![]() As a decking specialist in Perth, Western Australia, I recently encountered a sobering example of why material choice matters in our unique climate. A homeowner called me to repair their deck, but what I found was a stark reminder that not all "modern" solutions live up to their promises. The deck in question was a composite installation, just seven years old, that had completely failed. Warped boards stretched across the surface like waves frozen in plastic. Broken holding clips and popped screws littered the structure – tell tale signs of a material fighting against Perth's intense heat. The environmental implications are particularly troubling. While composite decking is often marketed as an eco-friendly choice, the reality is far more complex. These materials can't be recycled once they fail, and they'll sit in landfills for over a century before breaking down. In contrast, natural hardwoods like Merbau can be repurposed or will naturally decompose at the end of their much longer life cycle. Speaking of heat - composite decking has a significant drawback in Western Australia's climate. These materials can increase surface temperatures by up to 10% compared to natural wood, making them particularly unsuitable for our sun-drenched region. Imagine stepping onto your deck on a 40°C summer day - that extra heat makes a noticeable difference. Our solution? Replacing the failed composite with pre-oiled Merbau hardwood. This traditional material has proven itself time and again in Australian conditions. With proper maintenance - just an annual cleaning and a couple of coats of oil - a Merbau deck can outlast its composite counterparts by decades. It's a perfect example of how sometimes the old ways really are the best ways. The lesson here is clear: when building in Perth's challenging climate, choosing materials that have stood the test of time often makes more sense than opting for newer alternatives that might not be suited to our unique conditions.
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12/27/2024 01:53:18 pm
Regular electrical maintenance is essential for preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring the safety of the entire system. It's always better to address small issues before they turn into major problems.
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AuthorWe provide essential property maintenance and repair services and blogs to commercial and residential real estate agents, landlords, strata managers and home owners in Perth and metro areas. Our purpose is to maintain and enhance your valuable rental property assets. We continue to deliver with our leading team of handyman/trades and deliver high standards of service to a diverse client base. We specialise in vacate maintenance. Our motto is, “If a job is worth doing it’s worth doing well” “do it once do it right” Archives
December 2024
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