Timber Tips
Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, warned that hardwood changes colour after about 12 months in the rain, wind and sunlight. This can be a problem if you pay thousands of dollars for timber and build a new deck or fence that changes colour and looks grey, lifeless and ugly a few months later.
Offcut experiment
Rather than regretting your choice of timber and having to live with an eyesore, Scott suggested going to the timber yard and picking up some hardwood offcuts. Place these out in the backyard in an exposed spot. Wait a few months to see if they change colour, choose the one you like best and then order the timber for your building project. Scott says that this simple little experiment could save you a lot of money and heartache.
Common hardwood timbers used for decks include: Batu (Indonesian), WA Karri and Blackbutt.
