People frequently prefer using hardwoods for flooring, decking and other areas around their home, due to its durability. Most woods are designed to be naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects, including termites. As a result, no sealers or finishers are required when the wood is used outdoors. Additionally, hardwood lasts a long time, and depending upon the wood, most last at least twenty-five years or longer.
Your choices for hardwood decking include Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood, Massaranduba, Jatoba, Angelim-Pedra, Tatjuba, and Sucupira. Each type of wood has its own colored finish ranging from light honey tones, to naturally dark woods and reds. Due to the variations in colors and grains, the colors can be slightly different, but this only adds to the individual beauty and charm of a particular wood.
Deciding which hardwood you want to use to build your deck depends on your personal preferences and tastes. For example, if you want a light maple-colored wood with black stripes, or a reddish color with black stripes, you should consider using Tigerwood decking. Tigerwood is originally a light maple color that naturally changes to a reddish color quickly, if it is not sealed with a UV protectant. If you want to retain the original light color, you do have to apply a UV sealer. Other ways you are able to enhance your initial wood selection is to use a combination of different hardwoods in your deck design. For instance, some people use Ipe to complement Cumaru, Garapa, or Tigerwood in the border around the deck, unique patterns in the center, and in their railings.