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The 22 Most Common Hardwood Decking FAQs
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What type of wood do you carry?We carry a full range of premium outdoor building materials, including tropical hardwoods, thermally modified woods, and low-maintenance alternatives like composite, PVC, and aluminum systems.
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What type of hardwood do you carry?Our hardwood selection includes Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Jatoba, Tigerwood, Massaranduba, and Iroko — species prized for their strength, beauty, and durability.
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What brands of composite decking do you carry?We offer high-quality composite and PVC decking from trusted industry brands, designed for low maintenance, long-term performance, and modern design flexibility. We proudly carry many of the industry’s top composite and PVC decking brands, including TimberTech, Azek, Trex, Deckotech, MoistureShield, Fiberon, Deckorators, Zuri, and Versatex, giving our customers access to a full range of high-performance, low-maintenance solutions for every type of project.
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What makes Ipe special?Ipe, also called Brazilian Walnut, is one of the hardest, densest woods in the world. It naturally resists rot, insects, and weathering, making it a top choice for luxury decks, boardwalks, and high-traffic outdoor spaces.It has a class “A” fire rating which is the same as concrete and steel. It is also one of the densest hardwoods on Earth! It can resist surface scratches and it’s 3x harder than cedar and ipe has heat repelling properties, which means your deck won’t be hot on bare feet!
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What makes cumaru special?Cumaru, known as Brazilian Teak, combines rich golden-brown tones with excellent durability. It’s a cost-effective alternative to Ipe while still offering strong resistance to weather, insects, and decay.
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What are the benefits of using tropical hardwood?Tropical hardwoods last decades longer than most alternatives, require minimal maintenance, and offer natural beauty with unique grain patterns and rich colors.
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Can tropical hardwood be refinished? Yes. Tropical hardwood can be sanded and refinished to restore its original appearance, making it a long-term investment that stays beautiful for years.
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What makes Brazilian tropical hardwood the best choice for decking?Brazilian hardwoods are denser, stronger, and more durable than most other woods. Their natural resistance to rot, termites, and weather makes them ideal for outdoor living spaces that need to stand the test of time.
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What is the sales tax on my purchase? Sales tax depends on the delivery or pick-up location and follows state and local regulations. We’ll provide the exact tax amount on your estimate and invoice.
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What methods of payment do you accept? We accept all major credit cards, checks, wire transfers, and business accounts (for approved partners).
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What is your return policy?If you need to cancel or return an order, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Timeframe: Returns are accepted within 15 days of the invoice date.
- Restocking Fee: A 25% restocking fee applies to all processed orders.
- Special Orders: Because they are purchased or milled to your specifications, special orders cannot be returned or refunded.
- Adhesive Products: We do not accept returns on glue, oils, or adhesive products.
If you have questions about a return or need assistance, please call us at (954) 287-0816 or email us and our team will be happy to help. Please contact our team for full details.
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What are your shipping costs?Shipping costs vary by order size, weight, and delivery location. We work with multiple carriers to secure competitive rates and ensure reliable delivery. Quotes are always provided upfront.
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How can I track my shipment?Once your order is shipped, we provide tracking details so you can follow your delivery in real time. For local deliveries, our logistics team will keep you updated directly.
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How long will it take to get my order?Delivery times depend on product availability and location. With warehouses in Miami, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, we can often fulfill orders quickly — and in many cases, contractors can pick up materials the same day.
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How did the company start specializing in importing South American wood?Brazilian Lumber was founded on a passion for premium tropical hardwoods. Starting as an importer in 2014, we officially launched in 2018 and have since expanded into a full-service distributor of hardwoods, modified woods, composites, and aluminum systems.
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Are you a certified company?Yes. We offer FSC®-certified products and are members of NADRA and IWPA, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and best practices in the industry.
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How do sustainably sourced tropical hardwoods affect their environment and local communities?Sustainably sourced hardwoods support responsible forestry, protect ecosystems, and provide fair economic opportunities for local communities. By choosing certified lumber, you help preserve forests while supporting ethical supply chains.
