Massaranduba, also known as Brazilian Redwood, is a premium tropical hardwood sourced from Northern South America (Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela). With a Janka hardness rating of 3,190 lbf and a density of 68 lbs/ft³, Massaranduba is classified as Class 1 - Very Durable — one of the most durable commercial lumber species available. The heartwood exhibits deep red to reddish-brown with straight to interlocked grain, fine to medium texture, creating a striking natural appearance that improves with age.
Why Choose 5/4x8 Massaranduba Wood for Your Siding?
As exterior cladding, Massaranduba 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 5/4x8 Massaranduba siding delivers a service life of 50+ years with minimal maintenance — an optional annual oil treatment preserves the original color, or you can let the Massaranduba wood weather to a distinguished silver-gray patina. Massaranduba carries a Class A - Low flame spread, making it suitable for wildfire-prone regions where code-compliant materials are required.
The 5/4x8 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 Massaranduba lumber is available in Select and Better grade with lengths ranging from 4′ to 20′. For detailed step-by-step instructions, consult our Massaranduba installation guide. Long-term care recommendations are covered in our Massaranduba maintenance guide.
5/4x8 Massaranduba Siding — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 16"–24" on center for 5/4x8 boards (1" actual thickness)
- Fastener placement: Face-screw with two stainless steel screws per joist, approximately 1" from each edge of the 7.25" face
- Board weight: A 12-foot 5/4x8 Massaranduba board weighs approximately 42 lbs (3.47 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 5/4x8 board covers 7.3 sq ft of siding surface (7.25" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Massaranduba — the 3,190 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing