DIY BLACKBUTT DECK IN CANBERRA FAMILY HOME

September 2022

We often get the opportunity to help people with cool and interesting DIY projects that they have in mind. Working to a customer’s unique set of specs, we can speed up and elevate their project by preparing the timber to their liking, customising the size and finish.

In Angela and Ben’s DIY deck extension, we supplied rough sawn wire brushed Blackbutt / Dense Browns decking, and they did the rest. A match made in heaven.

Thor's Hammer Blackbutt decking Forde 3.jpg

Calling Canberra home for about 15 years, and Forde for nearly 7, owners Angela and Ben have found The Bush Capital accessible and family-friendly—an ideal place to raise their two kids and make friends within the local community. Their small but light-filled home was close to bush and parkland—and those expressive Canberra skies!—have made for a life of balance and nature. But as their family grew, so too did their requirements from their family home.

Ben’s COVID Lockdown DIY Decking Project

Having coveted Thor’s Hammer timbers for years, Angela and Ben were keen to get a project off the ground that utilised our products.

But living in a relatively new house—just 13 years old—few upgrades were needed to their house.

It wasn’t until Canberra’s COVID lockdowns rolled around, when spending more time at home called for more living space, that the idea to build a deck extension started to take shape.

Investing in Timber With a Story & Giving It a New Life

During their initial research phase, it became clear to them that investing in Thor’s decking timber wasn’t going to be dramatically more expensive than picking up fresh timber from Bunnings. Chatting with the team at Thor’s they decided on Blackbutt, which would blend nicely with their internal bamboo flooring.

The Blackbutt timber pieces supplied were milled from recycled house roof timbers and our team dressed the edges and underside for ease of installation. For a more rustic look, we also left the top face of each plant rough sawn and then wire brushed to remove splinters, giving it a lightly burnished appearance.

This finish can also be a great option for some projects as it means there’s less chance of slipping on the grippy rough sawn surface compared to a clean dressed surface.

Plus, Angela said “Thor’s Hammer timbers have so much more life and character, a history and a story. We also loved the fact that using recycled timber might mean a living tree somewhere might not get cut down.”

angela and ben's family — Angela, Ben & their family

A labour of love, Ben built the deck himself, without significant carpentry experience, but with a whole lot of skilled family and friends who were able to chip in with the deck.

Clearly Ben enjoyed getting stuck into the project though—his next project will be a dining table, made with timber salvaged from his parents’ South Coast property and milled by Thor’s Hammer.

“We’ve loved supporting a local business throughout this process, and Thor’s staff have been really helpful from beginning to end,” said Angela.

“Thor’s Hammer timbers have so much more life and character, a history and a story. We also loved the fact that using recycled timber might mean a living tree somewhere might not get cut down.”

— ANGELA LAUMAN

Angela & Ben’s House (And Stunning Deck!) Is On The Market

As can happen with many young families, Angela and Ben recently made the tough decision to put the house on the market, listing with boutique Canberra real estate agency home.byholly.

With their kids growing up and needing more space, it was the best decision for the family.

“It’s just getting a little too small for us unfortunately but we will miss it,” said Angela.

When asked who they’d like to see as the new owners of their much-loved home, they spoke to the versatility of the house. “The great thing about our house is we could imagine lots of different people living here; a first home for a young family like it was for us, or perhaps a downsize for an older couple or person. We’d also be happy to see someone buy it as an investment—it’s not that often renters get to benefit from a house that is so energy efficient and easy to live in,” said Angela.

Customers & DIY Builders - Ben Laurence-Rogers + Angela Lauman

Real Estate - home.byholly

Photography - Kiernan May Photography