2 August 2021

Timber VS Timber-look Aluminium

Timber can be a cost-efficient building material, with many great characteristics for both interior and exterior building projects. However, the natural characteristics of most timbers have some disadvantages. Overcome these issues by using a timber-look aluminium alternative such as DecoWood®, to achieve the timber look you desire minus the disadvantages.

Maintenance

Timber used externally will typically require some maintenance every 6-12 months depending on its location and exposure to the weather. This includes sanding, staining and repainting. This is one of the many hassles associated with using real timber. A timber-look aluminium product, however, is virtually maintenance free.

With a product such as DecoWood®, its highly durable powder coat finish is designed to withstand harsh environments (although the occasional hose down to remove dust, dirt or salt spray is recommended to ensure it looks new for many years to come).

Above: DecoWood Natural Casuarina®

Durability

When choosing a timber alternative, timber-look aluminium is a very durable building solution that will never warp or rot. When a Super Durable™ powder coating is used, such as DecoWood®, the product has gone through strict testing to ensure its durability and weather resistance.

Timber certainly has its downfalls when it comes to durability. As timber is a natural material, it will move with changes in climatic conditions and can therefore shrink, swell, twist, crack and warp over time.

Most timbers are also prone to termite attack, rotting and can grow mould depending on the location.

Fire Safe

While using beautiful natural timber may be your wish, building in bushfire zones or commercial areas can limit your opportunities. Even the more bushfire-resistant species of timber can only be used up to BAL 29. With solid, powder coated aluminium, you can achieve the aesthetic of real timber with a non-combustible alternative suitable even for BAL 40 and BAL FZ.

DecoWood® solid aluminium products meet the highest standards of fire compliance and can be used in almost any application including high-rise buildings.

Quality

The quality of timber varies depending on the type of tree – hardwood or softwood. Hardwood is known for offering higher durability and longevity compared to softwood, however, timber is far from being a stable and consistent material regardless of its type.

By using an aluminium alternative, you are guaranteed a perfectly straight length with no defects. Aluminium is also much stronger when compared to timber, allowing for larger spaces between fixings and faster installation times.

Made from the highest quality materials available, DecoWood® fully complies with Australian and international standards for quality.

Above: DecoWood Natural Kwila®

Sustainability

The biggest concerns with using timber in the building industry are the logging of trees and greenhouse gas emissions.

All timber building products, once used, will require regular maintenance such as staining to sustain their appearance. Paints and stains used on timbers often contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are released into the atmosphere and are harmful to the environment. A timber-look powder-coated aluminium product does not release toxic VOCs.

75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still being used in some form today. Aluminium’s durability and long lifespan ensures that it fulfils its intended purpose for many decades. Aluminium recycling is a closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle process because the life of the material doesn’t stop after you’ve finished with it – it can keep being recycled!

Australia’s Timber Shortage

Australia is currently experiencing a housing boom but constructions are having huge delays and issues with the global timber shortage. The shortage, which has been predicted to last for six months, has also resulted in price increases.

The solution? DecoWood®!

DECO manufactures material for a range of timber alternatives suitable for important building features such as posts, beams, decking, cladding, battens, fencing and other applications where timber is often used.

What you can expect: