Monday, 20 January 2025

Why a Brazilian Hardwood Deck Adds Elegance to Your Outdoor Space

Whether you intend to frequently host guests or simply want a spot for unwinding, you need to create an outdoor space that's both stylish and practical. The key to achieving this is choosing the right materials. At ABS Wood, we carry the most durable Brazilian hardwoods, such as ipe, tigerwood, and garapa. These are great materials for building a durable Brazilian hardwood deck with enduring elegance and aesthetics.

 

Let’s share how Brazilian hardwoods can bring elegance to your outdoor space. We will include a quick overview of popular Brazilian hardwoods to inspire your project.

 

Ipe: Brazilian Walnut

At ABS Wood, we offer ipe decking materials that offer a premium combination of price, longevity, and quality. Also known as Ironwood or Brazilian Black Walnut, ipe features a rich brown color with amber hues and a very fine texture with an attractive graining pattern. This allows you to create a deck with character, especially since each board varies in grain and color.

 

Ipe makes an excellent Brazilian hardwood deck because it’s incredibly dense. It’s 3 times denser and harder than oak, ranking 3680 lb on the Janka Scale. This hardness makes it unfavorable to wood-destroying organisms like pine beetles and termites. Plus, it naturally resists mold, fungus, and rot. This means you can enjoy your nice-looking deck for decades without worrying about structural damage.

 

Garapa: Brazilian oak

If you prefer your deck in a lighter color, we recommend Brazilian oak or garapa. Its lemon-yellow hue will make your deck stunning without compromising on the durability and hardness of Brazilian hardwood.

 

Beyond the aesthetics, garapa allows you to create a naturally slip-resistant Brazilian hardwood deck. This is why it’s perfect if you prefer to walk barefoot outdoors. Plus, it won’t require constant maintenance or chemical treatments to keep decay and mold at bay.

 

Some garapa wood boards have distinctive brown streaks that add to their character. If you don’t treat garapa with a UV finisher, the wood’s honey-yellow color will transform into a rich russet golden brown that will still bring elegance to your deck.  However, without a UV Finisher, your garapa will then turn a silver gray color.

 

Tigerwood: Brazilian Muiracatiara

Tigerwood gets its name from its looks: reddish-colored with irregular grain lines of black or brown, resembling tiger stripes. These features make the wood ideal for creating eye-catching outdoor projects. Like ipe, tigerwood will turn gray over time with sun exposure. However, you can prevent that by consistently applying a UV blocker.

 

Apart from its looks, tigerwood has a tight grain that makes it ideal for a Brazilian hardwood deck that’s frequently exposed to moisture and rain. This characteristic increases its moisture resistance to prevent mold and wood rot. Plus, it wards off termites, fungus, pine borers, and other things that can easily destroy softer wood species.

 

Cumaru: Brazilian teak

Cumaru became a widely known Brazilian hardwood deck in the last decade thanks to its lengthy lifespan and extreme hardness. Since it’s native to South American rainforests, the wood naturally resists insect infestation, rot, and decay.

 

One of the most sought-after features of cumaru is its pronounced grain, which can become more noticeable after applying a simple sealant or staining product. Its natural color ranges from medium tan to a darker shade of reddish brown.

Cumaru is versatile and can be used for making custom seating or fencing, creating a consistent look for your property. As decking, it will make your outdoor space stand out and inviting for lounging or entertaining.

 

Transform your outdoor space with Brazilian hardwood

You can learn more about building a Brazilian hardwood deck here at ABS Wood. Don’t think twice about calling 352-508-4990 or 404-549-4840 so we can give you a custom quote. Not sure which wood is for you? Our team can also help you pick from our selection of environmentally certified Brazilian hardwoods.

 

 

 

Ipe Deck Boards: The Secret to Building Long-Lasting and Stunning Decks

At ABS Wood, we understand that the key to a durable and beautiful deck lies in the quality of its materials. That's why we offer a carefully curated selection of premium Brazilian hardwoods to enhance any outdoor space. We particularly recommend ipe deck boards if you’re seeking a decking material that meets all the top standards in quality, longevity, and cost-effectiveness.

 

Let us go into detail on why ipe is the perfect Brazilian hardwood for building a stunning and long-lasting deck. We also talk about how we can help bring your dream deck to life with our top-quality ipe wood and our friendly and knowledgeable service.

 


Understanding ipe wood

Ipe is also well-known by other names, such as Brazilian Black Walnut and Ironwood. No matter what you call it, it’s notably among the hardest woods on our planet. Imagine a baseball bat except 3 times harder.

 

How hard is ipe?

On the Janka scale, ipe ranks 3680 lb. Indeed, ipe deck boards are dense and have an A1 fire rating like concrete. This hardness is a natural deterrent to pests, warding off termites and other wood-destroying organisms. You don’t even need to treat the wood to repel insects, fungi, and mold. Leave it to the natural properties of ipe to keep those problems at bay.

 

Appreciating the natural beauty of ipe wood

Ipe wood is anything but dull. Its rich, warm brown color is made even more interesting by

occasional greenish tint and reddish tones. Combined with its distinctive fine-grained texture, ipe creates a stunning and elegant look that lasts for a very long time.

 

Keep it attractive

Every ipe deck board is one-of-a-kind and has its own unique grain pattern and shade of brown. Most boards are a rich medium brown, but you might find some with lighter or darker tones. You can apply a UV-blocking finish to keep that beautiful color, or, if you prefer a more natural look, let it age gracefully to a silvery-gray patina that will last for decades.

 

When to apply protective finishing

Reapply a UV blocking protective finish within 3 to 6 months after installation. This initial coat creates a shield to preserve the wood’s natural color and vibrancy. After that, you can reapply the finish every 10 to 12 months to maintain the deep brown color, protect the wood fibers and minimize frequent reapplications down the road.

 

It starts with top quality ipe wood.

At ABS Wood, we’re committed to providing only the highest quality ipe deck boards. That’s why we exclusively offer premium-grade wood. By choosing our ipe deck boards, you can be confident that your deck will be both beautiful and durable.

 

Responsibly sourced

We carry ipe that is FSC-certified, so you can be confident that it comes from responsibly managed forests. Plus, our premium-grade ipe deck boards comply with the Lacey Act, guaranteeing that they’re harvested legally and ethically.

 

Create a seamless look.

Nails and screws can detract from your deck's appearance, so if you want a sleek finished look, use ipe clips to hide fasteners. These special clips keep each deck board securely fastened in place without nails or screws visible. Plus, they prevent the hassles of popped-up fasteners, eliminating any blemishes from your deck’s fixings. They work well with 3/4”-thick decking or more, setting each board at an appropriate distance from one another.

 

Build your deck with ipe.

Now that you know the secret to building an attractive and long-lasting deck, it’s time to consider ipe deck boards from ABS Wood. You can request a quote or more information about our ipe decking materials by calling us at 404-549-4840 or 352-508-4990.