GARAPA

WHAT IS GARAPA?

Golden Garapa is a great material for outdoor decking and other outdoor carpentry projects. It is a lower-cost solution for everyone looking for hardwood but does not want to pay the higher price tags of Ipe and Cumaru.

Garapa hardwood, known as “Brazilian Ash” or a “Brazilian Hardwood”, is easily recognizable by its golden yellow-brown color, which darkens as the wood ages.  Brazilian is a straight-grained wood.

What makes this wood ideal for outdoor construction? It is a rot-resistant wood, that without being chemically treated is resistant to mold, insects, and fungi, which means you will enjoy your Garapa deck for many, many years.

Garapa Compared to Ipe

Garapa and Ipe are both hardwoods, although the first is not quite as dense (Ipe’s Janka rating is 3,510 lbf  vs Garapa’s Janka rating of  1,650 lbf).

Although both are ideal for exteriors, Ipe will last a little longer than Brazilian Ash, but that is a more affordable alternative to Ipe when it comes to exterior decking. 

The best quality Brazilian Ash and Ipe woods excel in terms of hardness, bending strength, durability, and density when compared to American wood species. Both have rich colors and beautiful graining.  What Garapa lacks in hardness, it makes up for in grain consistency and affordability. 

Garapa decking has soft colors, finer graining, subtle striping, and high strength. Also known as Brazilian Ash, this hardwood enjoys less grain variation and yet still demonstrate rich exotic graining found in tropical hardwood decking species, like Ipe. 

However, Ipe is infinitely harder than Garapa while the latter is almost 1.5 times harder than Oak. The extreme hardness of both deckings makes both a great option for a heavy-duty, scratch-resistant deck. 

While it’s been established as a more affordable alternative, Garapa is more expensive than mahogany or cedar. Still, it offers benefits neither of those woods does. Brazilian Ash wood is usually priced at $1.92 per linear foot for 1×6. 

Durability: Scratch-resistant to rot, decay; pet and insect attacks

Extraordinarily dense, this exotic hardwood is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack. They’re also resistant to attacks by highly active children or pets. This ensures that you will enjoy having it as a deck for many decades.

Whether you live near water or somewhere where wildfires are common, one can expect it to be durable. The grain is so tight that nothing can penetrate it. Plus, it has a good fire rating, so you don’t have to worry about hot coal on a Garapa deck.

Carings

Most Garapa is kiln dried as this ensures a controlled environment, with the temperature and humidity consistent throughout the drying process, which in turn guarantees the consistent quality of the hardwood. If Brazilian Ash is not kiln dried, it risks deformation such as cupping and warping.

Many decks require refinishing every now and then. While ordinary woods will often need sanding, staining, and resealing, the glory of this hardwood is that it will stay in good shape with minimal care.  It will require a UV blocking sealer or oil, applied every six months, in order to maintain its original coloring. It doesn’t wear down and absorb dirt like other woods. If using oil-based finishes; please test them on a small not-to-be-used area first.

Sustainability: 

When purchasing Garapa or any other hardwood, it is important to purchase sustainably sourced wood.  By choosing to buy certified Brazilian Ash, you can be sure that your hardwood is not destroying the ecological balance of the rainforest.  It is important to note that Garapa is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.