Thursday, 17 March 2022

What is the Difference Between Garapa Decking and Ipe Decking?

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. 

No comments:

Post a Comment