The real cost of timber fencing
When looking around for timber fencing and gates, Merbau is often the first product you encounter. As one of the cheapest materials available, it is no wonder it is so popular.
However, there are many factors that need to be considered in determining the total cost of your fencing and gates before you rush in. For example, there are different grades of Merbau, and in general you get what you pay for. It is not uncommon for the cheaper grades of Merbau to be warped and display many of the timber's natural imperfections such as knotholes. If you want to avoid such issues, you can expect to pay approximately double for the select grade.
Installing timber fencing and gates is a time-consuming and labour-intensive activity. A tradesperson is usually required for the job, costing up to four times more than the timber itself.
Once the fence is installed, the timber needs to be pre-treated, which is a three or four stage process. First, the timber must be cleaned thoroughly with a timber cleaning product in order to remove excess tannins and oils from the timber and prepare the surface for painting. Next, the fence needs be primed with one or two coats of a high quality product, such as Intergrain 4. Then the final coat is applied, offering UV and water protection. Altogether, these products can add up to $20 per square metre to the price of the fence, not to mention the cost of your time.
This process must be repeated on a regular basis in order to prolong the life of your timber fence and prevent weathering as much as possible. The general consensus is that the more often you re-stain your merbau fence, the longer it will last. Many recommend sanding back the timber and applying several coats of a stain or oil every six months. However there is still the well-known issue with Merbau fencing that the tannins leach when wet and stain the ground below.
Finally, the cost to the environment is one which cannot be put into a monetary figure. Most Merbau is largely sourced from Indonesian rainforests, endangering animal species through the destruction of their habitats and food sources.
You can seek out timbers that have been certified by genuine environmental bodies, or alternatively you can opt for timber-look aluminium products which do not threaten biodiversities and never need painting or staining. DecoWood is a wood grain powder coating on aluminium that is ideal for fencing, gates and privacy screens as it is durable even when exposed to harsh weather conditions such as direct sunlight over long periods of time.
The technology used to make DecoWood look and feel so similar to natural timber has been tried and tested in Europe for two decades, and complies with all Australian and international standards for quality. DecoWood also has a lower installed cost than timber once you take into account the installation, maintenance and durability costs involved with products such as Merbau. Not only do you save money, you also free up your weekends to do the things you love to do.
Products from this supplier
More news from this supplier
CHALLENGING MANY of the common beliefs about Medium Density Fibreboard, Opalz is a sleek powder coating that stands up to the wear and tear of daily use in high traffic applications. By More…
LIGHTER, MORE affordable and easier to install than real marble, DecoRoccia uses advanced photo imaging technology to precisely replicate the look and feel of marble and granite on More…
DESIGNERS, BUILDERS and home owners alike will find useful the technical information regarding DecoWood timber look aluminium now available on the Decorative Imaging website. For More…
THE INTERNATIONAL Aluminium Institute has compiled the findings from global research into the sustainability of aluminium, revealing that building products such as DecoWood timber look More…
DECOWOOD IS a high quality timber finish for aluminium building products including but not limited to decking, cladding, windows, doors, louvres, shutters and ceilings. An ideal alternative More…
DECOART OFFERS a new take on signage, splashbacks, wall-panelling and more. The technology enables any photographic image to be transferred into aluminium powder coating for a polished More…
TIMBER DECKING looks great when it is first installed, but quickly loses its appeal when it becomes swollen, rotten, cracked and grey. More than likely it will become even less charming More…
DECOWOOD WAS the preferred choice for a number of large-scale projects on the Gold Coast recently. The wood grain finish on aluminium was selected instead of timber due to its durability More…
DECORATIVE IMAGING has developed a new retaining wall system for gardens of all shapes and sizes. Any of the beautiful and durable finishes in the DecoWood and DecoRoccia ranges are More…
DECORATIVE IMAGING launched its exciting new DecoWood colours and textures at DesignEX in April. Designers were invited to view the new timber look aluminium finishes in various applications, More…
DECOWOOD TIMBER look aluminium cladding was used externally during renovations of several KFC restaurants across Australia. The timber look aluminium was chosen to create a more natural More…
STEEL-LINE GARAGE Doors are now offering their quality range of residential and commercial garage doors with the popular DecoWood timber look finish. DecoWood combines the stunning More…
DECORATIVE IMAGING now has over 400 DecoWood distributors all over Australia, making Australia’s favourite timber look aluminium more accessible than ever. DecoWood customers can More…
DECORATIVE IMAGING has taken steps toward becoming a more sustainable operation in recent months by joining the Green Building Council of Australia, and putting staff through the HIA’s More…
THE COVETED timber bifold look has never been more accessible. WoodE is the latest product range from Evolution Window Systems, combining architecturally-designed bifold and pivot entry More…
DECOWOOD TIMBER-LOOK aluminium will again be making its way across the country in 2011. timber-look windows, doors, privacy screens, decks, shutters, louvres, fences, gates and garage More…
HANLON WINDOWS now offers its range of aluminium windows and doors with the DecoWood timber look finish. Hanlon Windows is a leading Australian manufacturer of residential and commercial More…
