A client is looking at decking materials, and one of the ones he’s found is called batu. It’s also known as red balau. Anyone work with this product?
The decks: three for a total 1000 sf at around 20″ above grade. 2×10 joists @ 16″ o/c according to architect’s drawings. Roughly 60% is under cover. Climate is dry BC interior, less than 12″ precip a year. Temps range from cold winter -20°C (-5°F) to hot dry summer 40°C (105°F) with single digit humidity. Lake front location with southerly exposure and prevailing winds from south.
The covered deck has 1×6 clear cedar T&G in the soffit above, so we’re considering clear cedar 2×6 decking as well. I’m concerned that 5/4×6 cedar would to prone to splitting in a deck application. This is a vacation property so maintenance is less likely to happen correctly. Client got a fairly favourable price on mahogany also. Did consider Ipe but can’t find a supplier here at less than double the cost of those other options.
Opinions?
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-Thoreau's Walden