Transform Your Space with Cedar: Enhancing Your Projects with Cedar Lumber

As the popularity of outdoor living spaces continues to rise, it's a perfect time to evaluate and enhance your home's exterior lounging and entertaining areas. If you're concerned about the cost and long-term value of the project as well as finding materials that offer both a stunning appearance and easy maintenance, consider using cedar lumber. It’s an ideal solution for creating an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting outdoor space.

Why use cedar?

Cedarwood is one of the most versatile materials for many applications, including beams, decking, shingles, timbers, boards, and lumber. The heartwood is an impressive red to reddish brown, with tight knots adding unique character to it. Although it’s widely used in furniture, high-grade cedar timber can be customized for outdoor projects, and you will appreciate its resistance to splitting and pitch-free characteristics.

If you’re enhancing your space with other hardwoods like ipe or tigerwood, you could use cedar lumber to add style and beauty with a touch of dimensional stability. The uniform texture and fine, straight grain make the wood easy to cut, nail, or saw with common tools, so it is easy to finish and provide attractive finishing touches to your outdoor spaces.

Enhance your project’s structural stability

Cedar might be easier than Brazilian hardwoods like tigerwood and ipe. On the Janka scale, it's rated 900 lbf. But don't let that deter you from using it for our outdoor projects because it offers great structural stability and shock resistance. Plus, it is a durable wood that doesn't require extensive preservative treatment.

Prevent wood rot

Conventional lumber is usually prone to fungi, mold, and insect damage, but not cedar lumber. Its heartwood naturally has toxic extracts that prevent those things from thriving.

Get cedar wood at wholesale prices here!

Ready to build with cedar lumber? We’ll supply what you need! Here at ABS Wood, you can find a wide range of cedar timbers, decking, beams, and lumber at wholesale prices. Plus, we can provide the services and accessories you need to simplify installation. Call us now at 404-549-4840 or 352-508-4990.

The Best Materials for Trailer Decking: Ensuring Safety and Longevity

Trailer decking plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and longevity of trailers. It is the foundation that supports heavy loads, withstands harsh weather conditions, and endures constant wear and tear.

Choosing the suitable material can make all the difference in its overall performance and durability. But with so many options available, selecting the best one for your needs can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we will explore the top materials for trailer decking and their unique characteristics to help you make an informed decision.  The materials below are ranked with the best being last.

Oak

Oak is a popular choice for decking due to its remarkable toughness and durability. It is considered one of the toughest flooring options available, surpassing standard pine and Douglas fir in terms of strength and resilience. White oak, in particular, is a preferred choice among trailer owners as it provides an excellent combination of beauty and durability. While oak may be more expensive than other wood options, its longevity and superior quality make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a reliable and long-lasting trailer deck.

Angelim Pedra

Angelim Pedra is used extensivly in South America.  When the pandemic hit and the prefered Apitong was not available Angelim Pedra made its way into the market.  It is very comparable to Apitong and many truck owners now use them interchangeably.   Angelim Pedra is popular choice for trailer decking due to its high load bearing capacity and outstanding durability.

Apitong

Apitong, also known as Keruing, is a top contender for decking due to its exceptional toughness and durability. It is one of the toughest hardwoods available in the market today, making it an ideal choice for trucks and trailers. Apitong wood has a high resistance to wear and tear, impact, and weathering, making it an excellent option for heavy-duty applications. Additionally, it is naturally resistant to rot and decay, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance and replacements.

At ABS Wood, we take pride in being a premium Brazilian hardwood retailer. Our decking is carefully sourced and inspected by experts with decades of experience in the wood industry. We understand that quality is paramount when it comes to trailer decking, which is why we only offer the finest and most reliable decking solutions available. With our commitment to customer satisfaction and product excellence, you can trust that ABS Wood will provide you with the best possible experience from start to finish. Choose us for all your decking needs, and upgrade your ride with the unmatched quality and durability of Brazilian hardwood.

Resilient and Versatile: Discovering the Strengths of Garapa Decking

A deck can transform your outdoor living space and establish an inviting atmosphere for relaxation, social gatherings, or even al fresco dining with your family. One of the fundamental decisions you'll make when installing or upgrading your deck is the type of wood to use. Among the various options, Garapa decking stands out for its incredible blend of resilience and versatility.

Durable and low maintenance

Garapa wood (which is often known as Brazilian Ash) is renowned for its exceptional durability. This tropical hardwood possesses a high density that makes it remarkably resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks. Furthermore, its natural oils eliminate the need for frequent maintenance or chemical treatments. Thus, a Garapa deck can withstand harsh weather conditions and still retain its aesthetic appeal for years - a cost-effective and sustainable choice for your outdoor space.

Aesthetically pleasing

Aside from its strength and durability, Garapa decking also brings a unique aesthetic value to your outdoor space. The wood's natural color ranges from a rich honey-blonde to a warm golden brown which can beautifully complement any design style. Its fine grain and smooth texture add a touch of elegance and luxury, transforming your deck into a stylish extension of your indoor living space.

