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 1x1 Tigerwood Wood for Your Railing?
Tigerwood railing components match your hardwood deck perfectly and provide a warm-to-the-touch graspable surface that aluminum and cable rail systems cannot offer. Properly installed 1x1 Tigerwood railing 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 1x1 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 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.
1x1 Tigerwood Railing — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 16" on center for 1x1 boards (0.75" actual thickness)
- Fastener placement: Face-screw with two stainless steel screws per joist, approximately 1" from each edge of the 0.75" face
- Board weight: A 12-foot 1x1 Tigerwood board weighs approximately 3 lbs (0.23 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 1x1 board covers 0.8 sq ft of railing surface (0.75" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Tigerwood — the 2,160 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing