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Ipe hardwoodIpe Cumaru hardwoodCumaru Red Balau hardwoodRed Balau Tali hardwoodTali Garapa hardwoodGarapa Massaranduba hardwoodMassaranduba (Bulletwood) Tigerwood hardwoodTigerwood Fijian Mahogany hardwoodFijian Mahogany Kanda hardwoodKanda Jatoba hardwoodJatoba Eastern Red CedarEastern Red Cedar Thermally Modified Ash & Pine Composite deckingComposite Decking

Species at a Glance

Janka hardness, lifespan, and best use by species

Janka hardness measures resistance to denting and wear — the higher the number, the harder the wood. Lifespan figures are typical, real-world ranges for outdoor use in Florida's climate with normal maintenance.

SpeciesJanka HardnessTypical LifespanBest Known For
Ipe3,68025–30+ yearsHardest, longest-lasting decking species available
Jatoba2,690—Very durable rot & insect resistance, warm reddish-brown
Red Balau2,38520–22 yearsExceptional dimensional stability
Cumaru2,35020–25 yearsNear-Ipe toughness at a friendlier price
Massaranduba2,350—Extreme density, very low splintering
Tali2,200—Class 1 durability, easier install, lower price than Ipe/Cumaru
Garapa1,98015–20 yearsEasiest exotic hardwood to install
Tigerwood1,63025–75 yearsBold, striped grain with genuine long-term durability
Kanda——Double-grooved for hidden fastener systems
Fijian Mahogany900–1,20012–18 yearsWarm, workable, suited to siding & covered spaces
Eastern Red Cedar——Naturally rot-resistant, aromatic character
Thermally Modified Ash & Pine——Chemical-free heat treatment, enhanced rot resistance
Composite Decking——No sealing or staining, splinter-free

Dashes mark specs not independently rated for that material — ask us directly and we'll give you a straight answer.

Species Profiles

A closer look at each one

Ipe · Handroanthus serratifolius · Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho, Pau d'Arco

The hardest commercially available decking wood, at Janka 3,680, built for a 25-30+ year lifespan with almost no maintenance. Used for decking, flooring, and siding.

Cumaru · Dipteryx odorata · Brazilian Teak, Golden Teak

Delivers roughly 80-90% of Ipe's performance at 60-70% of the cost — Janka 2,350, a 20-25 year lifespan. Used for decking, flooring, and siding.

Jatoba · Hymenaea courbaril · Brazilian Cherry, Courbaril

Janka 2,690, in the same performance range as Cumaru and Red Balau, with very durable rot resistance and a warm reddish-brown color. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Red Balau · Shorea spp. · Balau, Selangan Batu

Janka 2,385 with a 20-22 year lifespan and some of the best dimensional stability available — resists cupping, gapping, and warping. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Massaranduba (Bulletwood) · Manilkara bidentata · Balatá, Ausubo

Janka 2,350 with extreme density that keeps splintering very low — a real plus for bare feet on a deck. Deep reddish-brown to near-black color. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Tali · Erythrophleum suaveolens · Missanda

Janka 2,200 with Class 1 durability, genuinely easier to install than Ipe or Cumaru, at a lower entry price. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Garapa · Apuleia leiocarpa · Grapia, Brazilian Ash

Janka 1,980 with a 15-20 year lifespan, and the easiest exotic hardwood to install — a lighter golden-tan color that grays naturally over time. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Tigerwood · Astronium spp. · Goncalo Alves, Zebrawood

Janka 1,630 with a real-world lifespan of 25 to 75 years and bold, striped grain. Used for decking, flooring, and siding.

Kanda · Beilschmiedia congolana · Kanda Brun

A dense tropical hardwood double-grooved for hidden fastener systems, built for Florida decks. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Fijian Mahogany · Swietenia macrophylla · Big-Leaf Mahogany

Janka 900-1,200 with a 12-18 year lifespan — a warmer, more workable hardwood suited to siding, trim, and covered outdoor spaces rather than full sun exposure. Used for siding, decking, and custom milling.

Eastern Red Cedar · Juniperus virginiana

Naturally rot-resistant, aromatic, and insect-resistant, handling humidity without warping. Used for fencing, siding, posts, and interior paneling.

Thermally Modified Ash & Pine

Chemical-free heat treatment for enhanced rot resistance, dimensional stability, and a cooler surface underfoot. Used for decking, siding, and custom milling.

Composite Decking

No sealing, staining, or splintering, with a wide color range and resistance to moisture and fading — a low-maintenance alternative to real wood decking.

One Board or a Truckload

Every scale, every buyer

Homeowners, builders and contractors, architects and designers, and woodworkers and furniture makers all buy from us — the only thing that changes is the quantity. We sell from a single board all the way up to full tractor-trailer loads, with competitive pricing that scales for large commercial jobs. We're based in Lakeland and focus on Central Florida, but we deliver statewide across Florida for larger orders. Read more about who we are and how we work, or just request a quote with your species, dimensions, and quantity.

Common Questions

Products, answered honestly

What decking wood is the hardest?

Ipe, with a Janka hardness of 3,680 — the hardest commercially available decking species, built for a 25-30+ year lifespan.

What's the easiest exotic hardwood to install?

Garapa. It's noticeably easier to work than the densest species like Ipe or Cumaru, while still holding up well in Florida's climate.

Does Goodwood Direct sell composite decking or only real wood?

Both. Alongside real hardwood and cedar, we carry composite decking for customers who want a low-maintenance, splinter-free option.

Do you sell by the single board or in bulk?

Both. We sell from a single board all the way up to full tractor-trailer loads, with competitive pricing that scales for large commercial jobs.

Can I get a species or board type that isn't listed here?

Reach out and ask. Most of our exotic hardwoods are sourced specifically per order, so if you need something specific, we'll tell you honestly whether we can get it.

What's the difference between decking-grade and flooring-grade hardwood?

The species that hold up outdoors — Ipe, Cumaru, and Tigerwood among them — are dense and weather-resistant enough to work for both decking and flooring. Species like Garapa, Tali, and Massaranduba are used for decking, siding, and custom milling rather than interior flooring.

Do you deliver outside Central Florida?

Yes. We're based in Lakeland and focus on Central Florida, but we deliver statewide across Florida for larger orders, and can ship out of state as well — reach out with your location and quantity.

Know what you need, or still deciding? Request a Quote