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:
The Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System is so unique that it eliminates nearly all the design and installation concerns inherent with the existing rain screen technology for wood siding installations and wood siding 
applications. There is no other rain screen wood siding system like it in the world today.
The Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System was developed because no other rain screen wood siding system was/is available that did/does not require furring strips:
Here are some of the problems encountered with rain screen wood siding systems that require furring strips:
- Furring strips create an area outside the building envelope that trap moisture and promote mildew and mold growth.
- It is very difficult to use furring strips in a vertical rain screen application without building complicated crisscrossing furring strip layouts.
- Diagonal applications of rain screen siding using furring strips can be installed but require the furring strips to be spaced 5" or 6" apart.
- Furring strips create thermal bridging over approximately 15% of the surface area of the building envelope. In diagonal rain screen installations that number can be as high as 40%.
- Furring strip rain screen installations require additional labor time and additonal labor costs
- Using furring strips at 16" on center means that you will waste up to 10% of your wood siding for cuts.
While the Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System was being developed and tested, it was also discovered that:
- The elimination of the furring strip in the Climate-Shield™ rain screen reduces labor time, labor costs and material costs.
- Since the Climate-Shield™ rain screen clip can be placed anywhere on the structural sheathing of the building envelope, the wood siding does not have to be cut to accommodate 16" centers. Approximately 5%-10% less siding is required.
- Air and moisture is no longer trapped in the wall cavity between furring strips so moisture can rapidly dissipate.
- The small size of the Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Clip only comes in contact with approximately 1.5% of the building envelope surface area. (That's 10 times less thermal bridging than a furring strip application.)
Click here for additional information about this unique and innovative rain screen wood siding system
Check out Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Siding System components
Choose from many high density hardwood siding options for your rain screen design
For a free quote for your rain screen wood siding project please click on the link below:
For a comprehensive whitepaper about rain screen wood siding sytems, please click on the link below:
The Climate-Shield™ Rain Screen Wood Siding System was recently recognized by EcoHome Magazine as a top green building innovation. Please click on the link below to learn more:
With the advances in building science that are occurring every day, rain screen wood siding systems are becoming a new trend in architecture in general and green building and sustainable design in particular. The increasingly high cost of energy to heat and cool homes and structures has necessitated design professionals to create energy efficient designs. With today's super-tight, energy efficient building envelopes, moisture needs a place to escape from the building. If moisture is trapped inside these super-tight designs, mold, mildew and an unhealthy environment is created. Rain screen wood siding systems provide a harmonious balance between a beautiful exterior facade and an egress for moisture. Rain screen wood siding will protect your home...beautifully.
Wood siding has that all natural warmth and character like no other siding material. Wood siding makes a beautiful statement to the front of your home or structure. When people think of real wood siding materials, the first thought that comes to their mind is usually red cedar siding. Red cedar is a beautiful wood siding material and has been used successfully for many years. But cedar is no longer the only wood siding material option. The increasing popularity of rain screen wood siding sytems has created a demand for additional highly durable species of wood siding.
High density hardwoods have long been used for decking and other exterior projects for their toughness, longevity and good looks. Architects are now turning to the beauty and durability of these high density hardwood species for their rain screen wood siding designs. Ipe wood siding, Cumaru wood siding, Garapa wood siding and FSC Machiche wood siding are all high density hardwoods that look beautiful and will last a long time on your home or structure.
Learn more about high density wood siding materials
Learn more about Rain Screen Wood Siding Systems
For a comprehensive whitepaper about rain screen wood siding, please download "The Ultimate Guide to Buiding Green with Rain Screen Wood Siding.
Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are soaring in popularity. The architectural and design community has discovered the versatility of Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber. More and more we are finding Cumaru hardwood being specified for projects where durabilty and affordability are key design objectives. When the construction budget is a primary concern for projects, many design and construction professionals are turning to Cumaru decking or Cumaru lumber as a cost saving alternative for their projects.
Cumaru is so hard and durable it's really not much of a tradeoff when substituting Cumaru lumber or Cumaru decking for Ipe lumber or Ipe decking. Ipe lumber is 2.8 times harder than white oak. Cumaru lumber is 2.5 times harder than white oak...and Cumaru is actually slightly more dense than Ipe. As a high density hardwood, Cumaru is a long lasting, highly durable hardwood species. Cumaru is naturally resistant to insects including termites and carpenter ants. Cumaru lumber is also resistant to natural decay. Mataverde® Premium Cumaru Decking actually carries a 25 year limited warranty against decay and insects.
