What is Garapa and how does it compare to other Decking?

by

Advanced Building Supplies, Inc.

Garapa has an interesting name. The word Garapa is the Brazilian Portuguese term for the juice of raw sugar cane. Now we know that sugar juice doe not have much to do with Ipe decking, so we are really looking for another Garapa, specifically Brazilian Oak.

Garapa is one of the finest quality hardwoods available and features a straight, fine interlocked grain with golden honey color. You will actually hear it called by the term Garapa Gold due to this appearance.

Garapa is an exotic hardwood that beyond its beautiful look, it is very hard. It is 2820 on the Janka hardness scale. That is actually twice as hard as oak. Due to the hardness Garapa is naturally scratch resistant, naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attack, splinters and fire without any chemical treatments which make for a beautiful long lasting deck.

We mentioned Garapa Gold as a common US trade name. However Garapa Gold refers to a specific wood is harvested from managed forest projects in compliance with the Lacey act. This is very important as we gain more environmental understanding of the importance of forest resources. In addition, Garapa Gold is naturally seasoned and kiln dried to prevent shrinkage.

Ipe and Garapa are a lot alike. They are both very hard Brazilian Hardwoods. They are both used in wood decking. Actually, they have a lot of similarities. In many aspects of decking Garapa is comparable to Ipe except of course, the cost. Garapa is significantly cheaper. This is not because ipe is better; it is just that Ipe is more in demand which drives it price up. Many people have discovered Garapa as a cost effective solution to a beautiful deck.

Garapa Golds unique properties allow it to withstand weather and seasons for its reputed 25+ year lifespan. Contrast this to conventional yellow pine or PT decking. PT decks are constructed using those greenish pine pressure-treated boards. The liquid that oozed are actually poisons injected under pressure to keep the wood. This is done to keep the wood from naturally decomposing due to natures forces of weather, microbes, and insects. Even with this treatment, some conventional PT decks can have a life expectancy can be as short as 5 or 6 years Garapa decking does not need any special treatment. It is naturally resistant to weather, microbes and insects. It is also resistant to Pine Beetles and termites.

Garapa Gold stands up well to the new composites. Many composite decking manufacturers warrant against just about everything but color fading. However, there are already observations on the web that some composites will begin to sag between joists, scratch, and discolor. Garapa will not sag, will not scratch, and will weather to a silver gray. As Garapa is a blond color naturally, it can be stained to a variety of colors and hues to match your home.

Brazilian hardwood decking wood is beautiful woods that are extremely durable, need no maintenance, are recyclable, and biodegradable, which isnt the case for the PT or composite decking.

Selena Bucholzs

presently represents ABSWood.com as Logistics Manager, She is at home with lumber having worked across companies such as Home Depot, Cox Lumber, and Ro-Mack lumber.Selena works both design and consulting on

wood decking

, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and other outdoor amenities.

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What is Garapa and how does it compare to other Decking?}