How Does Cumaru Wood Compare to Other Decking Options?

Whenever we get people who ask us about how Cumaru compares to Ipe, we give two analogies.

Which is the better sports car? A Ferrari, or a Lamborghini?
Who was a better boxer? Muhammad Ali, or Mike Tyson?

In terms of performance, both Cumaru and Ipe hold their own against the elements. A surprising fact about Cumaru is just how popular it is around the world. In its country of origin, Brazil, Cumaru is showcased in some of the country’s most exclusive hotels and residences.

As you’ll see below in our comparison chart, the major difference between these two exceptional hardwoods is their color and price. It’s all a matter of what you want your deck to look like. If you really want to dark robust color of Ipe, then it’s worth the price to you. If you want to have all the strength of Ipe and are more budget conscious, then Cumaru is your best bet. If money is no object, but you want a lighter deck with more color variations, then Cumaru, once again, is your best bet.

Cumaru Decking VS Ipe Decking

Gorgeous display of reddish brown to golden brown. A more distinguished grain pattern gives you a more diverse looking deck.	Appearance	Varies from dark brown to a brown color. Some boards have red accents or thin yellow streaks and a more subtle grain pattern.
3540 lbs	Janka Hardness	3680 lbs
50+ years	Lifespan	75+ years
Excellent resistance to mold, termites & decay. Great for pool decks and safe for bare feet with scratch & slip resistance.	Durability	Strong scratch resistant surface. Reliable resistance to fungus, rot, and decay. Known to last in extreme conditions.
More budget friendly than Ipe	Cost	With Ipe prices steadily rising due to increased demand, Cumaru becomes even more attractive.
*SAVE UP TO 25% WHEN YOU CHOOSE CUMARU OVER IPE*

Cumaru Decking VS Composite Decking

Gorgeous display of reddish brown to golden brown. Distinguished grain pattern gives you a more diverse looking deck.	Appearance	Varies per brand. An array of color options are available from weathered gray to artificial tropical looks.
3540 lbs	Janka Hardness	Unavailable (varies by manufacturer)
50+ years	Lifespan	Depends on the type of plastic used and the wood-to-plastic ratio. Lifespan can be greater in drier climates, less in humid climates.
Excellent resistance to mold, termites & decay. Great for pool decks and safe for bare feet with scratch & slip resistance.	Durability	Reported problems include mold, decay, and delamination (plastic surface peeling)
Significant price savings over composite decking with a greater return on investment.	Cost	Cumaru Decking costs less than composite deck materials
*SAVE OVER 30% OVER MAJOR BRANDS OF COMPOSITE DECKING*

Cumaru Decking VS Teak Decking

Reddish brown with some golden colored boards with a more distinguished grain pattern	Appearance	Uniform tan to brown without markings. Grain is absent of markings & straight to slightly wavy.
3540 lbs	Janka Hardness	1050 lbs
50+ yrs with no chemical treatment	Lifespan	15 years without chemical treatment
Strong scratch resistant surface	Durability	Medium durability. Weathers fast, but is known to last in varying climates.
Cumaru Decking costs less per lineal foot, is stronger, with a greater return on investment.	Cost	At least 25% higher cost per lineal foot. Only 1×4 and 1×6 material is usually available.
SAVE UP TO 25% WHEN YOU CHOOSE CUMARU OVER TEAK