CHANNEL TEN’S latest reality TV program From the Ground Up wound up at the weekend, and the photos are now available to view on the DecoWood website. ‘Nesters’ Cameron and Shanina More…
DECOWOOD WOOD-GRAIN finish on aluminium is an ideal alternative to timber for privacy screens and other products used in outdoor entertainment and living areas, especially in warmer More…
DECOWOOD WOOD grain finish on aluminium is a marine grade powder coating, meaning that it is ideal for costal applications. While most powder coating cannot be used within 100 metres More…
DECODECK WAS recently used for a wrap-around deck in the Seymour region of Victoria due to its bushfire-safe credentials. DecoDeck is an aluminium decking system with the beautiful More…
DECOWOOD TIMBER look cladding was recently used as an external feature on the office building at the new Sydney Water Recycling Plant in South-Western Sydney. DecoWood is a wood grain More…
DECOWOOD IS expanding its range to include two new finishes – Blackbutt and Curly Birch. In response to feedback from home owners and designers, DecoWood has developed the finishes More…
DECODECK™ IS the aluminium decking system that looks and feels just like timber. DecoDeck is a sustainable alternative to timber decking products for many reasons. The obvious More…
DECOWOOD™ ALUMINIUM slats are an ideal alternative to timber fencing and gates as they are low maintenance, strong and durable. Never requiring painting or staining, DecoWood™ slats More…
DECOWOOD™ AND DecoDeck™ were selected as the products of choice for Channel Ten’s new reality TV program From The Ground Up. The program challenges four couples to build a house More…
DECOWOOD™ HAS proven to be a beneficial alternative to timber cladding and facades, especially in commercial applications. DecoWood™ cladding and facades have been used in a number More…
DECODECK™ IS the unique aluminium decking system with the DecoWood™ wood grain finish. Beautiful, durable and sustainable, DecoDeck™ resolves many of the issues associated with More…
DECODECK™ IS the beautiful, durable and sustainable aluminium decking system with the DecoWood™ wood grain finish. DecoDeck™ looks and feels just like timber without any of the More…
DECOWOOD™ WOOD grain powder coating on aluminium offers more design options due to the impressive post-forming qualities of the finish. When used in architectural projects, DecoWood™ More…
DECOWOOD™ JARRAH was the powder coating of choice for MetalART Industries 75 × 15 mm aluminium Supaslats used in the Point Cook Shopping Centre in Melbourne. The slats were used More…
DECOWOOD™ WOOD grain powder coating on aluminium is a minimal maintenance solution for hospitality, commercial and government projects. DecoWood™ offers the natural beauty of timber More…
DECOWOOD™ WESTERN Red Cedar windows and doors were effectively combined with stone cladding on a home in Wollongong, NSW to create a natural look. The home owner was delighted with More…
MCDONALD'S HAVE installed DecoWood™ slats at a number of their restaurants around Australia for the look of natural timber without the issues with high maintenance, poor durability More…
DECOWOOD™ WOOD-GRAIN finish on aluminium has been used on internal and external ceiling applications in a number of projects around Australia recently. Hallway ceilings of an office More…
DECOWOOD™ GARAGE doors are now available from market leaders Steel-line Garage Doors. DecoWood™ wood grain powder coating offers the natural beauty of timber with all the benefits More…
DECOWOOD™ WOOD grain finish on aluminium was used for a wall to ceiling vertical screen in a Sydney office building because timber was not available in four metre lengths that would More…
IN THE cold winter months, windows and doors have a major impact on the inside temperature of a home. They can determine the amount of heat that is retained inside and how much of the More…
DECODECK™ IS a durable aluminium decking system with the DecoWood™ wood grain finish that provides a solution to the endless problems associated with timber decking. Timber decks More…
ONE OF the hottest trends for poker machine casements and gaming furniture in Las Vegas is the wood grain finish on aluminium. For added style and class, DecoWood™ can now be applied More…
DECOWOOD™ IS proudly Australian owned and manufactured, making it one of the only locally-made wood grain finishes on aluminium available in Australia. Australian-made means quality More…
DECORATIVE IMAGING will be exhibiting their stunning range of finishes at the first Hotel Hospitality and Design Expo in Melbourne from the 24th to the 26th of May. The trade-only More…
GIBSON SHOPFITTERS took a fun approach to the recent nationwide Big W store upgrades with eye-catching DecoArt™ decorative shelving. From Penrith in Sydney to Mandurah in Western More…
DECOWORLD ON display at DesignEX and Hotel, Hospitality and Design The beautiful, durable and sustainable products DecoWood™, DecoArt™, DecoDeck™, DecoRoccia™ and Opalz™ More…
ROUGHLY 60 per cent of the aluminium ever produced is still in the system being used in some form. Aluminium is a highly recyclable material, making DecoWood™ a beautiful and sustainable More…
TIMBER BI-FOLD windows and doors have long been a popular look for restaurants and cafes, adding a warm, indoor-outdoor feel to the space. However, issues of maintenance, fading and More…
DECOWOOD™ IS so delectable that it recently got a mention in the Glutton section of the Sun-Herald. A food review of the restaurant ‘Wet Paint’ in the eastern suburbs of Sydney More…
AUSTRALIANS ARE all too aware of the looming threat of bushfires in summer and the potential damage it can cause to homes in bushfire prone areas. Many local councils in bushfire designated More…
Decorative Imaging Pty Ltd
Decorative Imaging is the most experienced provider of wood grain finishes on aluminium in Australia. Decorative Imaging offers alternatives to current building materials using European photo-imaging technology to pro... More...
Head office
Decorative Imaging Pty Ltd
27 Old Hume Highway
Braemar, NSW, 2575
Tel: 02 4871 2277
Fax: 02 4871 3677
Contact this supplier