Enhanced outdoor livability and value

Garapa decking not only elevates the appearance of your outdoor space but also significantly boosts its livability and value. A deck constructed from this high-quality wood provides a comfortable and durable surface for outdoor furniture and activities, effectively increasing your home's living space. Moreover, the resilience and aesthetic appeal of Garapa wood can notably enhance the overall value of your property. Prospective buyers often appreciate the timeless elegance and minimal maintenance requirements of a Garapa deck which makes it a worthwhile investment for homeowners considering future resale. Whether you're hosting a barbeque party, reading a book in the open air, or planning to sell your home, Garapa Decking can make your outdoor space more inviting, functional, and valuable.

At Advanced Building Supplies (ABS) Wood, we are proud to offer an extensive range of environmentally certified Brazilian hardwood decking, including exceptional Garapa wood. We are committed to the highest quality standards and sustainable practices, ensuring you receive a product that is beautifully crafted, long-lasting, and eco-friendly. Choose ABS Wood for your decking needs, and let us help you transform your outdoor living space into an enchanting oasis.

Customizing Your Deck: Tailoring Tigerwood to Your Design Preferences

The pandemic has underscored the importance of our homes like never before. As we found ourselves restricted to our houses and apartments, many of us began to realize that our living spaces were not just places to eat and sleep, but sanctuaries providing comfort and safety in a world turned upside down. This renewed appreciation for our homes has ignited a desire to turn them into spaces that truly reflect our personalities and meet our needs. One area gaining particular attention in this regard is the outdoor living space, and for many, customizing their deck with Tigerwood has become a significant part of this home improvement journey.

The exotic allure of Tigerwood

Tigerwood, as its name suggests, is distinguished by its unique and striking stripes that bear a resemblance to a tiger's intricate markings. This exotic beauty which is native to the unforgiving climate and dense forests of South America, offers unparalleled durability and hardness that exceed most common domestic lumber types. Its distinct aesthetic appeal and strong physical properties make it a sought-after choice for those looking to add a touch of exotic charm to their homes.

Its inherent strength not only contributes to its aesthetic appeal but also promises longevity and superior resistance to wear and tear. This wood is well-regarded for its impressive density, which underscores its resistance to decay, rot, and insect attacks. The toughness of this wood guarantees a deck that not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time and use - turning your outdoor space into a long-lasting sanctuary.

Choose Advanced Building Supplies (ABS) Wood for your next deck project.

At ABS Wood, we are proud to offer a wide range of Tigerwood decking materials that meet our rigorous standards for quality and environmental sustainability. Our expertise and commitment ensure you're not just purchasing wood- but an investment towards the longevity and beauty of your outdoor sanctuary. Embrace the exotic allure of Tigerwood and transform your deck into a space that truly reflects your style and meets your needs.

Exploring Options: Ipe Wood for Sale and Its Many Possibilities

When it comes to high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing materials for outdoor decking, Ipe wood stands out among the rest. Known for its rich, dark hue and remarkable strength, Ipe wood is a sought-after choice for those seeking longevity and elegance in their outdoor spaces. But do they live up to the hype?

What is Ipe wood, and what can it be used for?

Ipe Wood (also commonly known as Brazilian Walnut) traces its origins in the lush forests of Central and South America. This exotic species of wood has carved out a niche for itself in the woodworking world thanks to its distinctive characteristics and multifaceted uses. The allure of Ipe wood is not merely confined to its beautifully rich, dark hue but extends to its exceptional strength and durability as well. These attributes make it an ideal candidate for various indoor and outdoor applications, including flooring and furniture manufacturing.

The impressive longevity of Ipe wood, when properly cared for, is truly noteworthy. Exterior constructions such as decking or siding made of this material can potentially endure up to 50 years. Beyond flooring and furniture, the versatility of Ipe wood further shines through in its use in stair and stair handrail construction. Whether you're considering ipe wood for sale for a home improvement project or commercial purposes, its multifaceted applications and enduring nature make it a worthy contender.

Ipe wood for sale at ABS Wood

At ABS Wood, we take pride in housing an extensive collection of environmentally certified Brazilian hardwood decking, including the highly acclaimed Ipe wood. With our commitment to sustainability and quality, every piece of wood in our inventory is responsibly sourced and ready to transform your space. If you are seeking Ipe wood for sale in the United States, ABS Wood is your trusted destination for premium quality, enduring aesthetics, and unparalleled strength. From decking to furniture applications, our Ipe wood range can meet a wide array of construction needs while adding a touch of elegance to your spaces.

Discover the ABS Wood difference and elevate your woodworking projects to new heights of sophistication and durability.

Exploring the Richness of Ipe Brazilian Hardwood: A Guide for Your Next Project

 

Perhaps you are considering a new deck or flooring solution, and you've heard about a certain South American wonder—Ipe Brazilian hardwood. Known for its incredible durability and rich beauty, Ipe is frequently the top choice for those seeking the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics in their projects. This type of wood is uniquely equipped to withstand harsh weather conditions, which makes it a long-lasting investment for homeowners and contractors alike.

Does the Ipe Brazilian hardwood live up to its reputation?

