Timberline Lumber Company delivers golden Garapa tropical hardwood decking from our Black Mountain warehouse to builders across Western NC, Upstate SC, and East Tennessee. Naturally durable Class 1 stock for porches, decks, and ceilings — mill-direct pricing with flatbed jobsite delivery.
Garapa (pronounced "gah-RAH-pah"), is a stunning golden-yellow tropical hardwood that brings warmth and brightness to any exterior project. While lighter in density than Ipe or Cumaru, Garapa still significantly outperforms domestic species and composites — with a Janka hardness of 1,620 lbf and natural Class 1 durability that resists rot and insects without chemical treatment.
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Color & Appearance
Garapa is prized for its distinctive golden-yellow to honey-blonde heartwood — a warm, luminous tone that's unlike any other decking species on the market. The grain is generally straight with a fine, uniform texture that mills to a smooth finish. Fresh Garapa is strikingly bright; it will mellow slightly over time or weather to silver-gray if left unfinished. An annual application of UV oil keeps the golden color vibrant for years.
Nominal Sizes and Milling Styles
- 1x6 Pre-Grooved Decking: 5.5" exposed face. Hidden-clip ready. Lengths 8'–16'.
- 1x6 S4S (Square Edge): 5.5" exposed face. Face-screw decking, stair treads, perimeter boards.
- 1x6 Tongue & Groove: 5.0" exposed face. Porch ceilings, covered patios, interior accent walls.
- 1x4 Decking: 3.5" exposed face. Classic Northeastern architectural profile.
- 1x4 Tongue & Groove: 3.0" exposed face. Covered porch flooring.
- 5/4x6 Pre-Grooved: 5.5" exposed face. Heavy-duty commercial & extreme-load. Lengths 8'–16'.
- 5/4x6 S4S (Square Edge): 5.5" exposed face. Heavy-duty face-screw.
Performance Specifications
| Janka Hardness | 1,620 lbf |
|---|---|
| Density | ~52 lbs/cu. ft. |
| Durability Class | Class 1 — naturally rot- and insect-resistant |
| Fire Rating | Class A/B depending on localized testing methodology and specific board density. Verify with your local building authority for WUI zone compliance. |
| Expected Lifespan | 25–40 years |
| Grading | Premium Grade |
Stainless Steel Required
Like all tropical hardwoods, Garapa contains natural tannins and extractives that will react with standard carbon steel fasteners, causing black staining around every screw head. Use only 305 or 316 stainless steel screws, clips, and hardware. This applies to hidden clips, face screws, joist hangers, and any metal in contact with the wood.
Fastening Ecosystem
Garapa's density requires specialized fasteners — pre-drilling is mandatory, and only stainless steel hardware should touch the wood. We supply everything you need; just tell us the profile.
- Hidden Clips (Pre-Grooved profiles): Ipe Clip 175-count Complete Kit covers 100 sq. ft. at 16" o.c. — 5/32" gap, brown finish.
- Face Screws (S4S / Square Edge): #7 × 2-1/4" trim-head stainless. One 350-count box per 100 sq. ft.
- Smart-Bit Pre-Drill & Countersink: #7 (flush) or #8 (countersunk). One per box of screws.
- Pro Plug System (optional, for hidden face screws): 5/16" species-matched plugs with Pro Plug tool.
- End Seal: Wax-based sealer applied immediately to every cut end to prevent checking.
Not sure what you need? Give us a call — we'll spec the hardware to match your deck.
Grading Standards (Tropical Decking Grades)
Garapa is graded to export quality standards rather than domestic NELMA/NHLA rules. We stock the top tier for clean, consistent installations.
- Premium / FEQ (First European Quality): Our standard Garapa grade — sound, clear heartwood with the bright golden tone the species is known for, milled to tight tolerances.
- Color Variation: Garapa ranges from golden-yellow to honey-blonde with occasional light streaking. The fresh, luminous color mellows over time; UV oil preserves the bright tone.
- Custom Specifications: For uniform color runs or specific clear lengths, contact us for a select-and-better quote.
Project Documentation by Request
For qualifying Garapa orders, we can request available species, origin, import, and technical documentation from the supplying mill or distributor.
- Confirm before purchase — documentation varies by species, profile, shipment, and supplier.
- Submittal support — ask us to verify what is retrievable for your architect, GC, or procurement team.
- No blanket certification claim — certification applies only when the specific order and its supporting documents are confirmed.
Contact us early so we can confirm the available documentation before you rely on it in a specification or submittal.
Garapa Decking FAQ
Why choose Garapa over Ipe or Cumaru?
Garapa brings a bright golden color and solid Class 1 durability at a lower cost tier than Ipe or Cumaru. It still outperforms domestic softwoods outdoors and suits porches, decks, and covered ceilings where a lighter look is the goal.
Does Timberline deliver Garapa to East Tennessee?
Yes. We run Garapa to Knoxville, Johnson City, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville from Black Mountain on our flatbed fleet, often alongside cabin and porch packages for Smokies builds.
Is Garapa good for covered porch floors?
Garapa is a strong porch-floor and covered-outdoor choice — naturally durable with a warm tone that complements cypress and T&G ceilings. We stock decking profiles and can quote porch packages with matching trim.
How hard is Garapa compared to Ipe?
Garapa is about 1,620 Janka versus roughly 3,680 for Ipe. It is softer than the ultra-dense tropicals but still much harder and more decay-resistant than typical softwood decking.