When working with timber it is important to have an understanding of the specifics of the material you are working with. This understanding ensures that you are using the right timber for the right job.
In this article, we will look into the details of and compare ipe and garapa. We will be answering questions such as what these timbers are, how they are identified, and what uses they have. We will also discuss alternatives for using these two types of timber.
What Is Ipe?
Ipe is a type of hardwood that comes from the rainforests of Central and South America. It is sometimes called Lapacho or Brazilian walnut although it is not related to the walnut tree. Ipe is known to be one of the hardest woods in the world.
This timber was used to build the boardwalk of New York’s Coney Island because of its excellent rot and insect resistance. This construction lasted over 25 years which shows how good ipe is for this sort of job.
What Is Garapa?
Garapa is another type of hardwood that comes from the tropical rainforests of South America. Commonly found in Brazil, Venezuela, and other South American countries, this timber is known for having a much lighter color compared to other common hardwoods.
This type of wood is often referred to as Brazilian hardwood or Brazilian ash, although it is not part of the ash tree family.
Ipe vs. Garapa: What Are the Differences?
In this section, we will run through the differences between ipe and garapa. We will look into hardness, strength, durability, appearance, price, and how easy each timber is to work with.
Hardness
When comparing the hardness of different types of timber, the Janka hardness test is used. This test is done by forcing a 0.4-inch steel ball into a sample piece of wood until half of the diameter of the ball is embedded. The force it took to embed the ball is then measured and that gives us the timbers’ Janka hardness reading.
When comparing ipe’s and garapa’s results on this test, ipe has a Janka hardness of 3510 lbf. Whereas garapa has a Janka hardness of 1650 lbf.
As you can see from these results ipe is over twice as hard as garapa.
Strength
Comparing the strength of different types of timber is a lot like comparing the hardness. Although this time we use the crushing strength test. This is done by applying weight to the ends of the timber and seeing how much pressure it can take before it crushes, hence the name.
If we compare ipe and garapa using this test, ipe has a crushing strength of 13,600 lbf/sq in. This means ipe can withstand 13,600 pounds of force per square inch. Garapa once again comes in at a lower strength of 9,030 lbf/sq in.
Durability
The durability of both ipe and garapa is known to be excellent. Both timbers last very long while battling the elements when used outdoors and have great rot resistance.
The leading durability factor that sets these two apart is that only some species of ipe are known to be susceptible to marine borers. Whereas it is commonly known that garapa is vulnerable to termites and other insect attacks.
Appearance
This is the comparison that really sets these two types of hardwood apart.
Ipe is known to vary in shades of dark brown ranging from reddish brown, yellowish brown, or a darker blackish brown.
Garapa is heavily sourced for its color as it is a much more golden to yellowish brown type of hardwood. When untreated garapa is known to turn a beautiful silvery grey color as it ages.
Workability
Ipe is known to be a difficult timber to work with because of its density.
This timber has a high cutting resistance when sawing and is quick to blunt blades. Gluing ipe can also be a problem so it is recommended to properly prepare your surface before attempting to glue. Straight-grained ipe turns well but can prove to be difficult to work with when polishing because of its natural yellow powdery deposits.
When comparing garapa to ipe, garapa is by far much easier to work with. Although it is still very dense, garapa cuts and glues very well and is a relatively good form of hardwood to turn or carve.
Price
In case you haven’t been able to make a decision based on the above factors, the defining factor may be the price. The following figures are averages of a few different suppliers so make sure you check in with your local building supplier to see their actual prices.
When purchased as a decking material, ipe is around $3.39 per linear foot of 1×6 decking whereas garapa is $1.99. If purchased as raw lengths of 5×4, ipe is $4.49 per linear foot and garapa is $2.59 per linear foot. In both scenarios, garapa would be your cheaper option.
When to Use Ipe Wood?
As you can see from the above comparisons, ipe is a much tougher type of hardwood than garapa. Any construction that would have vehicles driving over it or a heavy amount of foot traffic would be the perfect job to use ipe.
This type of timber is great for boardwalks or any sort of construction near the ocean or water because of ipes great durability and low maintenance.
When to Use Garapa Wood?
If you’re building a residential deck at your house then garapa is the perfect timber to use. It is much cheaper than ipe but doesn’t lack durability or strength for this sort of job. Garapa is commonly used for decks, pergolas, siding, shade structures, flooring, and more.
When using garapa externally it is recommended to UV coat the timber once a year to keep the lovely golden brown tones vibrant.
Alternatives To Ipe and Garapa
If you’re looking for something different from ipe or garapa then camaru is a great timber to use.
Camaru or Brazilian teak as it’s sometimes called is less hard than ipe but still twice as hard as garapa. This means it can be used either for a heavily trafficked deck or a low-traffic residential deck. This timber is generally easier to work with than ipe but can still present problems when cutting or gluing. Camaru also rates very highly against rot and insect attacks and is generally priced in between ipe and garapa.
For more options, read my article about ipe alternatives.
Summary
When comparing ipe and garapa it is important to select the one specific for the job you need.
If it’s heavy loads and lots of traffic then go for ipe. If you are just doing a residential low-traffic job or are looking for a hardwood that is bright and vibrant then garapa may be a better choice for you.