What's the difference between nominal and actual width?

Nominal size (e.g., 1x6) refers to pre-milling dimensions. Actual/reveal width is smaller due to profiling. Check our Ipe wood sizes chart for a full reference of nominal vs actual dimensions.

Exterior Cladding

Hardwood Siding & Exterior Cladding

Q: Can I use Ipe siding on a soffit?

Yes. Tongue & Groove Ipe profiles are ideal for soffits and porch ceilings.

Transform your exterior with naturally durable Ipe siding and tropical hardwood cladding. Available in Rainscreen, Shiplap, and Tongue & Groove profiles — plus Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Garapa options.

Compare Shiplap, Tongue & Groove, and Rainscreen profiles. See our installation guide and resources for best practices.

Configure Your Siding Online

Select your species — Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, or Garapa — then choose your profile, board size, grade, and lengths. Our online configurator shows live pricing and lets you add directly to cart.

Why Choose Hardwood Siding?

Natural Beauty

Ipe siding delivers rich chocolate-brown grain patterns and organic texture that synthetic materials simply cannot replicate. Cumaru offers similar warmth at a lower price point, while Tigerwood and Garapa add distinctive color variety.

Exceptional Durability

Ipe wood siding is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects — no chemical treatments required. With a 3,684 Janka hardness rating, Ipe siding can last up to 50-75+ years. Cumaru (3,540 Janka) and Massaranduba provide similar longevity.

Climate Resilience

Unlike composite materials that can warp, fade, or crack in extreme temperatures, Ipe siding and other tropical hardwoods maintain their integrity in all climates. As noted by Building Science Corporation, proper cladding selection is critical for long-term building envelope performance.

Sustainable Choice

Wood is a renewable resource. Our Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Garapa siding are responsibly sourced, and wood construction stores carbon rather than releasing it.

Learn more about custom profiles or explore our installation resources.

Siding Profiles Explained

Shiplap

Overlapping boards with a distinctive shadow line between each course. Classic, clean aesthetic popular in both traditional and modern architecture. Learn more about Shiplap.

Best for: Traditional exteriors, accent walls, rustic-modern designs

Tongue & Groove (T&G)

Interlocking boards create a seamless, flush surface. Provides excellent weather protection and a refined, continuous appearance. Learn more about T&G.

Best for: Covered soffits, ceilings, protected exterior walls

Rainscreen

Open-joint cladding system with gaps between boards for ventilation and drainage. Modern aesthetic with superior moisture management.

Best for: Modern architecture, high-moisture climates, commercial projects

Bevel (Clapboard)

Tapered boards installed horizontally with each course overlapping the one below — the classic clapboard look. Learn more about Bevel siding.

Best for: Traditional exteriors, coastal homes, historic restorations

Nickel Gap

Shiplap variant with a precise ~5/32" self-spacing gap and hidden fasteners for a perfectly consistent modern reveal. Learn more about Nickel Gap.

Best for: Modern facades, accent walls, ceilings

V-Groove

Tongue & groove with chamfered edges that form a fine decorative V-joint at every seam. Learn more about V-Groove.

Best for: Porch ceilings, soffits, protected siding

Channel (Channel Rustic)

Overlapping boards with a wide recessed channel between courses — bold shadow lines and excellent water shedding. Learn more about Channel siding.

Best for: Rustic exteriors, barns, farmhouse modern, vertical installs

Shop Siding by Species

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

Maximum durability

Ipe Siding

3,680 lbf Janka | Up to 75+ year lifespan

The most durable hardwood cladding available — Class A fire rated, up to 75+ year lifespan, and unmatched density for exterior facades that outlast the building.

Shop Ipe Siding

Best value

Cumaru Siding

3,330 lbf Janka | Up to 50+ year lifespan

Premium hardwood cladding with near-Ipe performance at a better price — warm Brazilian Teak tones for full-house siding projects.

Shop Cumaru Siding

Visual statement

Tigerwood Siding

2,160 lbf Janka | Up to 40+ year lifespan

The most visually dramatic hardwood cladding available — bold tiger-stripe grain creates facades that turn heads and start conversations.

Shop Tigerwood Siding

Cedar alternative

Garapa Siding

1,650 lbf Janka | Up to 30+ year lifespan

A beautiful golden hardwood cladding that delivers real durability at a competitive price — the premium upgrade from cedar for homeowners who want light, bright facades.

Shop Garapa Siding

Redwood replacement

Massaranduba Siding

3,190 lbf Janka | Up to 50+ year lifespan

Ipe-level density with a distinctive deep red color — premium hardwood cladding for facades that demand the rich warmth of redwood with five times the durability.

Shop Massaranduba Siding

Rich red facades

Jatoba Siding

2,350 lbf Janka | Up to 40+ year lifespan

Brazilian Cherry cladding — a hard, stable hardwood facade in a warm reddish-brown that deepens beautifully with light exposure.

Shop Jatoba Siding

Value + SE Asian source

Red Balau Siding

2,700 lbf Janka | Up to 40+ year lifespan

A dense Southeast Asian hardwood cladding with warm red-brown tones — excellent durability and geographic sourcing diversity for exterior siding projects.

Shop Red Balau Siding

Species Comparison

Species	Janka	Lifespan	Color	Best For
Ipe	3,680	Up to 75+ yrs	Olive-brown to dark	Maximum durability	Shop →
Cumaru	3,330	Up to 50+ yrs	Reddish-brown to tan	Best value	Shop →
Tigerwood	2,160	Up to 40+ yrs	Orange-brown with dark	Visual statement	Shop →
Garapa	1,650	Up to 30+ yrs	Golden-yellow to light	Cedar alternative	Shop →
Massaranduba	3,190	Up to 50+ yrs	Deep reddish-brown (redwood	Redwood replacement	Shop →
Jatoba	2,350	Up to 40+ yrs	Salmon-red to orange-brown	Rich red facades	Shop →
Red Balau	2,700	Up to 40+ yrs	Warm red-brown	Value + SE Asian source	Shop →

Siding Installation Essentials

Moisture Management

Always install over a proper rainscreen system or drainage plane. Allow adequate ventilation behind the cladding.

Fasteners

Use stainless steel fasteners (316 grade for coastal areas). Hidden fastening systems available for certain profiles.

Acclimation

Allow boards to acclimate on-site for 7-14 days before installation. Store properly ventilated and protected from direct weather.

Finishing

Seal cut ends immediately. Apply oil finish if maintaining color, or allow natural silvering for a weathered look.

Hardwood Siding FAQ

Ipe siding pricing depends on profile, size, and grade. Visit our pricing page or use the shop configurator for live per-foot prices. Cumaru and Garapa siding offer lower-cost alternatives.

Measure total square footage of walls, subtract openings (windows, doors), then add 10-15% for waste and cuts. Our siding calculator can help.

Nominal size (e.g., 1x6) refers to pre-milling dimensions. Actual/reveal width is smaller due to profiling. See our Ipe wood sizes chart for details.

Yes — Ipe is Class A fire-rated (ASTM E84), the highest rating for building materials. This makes Ipe siding an excellent choice for areas with wildfire building codes.

Yes! Tongue & Groove Ipe profiles are ideal for soffits and porch ceilings. See our dedicated Soffit page for more details.

Yes. We offer prefinishing services including UV oil treatments for Ipe, Cumaru, and other species. See Coating Options for details.

Cumaru (Brazilian Teak), Tigerwood, Garapa, and Massaranduba all make excellent siding. Each offers different aesthetics and price points. Compare species.

Absolutely. Our mill can produce custom profiles to your specifications in Ipe or any species we carry. Visit Milling Services to learn more.