There are a ton of decking materials in the market today. At Advantage we specialize in hardwood decking only because our customers demand the best. This is why, of the many wood decking options out there, Advantage has thoroughly tested and selected four of the finest, most reliable options that work well in any climate.

Tigerwood, Cumaru, Ipe, and Garapa are the Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi of the decking world. Each has their own distinct look at set of qualities, but one thing binds them together. The combination of reliable durability and resilience that serves to give you an outdoor retreat with  high performance.

For instance, check out this wood deck pictured above. This Cumaru deck was constructed in Michigan. This homeowner actually replaced their redwood deck with Cumaru because they wanted a decking material that would withstand the brutally harsh cold, snow, and bad weather that Michigan is famous for. And, when Spring does come, she also wanted to have an outdoor retreat that she wouldn’t have to spend money maintaining. When you see the Cumaru deck pictures that she sent us, you’ll have to admit that she made the right choice.

While you can describe the quality of hardwoods like Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Garapa as luxurious and reliable, there is one major difference between them and other higher-priced decking options, price. These four decking options are a great value and are more affordable both in the short and in the long run. Being so naturally resilient to insects, mold, and decay allows each wood to last for decades.

With the fall building season just about to start, now is the time to consider these four wonderful exotic hardwood decking options for your home.

It’s not enough to say that you’re product is eco-friendly. People want, and deserve, proof. However, it is getting harder for all of us to cut through the marketing hype to see products for what they really are, not what you are told they are. So….with that said, what does that have to do with decking?

We received a phone call the other day from someone who was fed lies. They were told by someone trying to sell them thousands of dollars in composite decking that “anyone who buys hardwood decking from countries like Brazil are helping kill off the rain forest. ” This person was shopping around and asked us point blank, “How can I be sure that the hardwood you sell is really eco-friendly?”

At Advantage, we LOVE getting questions like this. Here’s our response:

Dear Ms. Concerned Customer,

Thank you for your question. At Advantage Trim & Lumber Co., Inc. we appreciate questions like yours because it gives us the opportunity to shed some light on some surprising truths as well as share with you what makes the products we sell compliant with all international trade laws.

The first thing you need to know is that, in countries like Brazil, the forests are heavily regulated. The land, as you might imagine is extremely valuable. We would argue that the land in those countries might be worth more long term than any oil-field. How? Well, for starters, the trees that grow in places like the rain forest give us something an oil-field cannot, oxygen. Trees have been mankind’s go-to resource for thousands of years. You name it, whether it’s for shelter, food, protection, or the air we breathe, trees are a treasured resource that must always be protected.

This is why, when you told us that you were told that buying hardwood decking from contributes to the destruction of the rainforest, we had to respond.

The lumber we buy and mill in countries like Brazil are controlled by the regulatory body known as IBAMA. This is agency is run by the Brazilian government. They pretty much control the lumber industry in that country. I say “pretty much” because each state in Brazil also has their own state-run agencies. For instance in the Brazilian state of Para, the agency that monitors and regulates lumber mills is known as SEMA. You can find many states that actually create and enforce more stringent laws to control the production of lumber in their respective states.

Proper forest management ensures the health of the forest, not its destruction.

The attached picture is from a recent trip to a managed forest in South America. The person holding the clipboard is instructing the mill not just which trees can be felled, but the actual direction that they have to fall. The meticulous nature of these plans ensure that the growth around those trees get to prosper and new trees get to grow in its place. A great number of those trees on that management plan are what’s known as “wolf trees” or “mother trees”. Basically, those trees have hollowed out from the inside, and don’t produce seeds. Their presence in the rainforest actually depletes resources from surrounding plants and foliage. We have a post on our website that details more information about how felling these wolf trees is a great sustainable forestry practice.

Also, contrary to popular belief, most exotic hardwoods don’t originate from the rainforest; they are grown and produced in specially designated and monitored non-rainforest areas. The great majority of the wood we purchase comes from those protected areas.

Lumber companies are not oil companies. Our company doesn’t pillage the land and leave a husk of the earth in our wake. It makes sound economic sense for us to see the forest survive and thrive. In addition, it also makes good economic sense for trees to be harvested for lumber. Remember, land is a valuable asset. If the demand for trees is steady, landowners have every reason to keep the land as it is. What’s the alternative?

Buying eco-friendly wood prevents clear cutting and burning of the rain forest by cattle ranchers.

