Why it makes sense to use a wood rainscreen system on commercial and public buildings.
Several architects have recently asked us to help them demonstrate to their clients the benefits of using a rainscreen wood siding system on commercial buildings and municipal buildings (including schools and health facilities). It appears that many of the building owners feel that concrete and brick create an impression of solidity and are afraid to use natural organic materials for fear they won't stand the test of time.
When you combine owner's concern with today's architectural trend of using lots of metal, concrete and stone to building exteriors it make sense why some building owners would need some education for a better understanding of why a rainscreen wood siding system is an excellent exterior cladding option. Responsible parties need to be assured that their design and construction decisions will stand the test of time and look good at the same time.
Top 8 reasons why Rainscreen Wood Siding Systems are a great option for commercial and municipal building design:
- Properly designed rain screen systems allow trapped moisture to escape efficiently. Moisture management is a key component to creating a healthy, sustainable building design.
- Dare to be different! Step away from the imposing appearance of most of today's post modern exterior facades. Take a fresh design approach and add "human touches" to your architectural design by using long lasting, low maintenance organic materials to your building concept.
- Rain screen wood siding systems on stave churches built in Norway in the late 1100's are still standing today. How's that for sustainable design?
- Real wood siding products can soften the cold appearance of commercial structures by adding a warm and natural appearance to an otherwise inorganic building facade.
- Designing with a combination of organic and inorganic materials on the exterior of a commercial structure can create a rich and harmonious design balance.
- When used in a rainscreen design, high density hardwood siding is a durable, beautiful and long lasting low maintenance exterior cladding material option.
- High density hardwood siding is a sustainably harvested, eco-friendly exterior cladding for rain screen designs
- Compared to other exterior cladding options, a wood rain screen system isn't just beautiful, it is the most cost effective short term and long term cladding solution available.
For additional information about rainscreen cladding options and rain screen wood siding systems, please click on any of the links below:
Learn more about Rain Screen Wood Siding Systems
Architectural Details for Wood Rain Screen Systems
Raincreen Wood Siding FAQ's
REQUEST A RAIN SCREEN WOOD SIDING ARCHITECTURAL SAMPLE KIT
If you would like to review a wealth of information about wood rainscreen systems, please click on the link below for a FREE download of "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Rain Screen Wood Siding Systems".
Our company has been importing Ipe high density hardwood decking for nearly two decades. We always make sure that our tropical hardwood decking material is harvested according to strict sustained yield forestry guidelines including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Our travels to locate responsible, well organized, dependable suppliers of the highest quality hardwood decking have covered many 
thousands of miles. During these numerous trips we have also searched for additional high density hardwood species that will meet the highest standards for appearance, durability and overall performance.
This extensive search for high quality exterior hardwood decking materials has resulted in the addition of Red Cumaru decking and lumber to our inventory. Red Cumaru varies in color from yellowish browns to darker reddish browns. We selected Red Cumaru not only for its warm highlights, but also for its high density, extreme durability and stability. Red Cumaru wood is available in a good mix of lengths and sizes for Cumaru decking material. If you need larger structural sizes of Cumaru for your exterior projects, Red Cumaru is also available in 2x4, 2x6, 2x8 and 4x4 nominal sizes.
We have supplied Red Cumaru extensively for residential and commercial projects on the East Coast, the West Coast and everywhere in between. We import Red Cumaru kiln dried (KD) in both decking and lumber sizes. We have found Cumaru to be a preferred material for decking, boardwalks and siding projects where design professionals and owners desire a reduced initial cost, and a low lifecycle cost with a minimal maintenance option. Many government entities and owners of high traffic public and private projects have chosen Cumaru to ensure that their project remains attractive and safe for all to enjoy. When allowed to weather naturally Cumaru has virtually no maintenance costs year after year.
For additional information about Red Cumaru decking and Red Cumaru lumber, please click on any of the links below:
Learn more about Red Cumaru Decking
Great Project Ideas for Cumaru Decking and Cumaru Lumber
Compare Cumaru to other wood decking materials
Check out pictures of beautiful Cumaru projects
REQUEST A QUOTE FOR CUMARU DECKING
If you are craving additional information about Cumaru decking and other decking material options, please download your FREE Guide titled, "The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material" by clicking the link below. This free research paper explores all the decking material options available and looks at the pros and cons of each type of decking.
