How much does a Cumaru deck cost per square foot installed?

A Cumaru deck costs $20–$45 per square foot fully installed in 2026. Material runs $7–$14/SF, substructure $4–$8/SF, fasteners $1–$3/SF, and labor $8–$20/SF. Cumaru is typically 20–30% less expensive than Ipe with comparable performance.

Is Cumaru a good alternative to Ipe?

Yes — Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) has a 3,540 Janka hardness (vs Ipe's 3,680), 50+ year lifespan, and similar rot/insect resistance. It's the closest performance match to Ipe at a significantly lower price point.

How much does a 300 sq ft Cumaru deck cost?

A 300 SF Cumaru deck costs $6,000–$13,500 fully installed. Ground-level in an average-cost area runs $7,500–$10,000. Add $2,000–$4,000 for elevation, stairs, or railing.

How does Cumaru deck cost compare to Ipe?

Cumaru material costs $7–$14/SF vs Ipe at $10–$20/SF — roughly 20–30% less. Installation labor is similar since both require pre-drilling and carbide tools. Over 50 years, Cumaru's total cost is significantly lower than composite with its 50+ year lifespan.

How long does Cumaru decking last?

Cumaru lasts 50+ years outdoors with minimal maintenance. Its density and natural oils provide excellent resistance to rot, insects, and weathering — second only to Ipe among commercial hardwood decking species.

Does Cumaru require special installation?

Yes — like Ipe, Cumaru requires pre-drilling all screw holes due to its extreme density. Use stainless steel fasteners and carbide-tipped saw blades. Hidden fastener systems work well with pregrooved Cumaru boards.

Installed Cost Guide

How Much Does a Cumaru Deck Cost Installed?

Complete 2026 guide to Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) decking costs — material, labor, and total installed price. The best-value premium hardwood decking option.

$20–$45

per sq ft installed

$7–$14

material only / SF

75+

year Ipe lifespan

a Cumaru Deck Cost Installed — Quick Answer

The total cost is $20 to $45 per square foot fully installed in 2026, depending on your location, project complexity, and contractor experience. Material alone runs $7–$14/SF. Labor rates vary significantly by region — from $35/hr in lower-cost areas to $150/hr in major metro markets like San Francisco and New York City.

Compare Material Costs by Species

Live material pricing from our catalog. Select a species to see how it affects total installed cost for your deck.

Material Cost

$16–$23

per sq ft (from our catalog)

Total Installed Estimate

$31–$58

per sq ft (material + labor)

Ipe Lifespan

Up to 75+

years · Janka 3,680 lbf

Board Size	Profile	Price/LF	Price/SF
Ipe 1x6	E4E	$7.50	$16.36
Ipe 5/4x6	E4E	$9.80	$21.38
Ipe 5/4x6	Pregrooved	$10.40	$22.69

Prices shown are live from our catalog for the most common deck sizes. Price/SF uses actual (net) board width. Installed estimates include substructure, fasteners, and labor across all U.S. regions.View full pricing →

Deck Cost Breakdown

Here's where your money goes when building your deck. Each component contributes to the total installed price per square foot.

Cumaru Decking Material

30–40%

$7–$14/SF

Board cost depends on thickness (1x vs 5/4), width, and profile. 5/4x6 E4E is most popular.

Substructure & Framing

18–22%

$4–$8/SF

Pressure-treated joists, beams, posts, and footings. Same structure as Ipe decks.

Fasteners & Hardware

5–8%

$1–$3/SF

Stainless steel screws or hidden clips, joist tape, and hardware.

Installation Labor

35–45%

$8–$20/SF

Cumaru requires the same specialized installation as Ipe — pre-drilling and carbide tooling.

Deck Installation Labor Costs by Region

Contractor rates for hardwood deck installation vary significantly by region. Here's what to expect across the U.S.

