Tigerwood hardwood decking boards installed

Tigerwood Decking

The most visually striking hardwood decking available — bold tiger-stripe grain patterns with excellent durability for decks that demand attention.

Janka Hardness

2,160 lbf

Lifespan

40+ years

Fire Rating

Class A

Durability

Class 1-2

Why Choose Tigerwood Decking

Tigerwood decking is the choice for homeowners and designers who want a deck that makes a statement. No other commercially available decking species offers the dramatic visual impact of Tigerwood's signature orange-brown base color streaked with dark, contrasting grain lines that resemble tiger stripes. Each board is unique, creating a one-of-a-kind deck surface that consistently draws compliments.

Beyond its striking appearance, Tigerwood delivers serious durability. At 2,160 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, it's substantially harder than domestic hardwoods like oak and significantly outperforms cedar, redwood, and all pressure-treated softwoods. Tigerwood carries a Class A fire rating and is rated Class 1-2 for durability, meaning it naturally resists rot, decay, and insect damage for decades without chemical treatment.

The color profile of fresh Tigerwood is unlike anything else in decking — rich orange-brown tones interlaced with dark brown to nearly black streaks that vary in intensity from board to board. This natural variation is the species' defining characteristic and is most pronounced when the wood is freshly milled or maintained with oil. Like all tropical hardwoods, untreated Tigerwood will eventually weather to a silver-gray patina, though the striped pattern remains faintly visible even after weathering.

Tigerwood decking is particularly popular for residential patios, outdoor dining areas, and pool surrounds where visual impact is paramount. It's also an excellent choice for small to medium decks where the dramatic grain pattern can be fully appreciated. Designers frequently specify Tigerwood for modern and contemporary homes where the bold aesthetic complements clean architectural lines.

Compared to composite decking, Tigerwood offers a natural beauty that no synthetic material can replicate. Against pressure-treated pine, the difference in both aesthetics and performance is substantial — Tigerwood lasts 40+ years versus 10-15 for treated lumber. Tigerwood is harvested from managed forests in Central and South America.

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Tigerwood Decking Specifications

Botanical NameAstronium graveolens / Astronium lecointei
Common NamesTigerwood, Goncalo Alves, Jobillo
Janka Hardness2,160 lbf
Density56 lbs/ft³
Durability ClassClass 1-2
Fire RatingClass A (ASTM E84)
Rot ResistanceVery Good
Insect ResistanceVery Good
Expected Lifespan40+ years
Color (Fresh)Orange-brown with dark streaks (tiger stripes)
Color (Weathered)Silver-gray patina
Available Thicknesses1x, 5/4, 2x
Available Widths4", 6"
ProfilesPregrooved, Eased Edge (E4E), T&G
OriginCentral & South America (Brazil, Mexico)

Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tigerwood Installation Tips

Tigerwood is dense and requires pre-drilling for all fasteners. Use stainless steel screws exclusively to prevent corrosion staining. The wood works well with hidden fastener systems in the pregrooved profile. Standard joist spacing of 16" on-center is recommended. Allow 3-5 days on-site acclimation before installation.

  • Pre-drilling required for all screw holes
  • 16" on-center joist spacing for standard residential installations
  • Stainless steel fasteners required — no galvanized or zinc-coated
  • Acclimate boards on-site before installation

Maintenance Options

Oil for color: Apply UV-protective oil annually to maintain the natural orange-brown with dark streaks (tiger stripes) tones.

Let it gray: No treatment needed — Tigerwood will weather to a beautiful silver-gray patina with zero impact on durability.

How Tigerwood Compares

Tigerwood vs Ipe

Ipe is nearly twice as hard as Tigerwood (3,684 vs 2,160 Janka) and lasts longer, but lacks Tigerwood's dramatic striped pattern. Choose Ipe for maximum durability or Tigerwood for visual impact.

Learn more about Ipe decking

Tigerwood vs Cumaru

Cumaru is harder and more durable (3,330 Janka, 50+ year lifespan) but has a more uniform reddish-brown color. Tigerwood wins on aesthetics with its distinctive tiger-stripe grain.

Learn more about Cumaru decking

Tigerwood vs Garapa

Garapa offers a lighter golden tone, while Tigerwood provides dramatic striped coloring. Both are excellent mid-range hardwoods, with Tigerwood being harder (2,160 vs 1,630 Janka).

Learn more about Garapa decking

Tigerwood Decking FAQ

Tigerwood has a stunning orange-brown base color with dark brown to black streaks that resemble tiger stripes. Each board has a unique pattern, creating a one-of-a-kind deck. The color is most vibrant when freshly installed or maintained with UV-protective oil.

With a Janka hardness of 2,160 lbf, Tigerwood is very durable — harder than oak and dramatically harder than cedar or pressure-treated pine. It naturally resists rot, insects, and decay for 40+ years without chemical treatment.

Yes. Like all natural wood, untreated Tigerwood will weather to a silver-gray patina over time, though the striped pattern remains faintly visible. Apply UV-protective oil annually to maintain the vibrant orange-brown and dark-stripe coloring.

Yes. Tigerwood's 2,160 Janka hardness provides excellent scratch and wear resistance for high-traffic residential and light commercial applications. It performs well on patios, walkways, and pool surrounds.

Tigerwood needs no maintenance for structural integrity. To preserve the dramatic color, apply UV-protective oil 1-2 times per year. Without treatment, it will gracefully weather to silver-gray. Clean periodically with a hardwood deck cleaner.

Tigerwood decking has an expected outdoor lifespan of 40+ years with minimal maintenance, significantly outperforming composite (25-30 years) and pressure-treated wood (10-15 years).

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