For those of you struggling to make the right decision about your decking material, I would like to introduce you to Garapa decking. When a home owner or builder is considering building a new deck or replacing existing decking, the first thing that must be decided is what type of decking material they are going to use. While there are dozens of wood species to choose for your deck, not to mention all the composite decking and other synthetic decking materials, Garapa decking is worth considering.
Garapa decking is a high density hardwood and ranges in color from light gold to a deep rich honey brown. Garapa decking is an extremely versatile natural hardwood and can be used in and around water as decking material, boat docks, outdoor furniture, walkways, boardwalks and as rain screen hardwood siding. Garapa is about 1-1/2 times harder than oak and is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage. When left to weather Garapa turns to a beautiful silver patina.
Despite its versatility, durability and beautiful figured graining, Garapa is a very affordable decking material option. Garapa decking is less expensive than most of the composite decking or synthetic decking materials. Because it so durable and long-lasting, Garapa decking is also an excellent long term investment. The total life cycle cost of owning and maintaining a Garapa deck are among the lowest overall cost of any available decking material options to choose from.
Garapa is an eco-friendly tropical hardwood decking material. If you are looking for a sustainably harvested FSC certified or IBAMA Certified real wood decking, then Garapa may be just be for you. Please check out any of the links below for additional information about Garapa decking.
Learn more about Garapa Decking
Compare Garapa Decking to other wood decking materials
Compare Garapa Decking to composite decking
Check out Garapa Project Ideas
Garapa Picture Gallery
Request a Garapa Decking Quote
If you would like to learn all you can about all the decking material options that are available to you, please download the FREE comprehensive whitepaper, "The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material" by clicking the link below:
Ten years ago we decided to put a deck on our home and chose to use Ipe decking. We live near the salt water on the Connecticut shore and wanted a decking material that would require no maintenance and would give us the beach/shoreline look of Cape Cod. It was important for us to use a real wood decking that could withstand the beating sun in the summer and having snow shoveled off it in the winter without worrying about scratches. All the research we did pointed to Ipe decking.
We like the look of the hardwood flooring inside our home so we went with 1x4 Ipe decking boards. The narrower 1x4 Ipe decking is a great look and is so different from the traditional look of the wider boards that have always been the standard of decking. We used stainless steel Ipe decking screws to fasten the deck boards and our decking has never moved.
Through the years we have danced barefoot on our Ipe deck, watched our grandchildren crawl around and have enjoyed not having to pull slivers out of little feet and chubby knees. We have a large dog and she runs all over the Ipe and you would never know she’s been there. And again, I don’t have to worry about splinters from Ipe decking in the pads of her feet. In the summer we have almost all of our meals on our Ipe deck and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Having an Ipe deck as an outdoor extension of our home has made it so much more fun to entertain our family and friends. We have doubled the amount of parties we host out on the deck in the summertime.
I love the no maintenance aspect of my Ipe deck as it adds more time to relax and enjoy friends and family rather than being busy power washing and re-staining. We look forward to many more years of maintenance free outdoor living on our Ipe deck.
For more information about Ipe decking, Ipe 
lumber, Ipe wood and more click on any of the links below:
Learn more about Ipe decking!
See pictures of Ipe wood and Ipe deck projects!
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE FOR IPE DECKING TODAY!
Cumaru decking is a high density exotic hardwood decking material that is very similar in appearance and physical properties to Ipe wood decking. Ipe decking and Cumaru decking each have beautiful grain variations and rich brown coloration. Both Cumaru decking and Ipe high density hardwood decking materials are off the charts in terms of hardness, density, durability and bending strength. Ipe and Cumaru both come mainly from Northern Brazil which is one of the best climates for growing trees that are harvested into high quality decking materials. There are no North American wood species that come close to Ipe decking and Cumaru decking from a strength and hardness standpoint.
CUMARU DECKING IPE DECKING
Cumaru decking varies in color from yellowish brown to reddish brown often within the same piece of decking material.The coarser graining and striping of Cumaru decking explain why Cumaru has been nicknamed "Brazilian Teak". Ipe decking varies in coloration from lighter browns to darker olive brown and chocolaty browns. The finer graining and color of Ipe decking are why Ipe is sometimes referred to as "Brazilian Walnut". Each species (Ipe and Cumaru) shows the rich exotic graining found in tropical hardwood decking species.
