Hardwoods
The distinction between hardwood and softwood actually has to do with plant reproduction. All trees reproduce by producing seeds, but the seed structure varies. Hardwood trees are angiosperms, plants that produce seeds with some sort of covering. This might be a fruit, such as an apple, or a hard shell, such as an acorn.
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At Sterritt Lumber, our wide selection of hardwoods include poplar, oak, maple, and cherry. These fine materials can be used in residential and commercial construction, flooring, furniture-making, and boat-building. Another fine aspect of Sterritt Lumber’s handling of hardwoods is the capability to special order more hard to find hardwood species. If it is out there, Sterritt Lumber can find it for you and in the process, satisfy all of your building materials needs!
Ipe Decking - Here at Sterritt Lumber, we pride ourselves with inventory and access to a wide variety of Ipe products including Ipe decking. We have completed FSC® Certified boardwalks, hiking trails, bridges, commercial decks, condominium developments, and residential projects. We handle all Ipe inquiries, even the most hard to come by stock, with care and great detail.
This Brazilian species is one of the most stable of all the durable timbers. It dries extremely well with little checking, twisting, or cupping. It is widely recognized for its strength and natural resistance to decay. In addition, Ipe can be used in ground contact without preservatives or additional treatments.
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Widely used in commercial exterior construction such as boardwalks, piers and benches, it has recently become the best choice for residential decks due to its low maintenance, attractive color, and extremely smooth surface that has stood the test of time. It is a heavy timber, (approximately 69lbs. per cubic foot when dry), and generally sinks in water. It is also resistant to flame.
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Ipe is a beautiful and strong wood that when installed, will give you a low maintenance decking option for years to come! The professionals at Sterritt Lumber are particularly proud to stock this wonderful material, and we would like to pass on the many distinctive qualities of this decking to you!
Mahogany - Sterritt Lumber is proud to stock Batu Mahogany decking. This beautiful and rare Indonesian heartwood is highly colored as well as resistant to decay and insects. It ranges in color from a yellow brown to a deep reddish brown. The darker wood indicates that it has come from first growth trees.
It machines well using both hand and power tools, and pre drilling often yields the best results. Once it is installed, this durable wood will provide long lasting beauty to your decking or building application. Very little maintenance is required for this elite hardwood, and a clear finish can be applied to preserve its natural color. If left unsealed, it will weather to a sun splashed silver tone.
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Like all of Sterritt Lumber’s FSC® certified lumber, each piece of this prized material has followed the strict guidelines established by the Forest Stewardship Council for making certain that responsible forestry has been utilized in harvesting this wood.
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In addition, we are proud to offer Batu Mahogany top, sub, and bottom rail for your outdoor decking and porch applications. This superior material will leave a lasting impression on all who experience its qualities.
Exotic Hardwood Decking
Garapa - Garapa is a dense hardwood decking that resists rot, decay, splinters and scratches naturally, without any chemical treatments. This fine-grained hardwood is often used in flooring, siding, window frames and boat building. In terms of other applications, this is an
excellent choice for a number of different outdoor structures. Garapa decking and Garapa boards are used on projects ranging from residential decking and walkways to pergolas, gazebos and outdoor furniture.
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This Brazilian species is often chosen for its beautiful light golden yellow color, durability, fine grain, kiln dried performance, and value. Garapa slightly darkens upon exposure, and is it also known as Brazilian Ash in the flooring trade. Though Garapa wood shows slightly less color and grain variations than other high density exotic hardwood species like Ipe and Machiche , you will still find a beautiful assortment of vibrant Garapa decking boards in a Garapa deck. Like a wood floor inside a home, no two pieces of Garapa decking are exactly alike. The rich variations in Garapa wood reflect the character and beauty of this exotic natural species of wood.
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When used for decking, Garapa is stronger than most decking materials. In addition, garapa is scratch-resistant. It is much harder than softwood or composite decking, keeping your deck’s surface smooth for many years. Even in the unlikely event that Garapa decking were somehow gouged, a light sanding with 80 grit sandpaper solves the problem easily and immediately.
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This wood is the best performer of the lower cost alternatives to Ipe decking. When left to weather to a natural silvery-gray patina, its grain patterns are virtually indistinguishable from Ipe. Garapa decking has a life expectancy of 25 years or longer, so the long term cost of a Garapa deck is one of the lowest long-term decking options!
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*Stocking levels for Garapa vary by season and availability. Please call one of our salespeople to inquire about availability.
Other Hardwoods
Sterritt Lumber also stocks and/or can source many hardwood species for your project needs. Click on the photo below to see some of these hardwoods. Product pricing and availability can vary, so please call our sales department for more information!
