If you live in the Inner West and you’re looking at your backyard, verandah or front stairs thinking they need work — you’re not alone. The Inner West is full of beautiful Federation sandstone homes, Victorian terraces and weatherboard cottages that deserve outdoor spaces to match their character. And there’s one timber that fits this world better than any other: Jarrah.
We recently completed a Jarrah hardwood deck and staircase at a Federation home in the Inner West — and it’s a perfect example of what this timber can do when it’s installed properly on a heritage property.
What is Jarrah?
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) is a native Western Australian hardwood that’s been used in Australian homes for over a century. It’s known for its rich reddish-brown colour, exceptionally dense grain, and outstanding durability. With a Janka hardness rating of 8.5kN, Jarrah is one of the hardest Australian timbers — harder than Merbau, harder than most softwoods, and significantly tougher than the pine that many builders try to pass off as an equivalent.
Why Jarrah Works So Well on Inner West Heritage Homes
The Inner West has some of Sydney’s most intact heritage streetscapes. Glebe, Annandale, Balmain, Newtown — these suburbs are full of homes built in the 1880s–1920s, with sandstone foundations, iron lacework, and brick or rendered facades. The deep red tones of Jarrah complement sandstone and brick beautifully in a way that pine or composite simply can’t replicate.
Beyond aesthetics, Jarrah is one of the few timbers that can handle the specific challenges of Inner West properties:
- Tight access: Many Inner West backyards are narrow and difficult to access. Jarrah boards are dense and heavy, but our team is experienced in working in confined spaces.
- Termites: Inner West Sydney has active white ant populations. Jarrah has a natural oil content that makes it highly resistant to termite attack — without chemical treatment.
- Heritage aesthetics: Council conservation areas in the Inner West often require materials that are in keeping with heritage character. Jarrah checks that box every time.
- Longevity: A properly installed and maintained Jarrah deck will outlast the homeowner. 30–40 years is standard. We’ve seen Jarrah floors in Newtown pubs that are over 100 years old.
The Project: Stairs, Deck & X-Frame Balustrade
This particular Inner West project involved replacing deteriorating timber stairs on a Federation sandstone home — the original steps had rotted through after years of neglect — and adding a new elevated deck with a custom balustrade.
We specified:
- 90mm x 19mm Jarrah decking boards — tight-grained, kiln-dried, pre-oiled
- Hardwood bearer and joist subframe — on new concrete footings bolted to the existing sandstone
- X-frame balustrade in treated pine, primed and painted — a design detail that references the Federation era without being overly ornate
- Stainless steel concealed fixings — no visible screws on the deck surface
Maintaining Jarrah Decking
The number one question we get after a Jarrah installation is: “How do I look after it?” The honest answer is: not much, but consistently.
- Oil every 12–18 months — use a penetrating hardwood deck oil (Cutek CD50 or Feast Watson Decking Oil work well on Jarrah)
- Clean before oiling — use a deck cleaner to remove dirt, mould and grey weathering before each coat
- Don’t let it go grey — if Jarrah is left unprotected, it greys naturally. That’s fine aesthetically, but the timber is more vulnerable when dry
- Check fixings annually — stainless steel fixings won’t rust, but timber movement can occasionally loosen screws over time
How Much Does Jarrah Decking Cost in Sydney?
Jarrah is a premium hardwood, and pricing reflects that. As a guide:
- Jarrah decking boards: approximately $90–$130/m² for materials
- Installed Jarrah decking: typically $700–$1,000/m² depending on complexity, height, and access
- Stairs and balustrades: priced per lineal metre based on design and height
It’s more expensive upfront than pine or composite — but factor in 30+ years of life with minimal maintenance and the maths changes quickly. We offer free, fixed-price written quotes for all Inner West projects.
Get a Quote for Your Inner West Deck
If you’re in Balmain, Newtown, Annandale, Leichhardt, Glebe, Marrickville, Surry Hills, Rozelle, Drummoyne, Petersham or anywhere else in the Inner West — we’d love to come out and take a look. Free measure, no obligation, written quote within 48 hours.
Call us on 0433 334 415 or submit a quote request online.
