Cumaru Marine Decking: Coney Island Boardwalk

The Coney Island Boardwalk is an enduring national historic treasure. Generations of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world have been enjoying this idyllic seaside promenade since the 1920's. The boardwalk itself has served as the main pedestrian walkway and artery for people to sight-see, people-watch, visit the beach, shops, and restaurants, enjoy ball games, arcades, ride on amusements and much more. Trips to the Coney Island boardwalk have created wonderful lifelong memories for those who have visited it over the years.  The Coney Island boardwalk is an iconic cultural thoroughfare that literally brings people together as a community.

In the beginning, the original material chosen for the boardwalk was long leaf pine decking.  Over the years, as the amount of foot traffic and enjoyment of the boardwalk increased, it became apparent that a stronger, tougher and more durable decking material was necessary.  Ipe decking boards, one of the toughest natural outdoor hardwoods in the world, were chosen as a replacement for the older boardwalk decking. It was soon discovered that Ipe decking could withstand an amazing amount of foot traffic, beautifully, without splintering or wearing out. The Ipe decking was so strong that before long, vehicles including police cars and trash trucks, were riding on the wooden deck boards.

Like any seaside coastal beach area, the Coney Island boardwalk has survived through harsh winters, devastating storms and hurricanes and powerful ocean waves.  When the metal substructure of sections of the boardwalk needed replacement several years ago, it was the framing structure itself that needed replacement, not the Ipe decking boards.  When the substructure was rebuilt, FSC Certified Cumaru decking boards were chosen for replacement decking material. Cumaru decking actually has a slightly higher density than Ipe decking, making either decking option extremely durable and naturally resistant to insects and decay. Cumaru decking also has a similar hardness to Ipe decking, which makes Cumaru very resistant to abrasion from literally millions of footsteps (and vehicle traffic) every year.

Cumaru decking is sustainably harvested from properly managed forests that ensure that there are as many mature trees available at the end of a harvesting cycle as there were at the beginning of the harvesting period.  Cumaru hardwood is a beautiful and highly sustainable, totally renewable natural resource. Using warm and sustainable, renewable products like Ipe decking and Cumaru decking makes great sense…beautifully.

Mataverde Cumaru Decking escapes Hurricane Sandy unscathed. It has been noted recently in newspaper reports that the devastating effects Hurricane Sandy had on large areas of the Northeast including the New York and New Jersey coasts particularly, did not affect the areas of the Coney Island boardwalk that had been rebuilt and repaired recently using the FSC Certified Mataverde Cumaru decking. The Cumaru section of the boardwalk shown in the photo above was installed with recycled plastic sleepers and FSC Certified 100% Pure Cumaru Decking. The Cumaru decking boards were securely attached with stainless steel decking screws for additional fastening strength and durability. This strong installation method helped the Cumaru decking in this section of the boardwalk to escape the brutal wrath and battering of the vicious storm. 

Many Mataverde Hardwood Decking species carry a 25-year limited warranty.  Download a PDF with all the details here.

Download our comprehensive guidebook, The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material. This widely acclaimed and helpful tool will assist you as you decide which decking material is right for your unique project.