What is hardwood decking?

Hardwood decking refers to the use of premium hardwood species, such as Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Massaranduba, Tigerwood, Purpleheart, Balau, and more, to construct durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor decking structures.

What are the advantages of hardwood decking?

Hardwood decking offers numerous advantages. It is known for its exceptional strength, resistance to rot and decay, low maintenance requirements, natural beauty, and longevity. Hardwood decking enhances the value of your property and provides a long-lasting solution for your outdoor living space.

What types of hardwood decking are available?

At Brazilian Wood Depot, we offer a variety of hardwood decking options, including Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Massaranduba, Tigerwood, Purpleheart, Balau, T&G Porch Decking, and Deck Tiles. Each hardwood species has its unique characteristics, providing different aesthetics and performance qualities.

Is hardwood decking suitable for my outdoor project?

Hardwood decking is highly versatile and suitable for various outdoor projects. Whether you're building a deck, porch, patio, or any other outdoor structure, hardwood decking provides durability, resistance to weather elements, and an elegant appearance, making it an excellent choice for most applications.

How can I maintain hardwood decking?

Maintaining hardwood decking is relatively simple. Regularly sweep off debris, clean with a mild soap and water solution, and rinse thoroughly. Avoid using harsh chemicals or pressure washers. Applying a hardwood deck oil or sealer can help protect the wood and maintain its natural color.

Sustainability Certified

What Is the Sustainability Certified Guide?

The Sustainability Certified guide explains how Ipe and other Brazilian hardwoods interact with global sustainability efforts, forest conservation, and responsible trade practices. It breaks down complex topics—such as deforestation, carbon emissions, legal oversight, and environmental impact—into clear, accessible insights. This interactive tool helps homeowners, contractors, and professionals understand why responsibly harvested Ipe remains one of the most sustainable building materials available.
It offers a structured, step-by-step look at production, environmental data, enforcement systems, and global regulations.

CLICK HERE to get started!

This guide breaks down the real-world environmental impact of tropical hardwoods and explains how sustainable harvesting, reduced-impact logging, and strict global regulations work together to protect natural forests.

You can open it here:
👉 Sustainability Certified – Environmental Impact Guide
https://www.bwdepot.com/SustainableIPEcertified/course

Whether you’re a contractor, architect, homeowner, or designer, this interactive resource gives you a clear, confidence-building understanding of responsible sourcing—making it one of the most comprehensive sustainability tools available today.

What Does This Guide Include?

The environmental impact of construction waste and carbon emissions
Comparison of plastics/composites vs. natural Brazilian hardwoods
Detailed explanations of hardwood production, milling, and drying
Insights on biodegradability and the post-use lifecycle
Clarification of deforestation myths using real data
Examples of plantation forests vs. natural forests
Explanation of Reduced-Impact Logging (RIL) practices
Case studies connecting applied economics, eco-tourism, and forest preservation
Supplemental videos from WWF, FFEM, AFD, and ATIBT
Overview of U.S. import laws:

- CITES Appendix II
- The Lacey Act
- IBAMA regulations
- Checkpoints, inspections, and modernization efforts

Chain-of-custody enforcement and species-identification technology
Key definitions and regulatory frameworks that shape legal hardwood trade
Real-world visuals of forests, logging practices, checkpoints, and enforcement

Why Sustainability Matters

Sustainably sourced Brazilian hardwoods protect both your project and the environment by:

Reducing carbon emissions compared to plastics and composites
Supporting selective, low-impact harvesting practices
Preventing deforestation by giving natural forests long-term economic value
Ensuring all materials are fully legal, traceable, and compliant
Keeping harmful plastics out of landfills, oceans, and waterways

The Sustainability Certified Guide breaks down these topics into clear, easy-to-understand insights so anyone can make environmentally responsible choices with confidence.

Who Is This Guide For?

Homeowners wanting eco-friendly, long-lasting outdoor materials
Contractors & Builders who need accurate sustainability info
Deck Installers sourcing reliable, legal hardwoods
Architects & Designers specifying green building materials
Property Managers maintaining structural and environmental standards
Anyone researching Brazilian hardwoods and seeking verified sustainability data

Helpful Resources

Hardwood Decking — https://www.bwdepot.com/hardwood-decking/
Installation Guides — https://www.bwdepot.com/install-guides/
Sustainability blog post — https://www.bwdepot.com/what-is-ipe-wood-and-is-it-sustainable/
CITES — https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php
U.S. Lacey Act — https://forestpolicy.org/policy-law/us-lacey-act
Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) — https://www.abc.gov.br/training/informacoes/InstituicaoIBAMA_en.aspx

About the Author

I’m Sam, and I’ve been working with Ipe Decking and Brazilian hardwoods since I was a pre-teen, learning the trade directly under my father — the founder of Brazilian Wood Depot and a long-time leader in the hardwood industry. Today, I lead our sales and marketing efforts, but I’m equally passionate about creating high-quality educational resources that help homeowners and professionals understand everything they need to know about Ipe and exterior hardwood systems.

Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of architects, landscape architects, builders, and industry experts through live presentations and accredited online courses. My mission is to make hardwood design, installation, and long-term performance simpler, clearer, and more reliable for everyone.

If you want a deeper dive into Ipe and hardwood best practices, check out my free certification course here:
👉 Ipe Certified Course: https://www.bwdepot.com/ipecertified/

My YouTube channel, Brazilian Wood Depot, is also one of the most comprehensive online resources for exterior hardwood education, with a global audience tuning in to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/@brazilianwooddepot

Text-Based Sustainability Certified Instructions

1. Global Construction and Environmental Impact

Construction contributes roughly one-third of global waste and 40% of worldwide CO₂ emissions (Page 2).
Plastic production generates harmful byproducts, contaminates waterways, and consumes large quantities of freshwater.
Plastic and composite decking materials are major competitors to Brazilian hardwoods but carry substantially higher environmental burdens.

