Tropical hardwood decking is built to handle the elements, but you still need to maintain it to keep it looking its best. While an Ipe deck shares the same care requirements as Tigerwood and Cumaru decking, each species has unique characteristics that affect how often you should maintain it and what products work best.
Here's what you need to know to keep each
type of hardwood decking looking beautiful for years.
Caring for your ipe decking
Ipe decking
is highly resistant to rot and holds up well against moisture thanks to its
density and naturally high oil content. That same high oil content, however,
also means that it doesn't absorb finishing products as easily as other
hardwoods. It will gradually develop a uniform silver-gray patina if you leave
it unfinished. Don’t worry: that's a
normal cosmetic change that doesn’t affect the strength or durability of the
wood.
To keep your Ipe deck in great condition:
• Clean
it thoroughly once a year, preferably in the spring.
• Apply
a penetrating hardwood deck oil every 12 months. If your deck is in a coastal
location or receives intense sunlight throughout the year, oiling every six
months may be a better choice.
• Sand
and refinish the surface every five to ten years, or whenever it starts showing
signs of wear.
Ipe has a high natural oil content, so pick
a deck oil that’s specifically formulated for tropical hardwoods. If you use a
standard deck sealer, it won’t penetrate the wood effectively.
Maintaining your Cumaru deck
Cumaru
decking shares many of the same qualities as
Ipe — dense and durable, as well as naturally resistant to the elements with
its high natural oil content.
Fresh Cumaru has a warm honey-brown color
that gradually changes to a light golden-gray if you leave it unfinished with a
UV-blocker. Compared to an Ipe deck, it absorbs deck oil a little more easily,
so you may need to apply just two thin coats to provide better coverage instead
of one heavy coat.
To keep your Cumaru decking looking its
best:
• Clean
it once a year.
• Apply
hardwood deck oil annually.
• Refinish
the surface every five to ten years as needed.
With routine maintenance, you can preserve
the wood's rich color while protecting it from everyday exposure.
Make Tigerwood decking last
Tigerwood
decking stands out because of its striking orange-brown color and bold dark
striping. These contrasting colors naturally soften as the wood weathers over
time, but this can actually give your deck a more blended appearance.
The wood also has a moderate amount of
natural oil, so it’s relatively easy to maintain.
For the best results, you should:
• Clean
the deck once a year.
• Apply
a penetrating hardwood deck oil annually.
• Expect
the distinctive striped pattern to become more subtle over time, as this is
part of the wood's natural aging process.
Don’t worry if you get new Tigerwood boards
with noticeable color variation. As your deck ages, those differences gradually
become less pronounced.
Maintenance tips for every species
No matter which tropical hardwood you
choose, following a few basic maintenance practices will help keep your deck in
excellent condition.
• Always
clean the deck before applying oil.
• Allow
the surface to dry completely before adding any finish.
• Apply
thin coats of oil and wipe away any excess product.
• Inspect
the deck's structural framing every year, as the framing plays a major role in
your deck's overall lifespan.
• When
installing Brazilian hardwood decking in coastal areas, use 316 stainless steel
hardware for better resistance to corrosion.
Get premium-grade Brazilian hardwoods
At ABS Wood,
we can supply premium-grade Brazilian hardwoods at direct-from-the-mill pricing
tailored to your project and cut list.
Fill out our contact form for a quote or
call 1-877-722-7473.
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