Should
you go for Garapa wood,or is Ipe the better option? While both types of hardwood
are native to South America, they have some striking differences.
Garapa
decking vs. Ipe decks — Which one is
best for you?
Both
types of wood can be found in Brazil because they thrive in the warm and
tropical climateof the country. They are also popular decking materials because
of their high strength and durability.
Now,
what about their differences?
· Appearance
Garapa comes from the Apuleiatree, characterized
by a golden to yellowish-brown color. Don’t expect it to look the same
after a few years. The hardwood tends to darken with age and appears brighter
or darker in different lighting angles. This assumes you maintain a finish. If you do nothing, the Garapa will gray.
In addition, Garapa wood has straight yet
sometimes interlocking grains, with a moderate amount of natural luster.
Meanwhile, Ipe wood is sourced from the tall Handroanthustree
(Tabebuia)
in the SouthAmerica. It is medium -brown
and yellowish olive-brown color with streaks of dark brown and black.
Furthermore, Ipe decks feature a fine
to medium texture with unique grains that range from straight to irregular or
interlocked.
· Durability
Like most Brazilian hardwoods, Ipe and Garapa
are exceptionally durable. Ipe is considered the hardest, according to the
Janka Scale, rating about 3680 lbf. That’s three times harder than
oak.
In contrast, Garapa woodis slightly
softer but durable nonetheless. It has a Janka rating of 2280 lbf, withstanding
scratches and rot. Garapa while softer than Ipe is still 2x harder than Oak.
· Sustainability
Ipe and Garapa decking are both
sustainable options for your home. For instance, neither is listed in the IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species or the CITES Appendices.
However, Ipe grows in lower densities, making
it less common than Garapa wood.
Both Woods, unlike composites will
decompose. Composites with plastic will
be in landfills for centuries.
