Ipe decking Seattle and other hardwood deck lumber

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Seattle Deck Supply has the largest selection of hardwood decking in the puget sound region

IPE, GARAPA, AND BATU IN STOCK AND READY FOR IMMEDIATE PICKUP OR DELIVERY

BELOW YOU WILL FIND DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES OF HARDWOOD COMMONLY USED IN DECK CONSTRUCTION

Ipe Hardwood decking or Brazilian walnut

Ipe has been the gold standard for decking for decades. Unmatched durability and impeccable knot-free grain structure have made it the first choice of builders and homeowners. Ipe has a lustrous, almost iridescent, chocolate brown to golden brown coloration and a very fine and tight grain. Its hardness is second only to massaranduba but, it is the most stable of all the hardwood species. Ipe lumber is available in all common sizes and some custom profiles for handrail. Seattle Deck Supply sources from reputable importers that have tight chains of custody. Your lumber will be reliably kiln-dried and of the highest First Export Quality or FEQ grade. Ipe prices have seen a steady increase since 2024, some buyers have turned to alternatives like garapa, discussed below, to mitigate cost. Ipe remains the best option though.

a welded steel and ipe bench around a fire pit
a welded steel and ipe bench around a fire pit
A rooftop deck in Seattle's Capital Hill neighborhood. It has a black cable railing and garapa decking.

Garapa

Nearly as hard as ipe but, a golden brown rather than a rich chocolate tone, garapa is the hot decking for 2026. Garapa has been pricing out at less than half the price of ipe and less than many composite options. SDS mainly carries 5/4×6 (net 1″ thick) but sometimes has 1×4 and 1×6 available.

A craftsman style home with a garapa deck and cable rail. The cable rail has white posts and a drink rail also of garapa.
A craftsman style home with a garapa deck and cable rail. The cable rail has white posts and a drink rail also of garapa.
Garapa decking up close showing a cathedral grain pattern. The surface is fastner free as it is attached with deckwise hidden deck clips.
Garapa decking up close showing a cathedral grain pattern. The surface is fastner free as it is attached with deckwise hidden deck clips.
A Columbia City Seattle deck made of garapa. It has a cable railing with a garapa drink rail. It is installed with IpeClip hidden fastener deck clips. The cable rail uses Ultra-Tec Adjust-a-Body and Push-lock lag fittings embedded in cedar posts.
A Columbia City Seattle deck made of garapa. It has a cable railing with a garapa drink rail. It is installed with IpeClip hidden fastener deck clips. The cable rail uses Ultra-Tec Adjust-a-Body and Push-lock lag fittings embedded in cedar posts.
a close-up of garapa decking, the grain is straight and knot free. The garapa is a medium golden brown color
a close-up of garapa decking, the grain is straight and knot free. The garapa is a medium golden brown color
A fresh install of garapa decking with a pair of sneakers sitting on the left side of the frame. It is fastened with hidden fasteners.
A fresh install of garapa decking with a pair of sneakers sitting on the left side of the frame. It is fastened with hidden fasteners.
a close-up of garapa hardwood decking fastened with Deckwise IpeClip hidden fasteners. The decking is a deep golden brown, a few leaves have drifted onto the surface.
a close-up of garapa hardwood decking fastened with Deckwise IpeClip hidden fasteners. The decking is a deep golden brown, a few leaves have drifted onto the surface.

Tigerwood

Tigerwood is a tropical hardwood from Brazil and Bolivia, although its range extends to Peru and North to Mexico. Its gorgeous and pronounced grain and color variation give it its name. Tigerwood is durable and stable, particularly when sourced through our suppliers, who have a proprietary kiln-drying strategy. Tigerwood decking is available square edge or grooved for hidden fasteners and in 4 and 6 inch widths. We recommend wax-treating all cross-grain cuts but staining is optional. Tigerwood is a sustainable forest product and not listed on CITES. All of our hardwoods come from reputable importers who comply with all environmental regulations and many of these are FSC listed.

