Alternative to teak

[spilt-my-tea]

Greetings all
I have a few bits 'n' bobs to fix to the deck but teak is almost impossible to source where I am so I'm wondering if there is is an alternative type of wood that i can use and is easier to source.

In case it makes a difference I'm attaching a windvane, grab handles and a couple of cleats.

Thanks in advance to any and all who chip in with their tuppence, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[Georgio]

Iroko?

 

[lustyd]

Have you tried asking Robbins if they will deliver up there? They seemed very helpful when I dealt with them and I got the feeling they do their own deliveries so you may get lucky.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Iroko would do it hard to work though without really sharp tools

 

[Hypocacculus]

Sykes timber in the Midlands does teak:

http://www.sykestimber.co.uk/

They are a proper timber importer so t's worth giving them a ring. I've found them quite helpful and would probably also be able to suggest a suitable alternative to teak.

There is also Robbins Timber in Bristol http://www.robbins.co.uk/marine/sheet_materials.asp who also do teak and are arguably more oriented towards boats. I've never used them though.

 

[DanTribe]

Afromosia, Balau and Opepe could all be used as alternatives and usually easier to get hold of from a hardwood merchant.
[Not Afrodisia as my joiner called it]

 

[Kukri]

All good recommendations but all of them must be kept varnished or painted; you cannot keep them "bare" as you can with teak. Not because they rot but because they go black and look grotty.

 

[30boat]

All good recommendations but all of them must be kept varnished or painted; you cannot keep them "bare" as you can with teak. Not because they rot but because they go black and look grotty.

Iroko is almost indistinguishable from teak when weathered.I have some on my boat and have to remind myself which is which.

 

[lustyd]

All good recommendations but all of them must be kept varnished or painted; you cannot keep them "bare" as you can with teak. Not because they rot but because they go black and look grotty.

My recommendation was for teak

 

[Sybarite]

Has anybody used bamboo? On normal floors it is very hard wearing but I have no idea if it would be suitable for decking.

 

[pmagowan]

Has anybody used bamboo? On normal floors it is very hard wearing but I have no idea if it would be suitable for decking.

It would need to be a composite as it is a hollow grass but it is very hard wearing and resistant to rot. At the end of the day Teak is used for a reason. It is the right wood for the job. There are a couple of new 'fabricated' woods that are specially treated softwood such that its chemical structure changes to that of a hardwood. The names escape me but there is one with a 25 year below and 50 year above ground guarantee against rot. They claim it is now used in boat building and can replace teak as a deck material. Not cheap though.

 

[Hypocacculus]

There are a couple of new 'fabricated' woods that are specially treated softwood such that its chemical structure changes to that of a hardwood. The names escape me but there is one with a 25 year below and 50 year above ground guarantee against rot. They claim it is now used in boat building and can replace teak as a deck material. Not cheap though.

It's called Kebony. We've got a toe rail made of it and yes, it looks just like teak and also weathers to pale grey. If we hadn't been told it wasn't teak, we'd be none the wiser.

 

[doug748]

........... There are a couple of new 'fabricated' woods that are specially treated softwood such that its chemical structure changes to that of a hardwood. The names escape me but there is one with a 25 year below and 50 year above ground guarantee against rot. They claim it is now used in boat building and can replace teak as a deck material. Not cheap though.

I vaguely thought Kebony was a "new" African hardwood. Nice to know what it really is.

Here is a gent laying a Kebony deck:

View attachment 43361

Courtesy Jeremy Rogers Yachts

 

[coenvanwyk]

I plan to use composite bamboo deck strips to make a boom and gaff. Someone used it extensively for a Dix 30, mast and decks included. All the African hardwoods are almost used up. I have a few planks of Mvule, which is waterproof and almost non-degradable, I want to use them for deadeyes and blocks. All else is likely to be immature wood.