Tali Decking: A Tough, Affordable Hardwood Deck for Homes and Public Spaces

Tali decking has quietly become one of the workhorses of the hardwood decking world. It is dense, hard, very durable and widely available, and it costs a good deal less than ipe or other famous heavy decking species. Councils use it for boardwalks and park walkways, marinas for pontoons, landscapers for family decks and restaurants for busy terraces. If you want a deck that will take heavy use for decades at a sensible price, tali decking is one of the strongest options available.

This guide focuses on tali as a deck: standard board sizes and profiles, price per square metre, how it looks when new and as it weathers, how to avoid common problems such as checking and cupping, and how it compares with ipe, iroko and composite. At Global Timber Trade Hub we supply kiln-dried tali decking sawn and profiled in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.

Why choose tali for decking?

Tali’s main strengths are durability and value. Its heartwood resists fungi and insects in outdoor exposure for many years without chemical treatment, and it is dense enough to resist dents and wear from furniture, wheels and heavy foot traffic. It is available in good volumes and long lengths, and it is not CITES listed, so supply and paperwork are simpler than for ipe or doussie. Its warm colour also looks good on homes and terraces, not just on public structures. For many deck builders, tali has become the default dense hardwood when budget matters.

Board sizes and profiles

• Residential decks: 21 × 120 mm or 21 × 145 mm boards on joists at about 400–500 mm centres.
• Commercial decks: 25–28 mm boards for wider spans and heavier loads.
• Boardwalks and pontoons: 32–45 mm boards, often grooved for grip.
• Lengths: random lengths, typically 1.8–4.5 m, with longer lengths available.
• Profiles: smooth, fine-ribbed or deep-grooved anti-slip.

Tali decking price

Kiln-dried, profiled tali decking starts from about $850 per m³ FOB. For 21 × 145 mm boards with 5 mm gaps, one cubic metre covers roughly 40–45 m² after waste, giving a board cost of around $19–24 per m² FOB. For 28 mm commercial boards, coverage falls to around 30–33 m² per cubic metre. Thicker boardwalk planks cost more per square metre again. Add joists, fixings, freight, duties and installation for the full cost. See our tali wood price and hardwood decking cost guides.

Colour and weathering

New tali boards range from yellow-brown to reddish-brown, and there is natural variation between boards. Within weeks of sun exposure, the colours even out and darken to a warm reddish-brown. Left unoiled, tali weathers to a silver-grey over a year or two. If you want a uniform colour from day one, ask us to select boards for colour, or mix boards from several bundles during installation so variation is spread evenly. Oiling with a pigmented UV oil keeps the warmer tones.

Checking and how to reduce it

Like most dense hardwoods, tali can develop small surface checks as it dries and weathers, especially in strong sun and dry wind. These are normal and rarely affect strength, but they can be reduced:

• order kiln-dried boards rather than fresh-sawn stock for decks;
• store boards covered and stickered on site before laying;
• seal cut ends immediately;
• apply a first coat of oil soon after installation;
• use narrower boards in very hot, dry climates.

Tali vs ipe

Ipe is harder and heavier, with a long track record on boardwalks, but since its CITES listing supply and prices have been less predictable. Tali is somewhat lighter and less hard, but still very durable and dense, and it is not CITES listed. For most homes, terraces, parks and marinas, tali performs very well at a lower cost. See our ipe alternatives guide.

Tali vs iroko

Iroko is lighter, more stable and smoother, which suits barefoot areas and refined terraces. Tali is denser and harder, which suits heavy traffic and public spaces. Many projects use iroko where people sit and tali where people walk and work. See our iroko decking guide.

Tali vs composite

Composite needs little care but can get very hot in sun and cannot be sanded back. Tali stays cooler, is much stiffer and can be refreshed by sanding and oiling. Premium composite often costs more than tali per square metre. See hardwood vs composite decking.

Installation tips

• Ventilation: at least 100–150 mm of airflow under the deck.
• Joists: durable hardwood or aluminium, kept off the ground.
• Gaps: 5–8 mm between boards for drainage.
• Fixings: stainless steel screws, pre-drilled and countersunk.
• Tools: carbide-tipped saw blades and drills.
• Ends: seal cut ends to reduce checking.

Maintenance

Brush and wash the deck twice a year to remove dirt and algae. Oil once or twice a year if you want to keep the colour. Avoid pressure washers, which raise the grain. Check fixings once a year on public decks.

