Garapa, also known as Brazilian Ash, is a premium tropical hardwood sourced from South America (Brazil, Suriname, Guyana). With a Janka hardness rating of 1,650 lbf and a density of 53 lbs/ft³, Garapa is classified as Class 2 - Durable — one of the most durable commercial lumber species available. The heartwood exhibits blonde to golden yellow, darkening to honey amber with interlocked grain, medium texture, creating a striking natural appearance that improves with age.
Why Choose 1x4 Garapa Wood for Your Siding?
As exterior cladding, Garapa siding provides a weather-tight barrier with exceptional impact resistance. The dense grain resists dents, hail damage, and woodpecker damage far better than cedar, pine, or fiber cement alternatives. Properly installed 1x4 Garapa siding delivers a service life of 30+ years with minimal maintenance — an optional annual oil treatment preserves the original color, or you can let the Garapa wood weather to a distinguished silver-gray patina. Garapa carries a Class A - Low flame spread, making it suitable for wildfire-prone regions where code-compliant materials are required.
The 1x4 eased-edge (E4E) profile features gently rounded edges on all four sides, reducing the risk of splinters and creating a comfortable walking surface. This is the most versatile profile — suitable for face-screw installation with countersunk stainless steel fasteners. All Garapa lumber is available in Select and Better grade with lengths ranging from 4′ to 20′. For detailed step-by-step instructions, consult our Garapa installation guide. Long-term care recommendations are covered in our Garapa maintenance guide.
1x4 Garapa Siding — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 16" on center for 1x4 boards (0.75" actual thickness)
- Fastener placement: Face-screw with two stainless steel screws per joist, approximately 1" from each edge of the 3.5" face
- Board weight: A 12-foot 1x4 Garapa board weighs approximately 11 lbs (0.95 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 1x4 board covers 3.5 sq ft of siding surface (3.5" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Garapa — the 1,650 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing