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Which hardwood decking boards are right for your project? That depends on the requirements the terrace needs to meet. Different types of wood are suitable for a dark, heavily used area compared to a light-colored terrace with lower usage. The desired durability, maintenance effort, budget, and the question of whether to use tropical wood also influence the selection.
This article compares five wood species based on color, durability class, processing, typical areas of use, and potential limitations. This overview is intended to simplify your preliminary selection; for specific planning, the properties of the respective product and professional terrace construction are decisive.
Which wood species for the terrace? 5 hardwood decking boards in comparison
| Wood species | Color | Durability | Typical properties | What to look out for | Frequently suitable areas of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipé | medium to dark brown | Class 1 – very durable | high density and hardness; relatively calm wood grain | demanding processing; clarify availability and origin early on | heavily used terraces, pool areas, roof terraces, and representative outdoor surfaces |
| Cumaru | reddish brown to brown | Class 1 – very durable | high density and hardness; warm, more lively wood grain | pre-drilling, suitable tools, and professional construction required | garden and family terraces, paths, seating areas, and pool surrounds |
| Thermo-Ash | deep brown | Class 1 – very durable | thermally modified; lower moisture absorption and more dimensionally stable than untreated ash | dark color changes due to UV radiation and weathering; regular maintenance required to retain the color | modern designed terraces with a dark look without tropical wood |
| Bangkirai | warm reddish brown | Class 2 – durable | hard wood established in terrace construction | pinholes and color differences possible; leaking pigments and tannins can discolor adjacent light surfaces | classic wooden terraces, garden areas, balconies, and more heavily used outdoor areas |
| Garapa | light yellow to honey brown | Class 3 – moderately durable | bright, warm hardwood look | lower biological durability than wood species in classes 1 and 2; use suitable stainless steel fasteners | bright terraces, smaller areas, and garden areas with a friendly wood look |
Regarding the durability class: According to DIN EN 350, biological durability against wood-destroying fungi is classified into five classes: from Class 1 "very durable" to Class 5 "not durable." For untreated wood species, such information generally refers to the heartwood; for Thermo-Ash, to the thermally modified material. This classification is not a guarantee for a specific service life of the finished terrace. Construction, weathering, installation, usage, and maintenance influence the actual service life.
Technical basis: The specific class information is based on the technical documentation of the linked Gunreben range and the Gunreben brochure "Terrassendielen Holz" (PDF). Product-related specifications may vary depending on the version; the information in the respective product description and technical details is decisive.
Ipé – particularly dense and durable
Ipé decking boards are characterized by high density and hardness as well as very high biological durability. The color ranges from medium to dark brown; the wood grain often appears relatively calm.
Ipé is particularly suitable for heavily used terraces, pool areas, roof terraces, and representative outdoor surfaces. The high density places increased demands on processing. Pre-drilling, suitable tools, a matching substructure, and professional joint planning are therefore important.
Typical strengths of Ipé
- very high biological durability, Class 1
- high density and hardness
- calm, medium to dark brown wood grain
- suitable for more heavily used outdoor surfaces
What to look out for with Ipé
Ipé is among the higher-priced decking woods that are more demanding to process. Availability, origin, product certification, processing, and installation should therefore be clarified at an early stage based on the specific product.
Are you oscillating between the darker look of Ipé and the lighter color tone of Garapa? In our guide Ipé or Garapa: Which terrace wood is better? we compare both wood species in detail.
Cumaru – very durable and warm in color tone
Cumaru decking boards are an option if a very high biological durability is to be combined with a warmer and livelier wood grain. The color tone ranges from reddish brown to brown.
Due to its high density and hardness, Cumaru is suitable for intensively used terraces, seating areas, family gardens, paths, pool surrounds, and larger outdoor areas. A professional structural design is a prerequisite.
Typical strengths of Cumaru
- very high biological durability, Class 1
- high density and hardness
- warm reddish brown to brown color tone
- suitable for more intensively used outdoor areas
What to look out for with Cumaru
The high hardness places increased demands on processing. Suitable tools, pre-drilling, appropriate fasteners, and professional construction are therefore important.
Thermo-Ash – dark alternative without tropical wood
Thermo-Ash decking boards are particularly suitable for projects where a dark terrace surface is desired without using tropical wood.
Due to thermal modification, the ash gains a deep brown color and altered moisture behavior. The material absorbs less moisture and reacts less strongly to changes in humidity than untreated ash. The uniform, dark appearance often suits modern architecture and clearly defined outdoor areas.
