Garapa for LA outdoor builds

Garapa is the value-luxury choice. It's lighter in tone than Cumaru, less dense than Ipe, but still leagues beyond cedar — 20+ year lifespan, naturally insect-resistant, finishes to a teak-warm honey palette that holds well in inland LA's UV. For clients who want bright tropical hardwood without the cost of Ipe, Garapa is the answer. Apuleia leiocarpa is the botanical name; you'll see it sourced from tropical americas (brazil, bolivia). We've built with Garapa continuously since 2011, and it shows up on roughly 10% of our completed projects.

Vs Cumaru: Garapa is lighter in tone and ~20% less expensive, but lasts ~10 years less. Vs Ipe: Garapa is much lighter and roughly 40% less expensive, but lifespan is ~40% of Ipe's. For most LA homeowners, the right garapa 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. Garapa is our recommended spec when: bright-tone hardwood builds (lighter than cumaru); mid-budget premium projects; architectural pergolas + privacy screens.

Pricing for garapa varies by application: $85–$135 per linear foot for fence builds, and $65–$135 per square foot for deck builds, fully installed. Raw board-foot pricing runs $6–$10 for reference. FSC available through select shipments. Standard Garapa is sustainably harvested but not always certified.