A craftsman styled sunroom with a large fan sits over tigerwood flooring.
A craftsman styled sunroom with a large fan sits over tigerwood flooring.
A modern design home with tigerwood open-joint cladding. The whole front of the garage is covered in the siding.
A modern design home with tigerwood open-joint cladding. The whole front of the garage is covered in the siding.
A lush woodland scene closely surrounds a tropical hardwood tigerwood deck. The railing has black, round, metal balusters and a drink rail. Deck furniture and a BBQ sit on the deck.
A lush woodland scene closely surrounds a tropical hardwood tigerwood deck. The railing has black, round, metal balusters and a drink rail. Deck furniture and a BBQ sit on the deck.
A large cabin in the woods has a muti-sided tigerwood deck extending off of it into a woodland scene.
A large cabin in the woods has a muti-sided tigerwood deck extending off of it into a woodland scene.
A tigerwood deck with a glass slat railing looks over lake Washington. Divider boards separate the runs of decking.
A tigerwood deck with a glass slat railing looks over lake Washington. Divider boards separate the runs of decking.
tigerwood tongue and groove siding installed on a home under construction overlooking Puget sound.
tigerwood tongue and groove siding installed on a home under construction overlooking Puget sound.
A freshly stained tigerwood deck is mounted on the back of a white home with a panoramic view. There is a glass railing built between 4x4 tigerwood posts.
A freshly stained tigerwood deck is mounted on the back of a white home with a panoramic view. There is a glass railing built between 4x4 tigerwood posts.
A deck sits in front of a conifer forest. The corners are cropped at a 45 degree angle. The railing is minimalist steel powdercoated black.
A deck sits in front of a conifer forest. The corners are cropped at a 45 degree angle. The railing is minimalist steel powdercoated black.
stadium stairs built with tigerwood descend to a deck also made from tigerwood. The railing has stylish bent metal balusters and it overlooks a marina.
stadium stairs built with tigerwood descend to a deck also made from tigerwood. The railing has stylish bent metal balusters and it overlooks a marina.
A very modern tigerwood deck with a metal and hogwire railing. The deck has a structural steel pergola above it.
A very modern tigerwood deck with a metal and hogwire railing. The deck has a structural steel pergola above it.
a close up of tigerwood decking fastened with hidden fasteners showing the variegated grain.
a close up of tigerwood decking fastened with hidden fasteners showing the variegated grain.
An elevated tigerwood deck and railing sits above a woodland backyard. The railing has metal balusters and a drink rail.
An elevated tigerwood deck and railing sits above a woodland backyard. The railing has metal balusters and a drink rail.
A two-story tigerwood deck and stairs rise out of a suburban backyard. The deck has a fresh coat of Exoshield stain on it
A two-story tigerwood deck and stairs rise out of a suburban backyard. The deck has a fresh coat of Exoshield stain on it
Tigerwood rain screen siding wraps around modern architecture and bronze-toned windows.
Tigerwood rain screen siding wraps around modern architecture and bronze-toned windows.
Tigerwood deck tiles in a close-up shot. The tiles are arranged with all the slats aligned the same direction.
Tigerwood deck tiles in a close-up shot. The tiles are arranged with all the slats aligned the same direction.

Batu – Red Balau

Batu is a common hardwood decking from Indonesia. Batu is relatively hard and stable with a very straight and striated grain. Primarily red and pink-toned with some tan and brown undertones.  It cuts easily and is very workable. Batu is available in 5/4×6, 1×6, 5/4×4, 1×4 and 1×8. Post material in a 4×4 is often available as well. Batu supply chains are typically stable, and prices are not subject to wild fluctuations as sometimes happens with ipe.

A coastline deck built from batu tropical hardwood. a 8 foot wide stairway rises from the yard. The railing has Ultra-tec cables and a drink rail. Lounge chairs face the sea.
A coastline deck built from batu tropical hardwood. a 8 foot wide stairway rises from the yard. The railing has Ultra-tec cables and a drink rail. Lounge chairs face the sea.
a view looking down onto a multi-level batu deck. A stack stone wall with earth tones rises on the right side. The railing on the left has black, round, metal balusters.
a view looking down onto a multi-level batu deck. A stack stone wall with earth tones rises on the right side. The railing on the left has black, round, metal balusters.
A tight shot of a batu dock. Cleats for tying boats line the left side and a swim ladder is mounted to the far end. There's a generous gap between the boards.
A tight shot of a batu dock. Cleats for tying boats line the left side and a swim ladder is mounted to the far end. There's a generous gap between the boards.
A pool deck sits flush with the pool it sits around. The decking is batu 1x6 and is stained, the colors show deep red-tones.
A pool deck sits flush with the pool it sits around. The decking is batu 1x6 and is stained, the colors show deep red-tones.
a top view of a batu stairway and stair rail. The deck has been stained with Exoshield deck stain. The railing posts have been drilled for Ultra-tec cable rail fittings
a top view of a batu stairway and stair rail. The deck has been stained with Exoshield deck stain. The railing posts have been drilled for Ultra-tec cable rail fittings
sunlight shines on a batu horizontal fence
sunlight shines on a batu horizontal fence
A head-on view of a batu horizontal fence
A head-on view of a batu horizontal fence
A side view of a horizontal fence built with batu tropical hardwood. The fence is finished with Deckwise ipeoil and located near Bothell
A side view of a horizontal fence built with batu tropical hardwood. The fence is finished with Deckwise ipeoil and located near Bothell
A horizontal fence built with batu 1x4. The batu has been stained with Deckwise IpeOil. The fence drops in elevation as it moves across the yard.
A horizontal fence built with batu 1x4. The batu has been stained with Deckwise IpeOil. The fence drops in elevation as it moves across the yard.
A batu deck viewed from above. There is a cable railing framed with tigerwood surrounding it. Both the deck and railing have been stained a deep-red. The batu 4x4 have been drilled for the cable rail.
A batu deck viewed from above. There is a cable railing framed with tigerwood surrounding it. Both the deck and railing have been stained a deep-red. The batu 4x4 have been drilled for the cable rail.
a batu pool deck surrounded by cable rail looks over a coastal view, a boat sits offshore.
a batu pool deck surrounded by cable rail looks over a coastal view, a boat sits offshore.
A boat dock constructed with batu 1x6 decking sits along puget sound
A boat dock constructed with batu 1x6 decking sits along puget sound
Large deck tiles made of batu hardwood look over a tropical coastal view
Large deck tiles made of batu hardwood look over a tropical coastal view

