Tigerwood, also known as Goncalo Alves, is a premium tropical hardwood sourced from Tropical Central and South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela). With a Janka hardness rating of 2,160 lbf and a density of 58 lbs/ft³, Tigerwood is classified as Class 2 - Durable — one of the most durable commercial lumber species available. The heartwood exhibits golden to reddish-brown with dramatic dark brown to black stripes with interlocked to wavy grain, medium texture, creating a striking natural appearance that improves with age.
Why Choose 2x4 Tigerwood Wood for Your Deck?
Tigerwood decking delivers a naturally slip-resistant, splinter-free surface that stays cool underfoot even in direct sunlight. Unlike composite or pressure-treated alternatives, it never fades to a dull gray unless you want the natural silver patina look. Properly installed 2x4 Tigerwood decking delivers a service life of 40+ years with minimal maintenance — an optional annual oil treatment preserves the original color, or you can let the Tigerwood wood weather to a distinguished silver-gray patina. Tigerwood carries a Class A - Low flame spread, making it suitable for wildfire-prone regions where code-compliant materials are required.
The 2x4 pregrooved profile has factory-milled grooves along both edges, designed specifically for hidden fastener clip systems like Ipe Clip or DeckWise. This creates a clean, screw-free surface with no visible hardware. All Tigerwood lumber is available in Select and Better grade with lengths ranging from 4′ to 20′. For detailed step-by-step instructions, consult our Tigerwood installation guide. Long-term care recommendations are covered in our Tigerwood maintenance guide.
2x4 Tigerwood Decking — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 24" on center for 2x4 boards (1.5" actual thickness)
- Fastener placement: Hidden clip fastener in each factory-milled groove, one clip per joist
- Board weight: A 12-foot 2x4 Tigerwood board weighs approximately 25 lbs (2.11 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 2x4 board covers 3.5 sq ft of decking surface (3.5" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Tigerwood — the 2,160 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing