Cumaru Decking Pricing
| ITEM | NET SIZE | PRICE PER LF |
| 1x4 | 3/4 x 3 1/2 | $1.90 |
| 1x6 | 3/4 x 5 1/2 | $4.70 |
| 5/4x4 | 1 x 3 1/2 | $3.35 |
| 5/4x6 | 1 x 5 1/2 | $5.50 |
| 2x2 | 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 | $1.70 |
| 2x4 | 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 | $4.60 |
| 2x6 | 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 | Call for Availability |
| 4x4 | 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 | Out of Stock |
Brazilian Teak is commonly known as Cumaru. It is a great substitute for Ipe, having nearly the same mechanical properties — the tones are a bit lighter than ipe. Cumaru can be obtained at about 2/3 the cost of Ipe. Architects and discerning homeowners utilize Cumaru in many ways but most commonly as decking or siding. The Cumaru “heartwood tends to be a medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue; some pieces may have streaks of yellowish or greenish brown.” The interlocking grain has more of an open pattern creating beautiful patterns. (The Wood Database)
Uses
Other than decking Cumaru can also be used for siding, interior flooring, rain screen siding, fencing, ceiling paneling, soffit s, docks, marine applications, benches, pergolas, gazebos exterior furniture, railing, and whatever application designed that requires a durable hardwood.
Availability
Cumaru is available in decking dimensions such as 1×6, 5/4×6 and 5/4×4 on a regular basis but the market can fluctuate with accessories such as 2×4, 2×6 and 4×4. As far as larger beams, they can be hit and miss as well. The large beams when available tend to not be very long.
Working with Cumaru
Cumaru is a hardwood that is unlike any domestic species. While Cumaru is hard it is not impossible to work with. Though there is quite a bit of information warning that carbide tipped blades and drill bits are necessary one should not be overwhelmed. Most saw blades these days are carbide tipped.
Pre-drilling is required prior to fastening with stainless steel screws. There are a few hidden fasteners on the market that are designed to work with grooved decking that avoid the requirement of pre-drilling as wells as hidden fasteners that still require pre-drilling at an angle on the edge of pre-grooved decking. While Cumaru 1×6 is grooved quite often, we recommend extra care be taken if you decide to use edge grooving for hidden fasteners.
End Sealing Cumaru is highly recommended. Use products such as Ipe Seal or Anchor Seal (wax emulsion) to seal the end cuts of your Cumaru lumber. Be sure to keep the seal application limited to the end cut only as the wax emulsion will leave a darker stain on the surface of the deck board.
Ventilation
Air circulation and preventing moisture build up below the deck surface is an important aspect of preparation for your Cumaru deck design. Most manufacturers recommend at least 2 feet of clearance from the bottom of the deck surface to grade (ground). While this is a safe practice, Cumaru decking can safely be installed with less clearance but one must take precaution. The atmospheric conditions and relative humidity in your climate need to be considered. Ask your local contractor experienced with Cumaru or your SLS sales person for advice on any installation.
Cumaru maintenance
Brazilian Teak is a beautiful light to reddish brown lumber and that color can be maintained for years – with a little work. Cumaru can also be allowed to naturally gray to a silver patina with an attractive light play or shimmer. Cumaru allowed to gray will be indistinguishable from grayed Ipe.
To maintain the natural brown tones, a product such as Ipe Oil will need to be applied every 12-18 months or so. Largely, the frequency of sealing will depend on the amount of sunlight and foot traffic the deck or siding surface is exposed to. There are many products on the market to seal and protect your Cumaru deck from the damaging rays of the sun. At SLS, we feel the Ipe Oil is the best product on the market to do so. The water borne products tend to get more penetration into the dense surface thus holding the stain longer.
Alternatively, one can allow the Cumaru to simply oxidize and turn gray as most woods will do over time. There is no further maintenance required if this is the way you want to go. Occasionally, one might wash the deck surface with a water hose or pressure washer to simply clean.
Should you happen to decide that you would like to bring back the brown color after the Cumaru deck has grayed out, this can be accomplished by using a quality deck brightener. The brown will be a bit darker than the original tone.
Properties
Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)
Common Name(s): Cumaru, Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean
Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata
Distribution: Northern South America
Tree Size: 130-160 ft (40-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft3 (1,095 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .86
Hardness: 3,540 lbf (15,750 N)
Rupture Strength: 24,840 lbf/in2 (171,280 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 3,020,000 lbf/in2 (20,830 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,460 lbf/in2 (92.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
From the Wood Database