Hardwoods size up southern deck market

fN the South. buyers usually think Ifirst ol'Dressure treated wood when it comes to decking, possibly composites for high-end projects. But hardwoods may be primed for in-roads into the region's deck market.

"Growing is an understatementit's exploding," says Tim McGill, DLH Nordisk, Greensboro, N.C. "We began importing finished hardwood decking two-and-a-half years ago, but it's really taken off in the past year. A lot of direct imporlers are looking fbr a replacement fbr mahogany, which has become so tough to get."

Steve Wilson, Kayu International, West Linn, Or., notes that hardwood decking is well established in the Northeast, but has previously fbund it difficult to compete in the West against redwood and cedar and in the South against southern pine. Suddenly, Wilson says, "the redwood supply has dwindled, and better trees that give good cedar are in shorter supply. We've gone through all these problems with arsenic and treated wood. There's the countervailing duty on softwoods. All of this has created an opportunity for hardwoods."

More than 20 years ago, as Contact International, Lightning Brand Products, Portland, Or., was among the first companies to begin importing meranti (Philippine mahogany) decking. "ln the past three years," says Lightning Brand's Steve Osterman, "the hardwood decking market has really changed, because of all the diff'erent hardwoods now available, espe- cially from South America. More hardwoods and different species coming into the U.S. has made competition and pricing more fierce."

Selling hardwood decking in the Southeast is, according to Bill Wade, Banner Elk Trading Co., Atlanta, Ga., "f'airly new. It really has no presence in Atlanta; maybe less than l07o of dealers in our area know what ipd is."

Through efforts such as trade advertising and home shows, he says, introduction of hardwood decking to the area is making "excellent progress. As awareness increases, it should take a lot of marketshare away from composites in the Southeast and redwood and cedar in the West."

Although hardwood decking compares price-wise with clear redwood and cedar, the obstacle to increased sales may not be a lack of willing buyers. According to Carl Widder, Cecco Trading, Milwaukee, Wi.: "Guys in the lumberyard and contractors are more concerned about how much it costs per lineal foot than the homeowner. It's a specialty product. We're not talking about a truckload to a big box. This is for a homeowner with a larger home, who knows it's going to cost more. The homeowner doesn't care about spending $500 more on a $15,000 project. And, the dealer would make a greater margin."

^ llompared lo softwoods, hardwoods usually make for stronger, heavier and more naturally resistant decking. While there are a range of price points and performance differences in hardwoods, choosing between species is a matter of personal preference. "Appearance is in the eye of the beholder," Wilson notes. "They are all beautiful in their own right."

Among the species most commonly imported for decking:

. Ip6: Central and South American species recognized as one of the most dense decking products available. Highly durable, stable, strong and naturally resistant to decay. Can be used in ground contact without preservatives or additional treatments. Good availability and long lengths. Must be pre-drilled prior to nailing. and installed with stainless steel screws or hidden fastening systems. Dries extremely well with little checking, twisting. or bow.

Widely used for piers and boardwalks (Atlantic City Boardwalk, market has really changed because of all the different species now available."

Treasure Island resort in Las Vegas, Disney's Boardwalk in Orlando, Fl.), the heavy, tight-grained timber is increasingly used in residential decking due to its low maintenance, attractive color, and smooth surface. Rich brown with some pieces displaying red and amber hues. Weathers naturally to beautiful silver gray.

Distributors in the South include Banner Elk Trading, Atlanta; Capital Lumber Co., Lubbock and Waco, Tx.; Inter-Continental Hardwoods. Currie. N.C., and J. Gibson Mcllvain Co., White Marsh, Md.

. Purpleheart: Brazilian species known for its distinctive purple color; it fades to a brown over time and turns a darker silver gray in exterior applications. It can be air dried with good stability and has little movement in service. Rated as very durable and resistant to dry wood termites.

Distributors include MacBeath Hardwood Co. and Cecco Trading.

. Jarrah: Western Australian species known for its combination of durability and workability, with a distinctive dark red color. Ideal combination of high durability, hardness, strength and attractive appearance.

Availability is more limited due to the Australian government's sustained-yield management program. Consequently, notes Romel Bezerra, Aljoma Lumber, Medley, Fl., jarrah "is being pushed for furniture nowadays. It's too hard and too dense, so should be used for decking."

. Yellow and red balau: Durable, knot free but slightly less dense hardwood from Indonesia and Malaysia requires no treatment due to natural resistance to fungal decay and insect attack. More uniform in color. May be stained. Rather difficult to dry and to machine. Extra strong heavy duty fixing is recommended for balau decking. May contain a small percentage of pinholes, which are not detrimental to the timber.

Yellow balau is the hardest and most durable. Red balau is almost as hard but mills with less difficulty.

Tata Enterprises markets red balau under the trade name Mangaris.

. Red and dark red meranti: Medium dense species from Malaysia and Indonesia provides less costly, but still effective decking. Durable and stable. Should be finished.

Distributors in the South include Capital Lumber Co., Lubbock and Waco, Tx., and Fitzgerald Wood Products, Wilmington, N.C.

. Cambara: Uniform medium brown South American hardwood that has been used for decking only fairly recently. Good lengths and color uniformity. May be prone to surface checking. Should be coated and resealed for durability.

Ip6 suppliers that also import cambara include Cecco Trading, DLH Nordisk, and Thompson Mahogany.

Th" futur" for hardwood decking is promising, though not explosive. "It's definitely growing, but it's limited to some degree," Wilson says. "The product is selectively logged and in limited supply. Over the next 10 years, low double digit growth, in the the teens is certainly possible."

"It's a good, solid specialty market," agrees Widder. "It's growing, but how many clear all heart redwood decks do you sell in a year?

Hardwood decking is higher end, but very attractive and price competitive with clear redwood and cedar. Installation a little more involved with pre-drilling. It comes down to: what do you want?"

"The hardwood decking market will grow," says Osterman. "Prices are coming down, more species are becoming available, and people are taking notice of its beauty and longevity."

"Hardwood decking sales are growing exponentially," says Bezena. "It will continue to grow, no doubt about it. There is lots of promotion, lots of people are getting involved. We can't stop it."