Premium Hardwood Decking

Hardwood Decking Boards

Available in Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, and Massaranduba. Multiple profiles, grades, and lengths with live pricing.

Compare fastening options•Installation guide•Material calculators•Acclimation guide•Dock decking•Boardwalks

Shop by species, size, grade & length with live pricing

Choose visible screws, plugs, or hidden fasteners

Add everything to cart in one click (optional guided build)

Shop Decking by Species

Choose your preferred hardwood species for decking — each offers a unique combination of density, color, and value.

Maximum durability

Ipe Decking

3,684 lbf Janka | Up to 75++ year lifespan

The gold standard in hardwood decking — unmatched durability, density, and a proven track record of up to 75+ years on boardwalks, residential decks, and commercial installations worldwide.

Shop Ipe Decking

Best value

Cumaru Decking

3,330 lbf Janka | 50++ year lifespan

The best-value premium hardwood decking — nearly identical performance to Ipe with warmer reddish-brown tones and a significantly lower price point.

Shop Cumaru Decking

Visual appeal

Tigerwood Decking

2,160 lbf Janka | 40++ year lifespan

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

Shop Tigerwood Decking

Lighter color

Garapa Decking

1,630 lbf Janka | 30++ year lifespan

A beautiful golden hardwood that delivers tropical durability at a competitive price — the premium alternative to cedar with real hardwood longevity.

Shop Garapa Decking

Ipe alternative

Massaranduba Decking

3,190 lbf Janka | 50++ year lifespan

Ipe-level density with a distinctive deep red color — premium hardwood decking for those who want the rich warmth of redwood with five times the durability.

Shop Massaranduba Decking

Value + density

Red Balau Decking

2,700 lbf Janka | 40++ year lifespan

A dense Southeast Asian hardwood with warm red-brown tones — excellent durability and value from a non-South American sourcing region.

Shop Red Balau Decking

Quick Comparison

Species	Janka	Lifespan	Color	Best For
Ipe	3,684	Up to 75++ yrs	Olive-brown Olive-brown to	Maximum durability	View Ipe →
Cumaru	3,330	50++ yrs	Reddish-brown Reddish-brown to	Best value	View Cumaru →
Tigerwood	2,160	40++ yrs	Orange-brown Orange-brown with	Visual appeal	View Tigerwood →
Garapa	1,630	30++ yrs	Golden-yellow Golden-yellow to	Lighter color	View Garapa →
Massaranduba	3,190	50++ yrs	Deep Deep reddish-brown	Ipe alternative	View Massaranduba →
Red Balau	2,700	40++ yrs	Warm Warm red-brown	Value + density	View Red Balau →

What is Hardwood Decking?

Hardwood decking boards are premium exterior lumber milled from dense tropical hardwoods like Ipe, Cumaru, and Tigerwood. According to the USDA Wood Handbook, these species consistently rank among the most decay-resistant woods available. Available in multiple profiles (pregrooved for hidden fasteners, eased-edge for traditional installation), thicknesses (1x, 5/4, 2x), and species—each offering exceptional durability, natural beauty, and 25+ year lifespan.

How you install your deck determines what you should buy. If you want no visible screws, you'll needpregrooved boards with a hidden clip system. For traditional face-screw installation, eased-edge or square-edge boards work perfectly. Understanding this choice upfront ensures you order the right materials the first time. Use our Deck Builder for guided help.

Why Customers Choose Our Decking

Premium Grades & Consistent Milling

Select, Premium, and Standard grades with precision milling

Live Pricing by Grade & Length

Transparent pricing that updates as you select options

Shipping Expertise for Long Lengths

Nationwide delivery of full-length hardwood boards

Pro Install Options

Bulk orders and commercial-grade 2x thickness available

🎯 Recommended

Build My Deck (Guided)

Not sure what to order? Tell us your deck size and we'll recommend everything you need.

Shop Decking Products

Browse our complete inventory of premium hardwood decking with live pricing and availability.

How Decking Works With Your Fastening Choice

Hidden Fastener Installation

Pregrooved boards are required

Clips sit in the groove and engage adjacent boards

Clips create consistent spacing and hidden attachment

No screws visible on the deck surface

Perimeter requires starter/end boards

Use one-side-grooved boards at deck edges where clips can't engage both sides

🔧 Installation necessity: End boards must be one-side grooved for proper hidden fastener installation at deck borders.

