Peltogyne spp, which is another name for Purple Heart wood, is a tropical hardwood that grows in Central and South America. It gets its name from the deep violet colour it turns when cut, but it can also be purple-brown or pink-brown. Purple Heart is a popular choice for a wide range of uses, including decking, because of its unique and striking colour and its high durability and strength. Purple Heart Decking is commonly used across New Zealand, including Christchurch and Auckland.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the history, physical properties, and common uses of Purple Heart wood, as well as things you should think about when deciding whether or not to use it. If you have any questions or would like to more, contact our professional decking builders now.
The History of Purple Heart Decking
Purple Heart wood has been used for a long time in Central and South America because of how strong and beautiful it is. Purple Heart has been used for hundreds of years by the people who live in these areas to make tools, weapons, and decorative items.
Purple Heart has become more popular in other parts of the world as a high-quality wood that can be used for many things. It is often used to make furniture and decorative pieces, as well as outdoor structures like decks.
Physical Properties Of Purple Heart Decking
Purple Heart wood is known for being very strong and durable, which makes it a good choice for use outside. It is rated as very durable because it doesn’t rot and can’t be eaten by termites or other bugs.
Purple Heart wood is known for its unusual colour, which can be deep violet, purple-brown, or even pink-brown. The colour tends to get darker over time and when it’s out in the sun, making it a rich and vivid shade.
With a specific gravity of about 1.0, Purple Heart wood is also pretty heavy. This means that it is heavy and strong, which makes it a good choice for use in building.
Most of the time, Purple Heart wood is easy to work with. It can be cut, drilled, and sanded without too much trouble. It does, however, tend to dull cutting edges more quickly than some other woods, so it’s important to use sharp tools when working with it.
When it comes to upkeep, Purple Heart wood can have surface checking (the formation of small cracks on the surface of the wood). But this can be kept to a minimum by using a good finish and keeping the wood from drying out too much.
Main Uses Of Purple Heart Decking
Purple Heart wood is used for a wide range of things, both useful and pretty. Here are some of the most common uses:
Decks and Other Outdoor Buildings
Purple Heart wood is a good choice for decking because it lasts long and doesn’t rot. It is also used for things like pergolas, gazebos, and fences that are outside.
Furniture And Decorative Pieces
Purple Heart wood is often used for furniture and decorations like carvings, inlays, and turnings because of its unique colour and natural beauty.
Other Common Uses
Purple Heart wood is also used for things like flooring, veneers, and musical instruments, among other things.
Pros and Cons Of Purple Heart Decking
Purple Heart wood is often used for decking because of its unique colour and strength. But like any other material, it has pros and cons that you should think about when deciding whether or not to use it for a deck.
Advantages of Purple Heart Decking
Strength and Resistance To Damage
Purple Heart wood is known for being very strong and resistant to rotting, which makes it a great choice for outdoor structures like decks. It is also resistant to termites and other bugs, which can make it last even longer.
Unique Colours
The unique colour of Purple Heart wood ranges from deep violet to purple-brown and pink-brown, and it tends to get darker with time and exposure to sunlight. This gives the deck a rich, bright colour that makes it more beautiful and interesting to look at.
Low Maintenance
Compared to some other types of wood, Purple Heart wood doesn’t need much care. It doesn’t need to be stained or sealed often, and it doesn’t rot or get damaged by insects.
Environmental Friendliness
Purple Heart wood is generally thought to be a good choice for the environment because it is strong and lasts a long time. This means it can help cut down on waste and the need to replace things often.
Cons of Purple Heart Decking
Cost
Because of its unique colour and durability, Purple Heart wood can be more expensive than other types of wood. This could make it less appealing to people who are on a tight budget or who want to build a bigger deck.
Availability
Purple Heart wood is not as common as other types of wood, which can make it harder to find and possibly raise the price.
Surface Checking
Surface checking is when small cracks appear on the surface of the wood. This can happen with Purple Heart wood. This can be kept to a minimum by using a good finish and not letting the wood dry out too much, but it is still something to be aware of.
Color Fading:
Purple Heart wood tends to get darker over time, but if it’s in the sun for a long time, it can also lose some of its colour. Some people might not care about this, but if you want a consistent colour, it is something to think about.
In conclusion, Purple Heart wood is a good choice for decking because it is strong, has natural beauty, needs little upkeep, and is good for the environment. But it’s also important to think about the things that could go wrong with it, like the cost and the chance that the surface will crack or the colour will fade. In the end, the decision to use Purple Heart wood for a deck will come down to what the homeowner wants and needs.
Some things to think about when using Purple Heart decking
Purple Heart wood is beautiful and strong, and it can be used for many things, like building outdoor structures like decks. But there are a few things to think about when deciding whether or not to use Purple Heart wood for a project.
Cost
Purple Heart wood can be more expensive than other types of wood because of its unique colour and strength. It is also harder to find. Also, it is not as common as some other species, which can make it harder to find. If price or availability are a problem, you may need to look at other options or use Purple Heart wood sparingly with other materials.
Effects On The Environment
You should also think about the effects of Purple Heart wood on the environment. This includes how it is made, transported, and thrown away, as well as how long the source will last. It’s important to make sure that the wood comes from well-managed forests and that the process of making and transporting it doesn’t hurt the environment.
Care and Maintenance
Purple Heart wood is usually easy to care for, but it does need some care and maintenance to stay in good shape. This includes keeping it from drying out too much and giving it a good finish to reduce the chance of surface checking (the formation of small cracks on the surface of the wood). It’s also important to clean the wood often and get rid of any dirt or dust that builds up on the surface.
Compatibility With Other Materials
It’s also important to think about how Purple Heart wood will work with other materials. For example, if it’s going to be used as decking, it’s important to make sure that the screws, nails, and other hardware that will be used to hold it in place are compatible with it. It’s also a good idea to test any finishes or stains that will be used on the wood to make sure they don’t react badly with the Purple Heart.
Overall, Purple Heart wood is a beautiful and long-lasting material that can be used for many different projects. But before you decide to use it, you should carefully think about the points above to make sure it’s the best choice for the project you’re working on.
FAQS
Most people think that Purple Heart wood is a good choice for the environment because it is strong and lasts a long time. But it’s important to think about how making and transporting the wood affects the environment and how long the source will last.
Compared to some other types of wood, Purple Heart wood doesn’t need as much care. Surface checking can happen, though (the formation of small cracks on the surface of the wood). This can be lessened by using a good finish and not letting the wood dry out too much.
Most of the time, Purple Heart wood is easy to work with. It can be cut, drilled, and sanded without too much trouble. It does, however, tend to dull cutting edges more quickly than some other woods, so it’s important to use sharp tools when working with it.
Purple Heart wood can cost more than other types of wood because of its unique colour and strength. However, it may be worth it in the long run because it lasts a long time and doesn’t need much care. The average price of Purple Heart decking timber in New Zealand is around $100 per square meter.
Yes, Purple Heart wood is a good choice for decking because it lasts long and doesn’t rot. It is also resistant to termites and other bugs, which makes it easy to take care of. It is also nice to look at because of its unique colour and natural beauty.