Typical strengths of Thermo-Ash
- very high biological durability, Class 1 according to product documentation
- dark, modern color tone
- thermally modified and more dimensionally stable than untreated ash
- wood species for a dark terrace look without tropical wood
What to look out for with Thermo-Ash
UV radiation and weathering also change the color of Thermo-Ash. Anyone wanting to maintain the dark color as long as possible should plan for regular maintenance tailored to the specific product.
Bangkirai – proven terrace wood with a warm color tone
Bangkirai decking boards have been established in terrace construction for many years. The wood is durable and typically has a warm reddish brown color effect.
Bangkirai is suitable for garden areas, balconies, paths, and classic wooden terraces. As with other hard decking woods, a suitable substructure, appropriate fasteners, and professional processing are required.
Typical strengths of Bangkirai
- high biological durability, Class 2
- wood species established in terrace construction
- warm reddish brown color tone
- suitable for many classic terrace projects
What to look out for with Bangkirai
With Bangkirai, small, material-typical boreholes, so-called pinholes, as well as color differences can occur. Rainwater can also release water-soluble pigments and tannins from the wood. The runoff water can cause brownish to reddish staining on adjacent light-colored paving, facades, or plastered surfaces. Water drainage and adjacent surfaces should therefore be considered during the planning phase.
Garapa – bright hardwood look for terraces
Garapa decking is suitable for patios where a light and friendly wood look is desired. The color ranges from light yellow to honey-brown and appears significantly lighter than Ipé, Cumaru, or Bangkirai.
Especially for light-colored facades, natural gardens, or smaller patios, Garapa can look visually lighter than dark hardwoods. Regarding technical selection, it should be noted that Garapa is classified in durability class 3 according to the underlying product documentation.
Typical strengths of Garapa
- light, friendly coloring
- warm hardwood look
- visually lighter than Ipé, Cumaru, or Bangkirai
- suitable for patios with a light, natural design
What to look out for with Garapa
With a class 3 rating, Garapa is ranked lower than the class 1 and 2 wood types presented here. Suitable corrosion-resistant stainless steel screws should be used for fastening to avoid metal-related discoloration.
Which wood type suits which requirement?
The following classification serves as a guide and does not replace project-specific planning or technical advice.
| Requirement | Commonly suitable wood type | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Very high durability and calm, dark look | Ipé | Class 1, high density and hardness, as well as a typically calm, medium-to-dark brown wood appearance |
| Very high durability and warm, lively color | Cumaru | Class 1, high density and hardness, as well as a red-brown to brown color effect |
| Dark look without tropical wood | Thermo-Ash | thermally modified ash with a deep brown color and class 1 according to product documentation |
| Classic hardwood patio with warm red-brown color | Bangkirai | wood type established in patio construction with class 2 and a warm color effect |
| Light and friendly hardwood look | Garapa | light yellow to honey-brown color and visually light effect |
What remains important for planning, installation, and care
Even a wood type that suits the project requires professional installation. Crucial factors are a suitable substructure, appropriate fasteners, sufficient gaps, good ventilation, and controlled water drainage. Wood absorbs moisture outdoors, releases it again, swells, shrinks, and changes its surface.
Due to UV radiation and weather, decking wood grays over time. This patina is primarily a visual change. Those who want to maintain the original color for as long as possible should clean the patio regularly and maintain it with a patio oil suitable for the specific wood type.
For installation, it is also worth looking at suitable installation accessories. Especially with hard woods like Ipé, Cumaru, or Bangkirai, pre-drilling, suitable screws, and clean workmanship are important to reduce tension and cracking.
Metal contact and potential discoloration
Suitable corrosion-resistant stainless steel screws should be used for fastening. Steel that is not corrosion-resistant can rust in the presence of moisture and release iron ions. If these come into contact with tannins or other wood components, dark to blue-black stains can occur. Such discoloration is also possible with Bangkirai, Ipé, Cumaru, and Garapa. Metal shavings and grinding dust from ordinary steel should therefore not remain on the wood surface.
Conclusion: The requirements of the project are decisive
Which wood type is suitable depends on the requirements of the respective project. Ipé combines very high durability with a typically calm, dark wood appearance. Cumaru is also very durable but appears warmer and livelier. Those looking for a dark look without tropical wood will find Thermo-Ash a suitable option. Bangkirai is an established classic in patio construction with a warm color. Garapa is particularly suitable for a light hardwood look.
When selecting, appearance, durability class, maintenance effort, origin, product-related certification, budget, and construction design should be considered together. The information and technical details of the specific product remain decisive.
