Rated as durable and resistant to fungi and insects, Garapa exterior decking is an attractive and versatile option that is as resilient as it is beautiful. Garapa is a South American wood with yellow to brown-yellow heartwood. Garapa decking has a medium luster, an interlocked grain, and a fine texture that accentuates the wood's rich gold and brown tones. The wood is also rated with a solid Janka hardness rating of 1,700, about 25% harder than Red Oak.
First clear is the highest grade available in hardwood decking items. No open defects are permitted on one face and the material is 100% heartwood. Occasional pinholes, small tight knots, and other minor non-structural defects are allowed on the back side and edges.
Request a QuoteThe Janka Hardness Test measures how many pounds of force it takes to embed a .444” steel ball halfway into a piece of wood. This is helpful in determining if a wood specie is suitable for flooring. Harder wood species have higher numbers. Red Oak is our industry standard for comparing different species. It has a Janka rating of 1290. Most hardwoods and many types of softwood are suitable for use as flooring, especially with proper installation, coatings, and maintenance. Please note that all wood will dent with a forceful enough impact.
An example from Hypertextbook.com:
"Humans will only have one foot on the ground while walking. Estimate that the area of the heel on a man's shoe is 10in². When he walks, a 200 lb. man exerts 20 psi because the weight is supported momentarily by the heel. A 100 lb. woman exerts much more psi when she wears heels. Depending on the area of the heel, she can exert as much as 1600 psi under a 'stiletto heel' ¼ inch on a side. This explains why people with wood floors don't want women walking on them in high heels.”
Decreased weight makes for easier handling and installation.
Note: There is no way to prevent the wood from absorbing water and releasing water into its environment. Trees are designed to drink water and this property can’t be completely diminished. Kiln drying is an important step in reducing (not eliminating) movement in your floors.
Upon inquiry, we will provide a written quote for approval and acceptance. Please review the quote carefully and verify that all quantities, species, and sizes are what you ordered. The written quote must be signed and the required deposit must be received by Excelsior to initiate the order.
Be sure to properly store and acclimate your siding and decking at the job site.
Proper storage of your exterior wood products is critical for a successful installation. Understanding your job site conditions and how they impact wood products is essential in determining proper storage methods.
The wood should be kept dry. The goal is to keep the product from direct exposure to the elements (sun, rain, sleet, snow, etc.) prior to installation while allowing it to acclimate. Be advised that your product must also be protected from the ground below and its detrimental effects of moisture infiltration.
Failure to properly store your material can and likely will result in the manifestation of many damaging effects. Proper on-site storage is not Excelsior Wood Products’ responsibility.
Here are some tips to consider that could help keep your siding and decking in good condition prior to installation:
In any case, if your order has slip sheets, we encourage you to leave these between the boards until you are ready to install. They will help the boards from sticking together and peeling off the coatings.