Cumaru is being used as a decking material in backyard decks 
beautifully. Cumaru can be used for rain screen wood siding, outdoor furniture and lots more. With its natural reddish brown tones and exotic graining and character, Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber can be used to add all-natural beauty in a wide variety of exterior projects. Cumaru lumber can take such a beating that Cumaru 2x4 lumber has been used for the Coney Island boardwalk. More recently, Cumaru lumber and Cumaru decking were used for decking, railings, stairs and ramps at Pier 15 at the South Street Seaport in New York City.
For additional information about Cumaru hardwood lumber please follow any of the Cumaru links below:
Learn more about Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber
Check out additional Cumaru project ideas
Compare Cumaru to other wood decking materials
See how Cumaru decking compares to synthetic and composite decking
See additional pictures of Cumaru decking and Cumaru projects
If you are hungry for additional knowledge about Cumaru and other decking material options, please download the authorative whitepaper titled, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking".
Please request a FREE quote for Cumaru decking for your project by clicking the link below:
People often ask me, "What is sustainable hardwood decking" and "what makes high density hardwood decking a green building material"? High density hardwood decking species such as Ipe decking, Garapa decking, Cumaru decking and FSC Machiche decking are considered sustainable decking for two important but very different reasons: 1.) the long lasting nature of the sustainable decking material and 2.) the manner in which the decking is harvested. Let's take a look at the durability and long-lasting natural characteristics of sustainable hardwood decking materials first.
1.) Ipe decking and other high density hardwood decking materials are considered sustainable decking because they last so long without having to be replaced. Sustainability is a chief concern in architecture and green building design. One of the key premises of green building and sustainable design concerns the length of time that buildings, systems or structures will last. Sustainable hardwood decking is the longest lasting decking material by far. Their are Ipe decks that have been in use for more than 40+ years. Mataverde Decking has had such great success with the longevity of its sustainable hardwood decking that they offer a 25 year limited warranty against decay and insects.
Sustainable design is a major trend in modern architecture. This green building practice is concerned not just with the short term cost and effect of a project but also the long term impact of architecture on the environment and the overall lifetime cost of an architectural design. Life cycle cost of projects is a key consideration in the design development. Life cycle cost is defined as the overall cost of building, maintaining and disposing of a building or asset over its entire lifetime. It is easy to understand then, that high density hardwood decking materials are considered sustainable decking materials in this context. Sustainable high density hardwood decking lasts so long without having to be replaced that their overall life cycle costs are the lowest of all decking material options.
2.) Sustainable yield harvesting is another reason why high density 
hardwood decking is considered a sustainable decking material. FSC decking (Forest Stewardship Council) and IBAMA/SEMA decking are two methods of ensuring that high density hardwood decking is harvested in a sustainable manner. Sustainable decking (decking harvested by sustainable yield techniques) ensures there as many trees available at the end of a harvesting cycle as there were at the beginning. The long term negative impact of harvesting is eliminated when sustainable decking is harvested in such a way. Wood is one of the only natural resources that can renew itself within our lifetimes. Responsible forestry practices allow the eco-friendly harvesting of sustainable hardwood decking materials to meet this goal.
Learn more about the harvesting methods of sustainable hardwood decking.
For a wealth of information about sustainable hardwood decking and other decking material options click the link below to download the authoritative white paper, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking".
Please click on the link below to get a free quote on your sustainable decking project.
FSC decking is decking material that has been certified by the Forest 
Stewardship Council as having been harvested by sustainable yield harvesting practices. In order to be considered FSC decking, all suppliers in the chain of custody must be FSC Certified. The Forest Stewardship Council has strict guidelines to ensure that FSC decking and all FSC suppliers are in compliance with all FSC rules and requirements.
What makes FSC decking so special? The Forest Stewardship Council has been a leading champion of saving the world's forests from overharvesting and other irresponsible acts for over two decades. When you buy 100% Pure FSC decking, you can rest assured that this FSC decking material was responsibly harvested by ethical and eco-friendly means.
