Timber Species Guide

The Timbers Used by Valley Windows

Valley Windows manufactures windows and doors using carefully selected timber species suited to Australian conditions and architectural applications.

Our primary timber options include:

Tasmanian Oak
Western Red Cedar
Accoya – Coming Soon
Merbau (used only for window and door sills)

Understanding Timber Performance

Before comparing timber species, it helps to understand a few important timber characteristics.

Durability

Durability refers to how well timber resists:

Rot
Moisture
Termites
Weather exposure

Higher durability timbers are ideal for exposed external applications.

Stability

Timber naturally expands and contracts with temperature and moisture changes.

More stable timbers are less likely to:

Warp
Twist
Swell
Shrink

This is especially important for windows and doors that need to open and close smoothly year-round.

Density & Hardness

Dense hardwoods are typically:

Stronger
More impact resistant
Longer wearing

Softer timbers are often easier to work with and may provide better thermal insulation.

Maintenance

Different timbers require different levels of maintenance depending on:

Exposure to sun and weather
Paint or stain systems
Timber stability
Environmental conditions

Tasmanian Oak

Tasmanian Oak (Australian Hardwood)

Light, Versatile and Timeless

Appearance

Tasmanian Oak is known for its light, neutral tones ranging from pale cream to light brown, often with subtle pink undertones.

Its clean appearance makes it one of the most versatile timbers for interior and architectural design.

Best For

Internal feature windows
Painted finishes
Contemporary interiors
Heritage homes
Warm minimalist designs

Why Homeowners Love Tasmanian Oak

Tasmanian Oak is prized for its workability and beautiful finish.

It machines, sands, stains and paints exceptionally well, making it ideal for custom joinery and premium interior applications.

Its lighter colour palette allows homeowners to achieve either natural Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics or painted finishes.

Timber Density

Unseasoned density: approximately 1050kg/m³
Seasoned density: approximately 650kg/m³

Tasmanian Oak offers a good balance between strength, workability and stability, making it highly versatile for architectural joinery.

Key Benefits

Smooth finish quality
Excellent for painting and staining
Clean contemporary appearance
Stable and versatile
Australian hardwood character

Things to Consider

Tasmanian Oak has lower natural durability than some external hardwoods, making protective coatings and maintenance especially important for exposed applications.

Ideal Architectural Style

Tasmanian Oak suits:

Scandinavian interiors
Coastal homes
Heritage renovations
Contemporary minimalist homes
Light-filled architectural spaces

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Lightweight Beauty with Natural Insulation

Appearance

Western Red Cedar ranges from reddish brown to pinkish brown and often features rich colour variation and striking grain patterns.

Best For

Feature windows and doors
Coastal homes
Lightweight joinery
Energy-efficient homes
Feature architectural designs

Why Homeowners Love Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar is renowned for its natural beauty and excellent thermal insulation properties.

Despite being lightweight, it performs exceptionally well outdoors thanks to its natural resistance to moisture, decay and insects.

Its dimensional stability means it resists swelling and shrinking better than many traditional timbers.

Timber Density

Unseasoned density: approximately 490kg/m³
Seasoned density: approximately 350kg/m³

Western Red Cedar is a lightweight softwood, which contributes to its excellent insulation properties and dimensional stability.

Key Benefits

Naturally lightweight
Excellent insulation performance
Highly stable
Resistant to decay and insects
Beautiful natural colour variation
Suitable for internal and external applications

Things to Consider

Western Red Cedar is softer than hardwoods such as Blackbutt, so it may mark more easily in high-traffic environments.

Ideal Architectural Style

Western Red Cedar works beautifully in:

Coastal homes
Mountain retreats
Contemporary architecture
Pavilion homes
Homes with natural exterior finishes

Blackbutt

Blackbutt

Durable Australian Hardwood with Natural Warmth

Appearance

Blackbutt features attractive tones ranging from golden yellow to pale brown, occasionally with soft pink undertones.

It has a generally straight grain and even texture that creates a warm and natural appearance.

Best For

Modern Australian homes
Large timber window suites
External applications
Durable hardwood joinery
Homes requiring strong Australian hardwoods

Why Homeowners Love Blackbutt

Blackbutt is one of Australia’s most popular native hardwoods because it combines strength, durability and beautiful natural colour.

It is highly versatile and performs well in both structural and decorative applications.

Blackbutt offers excellent durability above ground and is naturally termite resistant, making it suitable for Australian conditions.

Timber Density

Unseasoned density: approximately 1100kg/m³
Seasoned density: approximately 900kg/m³

Blackbutt is considered a dense Australian hardwood, contributing to its strength, durability and long service life.

Key Benefits

Strong and durable hardwood
Attractive natural grain
Australian native timber
Long service life
Good termite resistance
Suitable for internal and external applications

Things to Consider

As a dense hardwood, Blackbutt may experience some surface checking if exposed to harsh weather without proper coating maintenance.

