Hardwoods

6 Reasons Why You Should Choose Garapa Wood For Your Next Outdoor Living Project

When it comes to selecting the ideal material for your deck, the choices can be overwhelming. There are traditional softwoods like cedar, cypress, and redwood. And then there are tropical hardwoods like ipe, cumaru, tigerwood, and garapa. And you even have the choice of composites (TimberTech, Trex) and PVCs which makes the choice that much harder. With each wood and wood-alternative comes benefits and drawbacks—from the cost to lifespan to maintenance and aesthetics, it can be hard to feel content in your choice without proper research.

One of these categories comes out on top in terms of its natural beauty, lifespan, and functionality and that is tropical hardwoods. Tropical hardwoods like garapa, ipe, and cumaru stand out because of their origins. From the South American forests, these tropical hardwoods have a high density that makes them great for outdoor applications. 

But even within one category, it can be hard to choose which species to use in your upcoming projects. In this blog, we’ll delve into the least known of the three, garapa, a high-density hardwood native to South America, and explore why it’s becoming a top choice for homeowners, builders, and architects.

What is Garapa Wood?

Garapa, scientifically known as Apuleia leiocarpa, is a tropical hardwood ranging from 65 to 100 feet in height and a trunk diameter of 3 to 5 feet. Unlike the rich brown and reddish brown hues of ipe and cumaru, garapa wood boasts a distinctive golden to yellowish-brown color that darkens with age. Its grain is typically straight, offering a uniform medium texture with moderate level of shine (not too dull or glossy).

Like ipe and cumaru, garapa makes for a great material to use for decking and siding projects. But what sets garapa apart from its tropical hardwood counterparts? Below are the 6 main reasons to choose garapa for your outdoor living spaces.

6 Top Reasons To Choose Garapa Wood for Your Outdoor Living Spaces:

1. Budget-Friendly:

Garapa provides a high-end aesthetic at a fraction of the cost of other hardwoods like ipe and cumaru, making it an excellent choice for builders and homeowners alike on a strict budget. For example, in comparison to ipe, garapa is 35-40% cheaper on average, and in comparison to cumaru, garapa is 10-20% cheaper on average.

While ipe and cumaru are undeniably denser, garapa is still a lot denser than traditional softwoods used for decking and siding, such as redwood and cedar, which may be more comparable in terms of pricing. This means that you’re getting a much denser wood that will last longer for a comparable price to traditional softwoods.  

2. Natural Beauty:

Renowned for its stunning golden color, garapa’s appearance is lighter than other exotic hardwoods. Its unique grain patterns and texture make each deck one-of-a-kind, adding a natural and elegant touch to any outdoor space.

Lighter woods are going to come back this upcoming year, according to OC-based landscape designer Amy Belt, who sat down with us recently for a Q&A about her wood predictions for 2024. So, while many people choose ipe and cumaru for their distinctive darker hues, garapa gives those looking for lighter, brighter color palettes a wood material that is not only dense, budget-friendly, and beautiful, but also fitting for their aesthetics and design choices.

While ipe and cumaru are great woods for more modern and sophisticated homes, garapa gives those looking for fresher and brighter spaces the ability to complement their decks, siding, or ceilings to other parts of their outdoor living spaces.

3. Long-Lasting Durability:

With a janka hardness of 1,650 lbf, garapa wood is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and scratches, ensuring a long-lasting and low-maintenance deck, according to the Wood Database. Like other tropical hardwoods (ipe, cumaru) and unlike softwoods (cedar, redwood), garapa has natural oils that make it resistant to environmental threats that would negatively affect the functionality and aesthetics of the deck or siding. 

Unlike softwoods that experience rapid growth, tropical hardwoods like garapa, ipe, and cumaru undergo a gradual maturation process that therefore makes the respective species denser and more resistant to environmental threats. 

When investing in your outdoor living spaces, you want to make sure that the investment will have a low cost of maintenance over time. Opting for durable materials like garapa and other tropical hardwoods not only ensures a visually appealing outdoor space but also minimizes the need for frequent and costly maintenance. Choosing materials wisely today can lead to a more cost-effective and enjoyable outdoor experience in the years to come.

