Okan and Tali are both very lasting hardwood kinds for decking. In the yard they each fill their own role. Okan is the brute force for heavy frame work and edge zones. Tali shines as a stable, easy and fine decking board for decks. At Jan Sok this mix is - with Okan posts and beams and Tali decking boards - a sound basis for high grade decks, scaffolds and outdoor projects. In this guide we share our own notes with both kinds, so you can make a clear choice for your project.
Jan Sok and the hardwood range
Jan Sok is a known timber yard in the north of this country. We focus on garden timber and hardwood for trade and home users. In our hardwood range we offer Azobe, Okan, Tali and Keruing. That is for civil work, road work and water work, but also for decking, decks and garden projects. We mainly use Okan in frames (posts and beams). We set Tali as the main choice for the walking deck face. View the full hardwood range or our hardwood decking planks.
What is Okan wood?
Okan is a hardwood kind from West Africa, mainly from lands such as Gabon and Cameroon. The timber is known for a long life, high mass and a long span. That is why it is used a lot in civil work, such as bridges, sheeting, sheet piling and street kit.
Working traits of Okan
- Origin: West Africa (including Gabon, Cameroon).
- Mass: about 1000-1200 kg per m³ with fresh wood - very heavy.
- Class: often class 1 (very lasting), life span 30 years or longer for outdoor uses.
- Strength class: classed as D40 under NEN-EN 1912, right for heavy frames.
These traits make Okan strong against weather, fungi and insects. It is a sound choice for projects with direct ground or water contact. That is the type of use we supply a lot.
What is Tali wood?
Tali is also an African hardwood kind with a long life and good hold. It is more often chosen for decking and fronts than for very heavy frames. The heartwood has class I (very lasting) and lasts a long time in outdoor uses such as decks, water works and bridges.
Key traits of Tali
- Origin: Africa, from hot regions.
- Mass: hard and rather heavy. Right for decking and heavy frames.
- Class: class I (very lasting) for the heartwood.
- Grain: very even, with little marking and at times slightly darker stripes.
- Colour: fine light brown, liked for decks and decking.
Tali is often used for decking, floors, water works and front boards. Once it is well dried, it can be worked very smooth and stays very stable. This makes it a sound decking board for easy decks with a quiet, rich look.
Okan versus Tali: a quick weigh-up
- Origin - Okan: West Africa (Gabon, Cameroon). Tali: Africa (hot regions).
- Class - Okan: 1 (very lasting). Tali: I (very lasting, heartwood).
- Strength class - Okan: D40 (NEN-EN 1912). Tali: D40.
- Mass - Okan: 1000-1200 kg per m³. Tali: hard, quite heavy.
- Life span outdoors - Okan: 30 plus years, also in soil and water. Tali: very long, above all over ground.
- Grain - Okan: less smooth, robust look. Tali: very even, quiet grain.
- Colour - Okan: golden brown to dark brown. Tali: light brown, at times dark stripes.
- Work - Okan: hard, dulls tools. Tali: can be worked smooth when dried.
- Best use - Okan: posts, beams, frames, edge zones. Tali: decking boards, deck, seen work.
Life span and how long they last
Both Okan and Tali sit in the highest classes. They are so right for long outdoor uses. Practice shows that Okan is often classed in class 1. The expected life span is 30 years or longer in direct ground or water contact. That shows in sheeting, bridges and heavy beam frames. Tali has class I for the heartwood, also very lasting. It is named as a fine choice for long projects such as decking and water works. Due to its high mass and hold, Tali is very right for decks, bridges and floors that are used a lot.
What does this mean for your choice at Jan Sok? Those looking for top life for frames and edge jobs often choose Okan. Tali is a lasting choice for the walking face of decks and decking.
Look and ageing on your deck
In look, Okan and Tali differ in a small but clear way. Okan has a colour range from golden brown to dark brown. It can have a varying grain. The grain is less even than some other hardwood kinds. That gives the timber a sturdy, robust look. It suits scaffolds, edge finish and heavier uses. During drying, Okan can split and crack, though little warp occurs. With no oil, it ages to a wood grey shade under UV light.
