A deck doesn’t get the easy indoor life. Sun bakes it, rain soaks it, and daily traffic grinds grit into the surface. That constant weather and wear can cause swelling, shrinking, checking, and splinters if you choose the wrong wood or install it poorly. So “best hardwood for a deck” really means a species that naturally resists rot and insects, stays stable through moisture swings, and holds up to real use. Your climate, sun exposure, and how much maintenance you can commit to matter just as much as the wood itself. Let’s explore and pick the best hardwoods for your deck in this detailed guide by Bergamo Floors.
Step 1: Check your local fire and building rules first
If you live in or near a wildfire-prone area, code can limit what you can install for the walking surface of a deck, especially when the deck sits close to the house. Los Angeles County guidance says decking surfaces within 10 feet of the building must use ignition-resistant, noncombustible, or tested compliant materials under ASTM and State Fire Marshal standards.
When a standard calls for SFM 12-7A-4, it refers to a test that checks a deck board’s resistance to structural failure, flaming fallout, and runaway combustion under specific fire exposures.
Practical move: ask your city or county building department whether your property falls in a WUI zone and which decking materials they accept.
Step 2: Decide what you want to optimize
Pick your priorities in plain language:
- Lowest maintenance (you accept natural graying)
- Color stability (you plan to oil and maintain)
- Maximum dent resistance (big dogs, heavy furniture, lots of parties)
- Best barefoot comfort (less splinter risk, less heat in the sun)
- Best for coastal exposure (salt air and moisture)
Hardwood can hit all of these, but you’ll trade something somewhere.
Step 3: Understand what makes a hardwood “deck worthy”
A great decking hardwood usually checks these boxes:
Natural durability against rot and insects
Some tropical hardwoods come with excellent decay resistance right out of the tree. Cumaru, for example, has a “very durable” rating for decay resistance with good resistance to termites and borers on The Wood Database.
High density and dent resistance
Density matters when you drag furniture, drop tools, or host the kind of gathering where everyone forgets to pick up their chairs.
The Janka hardness test gives you a useful baseline for dent resistance.
Step 4: Pick a species based on your conditions
Below are hardwood choices that show up constantly in high-end decks, plus the situations where they make the most sense.
Ipe for maximum toughness and long-term wear
Ipe brings extreme density and durability, plus a reputation for surviving heavy exposure. The Wood Database lists ipe with very high hardness and durability and notes that it works great for decking, but can feel difficult to work with because of its density.
When ipe fits best
- You want a premium deck that takes abuse
- You need strong resistance to dents and surface wear
- You plan to use quality fasteners and proper installation
What to watch
- You’ll dull blades and drill bits faster, and you’ll need pre-drilling and careful fastening because ipe fights tools.
- If you’re building right on the coast, note that some ipe can face marine borer concerns in certain exposures.
Cumaru for ipe-like performance at a different price point
Cumaru often gives you a similar “dense tropical hardwood” performance profile. The Wood Database lists Cumaru at a very high Janka hardness and describes strong durability and decay resistance.
When does cumaru fit best?
- You want a hard, durable tropical wood
- You want rich, warm color and visible character
- You want excellent decay resistance
What to watch
- Cumaru’s density and interlocked grain can make workability harder, and you’ll want to pre-bore for fasteners.
Garapa for a lighter look with outdoor durability
Garapa gives you a lighter color palette than many tropical hardwoods. The Wood Database calls out Garapa as one of the few commercial hardwoods that stays light while still offering exterior decay resistance, and it lists a moderate-to-high Janka hardness.
When garapa fits best
- You want a bright, golden deck tone
- You want easier workability than the densest exotics
- You still want real hardwood durability outdoors
What to watch
- Garapa can remain more vulnerable to termites and insects in some contexts, so sourcing and site conditions matter.
Tigerwood for bold looks and solid durability
Tigerwood delivers dramatic striping and strong hardness in many product lines. Many builders recommend it as a distinctive option that still holds up well outdoors.
When tigerwood fits best
- You want a statement deck
- You don’t mind color variation and natural movement in appearance
Step 5: Don’t ignore sourcing and sustainability
Tropical hardwoods can come from responsible forestry, but they can also come from messy supply chains. Treat sourcing as part of the material spec, not a marketing detail.
Ipe appears under CITES Appendix II restrictions across multiple genera, and The Wood Database discusses sustainability concerns and low natural tree density for ipe species.
If you want a straightforward filter, look for FSC-certified supply where possible. FSC-labeled products go through independent certification processes meant to support responsible forest management.
Step 6: Match the wood to your maintenance tolerance
Hardwood decks usually follow one of two lifestyles.
You embrace the silver patina
Most hardwoods will weather to a gray tone outdoors. If you want minimal maintenance, you can clean seasonally and accept the natural change.
You maintain the color
If you want the original brown or golden tone, you’ll need periodic cleaning and oiling. The exact schedule depends on sun exposure, foot traffic, and your local weather patterns.
Your deck will still look great either way, but you should choose intentionally so you don’t feel surprised later.
Step 7: Plan for installation realities with dense hardwoods
Dense hardwood decks demand disciplined installation. Many of these woods fight glue and fasteners and blunt cutters, so you should plan for:
- Pre-drilling for screws in very dense species
- High-quality corrosion-resistant hardware, especially near the coast
- Proper board spacing for drainage and seasonal movement
- Good ventilation under the deck to reduce moisture problems
A great wood with sloppy installation still fails.
A simple decision shortcut
Choose ipe when you want the toughest, longest-wearing hardwood, and you accept harder installation.
Choose cumaru when you want high hardness and strong durability with a different look and pricing profile.
Choose garapa when you want a lighter hardwood aesthetic with solid outdoor performance.
Choose tigerwood when you want bold visuals and a hardwood deck that stands out.
And before you buy anything, verify wildfire-zone requirements and look for products that meet the relevant ignition-resistance testing where your local rules demand it.