Garapa Wood vs Ipe: A Comprehensive Comparison for Decking

When selecting exotic hardwood for decking, Garapa and Ipe are two of the most popular choices. Both offer durability, visual appeal, and long-lasting performance, but they present distinct differences in hardness, color, maintenance, cost, and lifespan. This article lays out an in-depth comparison of Garapa and Ipe to help you choose the right wood for your project.

1. Overview of Garapa and Ipe Woods

• Garapa: Known as “Brazilian Ash” or “Golden Ipe,” Garapa is a dense tropical hardwood native to Brazil. It typically shows a golden yellow color that oxides to amber with time and silvers as it ages. Garapa is slightly lighter than Ipe, with a fine to medium texture and a straight grain that lends an attractive, modern look to decks.
• Ipe: Often called “Brazilian Walnut,” Ipe wood is highly regarded for unmatched durability and strength and comes from the Tabebuia species native to Central and South America. Ipe varies in color from rich dark browns to reddish and olive hues, offering a classic, timeless deck aesthetic.

2. Hardness and Strength

Ipe is significantly harder and denser than Garapa, with nearly double the Janka hardness rating and much higher bending and crushing strength. This makes Ipe extremely resistant to scratches, dents, and warping, which accounts for its reputation as the hardest commonly available decking wood. Garapa, while less hard, is still over 1.5 times harder than oak and about 3 times harder than red cedar, making it very durable for everyday use and resistant to damage from kids, pets, or furniture.

3. Appearance and Color

• Garapa: Light golden-yellow, often described as honey or amber, with subtle striping and a smooth grain. It has a reflective quality, sometimes shifting tones with changing light angles, giving a gem-like visual effect. Garapa silvers naturally if left untreated.
• Ipe: Color ranges widely from light brown to dark brown, reddish, and olive hues, providing a deeper, richer palette. Like Garapa, it also silvers without maintenance but is prized for its classic wood tones.

4. Durability and Lifespan

• Garapa: Has medium to high rot resistance, is naturally resistant to insects and decay, and holds a Class A fire rating equivalent to steel or concrete. Lifespan is about 25+ years when properly maintained.
• Ipe: The gold standard in durability with twice the density and 5 times the hardness of pressure-treated lumber, also naturally resistant to insects, rot, and decay, and carries Class A fire rating. Lifespan exceeds 40 years, making it one of the most durable decking materials available.

5. Maintenance Requirements

Both Garapa and Ipe require similar care:

• Regular cleaning and annual sealing or staining are recommended to preserve the natural color. Otherwise, both woods will weather to a natural silver-gray patina over time.
• Neither deck wood is prone to warping nor splitting.
• Ipe usually requires pre-drilling for fasteners due to its density, while both often use hidden fasteners for aesthetic reasons.

6. Cost and Value

• Garapa: More affordable than Ipe and comparable in price to lower-end composite decking. Offers a great balance of performance and beauty on a budget.
• Ipe: Premium wood decking material with higher price, similar to high-end composite decks. The longer lifespan and unmatched durability offer excellent long-term value despite the upfront cost.

7. Summary Comparison Table

8. Which Should You Choose?

• Choose Garapa if you want a more affordable, lighter-colored exotic hardwood that still offers excellent durability, hardness, and fire resistance. Ideal for modern designs and those seeking a sustainable, high-performance decking material with good longevity.
• Choose Ipe if you need the toughest, longest-lasting decking with superior hardness and strength, and you value a classic dark wood aesthetic. Ipe performs exceptionally in high-traffic or demanding environments and justifies the higher investment with decades of use.

Both woods are eco-friendly, sustainably harvested, and excellent choices for enduring and beautiful wood decks. Your decision should be based on your budget, desired wood color, and expected deck usage.