Cumaru for LA outdoor builds

Cumaru is the answer for 60% of our projects. It's harder than oak, denser than mahogany, naturally insect- and decay-resistant, and finishes with a glassine grain that catches the LA light. It costs about half what Ipe does and lasts about half as long — but 25–35 years is a long time, and most homeowners aren't planning past that horizon. For premium hardwood at a price that doesn't require an estate budget, Cumaru is the answer. Dipteryx odorata is the botanical name; you'll see it sourced from tropical brazil and peru. We've built with Cumaru continuously since 2011, and it shows up on roughly 60% of our completed projects.

Vs Ipe: Cumaru is ~20% less expensive and 65% as long-lived. Vs Garapa: Cumaru is darker, denser, and lasts ~10 years longer. Vs Cedar: Cumaru lasts 3x longer with no annual maintenance. For most LA homeowners, the right cumaru build comes down to three questions: how long do you intend to own the home, how much annual maintenance are you willing to do, and how the wood looks against your existing architecture. Cumaru is our recommended spec when: la hardwood fences (premium tier); mid-luxury hardwood decks; pivot gate cladding.

Pricing for cumaru varies by application: $110–$175 per linear foot for fence builds, and $75–$160 per square foot for deck builds, fully installed. Raw board-foot pricing runs $8.5–$14 for reference. Available FSC-certified through our supplier in Long Beach. Confirm at quote time if certification matters.