Golden Balau – Bankirai – Yellow Balau

A durable and beautiful hardwood option, Bankirai is often used for decking, siding, and custom fencing. Warm tones of yellow, red, and light browns with a tight interlocked grain make yellow balau a great choice for outdoor structures when deeper and darker tones are not preferred. Like batu, yellow below is an Indonesian lumber and the supply is very reliable and prices are moderate for a hardwood decking. Yellow Balua can be fastened with all of the popular face and blind-fastening techniques. Seattle Deck Supply recommends IpeClip for hidden fastening; however, the 1/4″ or KD clip is the appropriate clip size for this species. Seattle Deck Supply only sources kiln-dried Balau and batu decking.

Yellow balua 1x6 boards are stacked for display
Yellow balua 1x6 boards are stacked for display
A sample photo of the end grain of grooved yellow balau shows how hidden fastener clips engage with the groove in the board.
A sample photo of the end grain of grooved yellow balau shows how hidden fastener clips engage with the groove in the board.
A deck overlooks a suburban desert landscape. The deck is yellow balau, the grain is straight and knot-free. An all stainless steel cable rail surrounds it. The rail is capped with yellow balau 2x4 as well.
A deck overlooks a suburban desert landscape. The deck is yellow balau, the grain is straight and knot-free. An all stainless steel cable rail surrounds it. The rail is capped with yellow balau 2x4 as well.
A highly detailed hot tub nook with yellow balau decking around the tub and siding on the walls surrounding it. Plants adorn the areas around the tub and in nooks in the siding walls.
A highly detailed hot tub nook with yellow balau decking around the tub and siding on the walls surrounding it. Plants adorn the areas around the tub and in nooks in the siding walls.

dark red meranti – DRM – Meranti Bukit

This is a mahogany species from Indonesia. It is highly workable, stable with a nice open grain and variegated coloring. It ranges from deep, dark red to blonde in tone. The Dark red pieces are quite hard like ipe, and the blonde pieces are softer. We have sold Meranti in large amounts since the mid 90’s with much success. Dark red meranti is an affordable alternative to ipe. Both 4 and 6 inch width boards are readily available in 1x and 5/4 thickness. Meranti radily accepts a stain and will  hold it longer than most other hardwoods.