Other than the color differences and graining variation Ipe decking and Cumaru 
decking are remarkably similar. Ipe decking and Cumaru decking each have a Class A fire rating making either decking species a safer option for a deck with a firepit or fireplace. The incredible hardness of Ipe decking and Cumaru decking make either decking material a great option for a scratch resistant deck where pets or active children are frolicking. The high durability of either Ipe decking and Cumaru decking ensure that your high density hardwood deck will last and last for years and years.
From a price standpoint, Cumaru has a lower initial cost than Ipe decking. If you are concerned about the long term overall return on your decking investment, either Cumaru decking or Ipe decking each are considered the lowest cost of all decking material options in "life cycle cost" comparisons.
For additional information about Cumaru and Ipe wood species, click on any of the links belows:
Learn more about Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber.
Learn more about Ipe decking and Ipe lumber.
REQUEST A DECKING QUOTE TODAY!
For a fact filled study of all decking material options, download "The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material" by clicking the link below. This informative research guide gives the lowdown on Ipe decking, Cumaru decking and other wood decking materials as well as synthetic plastic and composite decking materials.
Ipe decking is an astounding decking material. Ipe is a high density hardwood decking material that grows naturally throughout most of Central and South America. No other decking material is as strong or as long lasting as Ipe decking...and that includes plastic decking, composite decking and any other wood decking materials. Ipe wood decking is so strong it has been used for famous walkways like the Coney Island Boardwalk and the Atlantic City boardwalk.
And how about natural Ipe decking beauty! The rich chocolaty brown colors and exotic graining of Ipe decking are part of Ipe's charm. If you want to enhance the beautiful natural colors of Ipe decking you can apply a coat of Penofin Penetrating Oil Finish or similar sealer. An oil finish makes the Ipe decking colors "pop". If you would like to keep your Ipe decking looking like its original color, a fresh coat of oil finish can be applied as 
needed.
If you prefer the natural weathered look of Ipe decking, simply allow your Ipe deck to age gracefully to a silvery patina. This low maintenance Ipe decking option is also very popular. No matter which choice you make, you can rest assured that is a long lasting, extremely stable wood species that will porovide you with years of enjoyment and relaxation.
If you are considering building a new deck or would like to replace the decking boards of your old deck, it is well worth your time to take a good look at Ipe high density hardwood decking before you decide.
Learn more about Ipe wood and Ipe decking
Compare Ipe decking to other wood decking materials
See how Ipe decking compares to synthetic composite decking
REQUEST A QUOTE FOR IPE DECKING TODAY
For a comprehensive study of a wide variety of wood decking and synthetic decking material options, "The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material" is loaded with facts about decking to help you make an informed decking choice. Download this informative whitepaper about decking today.
Many design professionals have asked us to assist with detail drawings of the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Wood Siding System. We listened and have created an entire suite of architectural details for the design community using the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Wood Siding System. If you are considering a wood rain screen cladding system for your home or building design, these architectural drawings and details should be very helpful for you.
To help provide a better understanding of how 
this innovative rain screen cladding system works, we have drawn some rainscreen cladding designs to help serve as a wood rain screen system overview. The following rainscreen wood siding architectural details are available in PDF format:
- Horizontal 1x6 rain screen wood siding with the new starter rail system
- Horizontal 1x6 rain screen wood siding with the rainscreen clips
- Horizontal 1x4 rain screen wood siding with the new starter rail system
- Horizontal 1x4 rain screen wood siding with the rainscreen clips
The assist you with your rainscreen system architectural drawings the following 
rainscreen cladding details have been developed in CAD file format:
- Climate-Shield Rainscreen Aluminum Outside Corner System assembly
- Climate-Shield Rainscreen Aluminum Outside Corner components detail
- Climate-Shield Rainscreen Inside Corner assembly
- Climate-Shield Rainscreen wall assembly using 1x4 rainscreen cladding
- Climate-Shield Rainscreen wall assembly using 1x6 rainscreen cladding
Click here to view all available architectural details for wood rainscreen cladding for the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Wood Siding System.
For additional information about understanding wood rain screen systems please click here.
To download a comprehensive whitepaper about rain screen wood siding systems please click on the link below.
The Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System will make its first US debut to the residential construction community at the JLC LIVE New England Residential Construction Show in Providence, Rhode Island on March 23 and March 24. If you have never been to the JLC LIVE Show before, you are in for a real treat. If you are in the residential or light commercial construction industry, JLC LIVE is a high energy 
show that you really should not miss.
