Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 40

FEATURES
Thermory ash pool decking in Sea Point, Cape Town installed by Timber Connection.
they are still soft and have a very similar grain so may mark
in high traffic areas.
“Ash goes through an intense TMT process so changes
colour from the normal blonde to a dark brown hue but still
retains the beautiful figure for which ash is known. Thermo
ash and ipé are the only two timbers listed here that are
Class 1 for durability according to European standards
classification so longevity and stability are key factors. Ash
has the added advantage of being available in wide boards
up to 150mm and still able to be fixed by means of a
non-visible clip system with no risk of cupping or warping
– a rare and wonderful characteristic.”
DURABILITY VERSUS BUDGET
As a rule of thumb, the cost of the timber bares a direct
relationship with the longevity of the product, notes
Watermeyer. “So chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated
38 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 //
South African pine would be the cheapest option but don’t
expect your deck to look like new forever; while at the
other end of the scale, ipé and Thermory ash will last a
lifetime with very little or no maintenance.
“The problem with outdoor decks exposed to the
elements is that deterioration is a constant process, so if a
deck is guaranteed to last 10 years, it won’t look new in
year nine and will look like death in year 11. The ageing
process starts from day one and timbers that crack or warp
will show signs early and slowly accentuate over time. It is
therefore desirable to extend your budget as far as
possible to build the best entertainment area possible.
Rather reduce the size of the deck than reduce the quality
of the wood you choose.”
In terms of using decking clips, Watermeyer says he has
never advocated the use of a hidden fixing system as wood
swells and contracts from season to season which will
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