Pine Timber in Perth, WA: Everything You Need to Know

Imagine starting a home project with bright, fragrant pine timber in Perth. It machines easily with hand tools and takes finishes beautifully, making any space feel warm and rustic.

Pine is everywhere, from decking under the Aussie sun to cosy pine-panelled interiors.

In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about pine timber wood. You’ll learn what it is, where it comes from, how strong it is, its common uses, lifespan and cost, so you can decide if pine is right for your Perth project.

Keep reading to learn why pine is popular, when to choose treated pine, and how to make it last.

What Is Pine Timber & What Makes It Popular?

Pine is a versatile timber prized for its wide availability and ease of cultivation in economic, fine construction projects. It’s milled into boards for countless uses like furniture, cabinetry, wall paneling, window frames, roofing and even floors.

Because pine grows fast and straight, it’s also used for framing lumber, laminated beams and plywood. Pine’s light colour and visible knots give it a warm, nostalgic look that many builders and homeowners love.

In fact, knotty pine walls were trendy in the 1960s and are still used today for a vintage feel.

Where Does Pine Timber Come From?

Pine is a Northern Hemisphere tree. In Australia, there’s extensive radiata pine plantations, mainly in New South Wales. In fact, most Aussie pine lumber comes from these NSW forest.

Beyond Australia, pine species grow in Europe, North America, Asia and parts of Canada – more than 126 pine species worldwide. Each species is adapted to its region (for example, Radiata pine thrives in coastal New Zealand and Southern Australia, while Sumatran pine grows only near the equator).

Is pine wood hard or soft?

Pine is a softwood with a hardness rating of around 380 lbf (1,690 N) on the Janka scale, which means it is softer and less dense than hardwoods like oak, maple or walnut.

Yellow pine is slightly harder than white pine, but both still fall well below most hardwoods in density. However, pine has good stiffness for its weight, making it strong enough for furniture, interior panelling and even structural framing when the correct grade is used.

3 Types of Softwood: Which Pine Should You Use for Your Perth Project?

If you’re choosing softwood lumber in Perth, three popular options are Pine, Cedar, and Douglas-Fir. Each has its niche:

• Pine is the most common and versatile softwood worldwide. It is cost-effective (due to its availability) and easy to work. It bends nicely for turned furniture legs and carves/stains well. Builders use pine extensively for framing, roof battens, and indoor joinery. It’s lightweight and widely stocked, making it budget-friendly.
• Western Red Cedar is a premium softwood known for natural durability. It is denser and tougher than pine, with excellent resistance to decay, moisture and insects. That makes it ideal for outdoor uses: decking, exterior cladding, pergolas, and garden furniture. It also weathers beautifully and has a pleasant woodsy scent, so it’s sometimes used for indoor panelling and saunas.
• Douglas-Fir is a strong, straight-grained softwood (reddish-brown in color) often used structurally. It has few knots and is very stiff, which is why you’ll see Douglas-Fir in heavy framing, flooring and cladding. It’s also used for glulam beams (engineered laminated timber). Douglas-Fir is surprisingly hard for a softwood – stronger than most other pines – and its leftover chips even go into high-quality plywood.

In any case, choosing the right wood grade and treatment (see below) is key to performance.

Pine vs Hardwood: Strength & Durability of Pine Timber

Pine is durable enough for many uses, but it is weaker than most hardwoods. Pine lumber is stiff with good compressive and bending strength for a softwood. That makes it fine for paneling, furniture, roofing rafters, door and window frames, and other structural elements. When building a garden shed or bedroom furniture, pine’s strength is usually adequate.

Does pine get harder with age?

Pine does harden slightly as it dries over time, especially yellow pine. Freshly-cut pine has more moisture; as it air-dries, it loses water and gains a bit of hardness. This process can take months or even years, and the change isn’t huge. Don’t count on a dramatic change; treat or seal pine if you need it durable from the start.

