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Types of Timber
Timber is a building material used through the ages. It is strong, hard wearing and visually appealing and there’s no other building material that’s better for the environment. With steel prices continuing to rise, choosing to build your pergola with timber is not just the right choice environmentally, it’s also economic. The timber for your pergola kit is available in many different species offering variable strength, size, colour, grain and density.
Pine
Clear treated pine provides the same excellent colour and performance as treated pine decking but without the presence of knots or the greenish hue of CCA treatment that can cause discoloration. It has a density rating of 550, a toughness rating of L and a durability class of 1, with colour variations ranging from pale straw to yellow. It is highly popular and affordable, being one of our best selling decking options. This decking material is known for its exceptional stain-taking ability, sturdiness and durability.
Kapur
Kapur, a hardwood decking board, is imported from Indonesia. It is a DAR board, with slightly rounded corners on all four sides. Kapur boasts a density rating of 750, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 2, making it suitable for above ground use. It has a WPR colour profile, which typically appears as a light reddish-brown hue with a slight paleness. Kapur is an excellent value decking board that delivers optimal performance, showcasing a beautiful grain pattern and colour.
Ironbark
Ironbark, an Australian Eucalypt hardwood selectively sourced from NSW and QLD, produces highly durable decking boards. These boards are DAR products with a density rating of 1100, a toughness rating of H and a durability class of 1. Their colour profile varies with a WRB rating, with hues typically ranging from light grey, red to dark brown.
Spotted Gum
Spotted Gum is an Australian hardwood selectively harvested from NSW and QLD for its distinct spotted appearance. Spotted Gum decking is DAR finished, offering high durability with a density rating of 1100, a toughness rating of H and a durability class of 1 for above ground use. These boards have a brown colour profile, with variations ranging from light to dark and boast a unique wavy pattern in the timber grain.
Tallow Wood
Tallow Wood is another type of selectively harvested Australian Eucalypt hardwood from South East Queensland. It is also produced as a DAR board, with a density rating of 1000, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 1. Tallow Wood usually has a light coloured yellow-brown appearance.
Blackbutt
Blackbutt is another selectively harvested Australian Eucalypt hardwood sourced from NSW and QLD. It is produced as a DAR decking board, boasting a density rating of 900, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 1 for above ground use. This hardwood has a blonde or pale colour profile.
Jarrah
Jarrah is another type of selectively harvested Australian Eucalypt hardwood, sourced from WA, Victoria and the Northern Territory. It is produced as a DAR decking board with a density rating of 800, a toughness rating of L and a durability class of 2. Jarrah decking has a vibrant red/brown colour profile, making it an aesthetically appealing option for a deck.
Merbau
Merbau is an imported hardwood decking option, hailing from Indonesia. This type of decking is available in 90mm and 140mm wide boards and is produced as a DAR board, sometimes featuring a reeded surface on one face. With a density rating of 850, a toughness rating of M and a durability class of 1 for above ground use, Merbau performs exceptionally well. It has a distinct deep red-brown colour profile, although it may exhibit some tannin bleed when first unpacked.
River Red
River Reds are an Australian hardwood Eucalypt variety, selectively harvested from WA, NSW and QLD. They are manufactured as DAR decking boards, with a density rating of 900, a toughness rating of L and a durability class of 2. River Reds come in a diverse range of shades from deep to light red and brown, making them an excellent choice for adding contrast and variation to any deck.
If you’re unsure of the best timber for the job, give us a ring and talk to the experts.
DIY Pergolas Melbourne — Kit Inclusions
We supply all the materials and hardware that are required to build your complete pergola, except for the concrete. You’ll receive a full, pre-cut structure that comes complete with all the required fittings, roofing and guttering.
All Brackets, Fixings + Fasteners
There’s no need to head to the hardware store looking for bits and pieces – everything is included.
Plans & elevations for council/shire submission
If you’re building your structure yourself, we’ll provide you with a copy of plans to submit to your local council before building.
Roofing + Guttering
These essential components are included in your chosen colour.
Optional Timber Upgrades
Upgrades to timber varieties can be made at an additional cost.
DIY Pergola Kits Melbourne
A pergola creates a focal point that can complement your home’s existing features, making it both more interesting and functional. Adding a pergola can also provide opportunities to enhance your property’s aesthetic appeal. Pergolas vary in shape and size, from tiny structures that cover a doorstep to large structures that could cover a walkway many metres in length. By experimenting with paint colour, roofing, plants and other decorative objects, all pergolas can contribute to overall visual appeal. At Softwoods, we know that building at home is often a major undertaking, and we want to help you make it happen with as little stress and effort as possible.
We’ve found that using a pre-cut kit makes building a pergola far easier. It’s the ideal solution for people who otherwise wouldn’t have the confidence to cut and build the entire structure themselves. Our design system feeds data from our computer to a saw that precisely cuts the angles for each piece of timber in our pergola, making DIY pergola building nowhere near as time-consuming or daunting as it would otherwise be. By taking the guesswork out of the DIY building process, you’ll save significant time and money. In addition, when you deal with us, you’re paying for the peace of mind that comes with 30-years of experience in the field.