Ironwood rooftop decking systems - safety advice

In previous editions we have talked about Ironwood's latest range of recycled flooring created out of the Tempe demolition timbers. These floors have proved to be so popular that we will not have any floor stock available before the end of February. In the mean time all deliveries of 'Tempe flooring' are on a 2 month backorder. We therefore suggest you place your orders as soon as possible while there is still a range of recycled 'Tempe Flooring' available to choose from. The Tempe sample boards are on display at our Rozelle showroom.

In the New Year we will also have a range of recycled timber benchtops on display at our showroom. Their manufacture is of a very high quality. When the sample boards are available we will push out a brief press release to announce their arrival.

Message for architects, designers and renovators
I would like to refer all our customers to the next series of Trends magazines. Ironwood has a series of feature articles appearing in most of the various Trends magazines over the next 12 months, each of which will show-off a new and extremely photogenic location where Ironwood's products have been used extensively in the construction.

We have already appeared in both the Home and Architectural and Interior Living publications. The feedback has been nothing but positive and the photography has been exceptional. We are hoping to show off a range of our new and recycled wideboard floors so that our clients can see the end result in a variety of locations, which will ultimately help the with their selections. We will also be featuring in these articles over the next few months timber beams and posts.

Keith Mackenzie
Managing Director

Positions vacant - Warehouse Storeman
We are looking for an enthusiastic storehand who is conscientious, hardworking, keen to learn and able to work without supervision. Experience with timber would be beneficial, must have a current drivers license and must be able to liaise with customers when required.

(Tim, our 19 year old 'bushy' has left to continue his TAFE studies and chase rugby balls around at Easts. When I asked him how he went with his rugby one weekend back in June he turned a little red and admitted that he had been accused of 'lagging arse' during the game after being out on the town all Friday night!)

Rooftop Decking System
We frequently get asked by our customers how to build a deck on top of a high-rise building rooftop. The main issue here being how to protect the membrane. We therefore did a little research with one of the master-builders we know and he described the construction as depicted below.

Cross section

Obviously you would need to start off with a reasonably level surface. When leveling the deck, build an outer frame and place your height adjusters under the hardwood batten. The height adjusters should be at least 100 - 150 mm in length. Avoid using little pieces of timber as they will totally crush the layer of expansion foam and may result in unnecessary noise transference.

The spaces in the expansion foam are for water to flow through. Try to avoid placing the battens at 90° to the water drainage and always allow enough spaces for the water to drain away quickly.

Due to the weight of the deck it will settle heavily onto the foam layer and crush it to about half its thickness. There is no need to glue or attach the foam to the slab. The flooring structure will find its own level so you should not get any drumming or noise vibrations through the concrete slab if you start with a relatively stable and level structure.

Butynol is a rubber membrane, approximately 2mm thick, that is extremely hard wearing and has proven itself in the Australian outdoors. Our master-builder swears by it and claims it is the only product he would use for a concrete roof membrane!

#1 These Ash/Messmate varieties are = collectively and=20 commonly referred to as either Victorian Ash or Tasmanian=20 Oak.

#2 Some of the above ratings are subjective as = there are=20 considerable discrepancies depending on which text is used = to source=20 the above data.

N.B:- When it comes to structural = beams=20 and posts strength, toughness, elasticity, shrinkage, = weight,=20 stability, lyctid borer susceptibility, edge splintering, = plus a few=20 other industry measurements details can be accessed via the=20 internet. With Ironwood's feature beams and posts they have = usually=20 been modified by their previous fitting and age - we = therefore do=20 not attempt to rate these beams ourselves as they are sold = primarily=20 for aesthetic purposes.

Our warehouse and display rooms are conveniently located in Rozelle (near the ANZAC Bridge). Come in and visit us, we are open Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m

© 2003 Australian Ironwood Antique Timbers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.