BlueLancer
New member
I am fitting a Timber deck to my boat of Dougas Fir. What's the best treatment for it. I know that Teak you can leave untreated, but I would have thought that's not an option with Fir.
Timber Deck
- Thread starter BlueLancer
- Start date
Tranona
Well-known member
Are you leaving it bare like a teak deck? If so, perhaps Douglas Fir is not the best. It was traditionally used for decks on fishing boats because it was cheap and stands up quite well to being constantly soaked in seawater. However, it is not very durable and can suffer from splits and cracking. It weathers to a dull grey unless it is finished with a coating such as a varnish - not really suitable for exposed decks. So, either leave bare and accept it is not long lived, or coat and lose its non-slip qualities.
BlueLancer
New member
Thought about Fir as a cheap alternative but sounds like its not a good idea. Would iroko do as a teak replacement as Teak is so expensive.
johnlilley
Active member
Hi there
iroko is used occasionally as a laid deck. It has to be fastened well, as Iroko in small section can twist until it has really settled. The other thing is that any splinters can turn a bit septic, but if cut correctly should not be a problem.
It can be treated the same as teak generally & will weather similarly. It is durable & hard wearing, perhaps more so than teak.
Some specimens of iroko are difficult to cut as they have silica drawn up into the timber as it grows, the very dark brown iroko (it can vary in colour) is quite heavy & the one that is difficult to cut. The pale iroko (or less dark) is easy to cut, has no silica & is lighter in weight.
All iroko darkens considerably on exposure to light/oxygen after 14 days.
It can be almost the same as a teak deck to the unfamiliar eye if well laid. It glues well & the seam filler sticks better to iroko than it does to teak. Less oil.
John Lilley
iroko is used occasionally as a laid deck. It has to be fastened well, as Iroko in small section can twist until it has really settled. The other thing is that any splinters can turn a bit septic, but if cut correctly should not be a problem.
It can be treated the same as teak generally & will weather similarly. It is durable & hard wearing, perhaps more so than teak.
Some specimens of iroko are difficult to cut as they have silica drawn up into the timber as it grows, the very dark brown iroko (it can vary in colour) is quite heavy & the one that is difficult to cut. The pale iroko (or less dark) is easy to cut, has no silica & is lighter in weight.
All iroko darkens considerably on exposure to light/oxygen after 14 days.
It can be almost the same as a teak deck to the unfamiliar eye if well laid. It glues well & the seam filler sticks better to iroko than it does to teak. Less oil.
John Lilley
BlueLancer
New member
Thanks for that, I have been using Iroko as a replacement for Teak on other parts of the boat so I am familiar with its quirks. My local timber merchant is being very good price wise for Iroko.
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