Capability · 09

Decking, pergolas
& external structures.

Hardwood and composite decking, pergolas, covered walkways, external stairs, balustrading and timber cladding across Melbourne. Indoor-quality carpentry, built to handle the weather.

Available as a full scope we deliver — or by the crew, on your site, under your program. See labour crews →

Hardwood pergola — private residence, Bentleigh
From the field Hardwood pergola — private residence, Bentleigh · Private residential · 2025
Overview

External carpentry is the finish people live with.

External carpentry takes more punishment than anything inside the house — sun, rain, foot traffic, temperature swings. We build external structures the way they should be built for the conditions: fixing systems that survive, timber species selected for the exposure, and detailing that sheds water instead of holding it.

Residential decks and pergolas, covered walkways on modular and commercial projects, external stairs and ramps to code, balustrading and screening, and full external timber cladding packages — delivered to the same carpentry standard as our structural and fit-out work.

Scope

What we deliver.

  • Hardwood decking — Spotted Gum, Merbau, Blackbutt, Ironbark, Jarrah, Australian Oak
  • Composite decking — Trex, NexGen, ModWood, Ekodeck and similar engineered boards
  • Pergolas & shade structures — timber, laminated beams, flat-roofed, pitched and louvred-roof systems
  • Covered walkways — weatherproof, code-compliant, as standalone scope or integrated with modular builds
  • External stairs & ramps — residential, commercial, disability-access compliant, with landings
  • Balustrading — timber, wire, glass, powder-coated steel, to AS 1657 and NCC
  • Privacy screens & slat walls — timber and aluminium, fixed and adjustable systems
  • External timber cladding — shiplap, board-and-batten, charred-timber (Shou Sugi Ban), feature walls
  • Carports, awnings & gable extensions — integrated with existing roof forms
  • Pool surround decking & pool compliance fencing to AS 1926
  • Subframe, bearers, joists and bracing to engineer's spec for elevated decks
  • Finishing — oiling, staining, sealing and handover maintenance schedule
How we run it

Built for the weather, not against it.

External carpentry fails when it's built like internal carpentry and left to cope. We design and detail for the exposure class — right timber species for the site, right fasteners for the species, drainage and airflow designed in, and movement gaps that anticipate how timber behaves in a Melbourne summer.

Species selected for the site. North-facing exposed deck in full sun? Different timber to a shaded south-facing veranda. We'll recommend the right species for the conditions — not the one on special at the yard.

Fixings engineered to match. Stainless fixings for hardwoods, coated fasteners for composite systems, concealed fixing where the brief calls for it. Hidden-fastener decks laid flat and tight, with movement designed in — not stapled and forgotten.

Compliance built in. Balustrade heights, stair tolerances, ramp gradients, pool-fence gaps — all built to the National Construction Code and AS 1657, AS 1926 and AS 4687 where applicable. No certifier surprises at handover.

Handover maintenance schedule. Every deck, pergola and external clad surface comes with a plain-English schedule for oiling, staining, and inspection. Keeps the finish warranty valid and the timber looking the way it should for a decade-plus.

Scope fit

When to call us.

  • Residential decks — ground-level, elevated, wrap-around, multi-level
  • Pergola, carport and alfresco extensions tying into an existing home
  • Architect-designed external timber packages — feature cladding, screens, louvres
  • Commercial covered walkways linking buildings or modular units
  • Pool surrounds, pool fencing and pool-house decking
  • External stair, ramp and balustrading packages on commercial fit-outs
  • Builders needing a carpentry partner for the external scope on a wider residential job
FAQ

Common questions.

Hardwood or composite — which is right for my job?
Depends on the exposure, the budget, and the feel you want. Hardwood looks and smells like real timber and re-oils every few years; composite is lower maintenance, consistent colour, no splinters. We'll walk you through it without pushing one over the other.

Can you match an existing deck I'm extending?
Yes — we'll match species, board width, profile and finish as closely as the current market allows. If the original timber is no longer stocked, we'll recommend the closest match and explain the differences before we start.

Do you handle pool compliance fencing?
Yes. Glass, timber or aluminium pool fencing to AS 1926 — designed, installed, certified. Pool compliance certification is a separate trade, but we'll coordinate the inspection.

What warranties do you offer on decking?
Workmanship warranty per the Domestic Building Contracts Act where it applies. Timber and composite material warranties are separate (manufacturer-specific) — we'll document them in the handover pack.

Do you offer maintenance or re-oiling services?
Yes, for decks and external timber we've built. Re-oiling on a 2–3 year cycle is the usual call; we offer it as a standalone small-works service for our existing decks.

Got an outdoor scope?
Send it through.

Drawings or sketches, site photos, timeline — we'll respond within one business day and book a site walk-through if it's the right fit.

Send us your scope → All capabilities