Spotted gum, blackbutt, merbau, ironbark, treated pine or NexGEN composite. Compare every board, then we’ll bring samples to your home on the Mornington Peninsula.
Our go-to Australian hardwood for coastal timber decks. Very hard, with a lively grain from cream to warm brown, and a common choice on bushfire-prone blocks and curved deck designs.
A pale, honey-toned hardwood deck timber with a clean, modern look. Strong, stable and well suited to hinterland homes in places like Red Hill and Mount Eliza.
A rich, reddish-brown hardwood and one of Australia’s most popular decking timbers. Great value for a classic wooden deck, though it bleeds tannin for the first few months.
One of the hardest, densest timbers in the world. Deep red-brown tones and outstanding strength for raised decks, broad steps and decks that cop heavy use and harsh weather.
The budget-friendly option. Pressure-treated against rot and termites, easy to stain any colour, and ideal for a sheltered backyard deck or low-traffic lower deck.
We install NexGEN composite decking boards. They never need oiling, won’t splinter and hold their colour in salt air, which makes them a favourite around a pool area. Ask us about samples.
Images are illustrative examples of each decking board type.
For low-maintenance decks on the Mornington Peninsula, we build with NexGEN composite decking. It’s a premium capped composite board that looks like real timber, with colours named after Australian hardwoods like spotted gum, blackbutt and ironbark.
As a NexGEN stockist, we supply and install all three capped composite decking ranges. Pick the look and warranty that suits your deck and budget.
25-year stain, fade and structural warranty. A great-value capped composite deck for family homes and rentals.
View Good Life range →30-year stain, fade and structural warranty. A step up in finish and cover for alfresco areas and entertaining decks.
View Escapes range →50-year stain and fade warranty with a lifetime structural warranty. NexGEN’s premium board for pool decks and forever homes.
View Select range →Compare each timber decking board side by side: species, hardness, durability, bushfire rating and how to look after it on the Mornington Peninsula.
Spotted gum is the most popular hardwood decking board on the Mornington Peninsula, and for good reason. Its natural oils and tight interlocking grain make it tough enough for salt air on the bayside and coastal exposure towards Bass Strait. Many boards show a wavy “fiddleback” figure, so no two decks look the same.
Blackbutt gets its name from the fire-blackened bark at the base of the tree, but the timber itself is pale and even-toned. It gives a light Scandinavian or modern coastal look that pairs well with white weatherboards, render and black window frames.
Merbau is the classic Australian deck timber: dark, warm and very stable, so boards are less likely to cup or twist. It’s widely available in long lengths, which means fewer joins on a large deck.
Ironbark is one of the hardest, heaviest timbers you can put underfoot. It shrugs off furniture, pets and foot traffic, and its dense structure handles harsh weather and coastal conditions for decades.
Treated pine is the budget-friendly timber deck option. It’s plantation grown, easy to work with and takes paint or stain well, which makes it practical for low decks, landings and rental properties.
Hardness and density figures are typical published values for each species and vary between batches. Bushfire ratings refer to AS 3959 bushfire-resisting timbers (boards 18 mm or thicker). Your BAL and final timber choice should be confirmed for your site.
| Board | Look | Hardness | Maintenance | Best for | Typical installed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted gum | Cream to brown, wavy grain | Very hard | Oil yearly | Coastal and bushfire-prone homes | ~$505/m² |
| Blackbutt | Pale honey, even grain | Hard | Oil yearly | Modern, light-toned decks | ~$470/m² |
| Merbau | Rich red-brown | Hard | Oil yearly | Classic timber look on a budget | ~$440/m² |
| Ironbark | Deep red-brown | Extremely hard | Oil yearly | Raised decks, heavy use and harsh exposure | On request |
| Treated pine | Takes any stain colour | Soft | Oil 1–2× a year | Sheltered decks, tighter budgets | ~$275/m² |
| NexGEN composite | Timber-look, many colours | Very hard-wearing | Wash only | Low maintenance, pool decks, salt air | ~$580/m² |
Prices are typical installed rates per square metre on a ground-level deck, including GST, from independent Melbourne pricing (October 2026). Your quote depends on size, height, access and extras such as front steps, a glass balustrade or a wrap-around verandah deck. These are the main factors influencing decking costs on any deck project.
Get a ballpark price for your new deck on the Mornington Peninsula. Enter your deck size, pick a decking board and add any extras.
* Subject to conditions. This calculator gives an indicative estimate only and is not a quote. Prices are typical installed rates including GST, based on independent Melbourne pricing (October 2026). Your final price depends on a site inspection and things like site access, soil and footing conditions, slope, deck height, permits and engineering, your bushfire attack level (BAL), board size and finish, and current material prices. Ironbark and other specialty timbers are priced on request. Contact Belle Carpentry for a free measure and a fixed written quote.
Want real examples and price ranges? Read our deck cost guide for the Mornington Peninsula.
Close to the bay or Bass Strait, from Mount Martha to Portsea and Sorrento, a dense hardwood like spotted gum or ironbark, or a quality composite deck, handles salt air best. Use stainless steel fixings either way. In the hinterland, check your bushfire rating (BAL) first, as it can limit your choice.
Composite costs more up front but never needs oiling and won’t splinter, so ongoing maintenance costs stay close to zero. Hardwood gives a natural, warmer look and can be sanded back and refreshed for decades. When choosing composite decking or timber, we’ll talk you through both against your budget and how much upkeep you want.
Yes. We bring timber and NexGEN composite samples to your home so you can see each board in your own light and against your house colours.
Around a pool area or on a raised deck, slip resistance and low upkeep matter most. Capped composite decking boards like NexGEN Select stay cooler, splinter-free and slip resistant underfoot, and come with a 50-year stain and fade warranty. If you prefer a hardwood deck, spotted gum is dense and durable enough to sit beside water. On any elevated deck we’ll also check balustrade height and the right fixings for wet areas.
Yes. Curved decks, half-moon shapes and broad steps that wrap around a corner are some of the most eye-catching decks we build. Curves are usually easiest in hardwood like spotted gum, which can be cut and scribed to shape. Composite boards can also be used on a shaped deck with mitred or segmented edges. We’ll sketch out the options for your backyard deck project at the quote.
A well-built wooden deck in spotted gum or ironbark typically lasts decades with regular oiling, while treated pine is best suited to lower decks and budget builds. NexGEN composite comes with a 25, 30 or 50-year warranty depending on the range, covering stain and fade, and on the Select range a lifetime structural warranty. We also stand behind our own workmanship on every timber deck and composite deck we build.
Grooved edge boards fix down with hidden clips, so there are no screw heads on the surface, giving a clean, modern finish. Square edge boards are face fixed with screws and suit hardwood and treated pine decks, where the board can be sanded back later. Board width and thickness also change the look: 19 mm thick decking in 86 mm or 140 mm widths is common for hardwood. We’ll show you both edge types with samples.
Yes. As a local deck builder, we build decks from Mount Eliza and Mornington through Mount Martha, Somers, McCrae, Rosebud and down to Portsea and Sorrento. Whether it’s a small entry deck, a verandah deck or a full wrap-around verandah deck, we start with a free measure and quote at your home.
Book a free deck quote anywhere on the Mornington Peninsula. As a local custom deck builder, we’ll bring samples, measure up and give you an itemised quote for NexGEN composite decking on the Mornington Peninsula or a timber deck built to suit your home.
Book a free measure and quote Deck builder Mornington Peninsula