Spotted gum battens can be used to establish an architectural design or to develop privacy with fashion. This comes in predetermined lengths. It becomes a masterpiece when multiple battens are used in a sequence, adding design, rhythm, dimension, and texture to the structure’s facade or interior.
Spotted gum battens is a native hardwood with a wavy grain that generates an extremely appealing polished veneer for use in home decoration. It works well for flooring, surfaces, and cabinetry. Unseasoned wood can be used to make lovely design elements like exposed framing or earthy exterior cladding.
In this article, we will look at how spotted gum is used in a variety of applications.
What Is the Purpose of Spotted Gum Battens?
Spotted gum battens are used in a variety of applications due to their numerous desirable characteristics. It has a wide range of engineering uses, both internally and externally. Timber mouldings, decking, pergolas, cladding and flooring are all typical uses. Spotted gum can also be square decorated for a more sleek and smooth look, making it ideal for battening, interior fit, timber stairway, and screening developments.
Spotted gum battens is an Australian hardwood with many favourable features. It is one of the most widely used hardwood timbers in Australia and is employed in a variety of structural and stylistic applications, including hardwood screening frames.
What Are the Colours of Spotted gum?
Spotted gum timber colours vary from pale greys to off-white and cream variants, as well as rich, deep dark browns. Heartwood usually has darker colours like browns and red-browns, whereas sapwood is usually white. Finishing products like oils and stains can be used to enhance the colours. To achieve the desired colour and finish, extensive research and testing will be required.
Is it Suitable for Flooring and Decking?
Spotted gum is an excellent material for flooring and decking. Spotted gum battens flooring is a popular option. This is popular due to its familiar and natural appearance. The timber is hardy and has been recognised to last over 40 years when treated properly due to its favourable hardwood qualities. Spotted gum timber battens flooring also looks fantastic and comes in a variety of colours and finishes to match your home’s decor.
Spotted gum decking also has the advantage of being a slightly dense timber with a hardness score of 11, making it very resilient to scuffs or knocks. Furthermore, spotted gum timber battens decking is also widely used in engineering fields, making it durable and strong. It has been tested and authorised for use up to BAL 29, and it is resistant to bushfires, which is a welcome feature that will put anyone at ease.
How Should Spotted Gum Timber Battens Be Finished?
Spotted gum can be finished or treated in a variety of ways, depending on the requirements, including polishes, paints, oils and stains. Spotted gum is best handled with a decking oil if utilised as decking. Finishing or coating the material before or immediately after installation is generally recommended to avoid moisture uptake and reduction, which can cause cupping, swelling, warping, splitting, and twisting.
Oiling and coating before installation provides more even coverage and increase the product’s chances of penetrating and waterproofing the grain before it is exposed to the elements, extending service life.
End grain is the most susceptible to water penetration and retention, which can cause the growth of bacteria and ultimately rot, so it is suggested that the ends of the boards be coated or oiled, as well.
Is it Necessary to Weather it Before Coating?
Weathering is determined by how you want your wood to appear. It is suggested to leave the wood in the elements for a few weeks to achieve a more worn-in, weathered appearance. Weathering the Spotted gum battens for six weeks will allow the timber to expel some of the surplus tannins and natural oils.
Despite having a lower tannin content than most other wood fibres, Spotted gum timber battens can have a negative impact on wood oils. When the wood looks to have greyed and dried slightly, wash it with a quality wood cleaning agent and clean water. Apply your oil after it has dried.
If you wish to keep the rich, new look of the wood, it is best to coat or oil it before or immediately after setup. This prevents extra liquid from permeating the timber, which can lead to a variety of problems in the long run, including the timber needing to be replaced.
The Advantages of Spotted Gum
The following are some of the most common advantages of spotted gum battens:
- Amazingly Beautiful
There’s no denying that spotted gum has some of the most appealing markings on a hardwood floor. The vibrant colour looks fantastic in any room in your house and complements a wide range of styles.
- Very Solid and Sturdy
This wood is extremely strong and resistant to scratches from daily living, pets, furniture and children, making it an excellent option for any home or outdoor environment.
- Eco-friendly
Because it can be grown and found so close to home, this wood has a very low environmental impact. There is less pollution in the air because there is no need for aircraft or ships to transfer goods. Selecting sustainably grown cultivation wood in Australia has numerous environmental benefits.
Conclusion
Spotted gum is a fantastic hardwood floor that will offer years of enjoyment! Its resilience, durability, and elegance simply cannot be matched. Contact the experts in your area today if you want to add spotted gum timber battens to your home.
