When it comes to outdoor decking, wood species selection matters more than most people initially expect. Different species bring different levels of hardness, natural resistance to the elements, and maintenance requirements. Knowing what is available, and what to look for in wood decking suppliers, helps you make a more informed decision before the project gets off the ground.
Here is a look at the most common wood decking species on the market and what sets each one apart.
Brazilian Hardwoods
These are the species that come up most often in conversations about high-performance outdoor decking. They are imported, they cost more than domestic options, and they hold up in ways that most domestic species simply cannot match without chemical treatment.
Ipe
Ipe is one of the hardest and most durable wood species used for outdoor decking. It is a Brazilian hardwood that resists rot, insects, and decay without requiring any chemical treatment. In terms of hardness, Ipe outperforms most domestic species by a notable margin. It is denser than most of what you will find at a standard lumber yard.
The tradeoff is that ipe requires pre-drilling for fasteners because of its density. It also costs more than cedar or redwood. Left without maintenance, Ipe weathers to a silver-gray over time. Applying oil periodically keeps the original brown color intact.
Wood decking suppliers who carry Ipe typically stock it in standard widths of five and a half inches with lengths ranging from 6 to 20 feet. Not every supplier carries it in volume, so it is worth confirming availability before planning around it.
Cumaru
Cumaru is a Brazilian hardwood often compared to ipe in terms of durability. It has a tan to brown coloration with some grain variation between boards. In terms of hardness, it is close to ipe but usually comes at a lower price point, which makes it a common alternative for projects where ipe exceeds the budget.
Like Ipe, cumaru weathers to gray if left untreated. Regular oiling maintains the original color. It also requires pre-drilling, though most contractors working with tropical hardwoods already account for that as standard practice.
Tigerwood
Tigerwood has a distinctive appearance with orange and brown striping patterns in the grain. It is a Brazilian hardwood that holds up well in outdoor conditions, though the look is more visually varied than ipe or cumaru. Some projects call specifically for that kind of character in the wood, while others prefer a more consistent grain pattern.
Wood decking suppliers who carry tigerwood tend to stock it in similar dimensions to ipe and cumaru. Because of the color variation between boards, laying the pieces out before installing allows you to arrange them in a way that works for the overall look of the deck.
Grapia
Grapia is a lighter-colored Brazilian hardwood with a golden to yellow-brown tone. It is less well known than ipe or cumaru, but it carries hardness ratings suitable for exterior decking. For projects where a lighter wood color is part of the design, grapia fills a spot that darker tropical hardwoods do not.
It is not as widely stocked as ipe, so if you are planning to use it, confirming that your supplier can source it in the quantities you need before committing to it is a good idea.
Domestic Species
Not every project calls for imported hardwood. Domestic species are more widely available, easier to work with, and come in at a lower cost. The tradeoff is that most domestic options require more maintenance over time.
California Redwood
Redwood is a domestic species with natural resistance to decay and insects. It has a reddish-brown color and a straight grain pattern that many homeowners associate with traditional West Coast decking.
Redwood is easier to work with than tropical hardwoods. It cuts, drills, and fastens without the same level of effort that ipe or cumaru requires. The downside is that it needs more maintenance to prevent weathering, and it costs more than cedar. Clear and select grades have minimal knots, while common grades show more character in the wood.
Western Red Cedar
Cedar is one of the most widely available decking species on the market. Wood decking suppliers across the country carry it because of its broad appeal and lower cost. It has natural decay resistance, a light weight that makes it easy to handle on the job site, and it takes stain and paint well.
The main limitation with cedar is softness. It dents and shows wear more than hardwood decking species, which makes it better suited to lower-traffic areas or homeowners who do not mind periodic surface maintenance. For a large deck surface where cost per square foot matters, cedar offers durability at a price point that tropical hardwoods cannot match.
Composite as an Add-On Option
Some wood decking suppliers also carry composite decking alongside their hardwood inventory. Composite products use wood fiber and plastic polymer combinations to resist moisture and decay without requiring staining or sealing. The color stays consistent over time without the weathering changes that come with wood.
If you are deciding between wood and composite, talking to a supplier who carries both gives you the full picture rather than a sales pitch for just one product category.
What to Look for in a Wood Decking Supplier
Beyond species selection, a reliable supplier should be able to tell you what is currently in stock, give you realistic lead times, and help you work out material quantities based on your deck dimensions. Tropical hardwood inventory can shift, so working with a supplier who has volume on hand and knows their products inside out makes the sourcing process far more straightforward.
Species availability, stocking levels, and pricing all vary from one supplier to the next. Getting in touch early in the planning process gives you more options and more time to work through the details before the project date arrives. The more your supplier knows about the specifics of your build, the better positioned they are to help you get the right material in the right quantities.
