Compare Ipe Decking as well as Cumaru and Garapa to other
commonly-used decking materials and you'll see why this is the best
choice you can make for your deck.
|
Compare To Other Woods |
|
DECKING TYPE |
APPEARANCE & WEATHERING |
DURABILITY |
DECAY & INSECT RESISTANCE |
BENDING/
HARDNESS |
|
Ipe Decking Hardwood |
Magnificent rich wood colors. Reddish Brown to Brownish Olive. No
knots. If left natural turns soft silver. Resistant to shrinking,
splintering, twisting, cupping and checking. |
Extremely hard and dense. Resists all types of punishment. |
Highest rating. Naturally resistant throughout all fibers of the
wood. Highest rated termite resistance. |
23,360 psi
3,680 lbs
|
|
Cumaru Decking Hardwood |
Reddish to purplish browns to yellowy browns. No knots. Coarser
grained with lots of character striping. Turns soft silver if left
natural. Resistant to shrinking, splintering, twisting, cupping and
checking. |
Extremely hard and dense. Resists all types of punishment. |
Highest rating. Naturally resistant throughout all fibers of the
wood. Highest rated termite resistance |
22,400 psi
3,340 lbs
|
|
Garapa Decking Hardwood |
Rich, warm wood tones. Sun kissed yellow to golden brown. No knots.
If left natural turns soft silver. Resistant to shrinking,
splintering, twisting, cupping and checking. |
Very hard and dense. Resists lots of punishment. |
Naturally
resistant throughout all fibers of the wood. Highly rated termite
resistance |
12,900 psi
1,630 lbs
|
Western
Red Cedar Softwood
|
Rustic Appearance. Difficult to maintain original color. If left
natural, blackens and grays. Lesser grades contain knots and sapwood
which deteriorate rapidly. |
Very soft surface. Scratches and dents easily. |
Only the highest grade heartwood is rated "acceptable" in
durability. Low termite resistance. |
6,800 psi
580 lbs
|
|
Redwood Softwood |
Rustic Appearance. Difficult to maintain original color. If left
natural, blackens and grays. Lesser grades contain knots and sapwood
which deteriorate rapidly. |
Very soft surface. Scratches and dents easily. |
Only the highest grade heartwood is rated "acceptable" in
durability. Only foundation grade coast redwood has some termite
resistance. |
7,900 psi
480 lbs |
|
Pressure Treated Pine Softwood
|
Very rustic, often green appearance, deteriorates after weathering.
Pressure treating increases brittleness and makes pine even more
susceptible to splintering, twisting, shrinking, cupping and
checking. Some chemical leachate. |
Soft surface. Typical knots and imperfections result in poor surface
condition. |
Impregnated with toxic preservatives. Its resistance is only as
effective as the completeness of treatment. Knots and interior
portions may not be thoroughly treated and may rot or be destroyed
by insects. |
14,500 psi
690 lbs
|
|
Douglas Fir Softwood |
A light reddish brown, generally straight grained wood. Exposed to
weather turns dark and grain raises. |
Soft surface. Varies with treatment. High maintenance required.
|
Not naturally resistant to decay. Should be painted or stained to
prevent decay. |
12,400 psi
670 lbs
|
|
Philippine Mahogany Hardwood |
Extreme color and density variations Weathers and wears unevenly.
Worm holes are a common defect. Open grain is susceptible to mold
and mildew. |
Soft Surface. Scratches and dents easily. |
Rated "non durable" to "only moderately durable". Marginal termite
resistance. |
12,000 psi
760 lbs
|
|
Recycled Plastic/Wood Composite
|
Composed of recycled plastic and wood, has a manufactured
appearance. Color variation and dimensional stability severe in some
products. |
Scratches and dents easily. Performance varies depending on product
and exposure. |
Is rated durable to both insect and decay. |
1,423 psi*
1,123 lbs*
*Trex |
|
PVC Composite |
Composed of cellular PVC. Has a manufactured appearance. Tendency to
expand and retain heat. |
Requires support on stairs and steps. May tend to blister and peel
when exposed to heat |
Rated well against insects and decay
|
3788 psi*
*Azek
|