Compatible Fastening Options

Hidden Clip Systems

• Ipe Clip (stainless)
• Tiger Claw
• Cortex Hidden Fasteners
• EB-TY

Face Screws

• #8 or #10 stainless steel
• 2.5" to 3" length
• Pre-drilling required
• Star or square drive

Plug Systems

• Ipe wood plugs
• Marine epoxy adhesive
• Flush-cut saw
• Labor intensive

Not sure which system is right for your project?Contact us and we'll recommend the correct system.

Installation Notes & Best Practices

Joist Spacing & Substructure

Use 16" on-center joist spacing for residential decks. Ensure adequate ventilation beneath the deck. For commercial applications with 2x boards, 24" spacing may be acceptable—consult local codes.

Use our Joist Spacing Calculator →

Fasteners

Always use stainless steel fasteners for hardwood decking. Pre-drill all screw holes to prevent splitting. For hidden fastener systems, ensure clips are rated for the board thickness you've selected.

Natural Wood Movement

Hardwood expands and contracts with moisture changes. Leave 3/16" gaps between boards. Allow proper airflow beneath the deck. Boards will stabilize after the first season.

Cut Ends

Always seal cut ends with end-grain sealer. Boards are often shipped slightly long for trimming on site. Sealing prevents moisture intrusion and end checking.

Joist Tape (Recommended)

Apply joist tape over the top of joists before installing decking. This barrier prevents moisture from sitting between the board and joist, dramatically extending joist life and reducing rot. Minimal cost, maximum protection.

Skirting / Fascia Options

Skirting (also called fascia) covers the exposed perimeter of your deck, providing a finished professional look while hiding the substructure. We recommend 5/4 thickness to reduce future bending or warping, though 1x works fine for shorter runs.

5/4 x 8

5/4 x 10

5/4 x 12

1 x 8

1 x 10

1 x 12

Stairs

Use matching decking boards for stair treads—no dedicated stair treads needed. Simply specify the number of steps and stair width, and we'll calculate the boards required.

Need Railing? Add Matching Materials.

Complete your deck with matching hardwood railing. Choose from pre-configured kits or use our railing configurator to estimate exact material quantities for posts, rails, balusters, and caps.

Decking FAQ

5/4 (1" actual) is the industry standard and our top recommendation for residential decks—it offers the best balance of strength, value, and longevity. 1x (3/4" actual) is economical but thinner. 2x (1.5" actual) is recommended for commercial projects or extremely high-end residences where maximum durability is required.

Hidden fasteners (clips) provide the cleanest look but require pregrooved boards and cost slightly more. Visible screws are fastest and most economical. Plugs offer a traditional look but are labor-intensive. Most customers choose hidden fasteners for premium appearance or visible screws for budget-conscious projects.

No. Hidden fastener clip systems require pregrooved boards. The clips sit in the groove and engage the adjacent board. If you want hidden fasteners, you must order pregrooved decking.

Boards are shipped slightly long for on-site trimming. When you cut boards, the fresh end grain is exposed and highly absorbent. End sealer prevents moisture from entering through the cut ends, reducing the risk of end checking (small cracks) and ensuring long-term performance.

This is purely aesthetic—both are equally durable. Oiling maintains the rich brown color but requires annual reapplication. Letting it weather grey is maintenance-free and creates a beautiful silver patina over 6-12 months. Many customers choose grey for low maintenance.

Joist tape is highly recommended but not required. It's a self-adhesive membrane that covers the top of joists, preventing moisture from sitting between the decking and joist. This dramatically extends joist life and costs very little compared to the protection it provides.

16" on-center is standard for residential hardwood decking. For 2x commercial-grade boards, you may use 24" spacing (check local codes). Never exceed 16" for 1x or 5/4 boards. Use our Joist Spacing Calculator for a personalized recommendation.

Yes, if you're using hidden fasteners. Perimeter boards and starter boards can't engage clips on both sides, so they need to be one-side grooved. Our guided builder automatically includes these in your material package.