What is Garapa Wood?
Garapa is a high-density hardwood species native to Brazil. Garapa is among one of the most popular species of Brazilian tropical hardwood. Garapa is sometimes known as "Brazilian Ash" or a "Brazilian Hardwood". Garapa is a high-density, highly durable hardwood species that is ideal for use in exterior structures including decks, wood siding, wood rainscreen and more. Garapa's beautiful golden tones will enhance your project with a warm, natural look.
High-density exotic hardwood decking materials such as Garapa decking, and other species like Cumaru, Machiche, and Ipe decking, are truly the best decking material options available. Garapa is beautiful, durable hardwood species that can handle heavy foot traffic. It also offers a lighter colored decking material option for your deck. The lower cost of Garapa also makes it an affordable choice for a hardwood decking material.
What's so special about Mataverde® Garapa decking?
Mataverde Premium Garapa decking is a tough, real wood deck surface with a soft looking, satiny grain. Despite being the lowest fiber content of the the high-density exotic hardwoods, Garapa wood density still is considerably stronger, harder, and heavier than Oak.
Mataverde Garapa decking exhibits lots of character striping and color variation, and will turn a soft silver color if left natural. Like Mataverde Ipe and Cumaru, Garapa decking is extraordinarily resistant to shrinking, splintering, cupping, twisting, checking, and warping.
From a durability standpoint, Garapa deck wood is extremely hard and comparatively dense so it will resist the typical punishment decking is expected to withstand and keep it's good looks. Garapa wood has a high decay resistance rating throughout all fibers of the wood. The naturally high density and natural oils of Grapa make it more resistant to termite and other insect attacks than softwoods like teak, cedar and pine.
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Color and Graining of Mataverde Garapa decking
Mataverde Premium Garapa Decking is all heartwood and ranges in color from a sun-kissed honey blonde to a rich golden brown which will darken slightly with age. While the soft ribbon-like graining of Garapa decking is similar to maple or mahogany, Garapa decking has a beauty all its own. When left to weather naturally, Garapa hardwood turns a soft silvery platinum hue very similar to the appearance of weathered Ipe decking.
This softer look graining translates to a subtler variation in color and grain compared to other high-density exotic decking boards. But just like a natural wood floor inside a home, no two pieces of Garapa decking are ever exactly alike. The rich variations in Garapa wood, though more subtle, reflect the character and beauty of this exotic natural species of tropical hardwood. Garapa decking is a handsome and affordable exterior building material that is well suited for numerous projects. We've added a Garapa Decking Photo Gallery to show you its many stunning uses.
Would you like a closer look at Garapa deck wood?
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COMPARE GARAPA TO OTHER WOOD DECKING MATERIALS and
COMPARE GARAPA TO SYNTHETIC DECKING
Mataverde Garapa Hardwood Appearance Options
What will Garapa exterior hardwood look like as it ages? Garapa is well known for its beauty, strength, affordability, and durability. But at the end of the day, Garapa is still a natural wood, and all exterior wood will age differently when they are exposed to outdoor weather conditions. You have appearance and maintenance options to choose from. Let's break down these options and the life-cycle performance of Garapa wood.
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Mataverde Garapa Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties
Garapa decking has a bending strength of 12,900 psi. That means that Garapa wood will span greater distances with very little deflection. The less deflection in a deck board means a more solid decking that will "bounce" less when you walk on it. Garapa has a Janka hardness rating of 1,630 lbf. (In comparison, White Oak has a Janke hardness rating of 1,360 lbf.) The only other wood decking options that are stronger than Garapa decking? Other high density hardwood decking materials such as Ipe, Machiche, and Cumaru.
Mataverde Garapa Decking has very good dimensional stability. Garapa wood shows only minor movement after it is milled. Mataverde Garapa Decking is kiln dried, (known as KD Garapa), minimizing any shrinkage and checking (splitting). Garapa decking is a great material option to provide an all -natural, real wood deck surface that is just right for your project.
| DURABILITY |
Garapa decking is stable, a consistent and durable high density decking material
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| HARDNESS |
Garapa decking is up to three times harder than pine, cedar and redwood. Garapa has a Janka hardness of 1,630 lbf. The only other wood decking materials that are stronger than Garapa decking are other high density hardwood decking materials such as Ipe, Machiche, and Cumaru.
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| FIBER BENDING STRENGTH |
Garapa decking has a bending strength of 12,900 psi. That means that Garapa wood will span greater distances with very little deflection. The less deflection in a deck board means your Garapa decking is more solid and will "bounce" less when you walk on it.
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| DENSITY |
Garapa wood is high-density so it is naturally pest and rot resistant. Garapa decking lumber has a density of .79 g/cm3. Mataverde Premium Garapa Decking is available with a 25-year insect and decay resistant warranty.
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Garapa Decking Installation Tips and Techniques
Like other hardwood decking materials, Garapa has special installation methods. For best results, Garapa decking can be installed by any one of the following deck installation methods:
- Pre-drilling the Garapa deck boards and then screwing the Garapa decking directly to the deck joists
- Using the Ejector screw to fasten your Garapa decking boards directly to the deck joists (no pre-drilling required)
- Garapa decking can also be installed using Mataverde concealed deck fasteners. No screw heads are visible in the Garapa deck boards when you use pre-grooved Garapa decking and Mataverde hidden deck fasteners.
Garapa is Well-Suited to Outdoor Projects
Mataverde Garapa Decking Care & Maintenance
Garapa is a low maintenance decking material. Like any other decking boards, Garapa should be cleaned as needed to remove debris and dirt and look its best. Garapa decking can be left alone to weather naturally. Garapa can also be oiled with a decking sealer with a UV Protectant, such as Penofin Hardwood Formula Penetrating Oil Finish, for a darker and richer appearance on your deck.
How Does Garapa hardwood decking compare to other decking options?
Garapa hardwood decking is an all natural sustainable decking material that is the most affordable option of premium hardwood decking while still significantly higher than other wood decking, composite decking, plastic decking, and more in nearly every measurable performance rating.
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