Dealers weigh lowercost substitutes for ip6

By Joshua Kaye American Lumber Co.

fN THE past decade. the popularity Iof tropical hardwood decking has soared.

Not only do exotic hardwoods make stunning decks, but many species are very strong and resistant to insects and rot. They do not require pressure treating, and compared to pressure treated pine or composites, they can have a very long useful life during which they remain attractive year after year. And even at recordhigh prices, they may be a value compared to plastic-based substitutes.

One species has consistently led the pack. Ip6, or Brazilian walnut, remains the top-selling hardwood for decking. The species has benefited from an extended marketing push from a number of sources, but it also lives up to the hype. It is strong, resistant to rot and insects, and weathers very well. When finished, it is a classic dark brown, and when allowed to gray, it tends not to splinter excessively.

At the same time, the price of ip6 has reached historic highs. According to Mike Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, North Plains, Or., ip6 has roughly tripled in price from 2000 to 2008.

The reason, he explains, is straightforward: diminished available supply. Brazil has sharply throttled back government approval for new timber projects. And a major national crackdown on forest management practices has frozen a good chunk of land that was previously approved for logging.

Global trade factors have also played a role. The dollar, compared to Brazilian currency, has halved in value since 2004. Meanwhile, the Euro surged against the dollar at the same time as Europe really embraced the use of tropical hardwoods. More goes there-and to Japan, China and elsewhere-and less comes here.

Fortunately, a number of other species of tropical hardwood make excellent decks. Though not as ubiquitously marketed as ip6, they are increasingly available-and at significantly lower cost. Landowners want to make better use of their logging rights, and certification systems such as FSC require forest management to utilize additional species.

Top mainstream alternatives include: macaranduba (Brazilian redwood) cumaru (Brazilian teak) garapa (Brazilian ash) red balau (Batu mahogany)

Garapa and cumaru are generally lighter in color and remain so when finished. This may diminish their appeal in some markets. Macaranduba and red balau (which is a hard and durable Philippine mahogany, not to be confused with softer, less durable mahoganies like cambara or meranti) are typically a darker red or brown.

Next in line are a number of upand-coming contenders. These species are usually attractive pricewise and may have distinctive selling points. There are too many to mention here, but here are three species that ought to be somewhere on your radar:

Purpleheart is roughly as hard and durable as ip6. Despite its name and signature purple color, it can also be chocolate brown, which is perfect for decking.

Resak offers durability similar to ip6, although it is not as hard. But it also has appearance going for it. In a lineup, it would be easily mistaken for ip6.

Wallaba (red ironwood) is highly durable, with a copper-brown color and some refined streaking. One importer is offering it pre-kerfed and pre-finished at prices that compare (Please turn to page 46)