2. Brazilian Hardwoods: Low-Carbon, Natural Production

Production Characteristics

Brazilian hardwoods require only harvesting, milling, and drying—no chemical treatment, plastics, or additives (Pages 3–4).
Their longevity is a natural result of the species’ adaptation to harsh conditions over millions of years.
They rank among the lowest carbon-emitting materials in the construction industry.

Biodegradability

Post-use construction debris contributes 30% of global trash (Page 5).
Many coastal counties are banning synthetic materials for marine use due to pollution risks after storm damage.
Brazilian hardwoods are 100% biodegradable, contributing no toxins to soil, water, or air.

3. Understanding Deforestation

Primary Drivers

Cattle ranching accounts for 65–70% of Amazonian deforestation (Page 7).
Wood products contribute only 2–3%, and nearly all come from plantation forests, not natural forests (Page 8).

Plantations vs. Natural Forests

Plantation monocultures (such as eucalyptus farms) require clearing all native species (Page 9).
Brazilian hardwood timber harvests do not occur in plantation forests and are subject to strict regulations.

Reduced-Impact Logging (RIL)

Legal harvesting of Ipe requires RIL techniques (Page 10).
This reduces damage to surrounding ecosystems and prevents hardwood harvesting from contributing to deforestation categories.
The continued economic value of hardwoods helps discourage clear-cutting.

Economic Value Protects Forests

Smithsonian Institute: “Tropical forests will be preserved only if they are accorded economic value” (Page 11).
Eco-tourism and sustainable timber industries are examples of applied economics that protect natural forests (Pages 12–14).

4. Case Studies: Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Timber

Costa Rica’s protected forests demonstrate how environmental value and economic value work together (Pages 12–14).
Similar principles apply to Brazilian hardwood industries that rely on healthy, natural forests for long-term harvesting cycles.

5. Additional Learning Resources

Interviews with WWF analysts dispel myths about Brazilian timber and highlight sustainable practices (Page 15).
Videos showcase real harvesting operations, chain-of-custody tracking, and sustainable forest management techniques.

6. Importing Hardwoods Into the United States

CITES Appendix II (Page 17)

Ipe and Cumaru were uplifted to CITES Appendix II in late 2022.
Effective November 2024, international trade requires Appendix II documentation to ensure sustainable sourcing.

The Lacey Act (Page 18)

U.S. law prohibiting illegal trade of wildlife and plant products.
Since 2008, all Brazilian hardwoods fall under Lacey Act compliance.
Importers must provide detailed chain-of-custody documentation.
Liability can extend to importers, distributors, and end-users.

IBAMA (Page 19)

Brazil’s federal environmental agency.
Enforces rules such as:
- max 30 cubic meters per hectare per 35-year cycle
- no cutting of trees under 50 cm diameter
Issues ~$10M USD in fines annually to stop illegal logging.

Checkpoints & Enforcement (Page 20)

Most Ipe originates from interior regions like Mato Grosso, Amazonas, and Pará.
IBAMA maintains checkpoints on the limited roadways connecting forests to export hubs.
Logs and hauling vehicles are seized when documentation fails inspection.

Modernization: XyloTron Technology (Page 21)

Portable microscopes allow IBAMA agents to photograph wood samples.

Helpful References Included in the Main Resource

Technicians remotely analyze species and return reports within 15 minutes.
Eliminates the need for on-site wood anatomy experts and supports global enforcement.

Resource Images & Visual Examples

Intro slide for the Sustainability Certified learning module.

Interactive Multimedia Resources

Decking Wizard – Interactive Recommendation Resource for personalized hardwood and fastener guidance.
IPEcertified – Certification Course for Ipe and Hardwoods covering decking, siding, and installation best practices.
MessmerCertified– Interactive Cleaning & Oiling Guide for maintaining hardwood decks and siding.
ClipCertified – Step-by-step Installation Guide for BWD Deck Clips and hidden fastening systems.

SurfaceScrewCertified – Installation Guide for proper stainless-steel surface fastening on hardwood decks.
CamoCertified – Interactive Guide for installing Brazilian hardwoods with the Camo Edge hidden fastener system.
DeckMasterCertified – Multimedia Guide for mastering the Deck Master undermount hidden fastening method.
ProPlugCertified – Complete Guide for using the Pro Plug hidden fastening system with hardwood decking.

What Is the Sustainability Certified Guide?

CLICK HERE to get started!

What Does This Guide Include?

Why Sustainability Matters

Who Is This Guide For?

Helpful Resources

About the Author

1. Global Construction and Environmental Impact

2. Brazilian Hardwoods: Low-Carbon, Natural Production

Production Characteristics

Biodegradability

3. Understanding Deforestation

Primary Drivers

Plantations vs. Natural Forests

Reduced-Impact Logging (RIL)

Economic Value Protects Forests

4. Case Studies: Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Timber

5. Additional Learning Resources

6. Importing Hardwoods Into the United States

CITES Appendix II (Page 17)

The Lacey Act (Page 18)

IBAMA (Page 19)

Checkpoints & Enforcement (Page 20)

Modernization: XyloTron Technology (Page 21)

Helpful References Included in the Main Resource

Interactive Multimedia Resources

Contact Us

Quick Links

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