High Cost

San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Seattle, LA, DC

Contractor rate

$75–$150/hr

Total installed/SF

$29–$49

Above Average

Denver, Austin, Portland, Miami, Chicago, San Diego

Contractor rate

$55–$100/hr

Total installed/SF

$25–$40

Average

Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Nashville, Raleigh, Charlotte

Contractor rate

$45–$80/hr

Total installed/SF

$23–$36

Below Average

Houston, Tampa, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City

Contractor rate

$35–$65/hr

Total installed/SF

$21–$34

Note: Rates above reflect general contractor pricing for experienced hardwood installers. Ipe requires specialized skills — pre-drilling, carbide tooling, and heavier handling — so rates are typically 15–25% higher than softwood or composite installation. Always get 3+ quotes from contractors with tropical hardwood experience.

Real-World Deck Cost Examples

Here's what real projects typically cost based on size and location. Use these as a ballpark for your budget.

Small Patio Deck

150 SF · Ground level

$3,000–$6,750

fully installed

Simple ground-level deck. Average-cost region, face-screwed 1x6 Cumaru.

Mid-Size Family Deck

350 SF · Elevated

$7,000–$15,750

fully installed

Standard backyard deck with stairs. 5/4x6 pregrooved Cumaru with hidden fasteners.

Large Entertainer Deck

600 SF · Multi-level

$12,000–$27,000

fully installed

Multi-level with seating and stairs. High-cost metro.

Pool Surround

400 SF · Ground level

$8,000–$18,000

fully installed

Wrap-around pool deck. Cumaru is naturally slip-resistant when wet.

Why Choose This Species for Your Deck?

50+ year outdoor lifespan — second only to Ipe in proven durability

3,540 Janka hardness — nearly as hard as Ipe, harder than any composite

Naturally resists rot, mold, and termites without chemical treatment

20–30% less expensive than Ipe with comparable performance

Rich brown tones similar to Ipe — often called Brazilian Teak

Minimal maintenance — optional oiling or let it silver naturally

Class A fire rating — meets strict building codes

Best value-to-performance ratio among premium hardwoods

While premium hardwood costs more upfront than cedar, pressure-treated pine, or composite, the decades-long lifespan means you'll likely never replace it. Over 50 years, the lifecycle cost is often lower than materials that need replacement every 10–20 years.

Why Cumaru Is the Best-Value Premium Hardwood

Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) delivers 90% of Ipe's performance at 70–80% of the price. With a Janka hardness of 3,540 lbf, it's harder than every composite and nearly every other hardwood species used for decking.

The main cost advantage comes from material pricing — Cumaru boards cost 20–30% less per linear foot than equivalent Ipe boards. Labor costs are identical since both species require the same specialized installation techniques.

Cumaru vs Ipe: Where the Savings Come From

Material savings of $3–$6/SF on a typical deck project
On a 400 SF deck, that's $1,200–$2,400 saved on material alone
Same lifespan tier (50+ years) means you're not sacrificing longevity

For full species details, visit our Cumaru hardwood page or compare Cumaru to Ipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing Disclaimer

All costs on this page are estimates based on national averages and are provided for general budgeting purposes only. They are not quotes and do not constitute an offer or guarantee of pricing. Actual costs vary significantly based on your geographic location, project complexity, site conditions, material selections, contractor experience, and current market rates.

Contractor rates span a wide range. You may find less experienced installers who charge below the ranges shown — but Ipe is an extremely dense hardwood that requires specialized skills, carbide tooling, and pre-drilling. Hiring someone without tropical hardwood experience can result in costly mistakes, material waste, and a finished product that doesn't perform to its potential. Conversely, a world-class craftsman with decades of hardwood experience may charge above the ranges shown, and the quality of their work is often worth the premium.

Labor rates are influenced by local cost of living, seasonal demand, contractor availability, union vs. non-union markets, and the complexity of your specific project (elevation, stairs, curves, railing, access constraints, etc.). Regional ranges shown are illustrative and may not reflect current conditions in your area.

We strongly recommend getting at least three written quotes from contractors with verified tropical hardwood installation experience. Ipe Woods USA provides material only — we do not perform installation and are not responsible for labor pricing or contractor selection. Always verify contractor licensing, insurance, and references before hiring.