Australia's First Recycled Ulin Deck Installed
July 2026
The first recycled Ulin timber deck in Australia was installed last week and it looks fantastic.
Recycled Ulin decking, 145mm wide boards and longer lengths.
The recycled Ulin timber was salvaged in Indonesia through our partnership with Wood be Good and comes in 145mm wide boards. For comparison, our standard recycled Australian hardwood decking is typically supplied in 83mm-wide boards. Ulin is exceptionally stable, making these wider boards possible.
Ulin is one of the world’s most durable hardwoods, perfect for decking.
The decking is also available in longer lengths from 2.4 to 4 metres, with around 85% of boards over 3 metres long. The result is a cleaner layout with fewer joins and, as you can see, a striking finished deck.
Why Richard Chose Ulin
Richard installed the deck at his Narrabundah home with the help of his son Declan, under the watchful supervision of their dog Henry. Despite this being only Richard's second deck build, he found the recycled Ulin straightforward to work with.
Richard and his wife attended our Wood be Good launch event earlier this year. After seeing the recycled Ulin in person, feeling its incredible density and learning more about the wider boards and longer lengths available, they decided to cancel their recycled Ironbark decking order and switch to Ulin.
Now that the project is complete, Richard is pleased with the decision. He loves the appearance of the finished deck, the solid feel of the timber underfoot and the confidence that comes with installing one of the world's most durable recycled hardwoods.
The Ulin was salvaged from old structures in Kalimantan — bridges, boardwalks and traditional buildings that have already stood for decades.
Building with Recycled Ulin
Richard found working with the Ulin to be a straightforward experience and the recycled timber was generally very consistent. They were replacing an older deck built with thinner, shorter boards, so the wider boards and longer lengths helped speed up installation and reduced the number of joins.
The decking boards were installed with a 4–5mm gap to allow for the natural movement of the timber. Spax screws performed exceptionally well and a new joist was installed with a PVC top liner to help protect the subframe.
One moment highlighted just how dense Ulin really is. A slightly proud joist meant a handful of boards needed to be planed back, but Richard quickly discovered just how hard the timber was. Even removing a small amount of material took considerable effort, reinforcing why Ulin has earned its Ironwood reputation as one of the toughest hardwoods available.
Watching Ulin Evolve
Rather than coating the deck with Osmo Decking Oil, Richard has chosen to let the Ulin weather naturally and watch it develop over time.
Even during installation, the appearance of the deck changed throughout the day. Rain deepened the rich browns and charcoal tones, while sunshine revealed lighter honey colours. Like all natural timber, Ulin continues to evolve with exposure to the elements, creating a deck that will develop its own character over time.
Richard also appreciated that the original holes in the recycled timber had already been filled before the timber arrived in Australia. All of our recycled Ulin boards are pre-filled in Indonesia, creating a clean, smooth surface ready for installation.
We can also supply the recycled Ulin decking with the old rough sawn face retained. The old saw marks give a textured anti-slip surface, with a very dark brown / black colour. Speak with our Design and Sales team about which finish best suits your project.
The Ulin decking boards are set to naturally weather.
See Recycled Ulin for Yourself
We're excited to see Australia's first recycled Ulin deck complete, and even more excited to watch how it naturally weathers in the years ahead.
We currently have excellent stock levels of recycled Ulin decking in both rustic and smooth finishes, although demand has been growing quickly.
You're welcome to visit our Griffith showroom to see full-size samples, browse the timber packs in our lumberyard and discuss your project with our Design and Sales team. Make an online enquiry or drop in and discover why recycled Ulin is becoming one of the most sought-after decking timbers for Australian homes.
