Species Guide · Tali
Class 1 durability from an African hardwood that's more established than people realize.
Tali is an African hardwood in medium-to-dark brown tones with reddish undertones and an attractive medium grain. It carries a Class 1 durability rating — the same top-tier classification as many of the more famous tropical hardwoods — making a strong case for budget-conscious projects that still want a genuine, long-lasting hardwood deck.
Characteristics
At a Janka hardness of 2,200 and a Class 1 durability rating, Tali holds its own against far more expensive species with excellent long-term stability. Splintering runs low to moderate. It's genuinely easier to work than Ipe or Cumaru — pre-drilling is still recommended, but the overall install goes faster. Lengths tend to run shorter than some other exotics, so it's worth planning your cut list with that in mind.
Also Used For
Tali's warm tone works well as exterior siding and outdoor furniture, and it mills into tongue and groove or custom trim profiles without a fight.
Common Questions
Yes — Tali carries a Class 1 durability rating, the same top-tier classification as many pricier tropical hardwoods, at a moderate price point, and it's easier to work with than Ipe or Cumaru, which helps keep installation costs down too.
Supply is good, though lengths tend to run shorter than some other exotics — worth factoring into your material takeoff before ordering.
Medium-to-dark brown with reddish undertones and an attractive medium grain.
Tali's Janka hardness of 2,200 is well below Ipe's 3,680, but it still carries a Class 1 durability rating — the same top-tier classification — at a more moderate price.
Pre-drilling is still recommended, but Tali is genuinely easier and faster to install than Ipe or Cumaru.
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