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Hardwood Decking by Climate

How Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Massaranduba & Red Balau Perform in Every Region

Tropical hardwoods are proven performers in every US climate — from Florida humidity to Colorado dry mountain air. Find the best species for your specific climate.

Find Your Climate Zone

Click your state or region for species rankings, installation adjustments, and maintenance schedules tailored to your specific climate.

State & City Guides

Detailed species rankings, installation tips, and maintenance schedules for specific locations.

A

Alabama

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Alaska

Low Humidity + Altitude UV + Freeze-Thaw + Snow

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Arizona

Extreme Heat (115°F+) + Extreme UV + Extreme Dry

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

View Guide

Arkansas

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

C

California

Wildfire Zones + Coastal Salt + Desert Heat

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

View Guide

Colorado

Low Humidity + Extreme UV + Freeze-Thaw

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Connecticut

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Ice + Road Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

View Guide

D

Delaware

True 4-Season + Moderate Humidity + Mild Freeze-Thaw

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

View Guide

F

Florida

Humidity + Termites + UV

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

G

Georgia

Humidity + Termites + UV

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

H

Hawaii

Salt Air (Everywhere) + Formosan Termites + Year-Round UV

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Red Balau, Cumaru

View Guide

I

Idaho

Low Humidity + Altitude UV + Freeze-Thaw + Snow

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Illinois

Extreme Cold + Lake Effect + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Indiana

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Iowa

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

K

Kansas

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Kentucky

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

L

Louisiana

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

M

Maine

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Ice + Road Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

View Guide

Maryland

4-Season + Chesapeake Bay Salt + Moderate Humidity

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

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Massachusetts

Harsh Freeze-Thaw + Nor'easters + Cape Cod Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

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Michigan

Lake Effect Snow + Extreme Cold + Humidity

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Minnesota

Extreme Cold (Below -30°F) + Wide Temp Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Mississippi

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Missouri

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Montana

Low Humidity + Altitude UV + Freeze-Thaw + Snow

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

N

Nebraska

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Nevada

Desert Heat + Extreme Dry + UV

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

New Hampshire

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Ice + Road Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

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New Jersey

Freeze-Thaw + Coastal Salt (Jersey Shore)

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

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New Mexico

Low Humidity + Altitude UV + Freeze-Thaw + Snow

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

New York

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Coastal Salt (Long Island)

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

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North Carolina

Humidity + UV + Moderate Freeze-Thaw (mountains)

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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North Dakota

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

O

Ohio

Cold Winters + Humidity Swings + Lake Effect (north)

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Oklahoma

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

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Oregon

Persistent Rain (west) + Dry Heat (east) + Moss/Algae

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Red Balau

View Guide

P

Pennsylvania

True 4-Season + Moderate Humidity + Mild Freeze-Thaw

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

View Guide

R

Rhode Island

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Ice + Road Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

View Guide

S

South Carolina

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

South Dakota

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

T

Tennessee

Humidity + Termites + UV + Storms

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Texas

Extreme Heat + UV + Humidity Variation

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

U

Utah

Extreme Dry + Altitude UV + Cold Winters

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

V

Vermont

Freeze-Thaw + Snow + Ice + Road Salt

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Massaranduba, Cumaru

View Guide

Virginia

4-Season + Moderate Humidity + Coastal (Tidewater)

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

View Guide

W

Washington

Constant Rain (west) + Moss/Mold + Mild Year-Round

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Red Balau

View Guide

West Virginia

True 4-Season + Moderate Humidity + Mild Freeze-Thaw

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Garapa

View Guide

Wisconsin

Below-Zero Cold + Summer Heat + Humidity Swings

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Wyoming

Low Humidity + Altitude UV + Freeze-Thaw + Snow

#1 Choice: Ipe

Also: Cumaru, Massaranduba

View Guide

Species Performance by Climate Challenge

Quick reference: which species handle which conditions best.

Climate ChallengeBest SpeciesGood SpeciesAcceptable
Extreme HumidityIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Extreme Dry / Low HumidityIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Freeze-Thaw CyclingIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Salt Air / CoastalIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Extreme UVIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Wildfire ZoneAll species — Class A fire rated——
Termite PressureIpe, Cumaru, MassarandubaRed Balau, TigerwoodGarapa
Heavy Rain / MoistureIpe, Cumaru, Massaranduba, Red BalauTigerwoodGarapa
Tropical / Year-Round HeatIpe, Red Balau, CumaruMassaranduba, TigerwoodGarapa
Mild / Moderate (4-Season)All species perform well——

Climate & Hardwood FAQ

Yes. Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba all handle freeze-thaw cycling exceptionally well. Ipe has been used on Coney Island's boardwalk through decades of harsh Northeast winters. See our Northeast and Midwest climate guides for detailed species rankings.

Yes. Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba perform best in extreme dry heat — their density minimizes checking and surface movement. All stay cooler than composite. See our Arizona and Colorado climate guides.

Excellent. Cumaru's 3,330 Janka hardness and natural oils make it ideal for humidity — performing nearly as well as Ipe at 30-40% less cost. See our Florida and Southeast climate guides for details.

Surface checking (fine cosmetic cracks) can occur in very dry climates but is cosmetic, not structural. Denser species like Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba check less than lighter woods. Proper acclimation and end-sealing minimize it significantly.

Yes for freshwater and moderate coastal environments. For heavy saltwater exposure, Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba provide the strongest marine borer resistance. See our California, Florida, and Hawaii climate guides.

Yes. Both are Class 1 durability rated and handle freeze-thaw as well as Ipe. Massaranduba's 67 lbs/ft³ density makes it particularly stable through temperature cycling.

All hardwood species stay measurably cooler than composite decking. In 100°F air temperature, composite surfaces can exceed 150°F while hardwood remains comfortably walkable. This matters in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and any high-sun location.

Yes — Garapa excels in moderate climates like the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic where extreme conditions aren't a daily factor. It's also the most affordable Class A fire-rated species, making it uniquely compelling in California WUI zones.

Excellent. Red Balau's Southeast Asian tropical origin makes it naturally suited for hot, humid conditions. It's our #2 recommendation for Hawaii and performs well in Florida and the Southeast.

Yes — all six species (Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Massaranduba, and Red Balau) carry a Class A fire rating per ASTM E84. This is the highest rating available, critical for California WUI zones and any fire-prone area.

It depends on your specific conditions. Ipe is the #1 performer in every climate. For value, Cumaru is the smart pick in most regions. Use our state-by-state guides to find detailed species rankings for your area.

Excellent. Massaranduba's 3,190 Janka hardness and extreme density (67 lbs/ft³) handle cold and freeze-thaw exceptionally well — it's our #2 recommendation for the Northeast and a top-3 pick for the Midwest.

Not Sure Which Species Is Best for Your Climate?

Our team provides free, climate-specific guidance for every project. Call or request a quote.