Stakes (Hardwood and Steel)

Stakes made from either hardwood or steel, serve the primary function of securing, supporting, or marking points and boundaries. The choice between hardwood and steel depends on the required strength, permanence, visibility, and intended application.

1. Hardwood Stakes (Timber Stakes/Pegs)

Hardwood stakes are a traditional and versatile choice, valued for their natural aesthetic, ease of use, and blend with outdoor environments. They are typically made from durable Australian hardwoods, which offer natural resilience against weather and decay.

Key Characteristics:

• Material: Sourced from dense, strong timbers (hardwoods), often featuring a pointed end (pencil point) for easy driving into the ground.
• Dimensions: Available in a wide range of sizes, from thin square-cut survey pegs to thick, long posts for heavy-duty support.
• Aesthetics: They provide a natural, rustic look, making them popular in garden and landscape design.

Common Uses:

• Construction & Surveying: Used as temporary markers for boundary lines, excavation zones, and setting out the perimeter of building layouts. Smaller pegs are used as grade stakes to mark elevation points for concrete pours.
• Formwork Support: They are used to secure timber or other formwork materials when pouring concrete for pathways, slabs, and edging.
• Landscaping & Gardening: Ideal for supporting newly planted trees, tall plants (like tomatoes), and constructing temporary garden structures, trellises, or natural-looking garden borders.
• Erosion Control: Used to secure silt fences, coir logs, and erosion control blankets on slopes and in runoff-prone areas.

2. Steel Stakes (Metal Pickets/Pins)

Steel stakes are the heavy-duty option, favoured in professional construction for their superior strength, precision, and reusability. They are often made from high-tensile steel and are available in various specialised profiles.

Key Characteristics:

• Material: High-strength steel, often finished with galvanisation for corrosion resistance, or available in materials like weathering steel (Corten) for specific aesthetic edging systems.
• Design: Often manufactured with a flat top for hammering and pre-drilled holes (nail holes) to easily secure timber or metal formwork. They also come in specific shapes like tapered or angled for retaining applications.
• Durability: Highly resistant to bending and environmental wear.

Common Uses:

• Concrete Formwork: Primarily used to secure timber or metal edge forms for concrete flatwork (slabs, driveways, paths), offering reliable, high-strength bracing.
• Retaining & Edging Systems: Angled or thick steel stakes are used to provide high-strength support for steel garden edging systems, especially those forming small retaining walls or steps.
• Surveying & Marking: Steel pins are used for permanent survey points or benchmarks where long-term precision is required.
• General Anchoring: Used as ground anchors for temporary structures, tents, fence bracing, or highly durable plant supports.

If we don't have it, Canterbury Timber can source it for you. Talk to our experts for DIY advice and construction project knowledge. Canterbury Timber offers competitive Trade Prices on Timber and Building Supplies.

Call us today on 1300 791 229 or click here for a Quote.