Common Uses for Pine Timber in Western Australia

Pine’s combination of light weight, straight grain, and economy makes it a workhorse in building and manufacturing. In WA, pine wood is used in a wide range of ways:

• Construction framing: Pine (especially radiata pine) is a standard for wall and roof framing in domestic construction. It’s easy to cut and nail, and holding up houses just fine when the right grade is used.
• Flooring and lining: Pine tongue-and-groove boards are popular for interiors; think timber-panelled ceilings or feature walls. Softer than jarrah, pine floors show wear sooner but many enjoy the warm color and lower cost.
• Furniture & cabinetry: Pine’s fine texture means it finishes well. Pine tables, cabinets and shelves are common in Australia for their farmhouse charm.
• Outdoor posts and sleepers: Treated pine is a go-to for garden sleepers, fence posts and decking subframes.
• Paper and cellulose: A huge amount of pine goes to paper mills. Pine pulp fibers make strong paper, and pine resin yields products like turpentine and rosin used in adhesives and varnishes.
• Specialty uses: Pine nuts (seeds) are edible, and pine turpentine has industrial uses. But for typical homeowners, the big uses are structural timber, panelling, furniture and fencing.

In short, pine timber often shows up everywhere in homes and gardens – from your bedside table to the shed roof. If you want more on timber framing, see our guide on benefits of timber framing or best framing timber.

Pine Timber Cost & Value: Why Is Pine So Cheap?

Pine timber is budget-friendly but for a reason. Pine’s low cost comes from its global abundance and fast growth. Pines grow much quicker than most hardwoods: many pine species reach maturity in just 1–3 years, versus decades for oak or jarrah. This rapid growth means pine plantations can churn out lumber fast, keeping supply high and prices down.

Because pine is cheap to grow and easy to mill, it’s “the people’s wood”; you can get a lot of it without blowing your budget. This is one reason pine is so common in homes.

Treated Pine Timber Products at Ply Supply: Durable & Long-Lasting Options

At Ply Supply, we carry a range of treated pine products for every project. Treatment means the wood is pressure-impregnated with preservatives to block rot, termites and decay. Raw pine has very low natural durability and will crack or rot if exposed, but treated pine keeps your build solid for decades.

The main treatments in Australia are classified by Hazard Levels (H1–H6) per AS/NZS1604. For home building in Perth, these are key:

• H2 is minimal (interior, no ground contact)
• H3 is for above-ground exterior
• H4 is for ground-contact/exterior use
• H6 is extreme: submerged in sea

Ply Supply’s treated pine is typically H2F or H3 grade – meaning it’s safe for exterior use above ground (H3) or even interior timber framing with fire/termite resistance (H2F).

Our Featured Treated Pine Products:

• Aussie Pine – Blue Pine (MGP10 H2F): A structural framing pine (MGP10) treated for interior use with termite/decay protection. Great for studs and joists.
• Aussie Pine – Exterior Pine (MGP10 H3): A framing timber treated for above-ground outdoor use. Use for decks, pergolas, roof battens and more.

Pine is machine-graded (MGP), not hand-picked. MGP grades tell you strength: MGP10 (F7) is standard framing/subfloors, while MGP12 (F8) is stronger for heavier loads or longer spans. We carry both.

See our guide on structural timber grades for further details.

Lifespan of Pine Timber: How Long Does Pine Timber Last?

A big question is “how long will my pine last?” The answer depends on treatment, location, and maintenance. In general, pine has a moderate natural durability.

• Untreated pine indoors – Quite long-lasting, as it’s protected from weather. Pine furniture or panelling inside can last many decades with normal indoor use.
• Untreated pine outdoors – This is where it struggles. If you leave raw pine exposed to rain and sun, it will start to deteriorate within months to a few years. Outdoor-life expectancy for untreated pine is only about 5–10 years before rot and decay set in. You’d see it darken, crack, or get wormy soon without protection.
• Treated pine (H3 above-ground) – Much better for outdoor use. Pine that’s pressure-treated for above-ground exposure (H3) is infused with preservatives to resist rot and termites. If properly maintained (e.g. sealing, painting), H3 pine can easily last 10–20 years or more even outdoors.
• Treated pine (H4 in ground) – For ground-contact use (fence posts, in-ground sleepers) you need an H4 treatment. H4 pine is highly preservative-treated and can last over a decade or two in soil. Official data suggest H4-treated pine can exceed 25 years in ground conditions (often 10-20 years, depending on factors).
• Climate factors: In damp or coastal Perth conditions, you must be diligent. Salt, UV, and termites can degrade pine faster, so more frequent sealing or inspection is wise.