Dust and health

Tali dust can irritate skin and airways. Cut outdoors, use extraction, wear a mask and gloves, and clean up dust carefully.

A worked example for a council boardwalk

Imagine a local council replacing a 300 metre walkway along a lake, used daily by walkers, runners, cyclists and maintenance vehicles. The old softwood boards had become slippery and soft after a dozen years, and closing the path for repairs drew complaints. The council’s engineer specifies 32 × 145 mm grooved tali boards on hardwood bearers, with stainless screws and drainage gaps of 8 mm. The walkway is 2 metres wide, so it needs around 600 square metres of decking, which comes to roughly 22 to 25 cubic metres of boards plus the bearers. The timber arrives in a single shipment of two containers with legal origin documents for the council’s procurement file. Because tali is dense and durable, the council expects the deck to last far longer than the old one, with only occasional board replacement. The extra cost at the start is small compared with the cost of repeated closures, repairs and complaints over the years.

Ordering tali decking

When you request a quote, tell us the board thickness and width, profile, deck area or volume, any fixed lengths, whether you need joists, fascias or stair treads, and the destination port. If colour uniformity matters, ask for colour-selected boards. For public projects, mention any certification or documentation requirements so we can prepare them with the shipment.

Lead times and payment

Kiln-dried tali decking is usually ready to load in 6–10 weeks. For first orders, a letter of credit or a deposit with the balance against copy documents keeps both sides protected. See our letter of credit for timber guide.

Designing for slip resistance

On public decks, safety matters as much as durability. Wet timber can become slippery, especially in shade where algae grow, and on sloping walkways or near water. Tali’s density helps here, because grooves and ribs keep their shape for many years instead of wearing smooth. For high-traffic routes, many designers choose grooved boards laid with the grooves across the direction of travel, sometimes combined with resin-and-grit anti-slip inserts set into routed channels. Good drainage gaps, slight falls on the substructure and regular cleaning in autumn and spring do the rest. For residential decks where people walk barefoot, a fine-ribbed or smooth face is more comfortable, and a clean surface is usually enough. Whatever the setting, consider how the deck will be used and cleaned when choosing the profile, rather than picking the deepest groove by default.

Weight and freight

Tali is heavy, so a 20 ft container usually reaches its weight limit at around 18–22 m³ of decking, depending on moisture content. Kiln-dried decking weighs less than fresh-sawn timber, which helps. Mixing tali with lighter species can make better use of container space. See our timber shipping cost guide.

Matching steps, fascias and furniture

Tali is available in thicker sections for steps, fascia boards, benches, planters and edging, so a whole terrace or walkway can be built in one species with a consistent look. Ordering these parts together with the decking, from the same parcels, gives the best colour match and saves on freight and handling. For seating, choose smooth, well-rounded sections and sand them after installation for comfort. See our best wood for outdoor furniture guide for options.

If you are unsure which thickness or profile suits your project, send us the drawings and we will suggest the most economical option from current stock.

Common mistakes

• Using fresh-sawn boards for decks: more checking and movement.
• No pre-drilling: screws snap, boards split.
• Laying boards from one bundle in one area: colour patches show.
• Poor ventilation: boards cup and decay faster.

Our honest advice

Tali decking gives you a very durable, hard-wearing deck at one of the best prices among dense hardwoods. Order kiln-dried profiled boards, mix colours during installation, ventilate well, pre-drill every fixing and oil early if you want to limit checking. For barefoot luxury areas, consider iroko or doussie alongside it.

Sources

• The Wood Database for tali properties.
• USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook

Related guides

• Tali vs azobe
• Best hardwood for decking
• Best wood for bridges
• Heavy construction and marine timber
• Buy tali lumber

Frequently asked questions about tali decking

How long does tali decking last?

With good ventilation and installation, often several decades.

How much is tali decking per square metre?

Roughly $19–24 per m² FOB in board value for 21 mm boards.

Is tali decking a good ipe alternative?

Yes. It is very durable and dense, not CITES listed, and usually cheaper.

Does tali decking crack?

Small surface checks are normal; kiln-dried boards and early oiling reduce them.

Get a tali decking price

Send us your board size, profile, deck area and destination through our quote form. We will reply with a firm price and lead time.