Durability performance data from an international decking trial were analysed to explore relationships with climate variables, particularly those related to temperature and rainfall. Matched decking samples of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) sapwood and heartwood, spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris) were exposed to the weather above ground in Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Denmark and the United States. Boards were assessed periodically detect decay, which was rated using a common assessment scale. Preliminary exploration of relationships between decay assessment scores and decay indices – the Scheffer Climate Index and a dose-response model based solely on macroclimate variables – is presented in this paper. Shifting from a time-dependent analysis to one based upon cumulative macroclimate variables helped to better explain variations in performance among sites, although there were still some inconsistencies. Results are being further examined to help develop more precise predictive systems.

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