If you’ve narrowed your deck down to Ipe or Cumaru, you’ve already made the important decision — both are premium tropical hardwoods that will outlast composite and treated lumber by decades. What’s left is a trade-off between Ipe’s top-tier hardness and reputation, and Cumaru’s nearly-as-tough performance at a lower price.
Side by side
| Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) | Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) | |
|---|---|---|
| Janka hardness | ~3,680 lbf | ~3,540 lbf |
| Density | ~69 lb/ft³ | ~67 lb/ft³ |
| Color | Olive-brown to dark chocolate | Warm reddish-brown with gold streaks |
| Fire rating | Class A (ASTM E84) | Class A (ASTM E84) |
| Natural durability | Exceptional — rot, insects, marine borers | Excellent — very close to Ipe |
| Relative cost | Highest tier | Meaningfully lower than Ipe |
Hardness: closer than the reputation suggests
Ipe is the benchmark, but the gap is small. At roughly 3,680 lbf for Ipe versus 3,540 lbf for Cumaru, both woods are dramatically harder than any domestic decking species — for comparison, Garapa is around 1,620 lbf and cedar around 350 lbf. In real-world wear, you will not feel the difference between Ipe and Cumaru underfoot.
Stability and movement
Both are dense and dimensionally stable, but Cumaru is a touch more prone to movement and can show a little more grain interlock. With proper acclimation and spacing — see our Western NC climate guide — both perform beautifully in the Carolinas and Southern Appalachians.
Color and appearance
Ipe runs darker, from olive-brown to deep chocolate. Cumaru is warmer and redder with golden streaking. Left unfinished, both weather to silver-gray; with a UV-protective oil, both hold rich color. This one comes down to taste.
The deciding factor: cost
For most buyers the choice is budget. Cumaru delivers near-Ipe hardness and durability for noticeably less per board, which is why it’s the go-to when a client loves the idea of Ipe but the project budget is tight and composite is off the table. Ipe remains the choice for flagship projects where the name and the absolute top of the hardness chart matter.
Because pricing moves with the market and with what we have in stock, we quote current Ipe and Cumaru pricing directly rather than posting a number that goes stale.
Get current Ipe and Cumaru pricing
Tell us your deck size and profile and we’ll quote both species side by side — so you can see the real cost difference for your project.
Request a Quote Explore CumaruIpe vs. Cumaru FAQ
Is Cumaru as hard as Ipe?
Almost. Cumaru is around 3,540 lbf on the Janka scale versus about 3,680 lbf for Ipe — a small gap you won’t feel underfoot. Both are far harder than any domestic decking species.
Why is Cumaru cheaper than Ipe?
Cumaru is more available and carries less of a premium reputation than Ipe, so it costs meaningfully less per board while delivering very similar hardness and durability. It’s the value choice for buyers who want tropical-hardwood performance on a tighter budget.
Which lasts longer, Ipe or Cumaru?
Both will last decades with proper installation and ventilation. Ipe has a slight edge in raw durability and is rated for the most demanding applications, but a well-built Cumaru deck performs in the same league.
Do Ipe and Cumaru use the same fasteners?
Yes. Both are dense enough to require pre-drilling and stainless fasteners or hidden clips. See our Fastener & Hardware Guide for the exact hardware to use on either species.