General Woodcraft, Inc., the master importer and distributor of Mataverde decking and lumber, is an FSC Certified supplier. On the west coast, Mataverde introduced their FSC decking to the California market in early 2011. Pronounced "mah-CHEE-chay", 100% Pure FSC Machiche decking quickly gained acceptance as a preferred decking material. FSC Machiche decking is responsibly harvested and has a similar appearance to Ipe decking.
In addition to FSC Machiche decking, Mataverde also offers FSC Ipe decking, FSC Cumaru decking and FSC Garapa decking. Typically, FSC decking costs about 20% more than non-FSC decking. FSC decking is not always readily available and may not meet your budget requirements, Mataverde also offers sustainably harvested decking in compliance with IBAMA/SEMA regulations. Like FSC decking, decking that is harvested under the watchful eye of IBAMA/SEMA is eco-friendly and harvested sustainably.
Learn more about FSC decking and IBAMA/SEMA here.
If you are interested in learning more about FSC decking and other sustainably harvested decking material options, please download your FREE whitepaper, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking".
I love wood decking. There, I said it. It's hard for me to even imagine myself using plastic decking or a synthetic decking material. Wood decking has that all natural look that just can't be duplicated by synthetic decking and composite decking materials. I love the natural variations, graining and character marks found only in real wood decking. Wood decking is not only an all natural decking material, it is a completely renewable resource. Real wood decking is the only natural resource that will renew itself within our lifetimes. For those of us who love the look and feel of wood decking there is just no alternative.
All wood decking species and wood decking 
materials are not created equal. Since they are all products of nature, each wood decking species has characteristics that all their own. Some wood decking species are soft, while other wood decking species are harder. High density hardwood decking (including Ipe decking, Garapa decking, Cumaru decking and FSC Machiche decking) are the hardest and longest lasting wood decking species on earth. The hardness of wood decking is what makes decking resistant to scratching and abrasion. The harder the wood decking, the more scratch resistant it is.
Some wood decking species last longer than other others. Here again the high density hardwood decking species rule the roost. The extremely high density of these wood decking species make them resistant to all sorts of elements. For example, Garapa wood decking is resistant to termite and fungal attack. Ipe wood decking and Cumaru wood decking are not only resistant to termite and fungal attacks, they are also rated Class A fire resistant.
Choosing the right wood decking for you and your project should be an enjoyable process. Enjoying your deck after it is complete should be a lifelong benefit. Before deciding to select pressure treated wood decking or a knotty cedar wood decking material due to their lower initial cost, you may want to invest some time to learn about other wood decking material options. Go ahead - invest a little time in learning more about wood decking - it will be well worth it to you for years to come!
"The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Decking Material" is an authoritative and free whitepaper that explores all types of decking materials including wood decking, plastic decking, composite decking and more. Click the link below to download this comprehensive decking selection tool.
Most experts consider Ipe decking the best decking material on earth. High density Ipe hardwood decking is an all natural, sustainably harvested, long lasting decking material that is truly a beautiful option for your deck. Many high density decking materials like Ipe, including Cumaru decking, Garapa decking and FSC Machiche decking are also considered outstanding decking materials. Just because Ipe and other high density decking are the best decking materials doesn't necessarily make them the best decking material option for you and your deck.
You may already have some ideas about what decking material you are considering. That's a very good starting point. Your decking material should last you a long, long time so don't be afraid to learn as much as you can about decking materials before you choose. When you are trying to find the best decking material for your new deck, there are so many factors to consider. The ultimate decision for what is the best decking material for you comes down to what is important to you on your own deck project. When weighing your options for the best decking material for you, you may want to consider:
- How long do I want my deck to last?
- Do I want real wood decking or is synthetic decking OK for me?
- Do I want rigid decking material that feels strong or will material that sags or needs special supports work on my deck?
- How much will the decking material cost?
- Do you have pets that may scratch your decking?
- Do you plan to have a fireplace, fire pit or any open flames on or near your deck?
- How important is the appearance of your decking material over time?
There are other factors that you also want to consider before choosing the best decking material for you but I thought that these questions might help you start your thought process. Click here if you would like to learn more about decking material options and help decide what is the best decking material option for you.
For a complete listing of answers to these questions and a lot more, we have developed an authoritative guidebook to help you select the best decking material for you. Please download the FREE whitepaper titled, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking".
Additional links to best decking material options:
Learn more about Ipe Decking
Learn more about Cumaru Decking
Learn more about Garapa Decking
Leaarn more about FSC Machiche Decking