The widespread praise for Ipe hardwood is well-deserved, particularly when it comes to its remarkable durability. With a lifespan that can exceed 50 years, Ipe stands up well to extreme weather conditions, resisting damage from the sun, rain, and insects. This makes it a reliable choice for outdoor structures like decks. In addition to its durability, Ipe is also highly fire-resistant, earning a Class A rating from multiple industry sources. While Ipe may be more expensive upfront compared to other types of wood, its low maintenance requirements and long lifespan make it a smart investment for years of trouble-free use.

Does the supplier of your Brazilian Ipe hardwood make a significant difference?

Indeed, the source of your Brazilian hardwood significantly impacts the quality and sustainability of your project. At ABS WOOD, we are committed to offering not only top-tier Brazilian Ipe wood but also an ethical, environmentally-friendly sourcing process. Our team consists of knowledgeable experts passionate about delivering the best for our customers. We acknowledge the importance of your projects and understand that the installation process is just as crucial as the material itself. That's why we also provide expert installation services that ensure your Ipe hardwood is installed correctly, enhancing its durability and beauty.

Choose ABS WOOD today because we prioritize quality, sustainability, and your satisfaction.

How Rainscreen Siding Works: Understanding the Principles Behind the System

Moisture problems in the home are usually because of rain, ice, and snow that can make water seep through from the exterior walls. The good news is you can counteract that by installing rainscreen siding. It’s a multi-layer, high-performance assembly consisting of a cavity, outer cladding, and a vapor and air barrier. Together, these elements prevent water penetration while providing UV protection and enhanced shading. They can even improve your home’s thermal performance with exterior insulation.

How does a rainscreen work against moisture? This blog will explain the principles of the system to help you understand how it can benefit your home.

Keeps moisture out

Like every rainscreen system, the rainscreen siding provides a double-wall construction with an inner layer for thermal insulation and air leakage prevention and an outer layer to prevent rain and water from coming in.

Though it helps prevent moisture, that doesn’t mean it needs to be completely sealed. This way, the facade can ‘breathe.’ While the outer layer prevents rain from coming in, the vapor and air barrier or the cavity eliminates any water that gets into the panel joints via evaporation and drainage. As such, water doesn’t reach the thermal insulation or the base wall, and the building’s structural frame stays dry.

Creating an air gap

Rainscreen siding aims to establish an air gap to make your home moisture-resistant. With proper ventilation, moisture buildup will be the least of your problems. This is especially critical for homes built in humid climates, particularly in the southern US. To ensure this, high-quality rain screen systems are built without furring strips, which defeat their purpose. Furring strips make the system more complicated to install and hinder the air gap.

Pick the right rainscreen material.

Successful rainscreen installation can depend on the materials you use. At ABS Wood, we offer ipe, cumaru, and garapa rain screens to enhance your home’s aesthetics. These hardwoods are also durable, maintenance-free, moisture-resistant, and long-lasting.

Check out the options today!

Keep exploring ABS Wood to discover the best rainscreen siding for your property. Our team can also help you pick the best product based on your needs.

Garapa Decking vs. Other Wood Options: What Sets Garapa Apart

 

Are you planning to construct a deck? If so, consider Brazilian hardwoods. Brazilian hardwoods are known for their exceptional hardness, durability, appealing aesthetics, and long lifespan. As you explore the variety of choices, you will likely come across names like Ipe and Tigerwood. Both of these options are visually appealing, displaying rich brown or reddish colors and distinctive grain patterns.

However, another option to consider is Garapa Decking. This Brazilian hardwood is just as durable and attractive as its counterparts, but it stands out for its lighter hue. Garapa will allow you to build a sturdy deck that exhibits a unique lemon-yellow color, adding a distinctive touch to your outdoor leisure space. It even pairs well with other hardwoods, like Ipe, enabling you to design a uniquely appealing structure.

But there's more to Garapa than just its color. This hardwood has additional attributes that set it apart from other decking options. Let's delve deeper to uncover them:

Hardness

Garapa is 2280 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, making it significantly harder than oak (1360 lbf) and maple (1450 lbf). Hardness is one of the things that makes Brazilian hardwoods like garapa naturally deterrent against wood-destroying organisms, like termites. Insects cannot simply bite into the wood and burrow, so they are turned off and will switch to softer materials. Additionally, garapa’s hardness makes it scratch-resistant, so it’s an excellent decking material.

Rot-resistant

Wood rot and mold are common issues with most decking materials, but garapa decking prevents them by preventing water from seeping in. Though sun exposure will cause the wood to darken or turn gray over time, you can maintain the golden honey color by applying a UV-blocking finisher.

Fine grain

Looking closely, you will notice that garapa has a fine grain and striking streaks of brown. These are naturally occurring features on the hardwood, so they vary per decking material. However, that simply adds more charm and character to the material.

Cost

Garapa decking may be comparable to ipe in terms of durability and longevity. The difference is you can get garapa at a fraction of the cost of ipe wood, especially when you buy from a trusted source like ABS Wood.

Discover more about garapa wood at ABS Wood.

Our in-house experts are ready to supply garapa decking to your home or job site. Browse our website to see what’s available, and tell us what you need! We can also help you compare it further with other hardwoods we carry.