Last Updated on July 4, 2026 by Sam Wood Worker
Quick Answer: Cumaru wood is a super hard, termite-resistant hardwood from South America. People use it mostly for outdoor decking, but it also works for flooring and outdoor furniture. It costs more than pressure-treated wood but less than Ipe, and it can last 25 years or more outside if you take care of it. The only real downsides are the price, the hardness (tough on tools), and the natural oils that can make staining tricky.
If you are searching “cumaru wood” because you are thinking about a deck, a table, or just curious what this wood even is, you are in the right place. I will walk you through everything in plain simple words, the way I wish someone explained it to me the first time I touched a cumaru board.
My First Time Working With Cumaru
I still remember the day my supplier dropped off a pack of cumaru boards for a deck job. I thought it was going to feel like any other hardwood. I was wrong. The board felt heavier than a normal board of the same size.
When I tried my regular drill bit on it, it just skipped on the surface like it was hitting metal. I had to switch to a sharper bit and go slow. That was my first lesson: cumaru is not a “regular” wood, it fights back a little.
But once I finished that deck and saw it two years later, still looking strong with barely any rot, I understood why people pay extra for it. That is the real story of cumaru wood in one line — hard to work with, easy to trust.
What Is Cumaru Wood?
Cumaru (also called Brazilian Teak, even though it is not related to real teak) is a hardwood that grows in Brazil and other parts of South America. It is known for being extremely dense, naturally resistant to bugs and rot, and strong enough to handle harsh outdoor weather for decades.
People often compare it to Ipe wood because both are South American hardwoods used mainly for decking. Cumaru is a bit cheaper than Ipe and slightly easier to find, which is why many homeowners pick it as their “budget-friendly premium wood.”
Key Characteristics at a Glance
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brazil, South America |
| Janka Hardness | Around 3,540 lbf (very hard — see our Janka hardness explained guide) |
| Color | Reddish-brown to golden brown, darkens with age |
| Durability | Naturally resistant to rot, decay, and termites |
| Common Uses | Decking, outdoor furniture, flooring, marine structures |
| Lifespan Outdoors | 25+ years with basic care |
| Workability | Hard on blades and bits, needs pre-drilling |
Why People Choose Cumaru Wood
1. It laughs at bad weather. Rain, sun, humidity — cumaru handles all of it without swelling or rotting easily. This is why it shows up so often in decking projects.
2. Bugs mostly leave it alone. Termites and other wood-destroying pests struggle to chew through cumaru because of its natural oils and tight grain. It is not 100% bug-proof, but it is way ahead of pine or cedar in this department.
3. It looks premium. The reddish-brown color looks rich and warm, kind of like a mix between teak and mahogany. It ages into a beautiful silver-gray if you let it weather naturally, or it stays warm brown if you oil it regularly.
4. It is genuinely strong. With a Janka rating around 3,540 lbf, cumaru is nearly twice as hard as most oak. That means dents, scratches, and everyday wear barely show up.
The Honest Downsides
I am not going to just sell you on cumaru. Here is what actually annoys people, including me sometimes.
It fights your tools. Regular drill bits and saw blades wear out fast on cumaru. You need carbide-tipped blades and sharp bits, and even then, you should always pre-drill holes before screwing into it. I learned this the hard way after burning through two regular bits in one afternoon.
It is heavy. Moving cumaru boards is a workout. If you are building a deck alone, budget extra time and maybe get a helper.
The natural oils can cause staining issues. Cumaru’s oils can sometimes bleed through certain finishes or cause uneven color if you rush the staining step. I always recommend cleaning the surface with mineral spirits before applying any stain or oil, otherwise you might end up disappointed with blotchy results. Our guide on oil-based stain vs water-based stain explains this in more detail.
It costs more. Not as much as Ipe, but definitely more than pressure-treated pine or cedar. You are paying for the durability though, so it usually balances out over time.
Also read:
Cumaru Wood Decking & Flooring – Things Buyers Should Know
Cumaru vs Ipe vs Teak: How Does It Compare?
A lot of people ask me this exact question before they buy, so here is a simple side-by-side.
| Wood | Hardness | Cost | Best For | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumaru | Very High | Moderate-High | Decking, outdoor furniture | Oil every 1-2 years |
| Ipe | Extremely High | High | Premium decking, marine use | Oil every 1-2 years |
| Teak | Medium-High | High | Outdoor furniture, boats | Low, ages naturally |
If your budget allows it, Ipe is the “top of the line” choice, but cumaru gives you almost the same performance for less money. If you are comparing it against teak vs pine style projects, cumaru sits in a completely different weight class — it is much harder and better suited for ground-level outdoor use like decking rather than furniture that gets moved around.
Real Scenarios: When Should You Actually Use Cumaru ?
Scenario 1: You are building a backyard deck that gets full sun and rain. Cumaru is a great pick here. Pair it with the right tools — I always recommend checking your deck building tools list before starting, since cumaru needs sharp, quality blades to cut cleanly.
Also read:
Cumaru Wood Decking & Flooring – Things Buyers Should Know
Scenario 2: You want outdoor furniture that lasts decades without babying it. Cumaru works, but it is heavier than most furniture woods. If you want something a little easier to move around, you might also look at best deck colors for hot climates to see how cumaru’s natural tone holds up in the sun compared to painted options.
Scenario 3: You are on a tight budget and cumaru feels too pricey. That is completely fair. A lot of people finance bigger deck projects instead of paying it all at once. I have written about financing options for large woodworking projects and how to finance a deck if that sounds useful for your situation.
How to Care for Cumaru Wood (So It Actually Lasts)
- Clean it every few months. A simple wash with mild soap and water keeps dirt and mildew from building up.
- Oil it once or twice a year. This keeps the wood from turning gray too fast, if you prefer the warm brown look. Check our guide on wood staining dos and donts before you start.
- Use the right stain. Since cumaru already has natural oils, using the wrong stain can lead to poor absorption. Our best wood stains for outside guide has options that actually work well on dense hardwoods like this.
- Pre-drill every hole. I cannot stress this enough. Skipping this step is the number one reason people crack their cumaru boards.
- Check for pests occasionally. Cumaru resists termites well, but it is still smart to keep an eye out, especially if your deck touches soil directly. Our termite damage vs wood rot article helps you tell the difference if you ever notice something odd.
Key Takeaways
- Cumaru is a dense, durable hardwood from South America, often called Brazilian Teak.
- It resists rot, decay, and termites better than most common woods.
- It costs more than pine or cedar but less than Ipe.
- It is hard on tools, so use carbide blades and always pre-drill.
- With basic care (cleaning and oiling), it can last 25+ years outdoors.
- It is best suited for decking, outdoor furniture, and flooring projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cumaru wood better than Ipe? Not exactly better, but more affordable. Ipe is slightly harder and slightly more expensive. Cumaru gives you close to the same durability for a lower price.
Does cumaru wood need to be sealed? It is not required since cumaru is naturally weather-resistant, but sealing or oiling it helps keep the rich brown color instead of letting it turn gray.
Can cumaru wood be used indoors? Yes, some people use it for flooring, but it is mostly known as an outdoor decking wood because of its weather resistance.
How long does cumaru decking last? With proper care, cumaru decking commonly lasts 25 years or more.
Is cumaru wood expensive? It is moderate to high in price. It costs more than pressure-treated wood but is usually cheaper than Ipe.
My Final Take
If you want a deck or outdoor project that you will not have to worry about for the next twenty years, cumaru wood is one of the smartest choices out there. Yes, it is heavier and tougher to work with than a soft pine board, and yes, your tools will complain a little. But every time I walk past a cumaru deck I built years ago and see it still standing strong, I know it was worth the extra effort.
If you are just getting started with a project like this, I would also suggest looking at dimensional lumber sizes so you know exactly what to order before you head to the lumber yard.
