Ipe vs Other Wood Species

Compare durability, maintenance needs, and pricing side by side to find the right decking material for your project and budget.

Compare Ipe with:

Species	Durability	Janka Hardness	Lifespan	Maintenance	Pricing	Color
Ipe The Gold Standard Our Pick	Class A fire rating, naturally resists rot, insects & decay	3,510 lbf	up to 50–75+ years	Low Optional oiling to keep color; can weather to silver-gray with no upkeep	$$$$ Premium price, lowest lifetime cost	Rich dark brown with olive undertones
Cumaru Best Value Hardwood	Extremely hard and dense, excellent rot and insect resistance	3,540 lbf	up to 40–50+ years	Low Similar to Ipe; benefits from acclimation before install	$$$ Typically 20–30% less than Ipe	Golden brown to reddish tan
Tigerwood Bold Exotic Look	Very durable with strong natural decay resistance	2,160 lbf	up to 30+ years	Low–Moderate Oil recommended to preserve dramatic striping	$$$ Mid-range exotic pricing	Orange-brown with dark striping
Garapa Budget-Friendly Exotic	Good rot and insect resistance for the price	1,700 lbf	up to 25–30+ years	Moderate Annual oiling recommended to maintain golden tone	$$ Most affordable exotic hardwood	Golden yellow to honey
Massaranduba Brazilian Redwood	Very hard and dense; best in stable, humid climates	3,190 lbf	up to 30–40+ years	Moderate Needs oiling; avoid extremely dry climates	$$$ Less than Ipe, similar look	Deep reddish brown
Red Balau Consistent & Stable	Stable Southeast Asian hardwood with good decay resistance	1,600 lbf	up to 25–30+ years	Moderate Oiling recommended to keep rich red-brown color	$$ Affordable exotic option	Uniform red to reddish brown
Western Red Cedar Domestic Softwood	Naturally decay-resistant but soft — dents and splinters easily	350 lbf	15–20 years	High Requires regular staining/sealing every 1–2 years	$$ Lower upfront, higher lifetime cost	Light amber to reddish brown
Pressure-Treated Pine Entry-Level Option	Chemically treated; prone to warping, cracking & splintering	690 lbf	10–15 years	High Needs sealing/staining every year to slow deterioration	$ Cheapest upfront, frequent replacement	Greenish tan, fades to gray

Lifespan and maintenance estimates assume proper installation and typical outdoor exposure. Pricing levels ($–$$$$) reflect relative material cost per square foot.

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