A series of events over the past year has thrown the Australian building and construction industry into a tailspin. From bushfires to importing difficulties due to COVID, and lack of domestic production to the housing boom, various challenges have led to a timber shortage, both across Australia and worldwide.
The increasing demand for timber products combined with insufficient stocks has exacerbated the situation, causing long wait times in supply and project delays for builders.
While structural framing timbers face shortages, there are other non-structural support products, which are also in short supply such as decking, fencing and cladding. Suppliers, buyers, builders and homeowners need to seek out alternatives to timber to use on their homes, in order to conserve low timber supplies and complete their projects on time.
One such alternative is the timber-look aluminium finish DecoWood from DECO Australia. While DECO does not provide structural products, DecoWood products can be used on a variety of different applications where timber would normally be used.
What is DecoWood?
DecoWood is a premium timber-look powdercoat finish for aluminium. Innovative sublimation technology is used to transfer a woodgrain image onto powdercoated aluminium, replicating an authentic timber appearance as well as feel and form on a variety of aluminium building products. DecoWood can be applied to almost any aluminium extrusion or flat sheet, and is frequently used for cladding, battens, windows, doors, slats and decking.
More than 50% more durable than standard powdercoating, DecoWood does not release any harmful VOCs into the atmosphere, unlike the stains and paints often used on timber products to maintain them. DecoWood products will also never need ongoing maintenance such as oiling or staining, and are available in over 150 natural woodgrain colours.
Sustainable DecoWood
In addition to being a viable timber alternative, DecoWood is also a sustainable alternative to other building products commonly used in the building industry.
Aluminium is one of the world’s most recyclable products – 70% of the world’s recycled aluminium is still in use today. Aluminium’s strength and durability, combined with the durability of the DecoWood finish, make it a long-lasting alternative that will not fade, peel, rot or warp as timber or composites may do over time, therefore, reducing the frequency of replacement.
An Australian-made alternative
Made in Australia, DecoWood offers customers a quality product and finish with competitive lead times – builders and buyers need not worry about long wait times to import the product. The Australian-made products are also tested to, and compliant with the relevant Australian standards, providing you the assurance of a quality product.
