Janka Hardness Scale — Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Massaranduba & Red Balau Rated

Ipe (pronounced "ee-pay") is the undisputed king of the Janka hardness scale among commercially available decking woods, registering 3,684 lbf — nearly 3× harder than Red Oak (1,290 lbf) and over 10× harder than Western Red Cedar (350 lbf). This extraordinary surface hardness makes Ipe virtually impervious to dents, scratches, and surface wear from foot traffic, furniture, and pet claws.

Ipe's Janka rating directly translates to real-world decking performance: the extreme density that produces a 3,684 lbf reading also gives Ipe its natural Class A fire rating (ASTM E84), resistance to Formosan termites, marine borer immunity, and a 75+ year outdoor lifespan without chemical treatment. Ipe is used in demanding applications from Atlantic City boardwalks to Coney Island piers specifically because no other commercially available wood matches its hardness-to-durability ratio.

For homeowners choosing decking, Ipe's Janka hardness means your deck will resist high-heel dents, dropped tools, dragged furniture, and heavy foot traffic for decades. In head-to-head wear tests, Ipe outlasts composite decking by 5:1 in surface abrasion resistance.

Cumaru — often marketed as Brazilian Teak — registers 3,540 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, making it the second-hardest commercial decking wood available and only 4% softer than Ipe. At 2.74× harder than Red Oak, Cumaru delivers virtually identical scratch and dent resistance to Ipe at a 30-40% lower price point.

This Janka rating reflects Cumaru's exceptional density (63 lbs/ft³), which gives it natural resistance to rot, insects, and fire comparable to Ipe. Cumaru's hardness makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic decks, commercial boardwalks, and pool surrounds where surface wear resistance is critical.

The small 4% difference in Janka hardness between Cumaru (3,540) and Ipe (3,684) is imperceptible in everyday use — both woods will resist dents from dropped tools, furniture scratches, and decades of foot traffic equally well. For budget-conscious buyers who want premium hardness without the premium Ipe price, Cumaru offers the best value-to-hardness ratio of any species.

Massaranduba — commonly called Brazilian Redwood for its deep reddish-brown color — clocks in at 3,190 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. This makes it the third-hardest decking species commercially available and 2.47× harder than Red Oak. Its density (62 lbs/ft³) approaches Ipe levels.

Massaranduba's 3,190 lbf hardness makes it exceptionally resistant to surface wear in high-traffic installations. It is frequently specified for commercial boardwalks, waterfront decks, and heavy-use patios where scratch and dent resistance is non-negotiable.

The species is particularly popular for projects where the distinctive deep red coloring is desired alongside top-tier hardness. While Massaranduba requires the same carbide tooling and pre-drilling as Ipe and Cumaru, its striking color and lower price point make it an attractive alternative for buyers who want maximum hardness with a warm, rich appearance.

Red Balau (also known as Batu) from Southeast Asia registers 2,700 lbf on the Janka hardness scale — 2.09× harder than Red Oak and more than 7× harder than Western Red Cedar. While not as extreme as the South American trio of Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba, Red Balau sits comfortably in the "premium hardness" tier.

Red Balau's 2,700 lbf Janka rating provides excellent dent and scratch resistance for residential decking. It handles foot traffic, furniture, and normal wear patterns with ease. Red Balau is particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii where its Southeast Asian origin provides favorable pricing due to shorter shipping distances.

At this hardness level, Red Balau still requires carbide-tipped saw blades and pre-drilling for fasteners, but it is noticeably easier to work than Ipe or Cumaru. This can translate to lower installation labor costs while still delivering hardness well above domestic species.

Tigerwood (Goncalo Alves) registers 2,170 lbf on the Janka hardness scale — 1.68× harder than Red Oak and over 6× harder than Western Red Cedar. It is the 4th hardest species in our lineup, prized as much for its stunning striped appearance as its impressive hardness.

Tigerwood's 2,170 lbf Janka rating positions it firmly in the "high performance" category for outdoor decking. It comfortably exceeds the 1,500 lbf professional recommendation for outdoor use while being significantly easier to machine and install than the ultra-hard Ipe and Cumaru.

The distinctive orange and dark brown striping that gives Tigerwood its name is preserved beautifully by its high hardness — the dense surface resists the weathering and erosion that would blur these patterns in softer species. For homeowners who want a statement deck with both visual drama and serious durability, Tigerwood's Janka rating delivers on both counts.

Garapa (Brazilian Ash) comes in at 1,650 lbf on the Janka hardness scale — 1.28× harder than Red Oak and nearly 5× harder than Western Red Cedar. While it's the softest of our six tropical species, Garapa still comfortably exceeds the 1,500 lbf professional minimum for outdoor decking.

Garapa's moderate hardness within the tropical range makes it the easiest to work with of all our species. Standard carbide tools handle Garapa well, and it fastens, cuts, and finishes more easily than the ultra-dense Ipe and Cumaru. This can reduce installation time and labor costs by 15-20%.

The bright golden-blonde color unique to Garapa — combined with its accessible price point and adequate hardness — makes it popular for homeowners who want a tropical hardwood deck without the extreme density of Ipe. At 1,650 lbf, Garapa is still harder than 80% of wood species worldwide and outperforms every softwood and composite option on the market.