🪵 What Decking Material Should You Use? A Builder’s Guide to Timber That Lasts
🪵 What Decking Material Should You Use? A Builder’s Guide to Timber That Lasts
When it comes to building (or refreshing) a deck, choosing the right material is one of the most important decisions you'll make. At KiwiCraft Construction, we’ve built hundreds of decks across the Waikato — and not all decking materials are created equal.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common options, what they’re good for, and where we’d steer clear.
✅ Kwila (Merbau): Rich, Durable, and Proven
Kwila is our go-to for high-end decks. It’s a dense tropical hardwood with a rich reddish-brown tone that weathers beautifully over time.
Pros:
Incredibly durable and long-lasting
Minimal warping, cupping, or splitting
Deep colour that looks sharp oiled or natural
Best For: Premium decks that need to last 20+ years with proper care.
✅ Vitex: Light Colour, Stable, and Eco-Friendly
Vitex is another hardwood, but lighter in tone — great if you’re after a more coastal or Scandi look. It's also more sustainable than other imported timbers.
Pros:
Stable and less prone to movement than pine
Light, clean aesthetic
FSC-certified supply options available
Best For: Modern decks, bach vibes, and environmentally conscious builds.
✅ H3.2 Treated Pine: Budget-Friendly and Functional
Pine is the most cost-effective option — and if maintained well, it can still last years.
Pros:
Great for tight budgets
Takes stain well (so you can style it up)
Easy to source and work with
Cons:
Softer wood — dents and scratches more easily
Needs more frequent staining/oiling
Best For: Entry-level decks, family homes, or when stretching the budget further is a priority.
❌ Composite Decking: Looks Good at First… But Doesn’t Last
We’ve installed and replaced a few composite decks — and to be blunt, we no longer recommend it.
Why not?
Expands and contracts a lot with heat and cold
Scratches and marks easily
Can fade and look plastic-like over time
Doesn’t wear naturally like timber
Verdict: For the price, you’re better off with a solid hardwood that improves with age, not one that fights it.
🔁 Redecking an Existing Frame? Here's What You Need to Know
Got an older deck that’s looking tired, but the frame underneath is still solid? You might not need a full rebuild — redecking could be the answer.
At KiwiCraft, we can remove the old boards and fit a fresh surface in the material of your choice — saving you time, money, and council headaches.
Signs it's time to redeck:
Splintering or cracked boards
Boards feel spongy or loose underfoot
Stains, rot, or persistent surface mould
You want to upgrade to hardwood or change the look
🛠️ Pro tip: Not all subframes are created equal — we’ll assess your existing structure first and let you know if it’s up to NZ building code or needs a bit of reinforcing.
BEFORE - Old deck was rough and weathered — time for a serious refresh.
AFTER - New Kwila boards, two stair sets, and a baluster upgrade. Clients were stoked with the result!
🧮 Not Sure What It’ll Cost?
Try our Deck Cost Calculator to get an instant ballpark estimate. Then book a site visit — we’ll take a look and give you real options, not sales fluff.
Ready to Build or Refresh Your Deck?
Whether you’re starting from scratch or reviving something tired, we’ll help you choose the best materials and deliver a finished product that lasts.