Sydney Wood gives a rundown on its sustainable Mahogany decking.
Q: Describe the product.
A: Sustainable Mahogany decking is a plantation decking timber which offers architects, designers and end users a responsible, sustainable alternative when planning a deck or outdoor living area. The decking boards are currently being produced in 90 mm x 21 mm, 140 mm x 21 mm and 140 mm x 25 mm boards. There are plans to also produce 70 mm x 21 mm and 40 mm x 21 mm boards which will give options for architectural screening as well.
Q: What is the history of Mahogany Hardwood?
A: Genuine Honduran Mahogany, Swietenia Macrophllya, is a hardwood which has been used for centuries as the highest quality, durable and stable marine and exterior and also as a highly decorative, easily machined furniture timber. It occurs naturally in Central America.
Q: What makes Mahogany decking sustainable?
A: Sustainable Mahogany decking is a true plantation timber sourced from mature plantations in Fiji. Extensive areas of poorly cropped land were planted with Mahogany seedlings after World War II. All the resource is planted on tribally -owned land, which ensures income from log harvesting is retained by indigenous Fijians.
Harvesting of logs is carried out in a strictly controlled manner under a National Forest Policy by the Fijian government. Genuine Mahogany from this plantation resource is exempt from the Convention in Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations. Certification supporting this is issued by the Fiji Islands’ CITES management authority.
All Mahogany shipments are subject to specific export licenses and certificates of origin.
Sustainable Mahogany decking utilises a responsibly managed plantation timber resource of truly sustainable Mahogany hardwood in a world of dwindling hardwood resources.
Q: How durable is genuine Mahogany as a decking?
A: In ground graveyard tests of Mahogany heartwood carried out by the New Zealand Forest Research Institute, results indicated an average life of 10.2 years. This indicates an above ground durability of class 2, giving a probable life of 15 to 45 years. To ensure durability for any sapwood which may be present all fibre is H3.2 CCA treated.
Q: What does Mahogany decking look like?
A: Genuine Mahogany heartwood is pinkish to pale brown with a reddish brown flare in quarter sawn boards weathering to dark red brown. Typically, the boards have an attractive cathedral-like grain. Uncoated boards weather quickly to silver grey. The boards machine to an exceptionally silky smooth texture.
Q: How stable is Mahogany decking?
A: There is no way to guarantee a timber product will not experience dimensional change in an outdoor application, but one of the sought after characteristics of Mahogany, especially for Marine applications, was its stability. It naturally has very low tangential and radial shrinkage. All genuine Mahogany decking is kiln-dried to 15 per cent to 18 per cent moisture content prior to machining. It has exceptional stability compared to many other decking timbers.
Q: How is the product installed?
A: Mahogany decking is installed in the same manner as any other conventional decking — nailing by hand, using a nail gun or screw fixing. Mahogany has exceptionally good nailing characteristics. A dry density of approximately 600 kgs per m3 means the timber is easily handled.
A concealed fixing profile will be available later in 2010. Machined in a 70 mm x 21 mm and 90 mm x 21 mm board, it will provide an option for a decking surface free of fixings and creates a quick and easy method of installation.
For more information contact Sydney Wood Industries:
(02) 9999 6613
www.sydneywood.com.au