This picture shows what happens when a landowner decides to make more money raising cattle for leather goods and hamburgers instead of cultivating trees. If no value is placed on the forest, landowners have no economic incentive. Likewise, you might also be shocked to learn (as were we), that in Brazil it’s easier to burn a forest down for cattle of soy farming than it is to get a permit to cut down a tree. That’s right. You don’t need a permit to burn a forest, but you do to cut down a tree. The money that comes from the agriculture industry is flooding countries in South America at a furious pace. So much so that people still falsely assume that harvesting lumber for decking and flooring is the primary cause of deforestation in Brazil and other South American nations.

In conclusion, know that the wood decking we sell here at Advantage only comes from forests that are sustainably managed and heavily regulated. One final note, another reason you benefit from buying hardwood decking instead of composite decking materials is that you’re also choosing quality over hype. Hardwoods like Tigerwood, Cumaru, and Ipe are proven materials that, thanks to sustainable forestry, also produce a higher grade material that has enduring qualities.

We hope that this information helps shed light on a very important topic for all of us. At the very least, we also hope that it cuts through the misinformation you previously received.

Thank you again for your inquiry.

Best regards,

Advantage Trim & Lumber

Cumaru provides the perfect foundation to your outdoor deck.

Cumaru is a Brazilian hardwood with more benefits than Teak.

Cumaru:

• Is more affordable than teak, ipe, and synthetic plastic decking
• Gives you more color variety than teak and ipe with a mix of reddish brown and golden hues
• Is an excellent all-weather hardwood that can last well over 50 years
• Does not need constant, if any, maintenance at all
• Offers great slip resistance and won’t heat up like plastic composite decking
• Is as durable as it is beautiful

As you can see from the picture above, a Cumaru deck also offers you the chance to really give your outdoor pool deck a bold look. With a Janka hardness rating of 3540, Cumaru is comparable to ipe in terms of strength. It’s also a lot more eco-friendly than many of the other teak options out there. Our selection of Cumaru decking has originated from mills in South America that practice sustainable forestry and adhere to local and international trade laws such as the LACEY Act.

If you want to learn more about Cumaru wood decking, you can call us directly (details below). If you’d like to get started building your very own Cumaru deck, you can buy Cumaru direct from the importer and save. We also have FSC Cumaru wood available to qualify for LEED credits such as MRc7.

Brazilian Teak aka Cumaru is one of nature's most durable and beautiful decking materials.

Not many people know this, but Brazilian Teak aka Cumaru has very similar properties to ipe. With a Janka hardness rating of 3540, Brazilian Teak is almost as strong as ipe and is a lot more affordable, too!

By far, the biggest reason why Cumaru is gaining in popularity is the cost. With demand for ipe at fever pitch levels, the price per lineal foot has also risen. Smart homeowners and contractors are now starting to see the benefits of going with and installing a Brazilian hardwood that is just as good as ipe, without the premium price tag. Unlike ipe, there’s also a more steady and abundant supply of Cumaru and it’s just as eco-friendly as Ipe, too.

Moreover, Brazilian Teak is a great choice if you want all the durability and slip resistance of ipe without the very dark brown color. In fact, Brazilian Teak usually comes in two wonderful flavors: reddish brown, or golden brown. A deck that blends the two is certain to stand out.

Check out more details on Cumaru and see the available Cumaru decking for sale at our online hardwood store.

Cumaru creates truly exceptional looking & durable decks.

Known as Brazilian Teak, Cumaru is one of the world’s finest hardwoods. Flooring experts, designers, and contractors tend to rave about the inherent qualities found in this exceptional exotic hardwood.

Here’s the most important facts about Cumaru:

• Color can vary from a golden tan to reddish brown
• Some dark grain accents may be present throughout the wood
• With a 3540 Janka rating Cumaru is very durable
• Resistant to both rot and fungi
• Excellent weathering characteristics

When it comes to Cumaru decking or flooring, Advantage is your best source for hardwood flooring. With access to a convenient and easy to navigate online hardwood store, you can buy Cumaru at any time of the day, 24/7/365.

Or, if you prefer to speak to us directly, call us to order Cumaru via our:

Buy Hardwood On Sale From Advantage Trim & Lumber Company

Right now, Advantage is running two great sales!

We have both our Overstock Hardwood Sale and Holiday Decking Sale running at the same time so that you get the lowest prices and the most options on hardwood decking and hardwood flooring.

For our Overstock sale, we’re various sizes of the following hardwood species on sale:

• Ipe Decking
• Tigerwood Decking
• Cumaru Decking

If you’ve been saving up to do a home renovation, or have been considering building a deck, now is the time to buy premium grade hardwood. Building a deck before the winter months is a practical decision because right now you can find a reputable deck builder who will work with you on price. Another good reason is building a deck will raise the value of your home and provide you with a great excuse to spend some time outdoors when Spring rolls around.