TIGERWOOD DECKING

Species: Coula edulis 

Tigerwood (Muiracatiara) decking lumber is a beautiful exotic Brazilian hardwood which provides one of the most unique wood grain patterns you will ever see. Brazilian Tigerwood is so called because it has a reddish/orange background with dark vein striping which gives it a tiger-like look. Tigerwood hardwood will darken slightly to a redder tone with exposure to sunlight. Because of its incredible beauty, Tigerwood lumber it is highly sought after for both interior and exterior applications.

Other Common Names: 

Bossona, Bototo, Coubaril, Gateado, Gomavel, Goncalo alves, Guarabu, Gusanero, Jejuira, Kingwood, Locustwood, Muira, Muiracatiara, Muiraquatiara, Mura, Urunday, Zorrowood. Tigerwood hardwood grows in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, and Mexico

Hardwood Color: 

Brazilian Tigerwood exhibits a large degree of color change with a pronounced darkening of the background under the stripes from an orange-tan to a deep reddish brown color. The striping on this wood also darkens over time.

Hardness:

Tigerwood decking lumber is 170% as hard as red oak (2160 on the Janka scale vs. 1260 for red oak).

Density and Buoyancy

Tigerwood decking (Real Tigerwood) is a very dense and heavy wood, with a Janka hardness of 2160 (67% harder than Red Oak at 1210) and average weight of 60 lbs./cu. ft. Specific Gravity is .45, making this wood very buoyant.

Drying and Shrinkage

Tigerwood hardwood decking dries well with only minor checking and warping. Shrinkage and movement after drying is minimal for this wood.

Durability

Brazilian Tigerwood lumber is extremely durable, with a high level of resistance to beetle attacks. It can be finished to a medium luster and will stand up well to wear. This hardwood is dimensionally stable and resists twisting and warping. It will remain smooth, splinter-free and friendly to bare feet for years.

Workability of Tigerwood Decking

Pre-drilling Tigerwood deck wood is recommended for screwing and nailing, and carbide-tipped blades and bits are recommended for power tools.

Preservation

Tigerwood decking weathers well naturally, no preservatives needed. Messmer’s deck oil provides optimal UV protection and color retention.

Uses

Hardwood decking, flooring, doors, musical instruments, lathe art, paneling and trim are all popular uses for Brazilian Tigerwood.

Sustainable

Real Tigerwood meets high standards for social, economic and environmental responsibility. Visit RealWood.org for more information about how purchasing Brazilian hardwood lumber fuels the economic value and preservation of the South American forests.

Tigerwood Deck Installation:

Joists and support beams - Pressure treated (PT) pine lumber is most often used for joists, beams and posts underneath Tigerwood decking because it is cheap and is protected from weather by the Tigerwood deck itself. This protection extends the expected life of the support lumber dramatically.

Fasteners - After choosing the Brazilian hardwood decking species that you prefer, you need to decide on using screws through the face of the board or a type of hidden fastener that conceals the screws. The hidden fasteners cost a little more but many feel that spending a little extra for the beauty of hidden fasteners is a good investment since the deck will last a lifetime.

Ventilation - When planning the layout of your deck, be sure that you allow for ventilation under your deck boards. This will ensure the long life and extended beauty of your Tigerwood deck.

Railings - There are many choices to make when designing your deck railings and balusters (vertical pickets). Vertical balusters are more desirable than horizontal balusters (like cable) because of safety and ease of installation. Horizontal balusters enable children to scale the railing and require precise tautness to prevent children from squeezing between them. Wood balusters are available that match Tigerwood decking and last a lifetime unlike PT or cedar balusters. Aluminum and galvanized steel balusters are beautiful cost effective choices and can be mounted with matching hardwood rails, posts and handrail. Galvanized steel railing baluster sections are much easier to install, much stronger and possibly the most cost effective option. The Fortress Iron provides these steel railing sections at a fraction of the cost of having them custom made. Matching hardwood handrails and posts go well with any deck railing choice.