Cumaru Decking: The Best Wood for Your Deck

One of the best Brazilian hardwoods for decking, cumaru is an increasingly popular and in demand material for different types of home improvement projects. This natural wood is known for its hardness and durability, offering a lifespan of more than two decades. Naturally biodegradable, cumaru is definitely a better material choice than composites that many modern decking use. 

Cumaru trees are a native of the South American rainforest. Throughout their existence, these hardwoods have naturally developed a strong resistance to rot and decay as well as to insect infestation even well after they have been cut down. The resulting material is an organic hardwood that can be relied on for at least 25 years (free of preservatives). Cumaru is a highly renewable resource, growing at a faster rate than other Brazilian hardwoods, including the popular yet expensive Ipe wood. Because of this, many advocate for its use in construction applications.

Cumaru is an excellent material for decking, fencing, and even for use as seating. Its natural grain is one of the most noticeable and regarded features of this particular hardwood. Itsrings and streaks can be further highlighted with all kinds of stains, giving the wood an even more elegant glow. Cumaru ranges from a medium tan hue to a deep reddish brown shade. These natural color variations serve well to complement the wood's natural charm, making it an even more popular choice for outdoor decking and indoor flooring applications.

Cumaru places high in the Janka hardness scale (3540 lbf)—a significantly higher number than most other hardwoods like oak and hard maple. This hardness also makes the wood highly resistant to scratching. The natural habitat of cumaru trees exposes the wood to all kinds of extreme weather conditions as well as swarms of pests, making the wood naturally resistant to these elements even without much preservation.

Garapa Decking: Perfect Timber for Wooden Decking

Brazilian walnut or Ipe is one of the highly recommended types of wood for decks due to its rich brown color and fine grain, but if you prefer a lighter color, then garapa is a good choice. Garapa is also known as 'Brazilian oak', and it is durable enough to withstand different conditions that it may be exposed to outdoors. It typically features a yellow color with fine grain, but some boards may have sleek streaks of brown to create a more appealing and one of a kind look. Sun exposure can eventually turn the color into a lovely russet-golden brown hue.

High-quality garapa is sustainably harvested from the Amazon rainforest, and you can get it from a reputable supplier of Brazilian hardwoods in the US. It origins make it naturally resistant to water damage, decay, rotting, and insects. Its hardness is rated at 2,280 lbf on the Janka scale, so it is resistant to scratching, and it naturally resists fungal growth and termite infestation, as long as water does not permeate it. Garapa does not require any preservatives, and its lifespan is least 25 years. Unlike composite materials, Brazilian oak is naturally biodegradable. It comes in a range of grain and color, too, so you can create a deck that has a unique character.

Garapa is comparable to the quality of Ipe but you can buy it at a fraction of the alternative's cost. You may use a UV inhibitor finish to retain its rich honey yellow hue, or allow it to age gracefully into a gray color. A tinted finisher can make the wood darker, in case you prefer a more cost-effective alternative to Ipe, but you prefer a richer brown color. Garapa deck boards typically have a medium brown color.

Some suppliers offer Garapa in specified lengths, so you can easily build the deck that you want. Consider buying from a supplier that sells Garapa decking under an innovative program that is designed to help you save money.

Things to Know When Choosing Cedar Lumber Retailer

Cedar wood (also known by its botanical name, Juniperus virginiana) is not only used in furniture such as chests—they can also be incorporated into building homes. Because of its longevity and durability, western red cedar is popularly used for siding, decking, fencing, and roofing. It weathers well and is suitable for many kinds of outdoor building projects. Red cedar can also be very useful for indoor construction in areas where the climate is humid because it resists warping. This type of wood is decay resistant and long lasting, making it a wonderful choice for both outdoor and indoor projects.

If you need cedar for construction, be sure to look for a cedar retailer that can provide a wide variety of cedar lumber, timber, boards, shakes, beams, and shingles. Some of the best cedar lumber retailers in the US can offer almost any type or size for your unique usage requirements.

Sadly, not all cedar woods are harvested in an environmentally friendly manner. If you care about the earth, then you should find a cedar lumber retailer that can guarantee the sustainability of its products. Their cedar wood should come from sustainably managed forests, preferably in British Columbia where only a third of one percent of the total cedar trees is harvested each year.

You also want to look at the cedar lumber retailer shipping and delivery options before you order. The retailer should determine the most cost effective method of delivery based on the volume. Smaller shipments (not exceeding two tons) are typically shipped via a partner freight company. Larger shipments may be delivered via the retailer’s own flatbed trailer—they travel directly from the retailer’s warehouse to your site. This ensures more control over the delivery time and date as well as direct delivery even to gated communities.

Tips to Get Ipe Hardwood Decking at the Most Competitive Price

Ipe hardwood may not be the cheapest choice of decking material, but it is certainly one of the most durable. This is why wise homeowners and builders are willing to make the relatively higher initial investment on this type of wood—because they know that it will last 25 to 50 years. If you are interested in buying ipe hardwood to use for your outdoor deck, then you’ll be glad to know that there are ways to get the best value. Here are some tips on saving money when you buy ipe hardwood:

1. Buy ipe from a supplier that sells direct to builders and customers. This eliminates the middle man and, therefore, saves you serious money.

2. Order online. Some of the best suppliers offering affordable ipe hardwood for decking do not operate fancy showrooms—they sell on the internet. They spend much less on overhead costs and can pass the savings on to customers like you. 

3. Get multiple quotes. If you have the time and patience, then ask several ipe suppliers to compete for your business. Make it known to them that you are comparing prices—this might motivate them to give you their best quote.

4. Ask your builder or contractor. People or companies who have been designing and building porches and decks probably have connections to an ipe supplier.

5. Insist on quantity discounts if you are ordering in bulk. Suppliers are typically happy to give you deep discounts if you are ordering larger volume. 

6. Take into consideration the delivery fees. Be sure to factor in how much it will cost for you to have your order shipped or delivered to your home or construction site. You will usually benefit from ordering your ipe wood from a supplier that serves your area specifically. They may be able to use their flatbed trucks to deliver your orders, saving you money. 

Things to Know When Choosing Cedar Lumber Retailer

Cedar wood (also known by its botanical name, Juniperus virginiana) is not only used in furniture such as chests—they can also be incorporated into building homes. Because of its longevity and durability, western red cedar is popularly used for siding, decking, fencing, and roofing. It weathers well and is suitable for many kinds of outdoor building projects. Red cedar can also be very useful for indoor construction in areas where the climate is humid because it resists warping. This type of wood is decay resistant and long lasting, making it a wonderful choice for both outdoor and indoor projects.

If you need cedar for construction, be sure to look for a cedar retailer that can provide a wide variety of cedar lumber, timber, boards, shakes, beams, and shingles. Some of the best cedar lumber retailers in the US can offer almost any type or size for your unique usage requirements.

Sadly, not all cedar woods are harvested in an environmentally friendly manner. If you care about the earth, then you should find a cedar lumber retailer that can guarantee the sustainability of its products. Their cedar wood should come from sustainably managed forests, preferably in British Columbia where only a third of one percent of the total cedar trees is harvested each year.

You also want to look at the cedar lumber retailer shipping and delivery options before you order. The retailer should determine the most cost effective method of delivery based on the volume. Smaller shipments (not exceeding two tons) are typically shipped via a partner freight company. Larger shipments may be delivered via the retailer’s own flatbed trailer—they travel directly from the retailer’s warehouse to your site. This ensures more control over the delivery time and date as well as direct delivery even to gated communities.