Frequently Asked Questions

Kaiapoi Trellis has been around for almost two decades.  High quality, sustainability and enviro-friendly are the foundations of our company, and is the reason behind our choice to use quality New Zealand Macrocarpa timber and treated Pine.

  • Macropcarpa is a great enviro-friendly alternative to treated timber. It is naturally durable because it has natural oils that deter insects and fungal growth. So it can be used without having to resort to the toxic trio of copper, chromium and arsenic (chromated copper arsenate or CCA) with which radiata is treated to achieve the same durability. Macrocarpa has very good dimensional stability—better than radiata which means it will swell and shrink less in response to atmospheric humidity. Above ground the heartwood timber should be sound for 20 to 30 years (macrocarpa has very little sapwood).

  • Macrocarpa has a fine grain and machines and sands well to give a high-quality finish. When dry, macrocarpa will accept a variety of paints, oils, two pot resins and varnishes. For exposed areas it is best to stain. The advantage is that it does not peel and can then be re-stained without much treatment. Painting is okay for sheltered areas. Keep in mind to re-paint before the paints starts cracking or peeling. You can also leave the timber bare – the timber will get a nice silvery / grey look over time and it can still be stained later if you wish.

    ​The recommendation for pine is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product, If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated timber. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before finishing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

  • Kaiapoi Trellis is the manufacturer, so we can make just about any custom size you require. We charge on a square meter basis, so there is no extra cost for custom sizes. Simply tell us your dimensions and the style of trellis you require and we will provide you with a quote. Our standard batons are 12mm x 38mm.

  • We use untreated macrocarpa from Southland and the advantage is that this timber does not require any treatment. It is naturally durable for above-ground purposes. We also use treated pine.

  • Yes, we have delivery options available for the greater Christchurch area, or you can pick up from the yard. For orders outside the greater Christchurch area we can arrange suitable transport at your cost.

  • Yes we do offer an installation service. We are experts at what we do and it doesn't cost the earth to have your installation done professionally. We concrete all posts that go into the ground to ensure a more solid and durable structure.

  • Our macrocarpa standard trellis and any custom trellis will be manufactured to order. Please expect approximately 7 to 14 days for delivery. We do carry standard trellis sizings in stock for treated Pine. For other custom structures and installation our delivery time can vary. If you happen to place an order when we are enjoying an 'easy' week or two, we can then supply and install very quickly for you. We keep outdoor furniture stock on hand and ready to sell. Please call us if you need something urgently and we'll do our best to help.

  • Can’t find what you are after of a design your wanting?

    Send us through some pictures and rough measurements and we will be happy to help. You could also take the trip to our workshop and see the range of ideas we have on offer.

    You name it, we’ll make it!

Anything else you need to know? Please get in touch!