4. Safety First:

Garapa’s high density and resistance to splintering make it a safe choice for families that want to ensure their children are safe in their own backyards. Softwoods have a higher likelihood of splintering because of their lower densities which can lead to unfortunate accidents. Parents deserve to not worry about their children’s physical safety in their own homes and garapa decks provide an ideal solution to fit this essential need.

Moreover, the natural coolness of garapa wood and other hardwoods adds an extra layer of assurance, allowing children to run and play barefoot without the concern of discomfort or heat-related issues. As parents invest in their homes and outdoor spaces, opting for garapa decks becomes a proactive decision, striking a balance between aesthetics and the well-being of their family.

With garapa, parents can confidently create a haven where their children can thrive, fostering cherished memories without the constant worry about their physical safety.

5. Low Maintenance:

Although no natural wood deck is entirely immune to maintenance, garapa wood stands out for its remarkably low upkeep requirements. Sustaining the beauty of your garapa deck is a straightforward process, involving regular cleaning with soap and water and an annual refinishing with exotic hardwood oil. This minimal maintenance routine ensures the preservation of its natural color, allowing you to revel in a stunning deck for years to come.

At Brazilian Lumber, we recommend and stock Penofin and Ipe Oil as exceptional UV-protectant oils for maintaining the longevity of your tropical hardwood decks. Both ipe and garapa tend to acquire more grayish tones when exposed to sunlight, but by diligently oiling your deck every 6 months to a year, you can effortlessly restore its original, captivating color.

This simple maintenance approach not only safeguards the wood but also guarantees that your garapa deck remains an exquisite and inviting feature of your outdoor living space for many years to come.

6. Versatility of Garapa wood:

Beyond decking, garapa’s versatility shines. Whether used for siding, pergolas, gates, or in fluted or regular forms, this hardwood provides a myriad of design possibilities. 

Brazilian Lumber, as a direct importer of garapa, offers the best prices and the largest inventory, empowering clients to embark on beautiful projects.

Garapa wood is not just a deck material; it’s a statement of beauty, durability, and affordability. As the light, natural colors of garapa trend into 2024, it’s time to consider this Brazilian treasure for your outdoor projects. Brazilian Lumber’s direct import ensures the best prices, enabling you to transform your vision into reality with the highest quality tropical hardwoods.

Ipe vs Cumaru: Comparing the Top Species of Hardwood Decking

Ipe VS Cumaru: For those not in the decking, construction, or design industries, these words may not ring a bell. But take a stroll through any big city, like New York City or Los Angeles, and you’ll likely spot them seamlessly blending into homes and businesses.

Decks, walls, ceilings – you name it, ipe and cumaru are there, bringing a touch of South American durability and richness to American cities, suburbs, and even rural residences. Today, we’re diving into what makes tropical hardwoods like ipe and cumaru a top choice for architects, designers, and homeowners across the globe. We’ll also dive into the differences between them so you’ll hopefully have a favorite by the end of the article.

(Hint: Both are great and serve different purposes. We won’t reveal ours so you can make your own decision…).

Before we look at the key differences between Ipe VS Cumaru in terms of decking and other applications, let’s start with their origins, key characteristics, and fun facts.

What Is Ipe Wood?

Ipe (pronounced ee-pay), also known as Brazilian Walnut or Lapacho, is one of the densest hardwoods on the planet and grows in South and Central America in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It grows to be 140-150 feet tall, according to NovaUSAWood!

With a janka hardness rating of 3,680, ipe sinks in water, which goes to show how dense it really is. Interestingly, ipe has been used as railroad ties because it is *that* resistant to fungus and decay. Other than fungus and decay, ipe is also resistant to extreme weather conditions, splintering, scratching, rotting, and termites. 

Ipe has long been regarded as the strongest wood for outdoor decking projects because of its durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. With a lifetime of nearly 75 years if installed properly, ipe has been used in tons and tons of residential and commercial projects internationally. Many major public spaces use ipe because of its long-lasting and low-maintenance benefits, such as the Coney Island Boardwalks, as seen in the NY Times.

What Is Cumaru Wood?

Cumaru (pronounced koo-muh-roo), also known as Brazilian Chestnut or Brazilian Teak, is known for its rich reddish brown color and has its origins in South and Central America. It has a janka hardness of 3,340, making it an excellent decking choice and great alternative to ipe.

