Timber Decking in Palmerston North: Kwila & Hardwood

There is a reason kwila has been the go-to premium deck timber in New Zealand for decades. It is dense, hard-wearing and a deep red-brown colour that warms up a house like nothing else. A well-built kwila deck looks good on the day it is finished and better once it has had a summer or two.

Hardwood is the middle option on price, above treated pine and below most composites. It does need some looking after. Oil it once a year and it holds that rich colour. Leave it and it weathers to a silver-grey, which some people like and plenty of people choose on purpose.

We build hardwood decks across Palmerston North, from character homes in Hokowhitu where pine would look out of place, to new builds in Kelvin Grove and Aokautere where the owners want a natural timber deck rather than a manufactured board.

Wood decking in NZ, and hardwood decking in NZ in particular, mostly comes down to four timbers. As wood deck builders, we build wooden decks in NZ timbers and imports alike. All of them make a good timber deck when the frame underneath is built properly. They differ in looks, hardness, price and upkeep.

Kwila decking

The classic NZ hardwood deck. Deep red-brown, very hard and naturally durable. Bleeds tannin when new. The most popular hardwood decking in NZ and the one most people picture when they think of a timber deck.

Vitex decking

A lighter, golden-brown hardwood that is often cheaper than kwila. It weathers to silver-grey like other hardwoods, and generally bleeds less tannin than kwila. A good choice if you want a hardwood deck in a lighter colour.

Garapa decking

A pale, honey-coloured hardwood from South America. Hard-wearing with a fine grain. It suits modern homes where a red kwila tone would feel heavy.

Treated pine decking

Pressure treated pine decking (H3.2 radiata pine) is the most affordable timber decking in NZ, and pine decking in NZ and takes stain in any colour. Softer than hardwood, so it marks more easily. See treated pine decks.

For a full side-by-side comparison, including purpleheart, Accoya, Abodo and macrocarpa, read our guide to the best decking timber in NZ. If you are weighing timber against composite, see composite vs timber decking.

• Year one: wash the deck down a few times as the tannin leaches out, then apply a decking oil once it has weathered for a few weeks
• Every year: wash, let it dry, and re-oil before summer if you want to keep the colour
• Or leave it: unoiled hardwood greys off naturally and still lasts. It just changes colour
• Keep it clear: sweep leaves and clear moss in shady corners, especially on decks under trees around Hokowhitu and the Esplanade end of town