Enjoying the great outdoors

Beautiful, versatile and simple to install, Outdure takes The Block yards to a whole new level.

Building the perfect outdoor entertainment area, The Block contestants know the key is to combine beauty with simplicity.

Kirsty and Jesse's winning Block backyard featuring Outdure decking which Block judge Neale Whitaker exclaimed “this is insane!”. 

When it comes to products used on The Block,  you need a product that will look great from the moment it goes in and will stay that way for years to come. And they need it to be simple, easy and fast to install, as time is crucial!

Which makes Outdure the perfect choice.

Outdure offers a range of decking solutions, from Qwickbuild, their easy to install, lightweight aluminium deck framing system, to a range of low maintenance surfaces. Their surfaces range from ResortDeck which is a low maintenance high quality composite decking product to outdoor tiles and turf, which if combined with Qwickbuild deck framing system allow an easy to install, low maintenance perfectly straight deck that lasts for years. 

Josh and Luke made the perfect choice using Outdure decking system around their Block backyard pool.

How does it work?

Once the deck material – or a combination of materials – is chosen, it’s all laid on the Outdure QwickBuild lightweight aluminium framing system made up of joists-bearer profiles and connections on supports and fastened in place through a variety of clever but simple methods depending on the material.

ResortDeck (composite decking) for example is fastened using the hidden QwickClips, tiles are anchored (no grout required) and hardwood is top fixed (using the flat edge of the aluminium joist). 

QwickBuild profiles can be used as joists or bearers (joists support the surfaces, bearers support the joists, posts/pedestals support the bearers) and profiles are determined by the ‘finished deck level’ (measurement from the top of the substrate to the top of the board/tile).

Generally, the larger the profile the longer the span and therefore fewer supports are required – beneficial for decks over the ground to minimise digging holes for posts.

For low height decks, such as balconies where space is often limited, a smaller profile is required. QwickBuild also makes a level finish between the deck and internal floor easy, eliminating a ‘step-down’.

ResortDeck provides the perfect indoor-outdoor transition in Josh and Luke's Block home.

It’s that simplicity and versatility, says Block 2021 contestant Jesse, that made Outdure the logical choice for house five’s huge outdoor entertaining area.

He and wife Kirsty wanted to extend their living area from the dining/living area out the back door through a gazebo-style outdoor living room and down to their pool and with Outdure, the hardest part was deciding which decking material to use. With such a great range of on trend colours, it was hard to decide which one to go with.

“But the best thing is, it really was so simple to use,” Jesse says.

“The Outdure team came and checked what we wanted to do and what we needed and then looked at the options so we could have a smooth run from the level inside the house, then over the concrete gazebo slab and into the yard.”

"Once the frame was up it was so simple to lay. We chose ResortDeck in Sea Salt as it went perfectly with our Hamptons style and it was installed like lightning!”

Part of that simplicity is due to the Outdure QwickBuild low height capabilities that provides a level and stable, moisture-proof solution for supporting composite and hardwood timber decking, exterior structural tiles, synthetic turf, or a combination.

The value-engineered joist-bearer profiles are designed to be configured to accommodate all deck heights. The versatile system can be used as a structure over waterproof membranes, concrete pads, existing pavers and natural ground.

In Jesse and Kirsty’s house that means the decking can be brought to the edge of the concrete slab, then extended down in a cascading series of steps to the grass level that serve as access and also seating to take in their pool.

“That cascade down from the deck to the pool really gives continuity to the whole back area, a great flow from the house to the yard… it’s just beautiful!” Jesse said.

“That cascade down from the deck to the pool really gives continuity to the whole back area, a great flow from the house to the yard… it’s just beautiful,” Jesse tells The Block Shop.

Opting for the ResortDeck composite timber decking fully capped for moisture-resistance, the patio and stairs look like a beautifully-oiled timber from the second they’re installed and stay that way, another benefit that caught Jesse’s eye.

“We didn’t have to oil the surface,” he says. “And when you’re pushed for time, that makes such a great difference!” It will also mean that there will be minimal maintenance for the new owners and the deck will look like a freshly oiled deck all year round for years to come.

The ResortDeck however, is just one option.

Outdure’s original CasaDeck board range comes with a matte finish and excellent non-slip rating, the TimberTech PRO Reserve range has a gloss wood grain finish and solid profile with an industry-leading 30-year warranty. 

"I love the timber they have used" Shayna Blaze Designer & Judge said when she saw the ResortDeck used by Jimmy and Tam in 2020."

Outdure’s structural exterior tiles are porcelain vitrified, the Mineral series is perfect for a modern, minimal design, and the StoneInspire range has a classic marble finish.

For their winning alfresco courtyard in 2019, Mitch and Mark chose Outdure Mineral Oasis Tiles on QwickBuild, saying “for us, the aesthetics of the tile is what made it our winning courtyard.”

For the ultimate low maintenance outdoor space you can also install synthetic turf onto QwickBuild using the aluminium turf baseboards, with Outdure offering a FIFA approved artificial turf range, durable and soft underfoot called UltraPlush.

Used by Deb and Andy in 2019, it is, they said perfect for what they needed.

“The ability to create the indoor level with the outdoor using turf brought everything together for us,” Deb says.

And of course, different materials can be used together to easily transition from a tiled terrace area to a timber or composite deck on the same aluminium frame, create on-trend curves or angles to separate spaces visibly while still connecting them physically and more. 

“The big advantage is the ability to use different surfaces and to chop and change between the two,” says Anthony Gronow of Build Gronow.

El’ise and Matt did that at The Oslo in 2019 with a curved tile section running to ResortDeck for their winning rooftop space, in 2020 Daniel and Jade’s side deck mixed tiles and ResortDeck to define their seating zone and again in 2021 contestants showcased the different ways Outdure products can be used with QwickBuild being used as the sub-frame support structure throughout.

ResortDeck comes with UltraSheild technology which makes it impervious to moisture - perfect for all outdoor areas. 

But even that’s not all, says 2021 Block contestant Jesse.

Because of the unique clipping system, access to wiring, pipes or any other services under the decking is simple, making it a builder’s dream.

“If you need access to the services or want to add lighting or run a wire – anything! - you can just unclip the decking or a tile, lift it up do what you need to do then replace it again in seconds,” he says.

That means inspections are simpler, Kirsty adds.

“There was a moment in our back yard where Keith wanted to check something and we just removed the decking, he had a look and replaced it,” she says.

“If that was a traditional deck, we would have had to rip it all up.”

Josh and Luke’s backyard, with a long pool surrounded by Outdure ResortDeck.

A similar moment happened last year when Foreman Dan inspected Harry and Tash’s deck. Thinking the deck was built using traditional methods Dan thought there was a major problem with the deck being too close to their protected tree and it would have to be rebuilt. It turned out not to be a problem at all as the lightweight aluminium bearers could easily be moved.

QwickBuild is Global Green Tag certified, which ensures it is better for the environment. Given this and the flexibility, it allows for design details such as cantilevers, curves, stairs, seats, screens, planter boxes and more.

“It really is so versatile it was a simple choice for us to make,” Jesse says.

Take a look at the Block 2021 Outdure range online HERE