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 2x8 Tigerwood Wood for Your Timbers?
Tigerwood lumber is valued for its exceptional durability, natural beauty, and resistance to the elements in demanding outdoor applications. Properly installed 2x8 Tigerwood timbers 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 2x8 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.
2x8 Tigerwood Timbers — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 24" on center for 2x8 boards (1.5" 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 2x8 Tigerwood board weighs approximately 53 lbs (4.38 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 2x8 board covers 7.3 sq ft of timbers surface (7.25" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Tigerwood — the 2,160 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing