Why species selection matters
Tropical hardwoods are not interchangeable. They differ in hardness, color, grain pattern, weathering behavior, and price — and those differences have real consequences for how a deck performs and looks over time. Understanding the distinctions before ordering is far easier than discovering them after installation.
All four species discussed here — Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, and Tigerwood — are denser and harder than domestic hardwoods. All four are appropriate for exterior decking. The differences lie in the details, and those details matter depending on your climate, application, and aesthetic priorities.
Ipe: the performance benchmark
Ipe is the densest and hardest of the common tropical decking species, with a Janka rating above 3,500 lbf. It is also the most widely specified for commercial applications, which means the most installation data exists for it and contractors are most familiar with its handling requirements.
Color ranges from medium brown to dark reddish-brown with occasional olive tones. Grain is typically straight to interlocked. It is the most expensive of the four species but also the longest-proven in demanding applications. For premium ipe lumber in a full range of dimensions, Ipe Woods USA maintains consistent stock.
Cumaru: the closest alternative to Ipe
Cumaru — also called Brazilian Teak — is close to Ipe in hardness (around 3,300 lbf Janka) and in exterior performance. The color tends toward golden brown with reddish tones, slightly warmer than Ipe’s darker range. It is often specified when Ipe stock is limited or when a warmer color tone is preferred.
Like Ipe, Cumaru requires pre-drilling and benefits from hidden fastener systems. It weathers similarly and can be oiled with the same penetrating hardwood oil formulations.
Garapa and Tigerwood: value and character
Garapa — Brazilian Ash — is softer than Ipe and Cumaru (around 1,700 lbf Janka) but still significantly harder than pressure-treated pine. Its color is a pale golden yellow that weathers to silver cleanly and is favored for contemporary and coastal design aesthetics where a lighter wood tone is preferred.
Tigerwood is the most visually dramatic of the group, with bold black streaking through an orange-red base. It is specified primarily for its appearance and works well in projects where the decking is meant to be a design statement. Janka hardness is around 1,850 lbf — solid for exterior use but not in the same class as Ipe for heavy commercial applications.
All four species are available through ipewoods.com/shop. The team can help match the right species to your application, budget, and lead time requirements.
Ready to spec the right wood for your project?
Visit ipewoods.com or call 844-674-4455