So, pine can last long if treated properly. Untreated pine outdoors will rot quickly (within 5 years), but treated pine can endure the Perth climate for 10–20+ years. For key structural parts, always use at least H3-rated pine.

What to Check Before Buying Pine Timber in Perth

Look for grade stamp, treatment level (H-level), moisture content, straightness/warp, and length/size you need. Ask for delivery lead times in Perth.

Quick Checklist:

• Grade stamp (MGP10 / MGP12 / F-grade etc.) — structural only if stamped.
• Treatment certificate or H-level on invoice (H2/H3/H4).
• Confirm length availability (standard lengths vary — 2.4–6.0m common).
• Ask supplier about kiln-dried vs green stock and recommended acclimatisation.
• If coastal Perth, ask about extra sealing or more frequent maintenance.

Installing Pine Timber in Perth’s Climate: Tips for Longevity

Use the right H-level, seal exposed end grain, apply protective coatings for coastal sun/salt, and inspect for termites regularly.

Practical tips:

• Seal cut ends immediately with preservative or paint.
• For coastal Perth: use finished coatings rated for UV and salt exposure; schedule re-coating every 2–4 years depending on exposure.
• Allow timber to acclimatise before installing internal finishes.
• Keep vegetation and soil away from structural timber to reduce termite/humidity risk.

Especially in coastal Perth, ask about any extra steps; e.g. pre-sealing or more frequent re-coating – for H3 pine that will see salt spray or intense sun.

Tired of pine fences or decks rotting out after just a few years?

Find Quality Treated Pine Timber at Ply Supply | Make a Switch Today

Ply Supply is Perth’s leading supplier of plywood and timber.

Our treated pine (H3/H4) is built to last in WA’s climate. It’s pressure-impregnated against termites and decay, so you’ll build with confidence. We even carry specialty products like our H2S termite-safe gluelam plywood.

Not sure what you need? Our friendly team can help specify the right grade and treatment for your project.

Ready to upgrade to treated pine? Call Ply Supply

Shop Treated Pine Time Online Now

FAQs About Pine Timber in Perth, WA

1. Is pine better than hardwood?

Hardwood is denser and more durable for long-life flooring or heavy-use furniture. Pine is lighter, more affordable and easier to work with, making it ideal for framing, panelling and budget furniture. Choose hardwood for maximum durability; choose pine for cost-efficiency and ease of installation.

2. How can I tell pine from hardwood?

You can identify pine by its light colour, visible knots and lighter weight. Hardwood is darker, heavier and more resistant to dents. A simple test is the fingernail test. pine dents easily when pressed, while hardwood resists marking.

3. Why is pine wood cheaper than other timber?

Pine is cheaper because it grows faster and is more widely available than hardwood. Fast plantation growth means quicker harvest cycles and lower sourcing costs. Hardwoods take decades to mature, which is why they’re more expensive and less abundant.

4. Does pine rot easily?

Untreated pine can rot quickly outdoors, especially when exposed to moisture. Left raw, pine may begin to rot in 6–12 months outdoors. However, treated pine resists decay and termites and can last over a decade with proper sealing and care.

5. Does pine wood crack or split easily?

Pine can crack if it dries too fast or experiences extreme moisture changes. Because pine is less dense, end-grain splits can occur during rapid drying. Sealing cut ends and acclimatising timber before installation helps prevent cracking.

6. How long will untreated pine last outdoors?

Untreated pine outdoors in Perth typically lasts 5–10 years. Without treatment, UV, rain and humidity speed up decay. Treated pine (H3 or higher) can last well beyond 10–15+ years with basic maintenance.

7. Which treated pine should I use for outdoor projects in Perth?

Use H3 for exterior above-ground applications and H4 for timber in direct ground contact.
H3 protects against termites and rain exposure. H4 is preservative-rated for soil contact like posts or sleepers. Indoors, H2 is sufficient.