It is unfortunate that so much news focuses on illegal deforestation without reporting about legal and ethical practices of forestry management. People are often surprised to learn just how tightly regulated the industry is and how many compliance programs there are.
There are three pillars to responsible forestry management: sustainable harvest, ecosystem health, and community benefits.
- It is important that the local population have economic opportunities and the forestry industry guarantees fair wages, medical attention, school staffing, and much more.
- The flora and fauna in the managed area are all inventoried and evaluated by a forestry engineer.
- Only a fraction of the area can be milled in one year, and the engineer picks non-viable, non-seed-bearing trees that are at the end of their life cycle. Removing such trees allows more light into the forest so newer trees can grow.
- Once an area is harvested, it cannot be entered again for 25 years.
- Each harvested tree has a tag and a ring print (like a thumb print) that is then compared to the log throughout the milling process.
- All the milling is also monitored through plane and satellite imaging.
Thus, there is a strict chain of custody to ensure all lumber is legally forested.
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How much hardwood will I need?The amount depends on your project size and design. Our team can help calculate quantities based on your plans, accounting for waste factors and cut lengths so you order with confidence.
Most projects are measured in square feet, while our hardwood decking is sold by the linear foot. One of our sales associates will be happy to calculate the amount of material you need, but if you’d like to do it yourself, here’s how:
Step 1. Find your total square footage (length × width of your deck area).
Step 2. Identify your board width and whether you are using a standard ¼” gap or tongue-and-groove boards.
Step 3. Use the chart below to find the correct multiplying number.
Step 4. Multiply your square footage by that number to get the total linear feet required.
For Decking Projects with a Maximum ¼” Gap:
| Board Width | Multiply By |
| 4” decking boards | 3.43 |
| 6” decking boards | 2.20 |
For Tongue & Groove Decking:
| Board Width | Multiply By |
| 4” decking boards | 3.84 |
| 6” decking boards | 2.34 |
Examples
- Example 1:
You have a 12’ × 10’ deck (120 sq. ft.) and you choose 1×4 ipe decking.
Multiply 120 × 3.43 = 412 linear feet needed. - Example 2:
You have a 6’ × 12’ deck (72 sq. ft.) and you choose 5/4×6 cumaru decking.
Multiply 72 × 2.20 = 159 linear feet needed.
Important: These calculations do not include waste from cut-offs. We strongly recommend ordering 5–10% extra material.
For help with your project, call us at (954) 287-0816 or email us, and one of our sales associates will calculate the exact amount of material you’ll need.
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What’s the first thing customers should consider when shopping tropical hardwood for their next outdoor project?Start by thinking about durability, maintenance, and budget. Brazilian hardwoods are an investment that pays off in longevity and performance. Our team helps you choose the right species and quantities for your project.
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What are the hours of operation for Brazilian Lumber?Our warehouses and showrooms are generally open Monday through Friday, with Saturday hours at select locations. Contact your nearest branch for exact hours.
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Where are you located?We have warehouses and showrooms in Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; and North Brunswick, NJ. Together, these locations serve customers across the U.S. and the Caribbean.
- Miami, Florida
Our Miami warehouse and showroom, located at 777 NW 71st St, Miami, FL 33150, sits just minutes from I-95 and close to key distribution routes that connect all of South Florida. This central location makes it easy for contractors in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to pick up materials the same day, keeping projects moving without costly delays. - North Brunswick, New Jersey
Strategically located at 593 Nassau St, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902, our New Jersey warehouse is right off U.S. Route 1 and close to the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95). This convenient access point serves contractors across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, making same-day pick-up simple and helping crews in the Northeast stay on schedule. - Los Angeles, California
Our West Coast warehouse, at 4629 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90058, is positioned near I-10, I-110, and I-710, placing it at the crossroads of Southern California’s major transportation network. This central LA location allows contractors and distributors to quickly pick up orders, reducing lead times and making premium building materials accessible across California and the Western U.S.
