Vitex Decking
Vitex Decking is a popular and long-wearing hardwood choice for outdoor spaces in New Zealand. Sourced from community-based operations in the Solomon Islands, Vitex is known for its durability, uniform grey colour with age, and minimal tannin bleeding, making it a reliable and attractive option for both residential and commercial decking projects.
What is Vitex Decking?
- Description: Vitex (Vitex Cofassus) is a durable hardwood, closely related to New Zealand’s native Pūriri (Vitex lucens). It has a consistent pale yellow-tan to creamy-grey appearance, which weathers naturally to a uniform silver-grey with UV exposure. The wood features a fine, even grain with a slightly lustrous texture. One of the key advantages of Vitex is its reduced bleeding of tannins, which reduces the likelihood of staining on adjacent surfaces like concrete.
- Origin: Vitex is sustainably sourced from community-based operations in the Solomon Islands, supporting both environmental and local economic sustainability.
- Botanical Information: Vitex belongs to the species Vitex Cofassus, a member of the Verbenaceae family.
Vitex Decking
Benefits of Vitex Decking
Durability:
Vitex is classified as a Class 2 durable hardwood, offering proven performance in New Zealand’s outdoor conditions. Its durability makes it suitable for both residential and commercial applications, including decking and exterior structures like pergolas, battens and beams.
Aesthetic Appeal:
The consistent pale yellow-tan to creamy-grey colour of Vitex, which naturally weathers to silver-grey, provides a uniform and appealing look that blends well with outdoor environments. Its reduced tannin bleeding also ensures cleaner installations, particularly on surfaces prone to staining.
Stability:
Vitex is a stable hardwood with good working and finishing properties, ensuring a long-lasting and visually appealing deck with minimal maintenance.
Eco-Friendliness:
Vitex is sourced from NEPcon certified operations, ensuring legal and sustainable forestry practices.
Vitex Decking
Technical Specifications
Sizes and Profiles:
Vitex decking is available in all common sizes, making it versatile for various project needs. Vitex is a shorter average length spread than other hardwood species.
Density and Strength:
Vitex has an air-dry density ranging from 700 to 800 kg/m³. It offers a Modulus of Rupture of 113 MPa and a Janka hardness of 5.6 kN, providing reliable strength and durability.
Maintenance Requirements:
With its natural resistance to tannin bleeding and weathering, Vitex requires minimal maintenance. Regular cleaning and periodic re-coating are recommended to maintain its appearance and extend its lifespan.
Vitex Decking
Installation Guidelines
Preparation:
Prepare the installation site with proper ventilation and moisture control to ensure the longevity of Vitex decking. Store the decking boards in a dry, covered area until they are ready to be installed.
Fixings:
Use stainless steel screws and pre-drill fixing holes to prevent splitting. Proper spacing is crucial to maintain the deck’s structural integrity and to prevent issues like warping.
Ventilation:
Adequate air circulation beneath the decking is vital to prevent cupping and extend the life of the deck.
Our sales and technical team are happy to provide further guidance to ensure accurate and proper installation of this product. Flick us an email or give us a call.
Maintenance Tips
- Cleaning: Clean your Vitex deck annually using a soft brush and mild detergent. Avoid high-pressure washing to protect the wood’s surface..
- Re-coating: To preserve the deck’s natural beauty and extend its lifespan, apply a high-quality penetrating clear oil as needed, following a thorough cleaning.
Cost Considerations
Vitex offers excellent value for its durability and performance. While the initial investment may be higher than some other options, its long-lasting nature and low maintenance needs make it a cost-effective choice for outdoor decking.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About Vitex Decking
Hardwood decking should be cleaned annually. Use a soft brush with water and mild detergent. Do not direct high pressure water on any part of the hardwood timber. Where a coating is applied, periodic recoating is required to ensure its integrity is sustained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding hardwood chemical runoff. The amount and characteristics of the runoff will depend on the species, dryness of the boards when installed and how exposed the deck is to the weather.
Regular cleaning and periodic re-coating with a penetrating oil are recommended to maintain the deck's appearance and longevity.
Vitex has minimal tannin bleeding, making it less likely to stain concrete and other surfaces compared to other hardwoods like Kwila.
Yes, Vitex’s durability and aesthetic appeal make it ideal for both residential and commercial decking and exterior structures.
Vitex is sustainably sourced from community-based operations in the Solomon Islands. More here