Can hardwood outside be left unfinished?

[sean_c]

Hi woodworkers,

I'm planning to build a privacy screen outside, and my wife loves the look of weathered hardwood, something like tassie oak. I'm thinking of 40x19 horizontal slats, 5mm gap, fixed to vertical treated pine at about 1m intervals.

The question is, will the timber split/warp/rot if left unfinished? Or will it get that nice silvery weathered look and be a joy to behold?

I was considering using merbau decking which comes in the right size, but the colour is all wrong

Any suggestions for timber variety very welcome!

Sean

[Manuka Jock]

Merbau goes silver gray in the weather doesn't it ?

[AUSSIE]

Merbau goes silver gray in the weather doesn't it ?

Yeh you are right Jock.I have a couple of things made from merbau and raw.It goes silver gray.No cracking,stays straight etc
Could struggle out and take a photo if the price is OK

[Manuka Jock]

Yeh you are right Jock.I have a couple of things made from merbau and raw.It goes silver gray.No cracking,stays straight etc
Could struggle out and take a photo if the price is OK

Consultancy fee huh

[metester]

True about the Merbau. One thing to consider is that when it is new it can leech its colour and stain the surrounds but other than that it is very good outdoors.

[sean_c]

Thanks guys great advice... and good value consulting fees

I'll go for merbau as it's the easy option for sourcing.

[sean_c]

One more question, since the service is so good around here

For fixing the merbau to the verticals, should I use stainless decking screws or can I get away with nails... maybe stainless?

The screen is against a block wall, and I want to keep it as flush as possible so was planning to use 20mm thick battens fixed to the wall... so not that much depth to hold a nail.

[metester]

I would use the stainless steel screws but I know they can be expensive. With 20mm battens and 19mm Merbau you could get away with galvanised decking nails. Be sure to pre-drill in any case as Merbau (or any hardwood for that matter) tends to split particularly if you are nailing or screwing close to the ends.

[AUSSIE]

I did and still would use stainless flathead (countersunk)heads .not too dear,about $12/100 I think Anyway not over the top
Get a counter sink drill for the job The top sinks for the screw head and the drill shaft is tapered to suit screw taper.
Have a look click here It may help with pic of countersink
I got mine at ALDI would you believe.