What is Machiche Hardwood?
Machiche Decking, pronounced "Mah-CHEE'-chay", is a 100% FSC® certified high-density hardwood decking material which is sustainably harvested and moderately priced. Mataverde Machiche is sustainably harvested in Guatemala in the Maya Biosphere Reserve ensuring the highest levels of sustainability. This beautiful and durable hardwood has many characteristics that are similar to Ipe hardwood. Machiche wood is a chocolatey brown color that will age gracefully to a mellow silvery patina if left to weather naturally.
Machiche hardwood may be used outdoors for decking, siding, trim, furniture and other projects.
What Makes Mataverde Premium Machiche Decking Stand Out?
• Sustainability: Responsibly harvested in the Guatemala Mayan Biosphere Reserve, which boasts a near 0% deforestation rate for more than twenty years. Both FSC Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified, you can't find a more eco-friendly wood decking option than Machiche hardwood.
• Incredibly Strong: Withstands wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas for residential or commercial projects.
• Scratch-Resistance: Perfect for families, pets, and heavy foot traffic, even on boardwalks.
• Fire Resistant: Class A fire rating, ideal for fire-prone areas. WUI Approved (Wildland Urban Interface)
• Warranty: Mataverde Machiche wood is backed by a 25-Year Limited Warranty. This ensures peace of mind and satisfaction for decades.
Mataverde FSC Machiche decking is kiln dried to approximately 12% to 14% moisture content, making it an extremely stable decking material. At this moisture content, Machiche wood decking has a bending strength of 25,938 psi. In fact, Machiche hardwood has a higher bending strength than Ipe decking! It has a Janka hardness of 2,805 lbs, which is about 80% as hard as Ipe and more than twice as hard as oak.
Mataverde 100% Pure FSC Machiche Decking has very good dimensional stability and shows only minor movement after manufacture. Being a kiln dried decking material, Machiche Decking has a low shrinkage and minimal checking that provides a deck surface that is just right for you and will last beautifully for many years to come. Machiche decking is among one of the most popular and beautiful wood species of premium hardwood decking.
RELATED: Learn why Mataverde Machiche is different than other decking materials.
The Beauty of Machiche: Color and Graining
Mataverde® 100% Pure FSC Machiche Decking is all heartwood, ranging in color from light brown to reddish brown and medium chocolate brown colors. It is a beautiful wood species and has lively exotic graining variations. Machiche wood will age gracefully age to a mellow silvery patina if left to weather naturally. With a coat of rosewood oil penetrating sealer, Machiche decking develops into a rich chocolate coloration. Machiche hardwood is a medium grained high density hardwood and looks stunning as a decking material. Machiche decking is among one of the most popular and beautiful styles of premium hardwood decking.
DOWNLOAD: MATAVERDE MACHICHE DECKING FACT SHEET
Discover the Beauty and Durability of Machiche Hardwood
Would you like to know what Machiche wood will look like as it ages? It's true that Machiche is a high performance exterior hardwood. But Machiche is still an all natural wood product, and all woods will react to the effects of nature and exposure to the elements over time. With Machiche hardwood, there are appearance options you can choose from. Long-lasting and durable, Machiche decking shares many similar characteristics to Ipe hardwood and is an eco-friendly material that is well-suited for many exterior projects including decks, arbors, pergolas and more. Check out the beautiful Machiche Decking Photo Gallery to see more looks using Machiche decking.
CHECK OUT THE MACHICHE DECK PROJECT PICTURES GALLERY HERE
Looking to see an actual piece of Machiche deck wood? Order a sample today:
Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Machiche Hardwood
Durability |
Mataverde® Machiche FSC decking is a tough, high density hardwood decking wood with a medium to coarse grain. Machiche wood is highly durable and resistant to rot, decay, and insects. |
Hardness |
Machiche wood has a Janka hardness of 2,805 lbs. per square inch. which is more than twice as hard as oak. When properly used and cared for, Machiche decking is highly resistant to shrinking, splintering, twisting, cupping and checking. Machiche decking is highly durable, extremely hard and dense and is very resistant to a wide range of punishment. |
Fiber Bending Strength |
Machiche decking has a bending strength of 25,938 psi. It has a higher bending strength than Ipe wood. This wood species is incredibly strong.
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Density |
Machiche lumber has a density of .897 g/cm3. With a slightly lower density than Ipe or Cumaru, Machiche is resistant to lots of punishment in outdoor environments. |
Fire Resistance |
Mataverde Machiche wood has been tested and passed the flame spread and smoke density requirements for Class A fire rating of the ASTM E84 testing with flying colors.
The ASTM testing that was conducted meets the same fire rating and testing requirements as the IBC (International Building Code) and the ANSI/NFPA (American National Standards Institute/National Fire Protection Association) for a Class A fire rating.
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RELATED: Compare Machiche Wood to Other Wood Species
Trying to find the best decking material for your project?
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Machiche Decking Installation Tips and Techniques
Due to its extremely high density and hardness, installing Machiche wood for decks requires carbide tipped tools and techniques.
Here's how you can achieve professional-grade results:
1. Pre-Drilling: pre-drill screw holes and use stainless steel screws to ensure secure fastening.
2. Hidden Fasteners: For a seamless look, choose Mataverde Concealed Deck Fasteners.
3. Advanced Techniques: The Ejector screw system saves time and effort on large commercial projects.
Learn how to install Machiche Hardwood Decking
PDF Download of Mataverde Hardwood Decking Installation Guidelines
Care & Maintenance for Machiche Wood
Machiche wood is a medium grained, high-density hardwood that makes a stunning deck. It develops into a rich chocolate coloration. With a coat of UV inhibiting oil penetrating sealer, such as Penofin Hardwood Formula, you can darken it up and help protect it while it seasons over the first year. You can continue to oil the boards as needed to help maintain its original colors. Or Machiche wood will age gracefully to a gray-silvery patina if left to weather naturally.
Learn more about care and maintenance of Machiche Hardwood Decking
Want to learn more about how exterior woods age?
Download the comprehensive FREE GUIDE, "How Exterior Hardwoods Weather".
How Does Machiche hardwood decking compare to other decking options?
Machiche hardwood is an all natural sustainable decking material that is a beautiful, more durable and all around higher quality option that many other wood deck board options, as well as composite and plastic decks, and more in nearly every measurable performance rating.
RELATED: Compare Machiche Wood Decking to Synthetics
RELATED: See how Machiche hardwood compares to Red Cedar and other wood decking options here.