Built to last - beautiful Tonka deck transforms outdoor living

The owners of this Papakura home have always known that a quality deck would transform their outdoor space and become the most well-used part of their property. So, following a series of home renovations, they set about turning their dreams into reality, designing a deck that would work from morning to night, in all weathers, throughout the year. A place to dine, entertain friends, relax by the fire, slip into the hot tub, and chill under the stars.

An L-shaped home, they wanted to make the most of the area to the side of their property where a poor-quality timber deck had seen better days. Determined to create something stunning and long-lasting, they decided to invest in a multi-level hardwood timber deck, maximising every inch of the width they had. They studied their options and set their hearts on Tonka decking timber, sourced via a special order from PlaceMakers. Tonka is a reddish-brown hardwood with a fine texture and a waxy feel, ‘It’s such a beautiful-looking timber and extremely durable’ Lee told us, ‘We knew we wanted to use a high-quality hardwood to match our new fence’.

Their first challenge was to remove the original deck and rebuild the supporting lower section ready for the new boards. At this stage Lee hired an electrician to install wiring for integrated deck lighting, cleverly avoiding the need to disturb floor timbers later on. The upper deck area was designed to be flush with their interior living space ensuring easy level access when their sliding doors were pulled back. Once done they planned to have a hardwood table and chairs here with shelter provided by their overhead pergola.

A third of the top deck was designed to be open to the elements with relaxed seating and a tall brazier to make the most of dry evenings. A step down to the wrap-around second level would include a covered corner for the hot tub close to mature shrubs and the protection of the boundary fence. The lowest part of the deck would span the whole width of the space, creating a series of gentle steps to take the deck down to lawn level and the garden beyond.

Homeowner Lee was keen to use only the best quality materials to fasten his timber deck opting for our premium Bremick Bronze Truss Head screws to discretely match the hue of the Tonka wood. Though stained bronze these screws are made from tough stainless steel (T304 grade) so are the perfect choice for exterior projects. Once his deck was complete Lee chose Dryden’s Hardwood Decking Oil for the ultimate finish. With a built-in fungicide and its penetrating water-repellent properties this oil is the best defence against warping, splitting and weathering, and its resistance to ultraviolet light means that the glorious Tonka wood colour will stay protected far longer.

Looking at the before and after photos, we’re sure you’ll agree that Lee has done a brilliant job here. We’ve been delighted to see our quality hardwood timbers put to such good use, a perfect partnership! Why not visit your local PlaceMakers store today and see how a new deck could transform your outdoor living space?

Find a store near you