Professional finishing and regular maintenance help maximise performance and appearance.

Ideal Architectural Style

Blackbutt suits:

Contemporary Australian homes
Natural timber facades
Rural homes
Modern extensions
Indoor-outdoor living designs

Accoya

Accoya – Coming Soon

Engineered Timber Designed for Performance

Appearance

Accoya has a clean, refined appearance with a pale natural colour that suits both contemporary and traditional homes.

Best For

High-end architectural homes
Coastal environments
External windows and doors
Projects requiring minimal maintenance
Long-term durability

Why Homeowners Love Accoya

Accoya is one of the most advanced timber products available today. Through a specialised acetylation process, the timber is modified to dramatically improve durability and stability.

This makes Accoya highly resistant to:

Rot
Swelling
Warping
Movement from moisture changes

Accoya windows and doors maintain smooth operation year-round, even in challenging coastal or humid environments.

Timber Density

Accoya is a modified timber product designed for exceptional stability rather than extreme density. Its engineered structure delivers high performance while remaining workable and lightweight compared with many dense Australian hardwoods.

Key Benefits

Exceptional dimensional stability
Extremely low maintenance
Long coating life for paints and stains
Sustainable and responsibly sourced
Excellent thermal performance
50-year above-ground warranty

Ideal Architectural Style

Accoya works beautifully in:

Contemporary homes
Coastal homes
Hamptons-style homes
Luxury architectural projects

Merbau

Merbau

Used by Valley Windows for Window & Door Sills Only

Important Note

At Valley Windows, Merbau is used exclusively for window and door sills.

It is not used for complete window or door frames.

Why Merbau is Used for Sills

Merbau is an extremely durable hardwood with excellent resistance to moisture and weather exposure.

Because sills experience high levels of water exposure and environmental wear, Merbau provides outstanding long-term performance in these critical areas.

Key Benefits of Merbau Sills

Highly durable hardwood
Excellent moisture resistance
Strong and stable
Long service life
Resistant to termites
Performs well in exposed locations

Timber Density

Unseasoned density: approximately 1150kg/m³
Seasoned density: approximately 860kg/m³

Merbau is an extremely dense and durable hardwood, making it ideal for exposed sill applications where long-term weather resistance is essential.

Appearance

Merbau features rich reddish-brown tones that deepen over time.

Its distinctive grain and colour create a premium finish that complements many timber species.

Timber Finishes

The finish applied to timber windows and doors plays a major role in both appearance and longevity.

Paint Finishes

Paint provides:

Maximum weather protection
Consistent colour
Modern appearance
Longer coating life

Lighter paint colours generally perform better in Australia’s harsh climate.

Stain Finishes

Stains allow the natural grain to remain visible while enhancing the timber’s character.

Stained finishes often require more regular maintenance than painted systems due to UV exposure.

Natural Finishes

Some homeowners prefer clear coatings to showcase natural timber colour and grain.

These finishes create a warm organic appearance but require more frequent maintenance.

Timber Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance helps timber windows and doors last for decades.

Recommended Maintenance

Wash frames regularly to remove dirt and salt
Inspect coatings annually
Recoat when signs of wear appear
Ensure drainage systems remain clear
Keep moving parts clean and lubricated

Homes located near the coast or in high UV environments may require more frequent maintenance.

Sustainability & Environmental Benefits

Timber remains one of the most environmentally responsible building materials available.

Responsibly sourced timber:

Stores carbon
Requires less energy to produce than aluminium
Is renewable and recyclable
Offers excellent thermal performance

Valley Windows supports the use of responsibly sourced and sustainably managed timber products.

Choosing the Right Timber for Your Home

The best timber for your project depends on several factors:

Architectural style
Budget
Maintenance expectations
Exposure to weather
Desired finish
Coastal or inland location

For example:

Accoya is ideal for premium low-maintenance performance
Blackbutt provides durable Australian hardwood character
Tasmanian Oak offers versatility and light tones
Western Red Cedar creates warmth and insulation benefits
Merbau delivers exceptional sill durability

Why Choose Valley Windows

Valley Windows combines quality craftsmanship with premium timber selection to manufacture custom windows and doors designed for Australian conditions.

We work closely with homeowners, builders and architects to ensure every project achieves the right balance of:

Performance
Durability
Style
Energy efficiency
Natural beauty

Our team can help guide you through the timber selection process to ensure your windows and doors suit both your home and lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Timber windows and doors are an investment in the character and comfort of your home.

Each timber species offers unique qualities, from the advanced performance of Accoya to the warmth of Blackbutt and the timeless versatility of Tasmanian Oak.

By understanding the differences between timber types, homeowners can make more informed decisions and choose windows and doors that will perform beautifully for many years to come.

For more information about timber windows and doors, contact Valley Windows to discuss the best timber option for your project.