Wholesale Garapa Decking Supplier

Garapa, also known as Brazilian Ash, is a dense and naturally durable Brazilian timber. Its golden color, fine grain and moderate cost make it an attractive alternate to more expensive hardwoods such as Teak or Ipe. Garapa is resistant to rot and decay, making it an excellent choice for exterior applications such as decking. It not only lasts a long time, but has the beauty of an interior hardwood. It outlasts other popular wood decking species such as treated Pine, Cedar, Redwood and Douglas Fir.

Thompson Mahogany stocks Garapa decking (Brazilian Ash) as well as other parts to complete a deck, including: joists, stringers, treads, risers, skirting, railings and posts. We also mill tongue-and-groove (T&G) profiles, and offer custom millwork for special profiles or sizes. Garapa deck facing is partially air-dried (AD), and then kiln-dried (KD) to approximately 15% moisture content for stability. Thompson Mahogany also stocks all the accessories – fasteners, sealers, cleaners, and finishes – to complete your deck

Garapa Railing Profiles

Thompson Mahogany offers the following stock Ipe railing profiles:

Sub-Rail

Use this profile for the top and bottom runners of your railing. Screw your 2×2’s or balusters in place between these boards.

Rail Cap – Curved Top

Use this profile for the top hand rail by fastening it from underneath through the sub-rail.

Rail Cap – Flat Top

Use this profile for the top hand rail by fastening it from underneath through the sub-rail.

Hand Rail

Use this profile for small handrail or stair cases.

Handrail Assembly
This cross-diagram and photo shows how to assemble the handrail parts.

We can custom-mill various profiles and sizes by request, please call for details and pricing.

Garapa T&G Porch Flooring

Thompson Mahogany offers 1×4 and 5/4×4 Garapa Tongue-and-Groove (T&G) Porch Flooring for exterior covered porches. Garapa T&G Porch Flooring typically runs in random odd and even lengths from 8′ to 20′.

1×4 T&G Profile
This profile measures net 11/16″ x 3″.

5/4×4 T&G Profile
This profile measures net 15/16″ x 3″.

See our T&G Porch Flooring page for more information. We can custom-mill various profiles and sizes by request, please call for details and pricing.

Garapa Siding

Thompson Mahogany offers standard shiplap siding profiles for exterior vertical spaces. Garapa Shiplap Siding typically runs in random odd and even lengths from 7′ to 20′. Our standard profile measures net 9/16″ x 4-3/8″ face. Also known as “lap and gap”, we can custom-mill various profiles and sizes by request, please call for details and pricing.

Sizes – Garapa decking typically runs in even lengths from 8′ to 20′. Depending upon the dimension, we may have odd lengths (9′, 11′, etc.) and we may also have shorter stock – “shorts” – from 2′-6′, as well as longer pieces at 21′ or 22′. Please call or contact us to find out our current stock levels, sizes and lengths available as they vary at any given time. We also have millwork services for special sizes or profiles.

Wholesale Minimums – Thompson Mahogany does not require minimum orders for its decking. Stocking program customers as well as non-stocking customers may buy in units or job lots through our “One Deck at a Time™” program. Please note that there is a price difference in wholesale unit orders and wholesale job lot orders. Contact us for pricing details.

Wholesale Garapa Decking Stock Information

4/4

Nominal Size	Net Size	Grades	Drying	Lengths
1 x 6	3/4" x 5-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Odds/Evens

5/4

Nominal Size	Net Size	Grades	Drying	Lengths
5/4 x 4	1" x 3-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
5/4 x 4 Tongue-and-Groove	15/16" x 3" TG	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
5/4 x 6	1" x 5-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
5/4 x 6 Pre-Grooved	1" x 5-1/2" PG	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens

8/4 and 16/4

Nominal Size	Net Size	Grades	Drying	Lengths
2 x 2	1-1/2" x 1-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
2 x 4	1-1/2" x 3-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
2 x 6	1-1/2" x 5-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
4 x 4	3-1/2" x 3-1/2"	Premium, FAS	KD	8’ - 20’ Evens
Garapa Plugs	3/8" diameter	Premium, FAS	KD	5/16" - 3/8"

TMC understands that your customers want to buy everything for the project in one place if possible. That’s why we offer all the accessories in job-lot quantities so you don’t have to buy a pallet of stain just to complete an order. We keep the following accessories in stock:

Garapa Decking / Wood Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What spans can I expect from Garapa?

Due to the strength of Garapa, you can expect the following spans:

1x (net 3/4″) – up to 16″ on center
5/4x (net 1″) – up to 24″ on center
2x (net 1-1/2″) – up to 32″ on center
Diagonal patterns may require shorter joist spacing

We recommend that you check with your local building code before deciding on joist spans.

What grades of Garapa do you sell?

Thompson Mahogany Company provides “premium” all heart grade which gives a truly outstanding appearance. Our decking boards come “three sides clear” (one clear face and two clear edges).

Can Garapa be installed on existing SYP pressure treated framing?

Yes, although we recommend that a professional inspect the integrity of the existing framing to ensure it is stable, usable and passes your current city code requirements. We carry the necessary component parts to frame the undercarriage of Garapa decking.

Can Garapa be painted?

It is our experience that due to the wood’s density, oily nature and alkalinity, Ipe does not accept most paints. For more details on painting Garapa, please contact us to discuss.

How do I maintain that original golden, rich color?

Garapa will weather to a silver patina if you leave it in its natural state. Depending upon your exterior conditions, it can noticeably turn within a few months and can be fully gray within a year. Should you wish to keep the wood rich and dark, apply an oil-based UV inhibitor finish specifically designed for hardwoods decking. There are numerous available brands, and we recommend Messmer’s UV Plus for Hardwood Decks.

Species Information

Garapa (Grapia, Garapa Gold®)

BOTANICAL NAME: Apuleia leiocarpa

Family: Fabacae-Caesalpiniaceae

Other Common Names: Brazilian Ash, Grapia, Brazilian Oak, Garrote, Barajuba, Marotoa Muiratua, Muirajuba

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout southern Brazil and in the Atlantic coast forests

The Tree: Well-formed tree reaching heights of 65 to 100 feet and diameters of 2 to 3 feet, occasionally up to 5 feet or more.

General Characteristics: Heartwood light to yellowish brown, becoming light brown with age, clearly demarcated from the whitish sapwood. Medium texture with marked straight or interlocked irregular grain and ribboning effect in some cut pieces; without distinctive odor or taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) .79; air-dry density 54 pcf.

Mechanical Properties:

Moisture Content (%)	Bending Strength (PSI)	Modulus of Elasticity (1000 PSI)	Maximum Crushing Strength (PSI)
12%	17,020	2,163	9,140

[space height=”15″]Janka side hardness is approximately 1,650 lb. at 12% moisture content.

Drying and Shrinkage: Moderate to stable. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.2%; tangential 7.5%; volumetric: 11.7%

Working Properties: The wood is moderately easy to work despite its high density, rated good in all operations. It nails and screws well but pre-boring is necessary. Gluing requires special care to acquire good bond. Slicing can be difficult due to high silica content and irregular interlocked grain.

Durability: Very resistant against wood borer attacks. Moderately durable against fungi and termites.

Preservation: Does not require any preservative treatment.

Uses: Decking, docks, heavy carpentry, industrial flooring, ship building, turned goods, framing, tool handles.