Garapa Decking - Mataverde® Premium Hardwood
MATAVERDE HARDWOOD GARAPA DECKING: THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN SUSTAINABLE DECKING
Mataverde Garapa Decking
What is Garapa?
Garapa is a high density hardwood species native to Brazil. The scientific name for Garapa is Apuleia leiocarpa. Garapa is also known as Brazilian Ash and Grapia. Garapa is a high density, very durable hardwood species that is ideal for use in exterior structures including decks, outdoor furniture, wood siding 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, Cumaru decking, Machiche decking and Ipe decking are truly the best decking material options available. Garapa decking is beautiful, durable and offers a lighter colored decking material option for your deck. Garapa decking's low cost also makes it a very affordable choice as a decking material.
What does Garapa Look Like?
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. If left to weather naturally, Garapa Decking turns a soft silvery platinum hue very similar to the appearance of Ipe decking.
Mataverde Garapa Decking
Even though Garapa wood shows less color and grain variations than other high density exotic hardwood species like Ipe, Machiche or Cumaru, you will still find a beautiful assortment of exotic Garapa decking boards in a Garapa deck. Just like a wood floor inside a home, no two pieces of Garapa decking are exactly alike. The rich variations in Garapa wood reflect the character and beauty of this exotic natural species of wood.
Physical Characteristics of Mataverde® Garapa Decking:
Mataverde® Premium Garapa Decking is a tough, dense wood with a soft looking satiny grain. With a lower density than Ipe or Cumaru, Garapa wood is still considerably stronger 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 extremely resistant to shrinking, splintering, cupping, twisting, checking and warping.
From a durability standpoint, Garapa wood is extremely hard and comparatively dense and will resist most types of punishment. Mataverde® Garapa Decking has a high decay resistance rating throughout all fibers of the wood. Although not quite as high as Ipe or Cumaru, Garapa decking's high density and natural oils make it resistant to termite attacks as well.
How long will Garapa Decking Last?
Garapa is classified as a Durable wood. Garapa is also a high density hardwood species. That means it is very difficult for anything to penetrate inside the Garapa wood. Garapa wood is naturally resistant to attack.
That is why Mataverde Garapa Decking is covered by a 25 year limited warranty against decay and insects. You can also increase the lifespan of a Garapa deck by cleaning it regularly.
How to Install Garapa Decking
Like other high density 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
OR
- using the Ejector screw to fasten your Garapa decking boards directly to the deck joists (no pre-drilling required)
OR
- Garapa decking can also be installed using Eb-Ty hidden fasteners. No screw heads are visible in the Garapa deck boards when you use pre-grooved Garapa decking and Eb-Ty hidden deck fasteners
Click here for more information about the best ways to install Garapa decking.
Mechanical Properties of Garapa Wood
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. Garapa has a Janka hardness of 1,630 lbs (Garapa decking is much harder than White Oak). The only other wood decking materials that are stronger than Garapa decking are other high density hardwood decking materials such as Ipe 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 (KD Garapa) which minimizes any shrinkage and checking. Garapa decking is a great decking material option to provide an all natural real wood deck surface that is just right for you.
See additional properties of Garapa wood compared to other decking materials.
How much does Garapa Cost?
Garapa is a surprisingly affordable high density hardwood decking material option. Garapa decking lasts longer, looks better and costs less than most composite decking and synthetic decking options. Click here to see comparative decking prices including Garapa decking.
Care and Maintenance of Garapa Decking
Garapa decking is a low maintenance decking material. Like any other decking material, Garapa should be cleaned to remove debris and dirt to look best. Garapa decking can be left alone to weather naturally. Garapa can also be oiled with a decking sealer such as Penofin for a darker and richer appearance on your deck. Learn about care and maintenance options for your Garapa deck here.