If you are specifying exterior decking for Western NC, Upstate SC, or East TN, the short list is almost always Ipe, Cumaru, or Garapa. All three outlast treated pine and most composites on humidity, rot, and insect pressure. The choice is which rung of the hardness ladder fits the project — and which color and price point the client will live with for decades.
Side by side
| Ipe | Cumaru | Garapa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janka hardness | ~3,680 lbf | ~3,540 lbf | ~1,620 lbf |
| Density | ~69 lb/ft³ | ~67 lb/ft³ | ~51 lb/ft³ |
| Color | Olive-brown to dark chocolate | Warm reddish-brown with gold streaks | Golden honey to light amber |
| Natural durability | Exceptional — rot, insects, marine borers | Excellent — very close to Ipe | Very good — strong decay resistance outdoors |
| Relative cost | Highest tier | Meaningfully lower than Ipe | Lowest of the three |
| Best fit | Flagship decks, high traffic, name-spec projects | Near-Ipe performance on a tighter budget | Golden look, porch floors, covered outdoor living |
The hardness ladder
Ipe and Cumaru sit at the top of the chart — roughly 3,680 lbf and 3,540 lbf. You will not feel the difference underfoot. Garapa lands around 1,620 lbf: still far harder than cedar or treated pine, but clearly a step below the ultra-dense pair. For mountain freeze-thaw and Tennessee Valley humidity, all three hold dimensions better than commodity softwoods; Ipe and Cumaru simply shrug off abuse longest. Regional climate detail is in our Western NC climate guide.
Color and appearance
Ipe runs darkest (olive to deep chocolate). Cumaru is warmer and redder with golden streaking. Garapa is the golden board — honey to light amber that reads brighter on covered porches and pool surrounds. Left unfinished, all three weather toward silver-gray; UV-protective oil holds color. Appearance is often the tie-breaker once hardness and budget are in range.
When Garapa wins
Choose Garapa when the client wants a lighter, golden tropical look, or when the budget cannot stretch to Ipe/Cumaru but composite is off the table. It is a strong porch-floor and covered-deck species across Greenville and Knoxville jobs where sun and humidity punish softwood. For absolute top-tier hardness and traffic, stay with Ipe or Cumaru — see our pairwise Ipe vs. Cumaru guide for that narrower trade-off.
Install notes (all three)
Dense tropics require pre-drilling and stainless steel or silicon bronze fasteners — standard deck screws fail. Hidden clip systems (Complete Kits on pre-grooved stock) or Pro Plug face-fastening both work when matched to the profile. End-seal cut ends. Full hardware detail: tropical hardwood fasteners guide. Need quantities with waste factor? Use the Project Builder to size the deck and matched hardware.
Also consider: Massaranduba
Massaranduba is another dense Brazilian hardwood in the same performance conversation — often available as a special-order or program fill when Ipe/Cumaru timing or color is not a fit. Ask us when quoting if you want it on the comparison sheet; we will not invent stock we do not have.
Get a three-way quote
Tell us your deck size and profile and we’ll quote Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa side by side — current mill-direct pricing, no stale posted numbers.
Request a Quote Explore GarapaIpe vs. Cumaru vs. Garapa FAQ
Is Garapa as hard as Ipe or Cumaru?
No. Garapa is around 1,620 lbf on the Janka scale versus roughly 3,680 for Ipe and 3,540 for Cumaru. It is still much harder than cedar or treated pine, but Ipe and Cumaru sit in a different tier for high-traffic flagship decks.
Which tropical decking is best for humid Carolinas summers?
All three resist moisture uptake far better than softwood. Ipe and Cumaru are the safest long-term picks for fully exposed, high-traffic decks; Garapa shines on covered porches and where a golden color is the priority.
Do Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa use the same fasteners?
Yes in principle: pre-drill, use stainless or silicon bronze, or run a matched hidden-clip / Pro Plug system. See our Fastener & Hardware Guide for the exact hardware by profile.
How do I decide between the three for my budget?
Start with look and traffic. Flagship + max hardness = Ipe. Near-Ipe performance for less = Cumaru. Golden look or tighter budget = Garapa. We quote all three on the same takeoff so the real dollar gap is clear.