The Top Reasons to Choose Garapa Decking for Your Home or Commercial Property

Oak is a widely used wood species for building decks on residential and commercial properties. And if you want something durable and low-maintenance, consider choosing garapa or Brazilian oak. It comes in an attractive light yellow color and boasts excellent properties like greater density, hardness, and scratch resistance. Keep reading to discover more reasons to choose garapa decking for your project.

It’s the color

You can’t go wrong with garapa if you want a brighter deck in sunny color. The wood’s natural golden honey color has a fine grain that makes it look more sophisticated. Plus, the appealing brown streaks add character to your deck. If you want it darker, you can simply apply a tinted finisher. Sun exposure ages the wood gracefully, turning it from yellow to an attractive russet golden brown color. To avoid graying, consider applying a UV-inhibitor finisher as part of deck maintenance.

For a durable, lasting deck

Garapa comes from the Amazon rainforest, so it naturally resists decay, insects, and water damage. On the Janka hardness scale, its hardness is 2280 lbf, making it significantly harder than oak (1360 lbf) and maple (1450 lbf). 

Additionally, it doesn’t require any form of preservative against those problems. High-quality and sustainably sourced garapa decking should last over 25 years, and the only maintenance it will need is the UV inhibitor, which can be optional if you want to let the color change naturally for a unique look.

Bug-resistant

Build your deck with garapa wood, and you’ll stop worrying about termites and other wood-destroying organisms destroying it. It naturally resists fungus and termites, but make sure it’s well-sealed to prevent water from permeating the wood.

Keeps your deck safe

Garapa decking is perfect for decks and around hot tubs or swimming pools because it is naturally slip-resistant. That means you can reduce accidents on your property, even when people walk around barefoot.

Environmentally friendly and reasonably priced

At ABS Wood, our garapa decking is harvested sustainably from forests to ensure a renewable material. Plus, we carry it at reasonable prices. Our products are ready to ship the materials to your job site or home. Order by calling 352-508-4990 or 404-549-4840.

Trailer Decking Secrets: How to Maximize Your Payload Capacity

Trailers are commonly used for long-distance hauling or transportation of goods and cargo. As a result, they are widely utilized by businesses, particularly in the transportation and logistics sectors. Regardless of the type of trailer you own, paying attention to the flooring is crucial. If you’re experiencing difficulties in maximizing your payload or have observed signs of wear and tear, consider upgrading to a better trailer decking material.

But what factors should you consider, and how do you choose the best trailer decking? Here are all the basics you need to know.

Factors to consider

Take note of these factors before you proceed to choose a trailer decking:

• Trailer load capacity: Ensure sufficient load capacity for large items, like machinery, appliances, and furniture.
• Environmental conditions: Your trailer will be going places, so choose a decking material that can withstand any environment and weather conditions.
• The nature of the loads you usually transport: Identify the loads you typically use your trailer for.
• Budget: Make sure the decking is cost-effective in the long run.

Pick the right material.

Your trailer is meant to carry massive loads and cargo, so it makes sense to choose a decking material that can withstand heavy weights and maximize your capacity. For this purpose, we recommend Apitong, an exotic hardwood from Southeast Asia. Also known as Keruing, it’s a highly dense wood with less moisture content, making it perfect for trailer decking than oak and other woods. Plus, you’ll appreciate its affordability, durability, and sustainability!

Go low-maintenance

Apitong hardwood is very hard and heavy, ranking 1390 lb on the Janka hardness scale. With the low moisture content, these characteristics make the material less susceptible to shrinkage. Plus, it’s highly resistant and durable against wood-destroying organisms and fungi. It does not require special chemicals or treatments to keep it in good shape.

We can supply Apitong hardwood for you.

Check with us here at Advanced Building Supplies, Inc. for Apitong trailer decking. We supply decking in different sizes and lengths to suit most flatbed trailers. We can also shape blanks to suit your specific requirements. Contact us to get started!

 

Cumaru Decking - All the Things You Need to Know

So, you probably already know what Cumaru decking is and why it’s so popular. But do you understand the power of this beautiful hardwood? Here are some important facts that you need to understand before making your investment in this particular wood:

Visual quality

Cumaru is known for its density and interlocking grain pattern that creates a coarse, wavy texture. You will find yourself captivated by the stunning display of colors ranging from a soothing golden tan to a deep reddish brown, complete with long grain accents spread across its surface. The unique variation in grain patterns ensures that no two pieces of Cumaru decking are identical, providing a dramatic and beautiful appearance. Due to its wild and sophisticated beauty, many five-star hotels and large commercial projects opt for Cumaru hardwood for their decking needs. This type of wood blends seamlessly with any modern, traditional, or rustic setting.

Structural strength

Cumaru is known for its remarkable durability and resistance to harsh climates and punishments, as well as rot, decay, mold, and mildew. It has a Janka hardness rating of 3540lbs and a density of 1.07g/cm3 which makes it three times harder than regular teak decking and twice as hard as oak decking.

Its flexural strength is also high at 22,400 psi, allowing it to withstand more than 22,000 pounds per square inch before breaking. In terms of durability and strength rating for wood decking materials, Cumaru ranks second only to Ipe and outperforms many other popular kinds of wood, such as tigerwood and yellow pine. It also has a class A fire resistance rating making it an ideal choice for decks near fireplaces or campfires.

Conclusion

Cumaru decking is renowned for its natural beauty, structural strength, and durability. Its unique grain patterns make it an ideal choice for aesthetically-pleasing decks that are built to last. When considering Cumaru as your next decking material, you can rest assured knowing it will provide a stunning backdrop to your outdoor retreat for many years to come.

 

Cedar or Cumaru Wood— Which Is Better for Decking?

Having trouble choosing a decking material? You’re not alone. There are many choices to consider, from softwoods like Cedarwood to hardwoods like Cumaru and even synthetic options like PVC. How do you determine which choice is the best for your requirements?

Cedarwood vs. Cumaru wood as a decking material

·         Durability

Both Cumaru and Cedarwood are incredibly durable decking materials. Cumaru is a hardwood, which means it can withstand thousands of pounds of weight, according to the Janka Hardness Scale.  Cumaru also has longevity that can last decades even if you ignore it. 

Cedar is a little softer than Cumaru; however, it can still withstand a lot of weight. Moreover, this softwood has a natural resistance to insects, rot, and decay and can last for 15 to 20 years with proper care.

·         Design

It’s no secret that Cedar is one of the most beautiful decking options on the market. Known for its gorgeous reddish-brown heartwood, this softwood is further accentuated by thin layers of creamy, light brown sapwood. Cedar also has a fine and uniform texture with straight grains, making it easier to work with.

In comparison, Cumaru can range from medium tan to reddish brown. Its grain is fine but more pronounced, almost giving it a waxy look and feel. However, Cumaru will turn gray over timewithout regular finishing.  Gray does not mean any problems, it will still last decades. .

·         Maintenance

Both Cedar and Cumaru require proper care and maintenance. This is because they will be exposed to a variety of external elements, such as moisture and heat. However, Cedarwood is especially sensitive to dents and scratches because it is much softer than hardwoods.

It’s best to stain or seal your Cedar deck every few years to preserve its appearance. In addition, sealing can help prevent damage due to degradation and drying out when the deck is not installed in an ideal location.

Are you using Cedarwood, Cumaru wood, or a different type of material for your deck? No matter which you choose, make sure to purchase your supplies from a trusted provider in your area. Choose a supplier that offers high-quality materials for reasonable prices, ensuring that your deck lasts for years to come.