Working with Tigerwood: Tips for Builders

Installing the Striped Exotic

Tigerwood is visually striking and slightly easier to work with than Ipe or Cumaru, but it still requires proper hardwood techniques. Its unique natural oils and grain structure dictate specific handling.

Recommended Tooling

While not as dense as Ipe, Tigerwood (2,160 Janka) still rapidly dulls standard tooling. Carbide-tipped saw blades and router bits are recommended. Tigerwood contains natural oils that can occasionally gum up saw blades and sandpaper; clean blades regularly with a pitch/resin remover.

Cutting & Routing

Tigerwood cuts relatively cleanly. Standard feed rates are acceptable, but keep the blade moving to avoid burn marks. The distinct striping means you should pay attention to board layout before cutting to maximize aesthetic impact.

Pre-Drilling

Pre-drilling is still highly recommended, especially near the ends of boards where splitting is most likely. Standard high-speed steel (HSS) bits work well, and the bits will last significantly longer than they do in Ipe.

Fastening

Use 305 or 316 stainless steel screws. Tigerwood performs excellently with hidden fastener systems, as it is generally very stable. If face-screwing, the contrasting grain can help hide small trim-head screws.

Health & Safety

Tigerwood dust is known to cause contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in a higher percentage of workers than some other species. Always wear long sleeves, gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses when creating dust.

Pro Tips from the Field

Layout is everything with Tigerwood. Dry-lay the deck first to balance the heavily striped boards with the more uniform ones.
Tigerwood changes color quickly when exposed to UV light. Apply a UV-blocking oil immediately after installation to slow the darkening of the background color.
Because it is slightly softer than Ipe, handle tools carefully to avoid dropping them and denting the wood.
Wipe away any metal shavings immediately; moisture and metal will quickly cause black stains on the lighter portions of the wood.

Need Project-Specific Guidance?

Our hardwood experts are available to consult on tricky installations, material takeoffs, and custom milling requirements.