insect trails and other natural variations that gives Australian timber decking that unique character.
  
• Timber selected for Deck-Max™ - is cut, air dried then kiln dried, stabilized, skip dressed then finish milling.
• Timber sizes available - Deck-Max™ timbers have being specifically milled to certain sizes to meet the high specification data in the following sizes (approx.):
  • Merbau 110mm x 19mm
  • All Australian Hardwoods 110mm x 21mm

  
  

What should I look out for when doing my deck?

• Choice of Timber – timber should be of specific moisture content to suit your local environment. Local authorities can inform you of this information.
• Kiln Drying – Provides consistency, Stabilises the timber, Reduces twisting, when a supplier goes to the trouble of kiln drying your timber it is more expensive but the end result is well worth the cost. Deck-Max™ believes so….
  • Only use timbers that are Durability class 1 and 2 above ground. All Deck-Max decking meets this criteria.
• Location – Decking should not be installed too close to ground
  • [meaning that if the natural ground is moist and can affect the moisture content of the underside of the board then you are installing too close to ground].
  • 400mm off ground or less you can run into trouble.
  • Consider if the deck is to be fully exposed to the weather or not. Then you must consider the following including what gap setting you will use.
• Drainage – important when trying to fix over a concrete base or the natural ground does not flow away from the house.
  • When fixing over concrete be sure to run the hose over the surface to be sure the water runs away and does not pond.
  • Excavate the ground to be sure that any water will run away from under the deck and does not retain moisture.
  • Refer to Technical Data Sheet 13 by timber Queensland.
  • After excavation lay down geofabric or plastic sheet then cover with course to fine rock or gravel over and around the post supports prior to laying the decking boards.
• Air flow Ventilation – this ensures that the air flow over and under the deck keeps the top side and the underside of the decking boards at consistent moisture content.
  • Do Not close in around a deck – this blocks air flow and will cause the decking boards to cup and twist.
  • Do not build up your gardens to same level as the deck – this will block the asir flow and cause damge to decking boards.
  • Gap settings for decking boards – Gap settings have always being decided by the installer / carpenter to suit the environment etc.
  • If you are in a fire rated zone – Deck-Max™ has the 5mm biscuit to use as standard gap set and is also fire rated.
  • All Deck-Max™ Biscuits have the capacity to be set from 3mm gap out to 6 or 7mm wide.
  • A wider gap setting should be selected when installing close to ground. Deck-Max™ 5mm is ideal.
• Choose the sub-structure of choice – Pine [A.C.Q. & C.C.A.] – Hardwood – Metal

Deck-Max™ Timber Decking can only be used in conjunction with the Deck-Max™ "Pro Biscuit" this biscuit is designed to the profile.

• Deck-Max™ decking and fixings are protected by patents and licenses.
• Profile - The unique profile is enginered for strength, gap settings and ease of installation.
• Waste - When using Deck-Max™ timber decking with the End Match profile your waste savings are as high as 75% saving.
• Fast installation – Our contractors lay up to 45 sq.m. a day with this very high quality finish.

** - Note: All measurements and quantities are subject to your order quantities and the timber supplier takes no responsibility for your quantities.

Ask your supplier / stockist to check your quantities in particular if you are quoting - they are there to help you.

PREPARATION:

• Deck-Max™ Pro Biscuit – Only buy board from Deck-Max™ Licensed timber supplier with the correct specifications.
• The original Biscuit – This can also be pre grooved and OR .. The board is prepared by preparing a lateral cut to both sides with a standard biscuit cutter. Run a test sample cut prior to preparation of timber.
• An exterior construction adhesive {Bostik ULTRASET SF} must be laid on top of the joist prior to fixing the board. Go To Bostik Specifications.
  

Notes:

The moisture content of a floor must be assessed, because if the moisture content is outside allowable limits, there is a greater probability of cupping. crowning or twisting. Where possible, moisture readings should be checked and recorded on both the top and bottom surfaces and these readings should be checked and recorded on both the top and bottom surfaces and these readings should vary by less than 3%. Moisture readings should be taken and recorded in at least four places in each deck area and should include areas near walls as well as the centre of each deck. A variance of less than 1% between readings is desired and the mean of readings should correlate to the mean EMC for the situation.

Where the recent history of the boards or the acclimatisation practices are unknown, the moisture contents of the boards should be compared to that of other timber components used in the same building, eg: joists, bearers, skirting, door frames, etc. This procedure can also be used to aid in establishing the moisture content of timbers such as brushbox, for which moisture readings made with electrical resistance metres can be unreliable due to extractives contained in the timbers which can influence conductivity.

Many dwellings are bricked in underneath and a lack of sufficient ventilation can result in high humidities in the sub-deck space. This may result in excessive expansion and cupping of floor boards.

Natural durability ratings: The natural durability rating of a timber species is a rating of the timber's resistance to attack by wood destroying fungi and wood destroying insects.

The rating is based on the testing of stakes and poles embedded in the ground and on expert opinion of historical performance.

There are 2 sets of ratings: one for above ground use and one for in-ground contact use. The lower the number the higher the performance in terms of durability. This information is useful for specifying material for external or exposed applications.