The absolutely electrifying atmosphere of the JLC LIVE Show is created by the combination of enthusiastic contractors and construction professionals who are eager to learn, loads of new building products, and live demonstrations and installations throughout the Exhibit Hall. Click here to learn more about the JLC LIVE New England 2012 Show.
The Climate-Shield Rainscreen System will be on display at this dynamic tradeshow. We anticipate an excellent reception for this rainscreen sytem in the US. When the Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System was unveiled last October at the Greenbuild International Expo in Toronto, green builders and design professionals embraced this healthy and sustainable design technology. EcoHome Magazine recognized the Climate-Shield rainscreen system as a top new product innovation. Click here to learn more about this fascinating rainscreen system.
If you are interested in joining us as our guest at the JLC LIVE New England Show please click here to sign up for FREE TICKETS to JLC LIVE. Save the $35 admission price and see the JLC LIVE Show for FREE as our guests.
For a wealth of information about rain screen wood siding systems, feel free to download, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Rain Screen Siding Systems".
Question... what is the name of the blonde beauty that is turning heads and creating a sensation throughout the world? If your guess is Lady Gaga you wouldn't be wrong. 
But the answer we're looking for is Garapa. What is Garapa?
Garapa is that newly celebrated high density hardwood that is creating quite a stir. Garapa is an exotic beauty that is taking the nation by storm. Not only is Garapa affordable... Garapa is actually priced lower than composite decking materials. As far as hardness- forget about it - Garapa is about 1.5 times harder than synthetic composite decking and garapa is scratch resistant. Garapa is more than twice as hard as cedar decking material.
Garapa is not limited to decks and decking material...Garapa can 
be used for wood siding for your home or building. Garapa makes a rich and wonderfully warm toned wood siding material. Imagine your home with a beautiful face of Garapa wood siding. Talk about curb appeal...Garapa is stunning.
Whether you choose Garapa for your wood siding project or to build a Garapa deck, Garapa is a species you can rely on. Garapa is an eco-friendly wood species. Garapa is available as FSC Garpa Decking or FSC Garapa Siding. Garapa is a durable high density hardwood species that lasts...and last beautifully. Ooh-La-La!
To learn more about the amazing species Garapa, follow any of the links below:
For additional information about Garapa click here.
Learn how Garapa decking compares to synthetic decking and composite decking materials
See how Garapa stacks up against other wood species.
Get a FREE Quote for Garapa Decking.
Get a FREE Quote for Garapa Rainscreen Wood Siding.
Ipe (Tabebuia spp.) is an absolutely amazing species of very high density hardwood. Also known as Brazilian Walnut, Ipe is a fast growing hardwood lumber species. Here's some interesting facts about Ipe:
- Ipe is a high density hardwood lumber species native to South and Central America
- Ipe trees grow to a full height of 150 feet in about 30-35 years
- Ipe is so hard it is best to use carbide tipped tools to work with this wood.
- Ipe lumber is hard, dense and resistant to scratching, it has been used on boardwalks throughout the world.
- Ipe wood is so dense it actually sinks in water.
- Ipe wood is more than 2.7 times harder than White Oak
- Ipe is rated as a Class A fire resistant material.
- Ipe is harvested by sustainable yield forestry practices to ensure that there are as many tree available at the end of a harvesting cycle as there were at the beginning.
- Ipe is so resistant to rot and decay it has been used - untreated - for railroad ties!
- Ipe was used in the construction of the Panama Canal
- Ipe decking is available in a full range of decking sizes for Ipe decks
- Ipe outdoor furniture is used commercially becomes it is splinter resistant and so long lasting.
- Ipe makes gorgeous deck and patio furniture for your home.
- Ipe dimensional lumber is used for all sorts of structures including Ipe pergolas, Ipe bridges, Ipe gazebos and more.
- Ipe beams, Ipe posts and Ipe timbers have been used for all sorts of commercial projects where amazing strength and long lasting natural beauty are required.
- Ipe wood siding creates elegant curb appeal for the front of your home or building.
For more information about the incredibly strong Ipe hardwood species, please click here.
Check out Ipe project ideas!
Ipe decking has the lowest life cycle cost of all decking materials. For a comprehensive whitepaper loaded with information about Ipe decking and other decking material options, download the FREE guidebook, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking".
For a FREE quote on your Ipe decking project, please click on the link below:
