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Unlike Avocado, Jatoba Decking Provides Timeless Durability And Beauty

Decks are becoming our focal point for entertaining and just living. Brazilian woods like Jatoba are becoming the primary hardwoods for decks and decking use.  Today there are a lot of composite decking materials around.   They are all the rage. Remember when the “space age” arrived and aluminum was the rage.  Everyone had to buy an aluminum silver Christmas tree.   The aluminum trees are long gone but wood trees still adorn many homes for the holidays.  Decks are not like holiday decorations that you can change every year.  They are a fixture of your home.  However, like the avocado green appliances of the 70s you do not want a product that dates your home.   You may think the 50s were a long time ago, and you are right. However, Ipe decking will easily last 50 years.   In fact, if your grandfather had built a Brazilian Hardwood deck with Ipe or Jatoba for his ranch home in the 1950s it would still be an asset today with many more years of service.  Unlike the avocado green appliance and the hot pink bathroom tiles, Brazilian Jatoba decking is ageless.   In Brazil it is common to see a Jatoba deck that was built 30 years ago and is still in service.   Compare that to your average PT deck that was “treated” with chemicals to make it last longer.

The composite conundrum: You hear a lot of hype about composite decking. Composites are made from oil.  They do not biodegrade and environmentally friendly.  While the oil needed may be small for a deck, for an industry it is enormous.  Also, oil is a non-renewable resource.  Jatoba decking, even though it may last 50 years, will eventually break down as nature intended. It will return to the soil and contribute to the next generation. Jatoba trees are grown, not manufactured.  Like a painter’s canvas, each board is unique with its own distinct grain pattern.  You will not see repeating simulated grain. You will see a symphony of patterns each contributing to the whole which will be your deck.  You will quickly start to see one or two which will become your favorites.

Jatoba’s Hardness: Jatoba is one of the hardest woods on Earth. To dramatize, Jatoba is twice as hard as hard maple.  Maple is the wood that Louisville Slugger baseball bats are made from.

Jatoba Color: Jatoba arrives as a medium brown wood.  However, Jatoba is photosensitive.  Once in the sun it turns a beautiful russet red color. After a few months, like all woods, Jatoba will start to gray. If you are like many people and love the russet red color of Jatoba, it is easy to maintain.  A periodic application of a UV finisher will keep that lovely reddish color. Jatoba only needs a simple finisher and not a sealer as the woods hardness already protects it from common injuries that would damage softer wood.

Bugs hate Jatoba decking: Jatoba decking is so hard that pine beetles and other wood destroying pests do not bother it.  It is easier for a termite to move and find a tastier meal than to destroy its teeth on Jatoba.   With a Jatoba deck, the “treated” foundation will be much more attractive to bugs than the Jatoba decking.

Ground Contact: Jatoba is fine for ground contact.  You can use 4×4’s in the ground for various purposes way beyond decking.  

Jatoba decking just has a lot going for it.  Once you look at the longevity, natural grain, hardness, and insect resistance, you have a great wood.  Once you factor in Jatoba’s russet red color, you have a phenomenal wood.  

At Advanced Building Suppliers, we offer Brazilian wood decking that provides long lasting results and are free from harmful chemicals or plastic composites. Advanced Building Supplies, Inc is a premium Brazilian hardwood decking provider in the USA. We offer impressive, classy and stylish wood decking options such as Ipe decking, Cumaru decking, Jatoba decking, Tigerwood decking, Garapa decking, Massaranduba decking and Deck accessories for long lasting results. We ship all over the US, Central America, and Europe.  So, if you want to build a deck for your next home improvement, and would like to see the hardwoods that are available for you new deck, we have samples of our Brazilian wood decking. Contact us to place an order today at 404-549-4840 or 352-508-4990!

About the Author

Bruce Master gained an interest in woodworking at an early age. He started working with contractors in the 1970s as a salesman at Ace Hardware in Miami.  Over the years he discovered and fell in love with Brazilian woods.  He has built decks, docks and specialty items using many of the Brazilian woods. Today, Bruce loves his job as Operations Manager for Advanced Building Supplies, a Brazilian wood retailer.

Johnny Winter – Avocado Green