Shop by Use · Decking
The kind of deck you actually want to sit on after the sun goes down — built from wood dense enough to still be there in twenty years.
A good deck earns its keep in the small moments — coffee before the heat sets in, a chair pulled out at dusk. What makes that possible over the long run is density: real hardwood and cedar decking naturally resists rot, insects, and the kind of sun-and-rain cycle that wears out softer lumber in a fraction of the time. Every species below handles Florida's climate differently in look, weight, and feel — the right one depends on your budget and the deck you're picturing.
Built for Florida
Central Florida is hard on lumber — intense UV, sudden downpours, and thick humidity that never fully lets up, plus salt air for anything near the coast. The hardwoods and Cedar on this page are naturally suited to exactly those conditions: dense enough to resist rot and insects, stable enough to handle the swings between soaking wet and bone dry. Composite decking handles the same conditions a different way — it doesn't rot or splinter because it isn't solid wood to begin with, a separate tradeoff worth understanding before you choose it. We'll tell you honestly what fits your project and budget — not just what's most profitable to sell you.
Common Questions
The most common real-wood decking species in Florida are dense Brazilian and African hardwoods — Ipe, Cumaru, Red Balau, Tali, Garapa, Massaranduba, Tigerwood, and Fijian Mahogany — alongside Cedar for a lighter, softer look. All of them handle Florida's sun, humidity, and salt air well when milled and installed correctly.
Ipe is the hardest and longest-lasting decking wood available, built for 25-30+ years with almost no maintenance. Cumaru gets you close to Ipe's toughness and lifespan at a friendlier price. Cedar is lighter in weight and color, easier to work with, and gives a warmer, more traditional deck look — a real tradeoff between density and feel, not a quality difference. Garapa is another budget-friendly option: a lighter golden color and generally easier to install than the densest species.
Yes. Every species we carry for decking is naturally dense and rot- and insect-resistant, which is exactly what holds up under Central Florida's sun, humidity swings, and coastal salt air. That durability is the whole reason these species get specified for decks in the first place.
Denser species like Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba typically need pre-drilling and benefit from hidden fastener systems for a clean, screw-free surface. It's a different install than pressure-treated pine, but straightforward for an experienced contractor — and we're happy to talk through it before you order.
Goodwood Direct, based in Lakeland, supplies real hardwood and cedar decking across Central Florida — including Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and Clearwater. Reach out for a quote with your species, dimensions, and quantity.
Yes. Goodwood Direct is based in Lakeland and supplies decking across Central Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and Clearwater.
Goodwood Direct, based in Lakeland, supplies Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood, Cedar, and the other decking species on this page across Central Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and Clearwater.
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