Choosing the right timber for your project is essential for durability, structural performance, and long-term value. Whether you’re a professional builder, landscaper, or homeowner working on a backyard project in Melbourne’s South East or the Bass Coast, understanding the differences between treated pine, hardwoods, and cypress pine can help you make the right choice.
At Van Steensel Timbers, we’ve supplied quality timber to builders and residents across Officer, Pakenham, Wonthaggi, Phillip Island, and surrounding regions for over 60 years, helping customers select the right timber for framing, decking, landscaping, and structural construction.
Below is a practical guide to the most common timber types used in construction and landscaping across Victoria.
Treated Pine (H2, H3 & H4) – Affordable & Versatile Construction Timber
Treated pine is one of the most widely used timbers in Australian construction. Pine is pressure treated with preservatives to protect it from termites, fungal decay, and moisture, making it suitable for a wide range of structural and outdoor applications.
Builders and landscapers often choose treated pine because it is cost-effective, readily available, and easy to work with.
Understanding Hazard Classes: H2, H3 & H4
Timber in Australia is classified according to Hazard Classes, which indicate where the timber can safely be used.
H2 Treated Pine (Indoor Use)
H2 treated pine is commonly used for indoor structural framing where the timber is not exposed to weather.
Typical uses include:
House framing
Wall studs
Roof trusses
Structural framing members
Van Steensel Timbers stocks a large range of MGP10 treated pine framing timber, suitable for residential construction projects across Melbourne and Gippsland
H3 Treated Pine – Outdoor Above Ground
H3 treated pine is designed for above-ground exterior use, where timber is exposed to weather but not in direct soil contact.
Common uses include:
Decking
Pergolas
Fencing
Outdoor furniture
Handrails
Examples available at Van Steensel Timbers include:
90×22 Treated Pine Decking
70×22 Treated Pine Decking
140×22 Treated Pine Decking
These products are pressure treated for resistance to rot, decay and insects, making them ideal for decks and outdoor structures.
H4 Treated Pine – In-Ground Structural Timber
H4 treated pine is designed for direct soil contact, making it suitable for landscaping and structural outdoor applications.
Typical uses include:
Retaining walls
Fence posts
Garden edging
Landscaping structures
A common landscaping option is treated pine sleepers, which are treated using Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA) to resist termite and fungal attack.
Van Steensel Timbers stocks treated pine sleepers in multiple sizes including:
200 × 50 mm
200 × 75 mm
200 × 100 mm
These are widely used by landscapers across Bass Coast, Phillip Island and South East Melbourne for retaining walls and garden projects.
Australian Hardwoods – Strength, Durability & Natural Beauty
Hardwoods are known for their density, structural strength and long lifespan, making them ideal for structural construction and premium landscaping.
At Van Steensel Timbers we stock several hardwood options including:
F17 Structural Hardwood (often Tasmanian Oak or Victorian Ash)
Select Grade Hardwood
Ordinary Builders (OB) Hardwood
Sydney Blue Gum Hardwood Sleepers
Structural hardwoods like F17 graded timber are commonly used in:
Structural beams
Floor joists
Bearers
Deck framing
Structural posts
F17 hardwood provides excellent load-bearing performance and is a trusted choice among builders working on residential construction projects across Victoria.
Hardwood Sleepers for Landscaping
Hardwood sleepers are one of the most durable and attractive options for landscaping projects.
Sydney Blue Gum hardwood sleepers are particularly popular because they are:
Extremely durable
Naturally resistant to weather
Untreated and safe for gardens
Long lasting in retaining walls
They are commonly used for:
Retaining walls
Raised garden beds
Garden edging
Feature landscaping
With proper installation, hardwood sleepers can last significantly longer than budget alternatives.
Cypress Pine – Naturally Termite Resistant Timber
Cypress pine is a unique Australian softwood known for its natural termite resistance and durability, even without chemical treatment.
Despite being a softwood, cypress is structurally strong and long-lasting, making it suitable for both structural and outdoor applications.
Builders often choose cypress pine for:
Framing timber
Fence posts
Outdoor structures
Rural fencing
Pergolas and carports
Cypress is particularly popular in regional and coastal areas like the Bass Coast, where natural durability and termite resistance are valuable features.
Van Steensel Timbers supplies cypress timber suitable for both above and below ground applications, making it a versatile alternative to treated pine in some projects.
How to Choose the Right Timber for Your Project
When selecting timber, consider the following factors:
1. Exposure to Weather
Indoor framing → H2 treated pine
Outdoor above ground → H3 treated pine
In ground or soil contact → H4 treated pine or hardwood
2. Structural Strength
For structural loads and framing, builders commonly use:
MGP10 treated pine
F17 hardwood
3. Appearance
For projects where aesthetics matter:
Hardwood sleepers
Select hardwood
Decking timbers
4. Budget
Treated pine → most economical
Cypress → mid-range
Hardwood → premium durability
Timber Supplies for Builders & Landscapers in Melbourne & Bass Coast
Van Steensel Timbers supplies builders, tradies, landscapers and homeowners across:
Officer
Pakenham
Berwick
Wonthaggi
Phillip Island
Inverloch
Bass Coast
South East Melbourne
We stock a wide range of structural timber including:
MGP10 treated pine framing
H3 treated pine decking
H4 treated pine sleepers
F17 structural hardwood
Hardwood sleepers
Cypress timber
Our team can also assist with custom timber machining and fast delivery to local building sites.
Need Help Choosing the Right Timber?
If you’re planning a building or landscaping project in Melbourne’s South East or the Bass Coast, our experienced team can help you select the right timber for durability, structural performance, and budget.
Visit our Officer or Grantville timber yard, or request a quote from our team today.
