Ipe is the best Hardwood, or is it? Alternative hardwood decking….

Ipe is a great hardwood, especially for decking applications. It is a timber not for the unexperienced and certainly not for your DIY’er. Specialist tools are required for this behemoth of hardwoods to enable the skilled craftsman to present this magnificent material as it should be.

As clients are seeking out the very best value for their money it is often realised that Ipe is a little too expensive. This may then force the contractor to cut corners whilst trying their best to manage expectations, this leads to finding cheaper substandard alternatives.

What would you say if there was a decking product much harder than Ipe, looks pretty good and is much cheaper, in fact is 27% (give or take) cheaper?

Kurupay (Patagonian Rosewood)

Kurupay is a fantastic hardwood that carries an INFONA Certification and great dimensional stability. It is provided in 21 mm thick boards that are 130 mm wide.

Its ranks very high on the Durability scale as does it on the Janka scale.

Scientific Name:               Anadenanthera Macrocarpa Brennan

Other Names:                   Curupau, Patagonian Rosewood, Angico Preto, Cebil, Cebil Colorado, Curupay-ata

Origin:                                 Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Central and South America

Appearance:                      The timber is attractive looking with heartwood pale brown, darkening on exposure to reddish brown with darker coloured, almost black, streaks; sapwood yellow brown or light pink. Texture fine and uniform; grain usually irregular and interlocked; without distinctive odour or taste.

Properties:                         Kurupay is resistant to insect attack and decay. Does have exceptional stability characteristics once dry. Along with its extreme hardness, strength, weight, density, and durability, Kurupay is also one of the most stable woods available.

Janka Hardness:                3840 (Harder than Ipe)

Density:                              1050 kg/m3 to 1150 Kg/m3