Tali is known as timber with a very even grain, without bold marks, at times with slightly darker stripes. The light brown colour and calm grain make it fine to look at for decks and decking where a clean, modern look is wanted. Tali also ages to a silver-grey colour over the years. Due to its even grain, this ageing often looks very even on a deck.
For those who want a sleek, easy deck, Tali is often the logical choice for the seen decking planks. Okan looks a bit rougher and more for work. That is ideal for the less seen, but heavily loaded, zones.
Mass, hardness and work
Both kinds are hard and heavy, but how they work differs. Okan has a high mass and is classed in strength class D40. That makes it very strong and wear-strong. At the same time, work is hard. Okan is known as hard to cut due to the varying grain and the dulling effect on tools. Drying is very slow and can come with split and crack. That needs extra care during store and work. Good, sharp tools and careful install are key here.
Tali is hard but, when well dried, very smooth to work and very stable. Product notes for Tali decking boards stress that the timber can be given a decking shape with grooves to drain water. That is nice for decking. With strength class D40 and class I, Tali offers a fine mix of strength and work for decking planks.
For trade and serious home users, Tali is so often more attractive for the seen walking face. It is sturdy, hard, but easy to cut and fairly stable in size.
Uses at Jan Sok: who does what?
Okan and Tali play clearly different roles in our range. We use Okan for posts and beams. That is frame uses such as base beams under decking in wet or heavy settings. Also posts and edge finish at jetties and water edges. And frames where direct soil or water loads occur. We refer to Tali as decking boards. Think deck decking at homes and holiday homes. Walkways and platforms around ponds and gardens. And decking where ease, look and hold are as key as life span.
This split of roles makes it simple for you as a buyer. Okan for the heavy, load-bearing parts. Tali for the decking boards that you walk over each day.
Pick help for your decking
In short, you can see Okan and Tali as two parts of one strong decking option.
Choose Okan if:
- You expect very heavy loads (scaffolds, water works, earthworks, road work and water work).
- You need posts and beams that will last for many years, even in contact with soil and water.
- You stress raw strength and frame, less the refined look of the running face.
Choose Tali if:
- You want a flat, easy and fine decking face for the patio, garden or around the home.
- You want a kind with a very even grain, calm grain and a light brown, rich colour.
- You want to join class I and strength class D40 with good work and hold.
In many projects the best option is: Okan in the under frame and edge zones, Tali as a seen decking plank. This way you use the strengths of both kinds. For broader notes, also read our guide choosing decking boards and the review hardwood versus Douglas.
Get started right away with Okan and Tali
Would you like to build a deck or deck with Okan and Tali? At Jan Sok you have come to the right place for both notes and timber. Our hardwood staff are happy to help you find the right mix for your decking, scaffold or deck. That includes notes on under frame, screws and upkeep. With our notes in Brazilian and African hardwood, you are sure of timber that is right in work and look.
Good to know: our standard hardwood decking planks (35×145 mm, extra thick) are made of Okan. That is the so-called Extra Thick Okan Plank. We supply Tali on request. Please contact us for stock and supply time in your case.
- Okan hardwood posts 100×100 mm (3,00 m) for base and edge finish.
- Okan hardwood beams 100×150 mm (3,50 m) for the under frame.
- Hardwood decking plank 35×145 mm - Extra Thick Okan Plank (3,00 m) for the walking face.
- View all hardwood decking planks or the full Okan range.
- Ask for a custom quote or please contact us for personal notes.
Common questions
Is Okan or Tali more suitable as a decking board?
Tali is in general the better choice for the seen walking face. It is more even, lighter in colour and easier to work. You prefer to use Okan for posts, beams and edge finish.
Do both types of wood last long enough for a patio?
Yes. Both Okan (class 1) and Tali (class I) last a very long time. They last for many years in outdoor uses, even with heavy use.
Should I oil Okan or Tali?
Not a must. Both grey on their own to a silver-grey shade. If you want to keep the first colour, oil now and then.
Do you also deliver in Drenthe, Overijssel and Friesland?
Yes, we supply through the whole country and are happy to advise you on the right kind and sizes for your project. Ask for a quote or contact us for notes.