Like ipe, cumaru grows to tall heights with an average cumaru tree at 130-160 feet tall. Cumaru is also weather, splinter, scratch, termite, and rot-resistant like ipe. Although there are many other tropical hardwoods out there, cumaru was one of the first exotic hardwoods to be used as an alternative to ipe for decking and siding projects worldwide!

While ipe is more well-known and used in commercial and residential projects, cumaru has some benefits that homeowners, contractors, and designers appreciate more. 

Ipe vs Cumaru: Differences in Decking & Design

Color:

While both ipe and cumaru boast a broad spectrum of exotic colors and distinctive graining, each has its own unique hues. Cumaru leans towards yellow-brown or reddish-brown hues, earning it the names “Brazilian Teak” and “Brazilian Walnut.” In contrast, ipe spans a range from tan to olive-brown, occasionally dipping into near-black shades, earning it the nickname “Brazilian Walnut.”

Grain: 

Beyond their colorful personalities, the grains of these hardwoods distinct one from the other as well. Ipe showcases a finer grain appearance, adding a touch of elegance to its strength. On the other hand, cumaru boasts coarse graining, giving it a unique and robust aesthetic.

Price Point:

When it comes to the bottom line, pricing plays a crucial role. Cumaru, the cost-conscious contender, typically offers a 20% to 30% savings compared to ipe. The budget-savvy homeowner or contractors on a strict project budget can find a reliable ally in cumaru without compromising on quality.

With that being said, life cycle cost analyses show that both ipe and cumaru are the lowest overall cost decking material options over the project lifetime because of their high densities that allow them to last decades more than traditional woods like cedar, cypress, redwood, douglas fir, and pine.

Shrinkage:

Cumaru, with its remarkable qualities, does come with a caveat. It can exhibit certain instabilities leading to shrinkage, according to Hardwood Floors Magazine. To mitigate this, a pre-decking kiln-drying application is advised. At Brazilian Lumber, all of our tropical hardwoods are kiln-dried (KD), which is much higher quality than air-dried (AD) tropical woods because they last longer and are, therefore, stronger investments.

Strength and Durability:

Ipe and cumaru are renowned for their strength, making either a formidable choice for decking. If you live near the ocean or other bodies of water, ipe’s resistance to cupping makes it a preferred option. Docks on both coasts —from California to Florida— prioritize using ipe for this reason, as well as because ipe has a natural slip resistance. Ipe’s longevity, with a lifespan of up to 75 years, (more than four times the endurance of most pressure-treated woods), puts it above most woods, including cumaru. 

Maintenance:

On the other hand, for those seeking minimal maintenance, cumaru emerges as the winner. Ipe, while long-lasting, demands proper care to maintain its dark brown hue, turning to a grayish brown when exposed to sun.

But this can be resolved with UV-protectant oils, like Penofin and Ipe Oil, that we stock at Brazilian Lumber. Moreover, sealing ipe ends after cutting is essential to prevent moisture-induced shifts. Cumaru, with its lower maintenance requirements, is a practical choice for those with a busy schedule.

Environment and Responsibility:

Environmental considerations also shape the choice between these two hardwoods. Both have experienced overharvesting at times, which is why it is important to check that the wood you buy is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, that ensures a strict chain of command and that only non-viable trees are harvested. With the environmental practices FSC maintains of its members, tropical hardwoods like ipe and cumaru can continue to flourish in the forests while also allowing individuals worldwide to benefit from their functionality and beauty.

Ipe Vs Cumaru: The Best Fit for Your Deck

In the end, the choice between Ipe VS Cumaru hinges on your specific needs. If you prioritize a fine-grained, elegant appearance with a higher budget and a more resistant wood, ipe might be your go-to. On the other hand, if you seek robustness, a coarser grain, and cost savings, cumaru could be your winner.

Both cumaru and ipe have their own merits, and either can bring beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. The decision ultimately rests on your preferences, budget, and commitment to maintenance. Whichever you choose, your deck will be a testament to the enduring beauty of tropical hardwoods.

For further guidance and expertise in wood selection, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Brazilian Lumber. Download our brochure to get a better understanding of the products we sell and how they can play a role in your next project. With years of experience in the decking and lumber industry, we can do our best to advise you on what direction to take for your upcoming projects.