Sometimes a project comes along that perfectly demonstrates what’s possible when quality timber meets thoughtful design. Our recent installation on Bay Street in Glebe is one of those — a curved merbau hardwood deck with a vertical feature wall that transforms a compact commercial streetscape into something genuinely striking.
The Brief
The client wanted a durable, premium-looking deck that followed the natural curve of the Bay Street kerb line. The space required a deck that could handle heavy foot traffic, weather exposure, and the occasional spilled coffee — while still looking sharp enough to complement the heritage character of Glebe. They also wanted a vertical element for privacy and visual interest, which we delivered as a merbau feature wall running along the edge of the deck.
Why Merbau?
Merbau (Kwila) is one of the most popular hardwood decking timbers in Sydney, and for good reason. It offers a rich, deep red-brown tone that ages beautifully to a warm honey colour under UV exposure. It’s naturally durable — rated Class 2 above ground — which means it handles Sydney’s humidity, salt air, and summer downpours without needing chemical treatment.
For a high-traffic commercial installation like Bay Street, merbau’s density (around 850 kg/m³) gives it excellent resistance to indentation and wear. It takes fixing well, holds oil evenly, and with proper maintenance, a merbau deck will easily last 25+ years in Sydney conditions.
The Curved Design Challenge
Curved decks are more complex than they look. Every board has to be cut and fixed to follow the radius, which means tighter spacing on the inside of the curve and wider gaps on the outside. We used a double-joisted framework with ply packers to create the curved substructure, ensuring the deck had solid bearing along the entire curve without any bounce or flex.
The merbau boards were fixed using concealed stainless steel fixings — no visible screws, no plugs, just clean timber. The board ends were sealed with end-grain preservative to prevent moisture ingress, which is critical for any cut merbau exposed to the elements.
The Vertical Feature Wall
The merbau feature wall was the standout element. Vertical merbau slats fixed to a treated pine framework create a privacy screen that doubles as an architectural statement. The wall follows the curve of the deck, creating a continuous timber ribbon that draws the eye along the streetscape.
Vertical timber walls are becoming increasingly popular in Sydney commercial and residential projects. They provide privacy without the visual heaviness of a masonry wall, and they tie in visually with the deck below. The merbau’s natural colour variation gives the wall depth and texture that a painted surface simply can’t match.
Project Specs
Timber: Merbau (Kwila) hardwood, 90x19mm
Fixings: Concealed stainless steel clips
Substructure: Treated pine joists with curved ply packers
Feature wall: Vertical merbau slats on treated pine framework
Finish: Penetrating hardwood oil, two coats
Licence: NSW Contractor Licence 395250C
Maintenance for Merbau in Glebe
Glebe’s position near Blackwattle Bay means the deck gets salt air exposure, which can accelerate surface greying on merbau. We recommend a maintenance coat of penetrating hardwood oil every 12-18 months, with a light clean between coats. No sanding required if the oil is applied on time — just clean, dry, and reapply.
For commercial installations with heavy foot traffic, we’d suggest a more frequent maintenance schedule of every 9-12 months to keep the timber looking its best. Our restoration service at $153/m² covers full cleaning, sanding, and re-oiling for decks that have been left a bit too long between coats.
Want a merbau deck like this for your property? 5 Star Decking builds across Sydney — NSW Contractor Licence 395250C. Get a free quote or call 0433 334 415.
