Cumaru Decking - Mataverde® Premium Hardwood Decking
MATAVERDE HARDWOOD DECKING: THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN SUSTAINABLE DECKING
Mataverde Cumaru Decking
What is Cumaru?
Cumaru is a high density hardwood species that grows throughout the northern portions of South America. The scientific name for Cumaru is Dipteryx odorata. Cumaru is also known as Tonka, Tonka bean and also "Brazilian Teak" due to its beautiful graining and varied appearance. Cumaru is very resistant to decay and insects and is an ideal material for exterior usage as decking, outdoor furniture, pergolas, gazebos, boardwalks and more.
Cumaru decking is quickly becoming a highly sought after species of wood decking. Cumaru decking's long lasting strength, durability and beauty combined with it's affordable pricing combine to make Cumaru decking a real winner as a decking material. Pronounced "KOO'-mah-roo", Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Cumaru decking is priced comparatively with (and lower than many) composite decking materials. Like Ipe decking, Cumaru decking also has some naturally slip resistant characteristics.
What does Cumaru look like?
Mataverde® Premium Cumaru Decking is all heartwood and can range in color from yellowy browns to reddish brown to a nearly purplish cordovan color. Although the coarser graining of Cumaru decking and Cumaru wood can appear similar to oak, the exotic color range of Cumaru is nothing like oak.
Mataverde Cumaru Decking
The grain variation of Cumaru is both dramatic and beautiful. Like a hardwood floor on the inside of a home, no two pieces of Cumaru decking will have exactly the same appearance on a Cumaru deck outside your home. This rich variation of Cumaru decking reflects the untamed beauty of this spectacular, all natural exotic decking species.
Cumaru exhibits lots of character striping and color variation and will develop a soft silvery patina if your decking is left to weather naturally.
Physical Characteristics of Mataverde® Cumaru Decking:
Mataverde® Premium Cumaru Decking is an extremely tough and very dense wood with an irregular, interlocked grain and a coarse, wavy texture. Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are rated as Class A Fire Resistant materials. With a high density that is even more dense than Ipe, Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are both very resistant to termites and decay.
How long will Cumaru last?
Cumaru is classified as a Very Durable wood species. From a durability standpoint, Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are extremely hard and dense and will resist all types of punishment. Mataverde® Cumaru Decking has an extremely high performance rating and is naturally resistant to decay throughout all fibers of the wood. The high density and natural oils of Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber make it highly resistant to termite attacks as well.
Mataverde® Cumaru Decking is so long lasting it carries a 25 year limited warranty against decay and insects. Like Mataverde Ipe decking, Kiln dried Cumaru decking (KD Cumaru) is also extremely resistant to shrinking, splintering, twisting, cupping, warping and checking.
How to Install Cumaru Decking
The best way to install Cumaru decking is with stainless steel deck screws. Like other high density hardwood decking materials, Cumaru decking should first be pre-drilled and then screwed to the deck joists.
If you don't want to take the time and energy to pre-drill the Cumaru deck boards, new technology has been developed to make Cumaru decking installation faster and easier. The Ejector screw allows you to screw the Cumaru decking directly to your deck joists without pre-drilling the Cumaru deck boards.
If you don't like the look of decking screws on the surface of your Cumaru deck, the Eb-Ty hidden fastener system is a beautiful way to install Cumaru decking. You can use pre-grooved Cumaru decking for fast and beautiful installation of your cumaru deck boards.
Click here for more installation guidelines for Cumaru hardwood decking.
Care and Maintenance of Cumaru Decking
Like any decking material, Cumaru decking should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and debris. Regular cleaning will actually extend the life of wood decking materials including Cumaru decking. For an extremely low maintenance option, Cumaru decking can be allowed to weather naturally to a graceful silvery patina.
If you prefer the rich natural colors of Cumaru wood, you can put a coat of Penofin sealer or other appropriate product on your Cumaru decking. this natural oil finish will darken and enrich the tones and color of your Cumaru decking. Click here for more information about care and maintenance of Cumaru wood and Cumaru decking.
Mechanical Properties of Cumaru Wood
Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber have a bending strength of 22,400 psi. That means it would take over 22,000 pounds of pressure per square inch to break a Cumaru board. The amazing strength of Cumaru wood is second only to Ipe among high density hardwoods.That is why a deck built with Cumaru decking or Cumaru lumber has such a solid feeling when you walk on it. Cumaru decking has very little "bounce" to it.
Cumaru has a hardness of 3,340 lbs (making Cumaru more than double the toughness of Oak). The only high density hardwood decking product that is harder than Cumaru is Ipe. Mataverde® Cumaru Decking has very good dimensional stability and shows only minor movement after it is kiln dried. Mataverde® Cumaru decking and Cumaru lumber are kiln dried to minimize shrinkage and checking to provide a very stable deck surface that is just right for you.
See additional properties of Cumaru compared to other decking materials.
How much does Cumaru decking cost?
Cumaru decking is a moderately priced decking material. When you consider how long Cumaru decking will last, Cumaru is an exception value. The life cycle cost of Cumaru decking is one of the lowest cost of all decking materials. Click here for comparative pricing information about Cumaru decking.