A cabin styled home in a woodland setting has wood siding and a deck built with DRM, dark red meranti, decking
A cabin styled home in a woodland setting has wood siding and a deck built with DRM, dark red meranti, decking
A dark red meranti deck and railing with a bench, The deck is laid diagonally.
A dark red meranti deck and railing with a bench, The deck is laid diagonally.
A dark red meranti deck built from 5/4x6 sits above a rushing creek in Silverton Oregon.
A dark red meranti deck built from 5/4x6 sits above a rushing creek in Silverton Oregon.
5/4x6 dark red meranti decking shines in the sun on a new construction home.
5/4x6 dark red meranti decking shines in the sun on a new construction home.
A dark red meranti deck overlooks a creek in a rural setting. The decking is wet making its colors vibrant. A stacked stone column rises from the center of the deck.
A dark red meranti deck overlooks a creek in a rural setting. The decking is wet making its colors vibrant. A stacked stone column rises from the center of the deck.
A view looks down the length of railing built from DRM, the balusters are a grey toned aluminum and round.
A view looks down the length of railing built from DRM, the balusters are a grey toned aluminum and round.
A deck stair railing is viewed from beneath the deck. The railing has post caps and is built from the tropical hardwood dark red meranti. The railing wraps around a large vine maple.
A deck stair railing is viewed from beneath the deck. The railing has post caps and is built from the tropical hardwood dark red meranti. The railing wraps around a large vine maple.
A prep table built from meranti sits alongside a bbq. A small rhododendron rises from a built in planter in the DRM deck.
A prep table built from meranti sits alongside a bbq. A small rhododendron rises from a built in planter in the DRM deck.
A large deck built from DRM 1x4 sits in a woodland scene. A out door heater sits in the middle and a black lag relaxes to the side.
A large deck built from DRM 1x4 sits in a woodland scene. A out door heater sits in the middle and a black lag relaxes to the side.
waterfall stairs built from dark red meranti tropical hardwood. A small dog sits at the foot of the stairs.
waterfall stairs built from dark red meranti tropical hardwood. A small dog sits at the foot of the stairs.
A built in bench is mounted on a deck railing built from dark red meranti. The rail sits in front of a woodland scene. Pillows adorn the seating area.
A built in bench is mounted on a deck railing built from dark red meranti. The rail sits in front of a woodland scene. Pillows adorn the seating area.
A large oak tree protrudes out of a artfully cut hole in a deck built with Dark red meranti hardwood decking.
A large oak tree protrudes out of a artfully cut hole in a deck built with Dark red meranti hardwood decking.
a close-up shot of a dark red meranti railing with balusters. The construction is 4x4 DRM posts, 1x4 bottom and top rail and a 5/4x6 drink rail.
a close-up shot of a dark red meranti railing with balusters. The construction is 4x4 DRM posts, 1x4 bottom and top rail and a 5/4x6 drink rail.
A deck and railing built with Dark Red Meranti. The meranti varies in color. The railing has balusters and a secondary top rail.
A deck and railing built with Dark Red Meranti. The meranti varies in color. The railing has balusters and a secondary top rail.

Torem – Massaranduba – Manilkara – South Pacific redwood

Despite coming from two continents, on opposite sides of the world, Torem and Massaranduba are often regarded as the same lumber. Incredibly hard, even more so than ipe, but not as stable, these species make excellent decking. Deep red in tone and an almost imperceptible grain, it is quite beautiful. Because of its hardness and density, it is best to stick with using it as dimensioned lumber; it is not the most workable of lumber species.It is reported that Torem tends to be more stable than it’s South American cousin, Massaranduba.

A product shot of torem 5/4x6 samples over a white background
A product shot of torem 5/4x6 samples over a white background
an extreme close up of south pacific redwood shows the cathedral grain present.
an extreme close up of south pacific redwood shows the cathedral grain present.
a close -up of torem decking shows variety of grain styles present in the lumber.
a close -up of torem decking shows variety of grain styles present in the lumber.
A close-up of torem 5/4x4 decking showing the tight interlocked grain.
A close-up of torem 5/4x4 decking showing the tight interlocked grain.
A top view of a hot tub enclosure built with the South Pacific hardwood Torem
A top view of a hot tub enclosure built with the South Pacific hardwood Torem
A hot tub enclosure wrapped in the dark red tropical hardwood Torem. The Torem lumber is finished in Natural tone Exxoshield stain.
A hot tub enclosure wrapped in the dark red tropical hardwood Torem. The Torem lumber is finished in Natural tone Exxoshield stain.
Manikara deck boards on a deck set in the Oregon high-desert.
Manikara deck boards on a deck set in the Oregon high-desert.
dark red massaranduba deck tiles in a checkerboard pattern
dark red massaranduba deck tiles in a checkerboard pattern
a product shot of Torem deck boards in 5/4x6 size
a product shot of Torem deck boards in 5/4x6 size
An outdoor kitchen clad with deep-red tropical hardwood Torem.
An outdoor kitchen clad with deep-red tropical hardwood Torem.
A south pacific Torem deck with a cable railing.
A south pacific Torem deck with a cable railing.
A bench made from south pacific redwood sits above an outdoor kitchen and barbeque also made from torem.

An important note about hardwood decking

All hardwood deck species have what is called a free-air space requirement for assurance of a successful installation. What this means is that there must be air flow under the deck. The Achilles heel of hardwood species is moisture asymmetry between the top and bottom surfaces. An imbalance here can lead to cupping of the boards. The description varies by species and the distributor/importer. Typically, it is stated as “there must be “x” inches of space under the joists, open on three sides”. If you are unsure of your application, a consultation will provide clarity on the suitability of your choices and the risks associated with disregarding these guidelines. Typically, a distributor will not warranty non-conforming installations. A higher thickness-to-width ratio, such as 5/4 x 4, staining all sides of the boards prior to installation, and observing best practices for acclimatization of lumber can go a long way towards mitigating risks in non-conforming installations. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the consumer for these choices. Deck tiles are designed specifically for low and no-free-air applications. 24″ x 48″ and 24″ x 72″ tiles are great for obtaining a “deck-like” appearance within the deck tile paradigm. You can learn more about deck tiles by clicking this link: All about deck tiles

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