Spotted Gum Screening

What is Spotted Gum hardwood screening used for?
Spotted Gum screening is used for privacy screens, pool fencing infill, deck balustrades, pergola screens, feature walls and garden screens. It works equally well indoors and outdoors, making it a popular choice for projects that need to look good on both sides of the wall.

How durable is Spotted Gum screening?
Spotted Gum carries a Class 1 durability rating for above ground projects. It's a timber species that's also naturally resistant to rot, insects and fungal attack without needing chemical treatment.

Does Spotted Gum screening need to be chemically treated?
No. The heartwood is naturally durable and resistant to rot, insects and fungal attack without preservative treatment. This makes it a genuinely low-maintenance screening option compared to softwood alternatives that rely on chemical treatment for their outdoor performance.

What profile options are available?
Spotted Gum screening is available in pencil round or square dressed profiles. Pencil round gives a softer, more traditional look with slightly rounded edges, while square dressed has a clean, sharp profile that suits contemporary and modern designs.

What does kiln dried mean for screening timber?
Kiln drying reduces the moisture content of the timber in a controlled environment before it reaches you. For screening, this means less movement, splitting and warping after installation. Spotted Gum's shrinkage rate is 6.1%.

What finish should I use on Spotted Gum screening?
A quality penetrating timber oil is the recommended finish for Spotted Gum. Oil nourishes the timber and protects against UV fading without forming a surface film that can peel or crack over time. Left without oil, Spotted Gum will gradually weather to a silver-grey colour. Some people prefer this look but it will make the timber more susceptible to moisture daamge.

How often does Spotted Gum screening need to be maintained?
An annual oil and occasional clean is all that's needed to keep Spotted Gum screening looking its best. Before re-oiling, clean the surface with a dedicated timber cleaner to remove weathered oil and surface oxidation, then apply fresh oil to a clean, dry surface.

Can Spotted Gum screening be used around a pool?
Yes, it is a durable enough timber to withstand repeated exposure to water. Keep in mind that pool fencing in Australia must comply with local council regulations and Australian Standards regarding height, gap spacing and gate requirements. The screening itself is non-structural, so it needs to be fixed to an appropriately rated structural frame.

What fixings should I use with Spotted Gum screening?
Stainless steel screws are the recommended fixing for hardwood screening. Pre-drilling is essential given Spotted Gum's density. Driving screws without pre-drilling risks splitting the battens, particularly near the ends.

Can Spotted Gum screening be used for an interior feature wall?
Yes. The natural colour variation and clean profile of Spotted Gum make it a popular choice for interior feature walls. The kiln dried finish and low shrinkage rate mean it performs well indoors without significant movement after installation.

How does Spotted Gum screening compare to pine screening?
Spotted Gum is a hardwood timber, compared to pine being softwood. It's naturally more durable and requires no chemical treatment for outdoor use, while pine relies on H3 treatment for comparable outdoor performance. Pine is more affordable and easier to work with, but Spotted Gum will outlast it significantly in demanding outdoor conditions and offers a richer, more premium appearance.

Is Spotted Gum responsibly sourced?
Spotted Gum is sourced to meet Australian quality and sustainability standards. If chain of custody certification is important to your project, speak to us directly before placing your order.