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Hardwood Pergolas — Ipe, Cumaru & More in Heavy Timber Sizes

Build a pergola that outlasts your house. Our hardwood timbers and heavy-duty boards are available in the sizes pergola builders need.

Timber Sizes

2×4 through 6×6 + custom

Fire Rating

Class A (all species)

Lifespan

30–75 years

Maintenance

Optional annual oil

Rot Resistance

Excellent — no treatment needed

Why Hardwood for Pergolas

Longevity vs cedar/redwood: Cedar pergolas last 15–20 years. Ipe pergolas last 75+. Most pergola timber species (PT, cedar, redwood) rot from the inside out over time. Tropical hardwood's Class 1 durability rating means no structural compromise — the pergola stays safe, not just standing.

No painting, staining, or sealing required: Cedar and PT pergolas need regular refinishing. Hardwood pergolas can be left to weather to a silver-gray patina or oiled annually. Either way — zero scraping and painting.

Structural integrity: Higher Janka hardness means the timber resists sagging, joint loosening, and hardware pull-out better than softwood. A 4×4 Ipe post (3,680 Janka) is structurally superior to a 6×6 cedar post (900 Janka). This means pergolas can be designed with more elegant, slimmer proportions.

Fire rating: Class A fire rating matters for pergolas in WUI zones and for attached pergolas connected to the house. Building departments in fire-prone areas may reject cedar or PT pergolas but approve Ipe.

Available timber sizes: Posts: 4×4, 6×6 (custom sizes via milling services). Beams: 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, 2×12. Rafters: 2×4, 2×6, 2×8. Purlins/slats: 1×2, 1×4, 2×2, 2×4. See our Timbers page for full inventory.

Design versatility: Hardwood can be shaped, routed, and detailed in ways that PT cannot. Notched rafter tails, curved beams via lamination, chamfered post tops — for architects and custom builders, this matters.

Timber availability varies by species. Call for current inventory or check our Timbers page.

Best Species for Pergolas

#1

Ipe

3,680 lbf Janka • 2×4 through 6×6 + custom

Unmatched lifespan and structural strength. The standard for high-end pergolas. A 4×4 Ipe post is structurally stronger than a 6×6 cedar post. Heaviest to work with — factor in equipment for large timbers.

Shop Ipe About Ipe
#2

Cumaru

3,540 lbf Janka • 2×4 through 6×6 + custom

90% of Ipe's performance at a lower price. Excellent for residential pergolas. Lighter than Ipe but still requires pre-drilling.

Shop Cumaru About Cumaru
#3

Garapa

1,620 lbf Janka • 2×4 through 4×4 (check 6×6)

The budget pick. Golden color is striking on a pergola. Lighter weight makes installation easier. Adequate lifespan for most residential projects.

Shop Garapa About Garapa
#4

Tigerwood

1,850 lbf Janka • 2×4 through 4×4 (limited)

The design statement. Striped grain on exposed pergola beams and rafters is eye-catching. Check timber availability before specifying.

Shop Tigerwood About Tigerwood

Pergola Sizing Guide

Pergola SizePostsBeamsRaftersRafter Spacing
8×8 (small)4×4 Ipe or 6×6 cedar2×62×416" OC
10×12 (medium)4×4 Ipe or 6×6 cedar2×82×616" OC
12×16 (large)6×62×10 or 2×122×616" OC
14×20 (extra large)6×62×12 double or triple2×812"–16" OC

Key insight:

A 4×4 Ipe post (3,680 Janka) is structurally stronger than a 6×6 cedar post (900 Janka). Ask your engineer about downsizing members when specifying hardwood — this reduces material cost and improves the design's visual lightness.

Sizing depends on span, load, wind conditions, and local code. Consult a structural engineer or licensed contractor for your specific project.

Hardwood Pergola vs Alternatives

FeatureIpe HardwoodCedarPressure TreatedAluminumVinyl/PVC
Lifespan75+ years15–20 years10–20 years30+ years20–30 years
MaintenanceOil annually (optional)Stain every 2–3 yearsStain every 1–2 yearsWashWash
Fire RatingClass AClass CN/ANon-combustibleN/A
Structural StrengthExcellent (3,680 Janka)Fair (900 Janka)Fair (690 Janka)GoodPoor (flexes)
AppearanceNatural premium woodNatural (fades to gray)UtilitarianModern/industrialPlastic look
CustomizableFully (milling, routing)FullyLimitedLimited (prefab)Very limited

Pergola FAQ

Ipe is the best wood for a pergola — its 3,680 Janka hardness provides unmatched structural strength, its Class A fire rating meets WUI zone codes, and its 75+ year lifespan means you build once and never replace. Cumaru is the best-value alternative at 30-40% less cost.

An Ipe pergola typically costs $3,000–$12,000+ for materials depending on size and timber dimensions. A 10×12 pergola might use $4,000–$6,000 in Ipe timbers. Installed costs are higher but the zero-maintenance, 75+ year lifespan makes Ipe the lowest lifecycle cost option.

Ipe pergolas last 75+ years. Cumaru pergolas last 50+ years. Garapa pergolas last 30+ years. Compare this to cedar (15–20 years) or pressure-treated (10–20 years). Hardwood pergolas outlast the house in most cases.

Yes. Ipe is available in all the timber sizes pergolas require: 4×4 and 6×6 posts, 2×6 through 2×12 beams, 2×4 through 2×8 rafters, and 1×2 through 2×4 purlins/slats. Custom sizes are available through our milling services.

It depends on the span. A 10×12 pergola typically needs 4×4 Ipe posts (structurally equivalent to 6×6 cedar), 2×8 beams, and 2×6 rafters at 16" on center. A structural engineer can optimize member sizes when specifying hardwood — the higher strength often allows slimmer, more elegant proportions.

Yes, in every measurable way: Ipe is 4× harder (3,680 vs 900 Janka), lasts 4× longer (75+ vs 15–20 years), is Class A fire rated (vs Class C), and requires no staining or sealing. The only advantage of cedar is lower upfront cost — but you'll replace a cedar pergola 3–4 times in Ipe's lifespan.

No. Hardwood pergolas do not require sealing for structural protection. You can apply a UV-protective oil annually if you want to maintain the natural brown color, or let it weather to an elegant silver-gray patina. Either way, the wood remains structurally sound for decades.

Yes. Attached pergolas use a ledger board fastened to the house structure, with the outer end supported by posts. Use stainless steel lag bolts for the ledger connection. In fire-prone areas (WUI zones), hardwood's Class A fire rating is an advantage for attached pergolas — building departments may reject cedar or PT.

Related Resources

Shop all timber sizes →Custom sizes and profiles →Pair your pergola with a hardwood deck →Heavy-duty hardware & fasteners →Structural properties & fire reports →Find a pergola builder →

Ready to Build a Hardwood Pergola?

Our team can help you choose the right species, timber sizes, and quantity for your pergola project.