Tropical hardwood decking carries a higher upfront cost than composite — and a lower cost per year of service. Here's how the numbers actually pencil out.
Installed Cost Today
| Material | Installed / SF |
|---|---|
| Ipe | $22–$35 |
| Cumaru | $17–$26 |
| Garapa | $14–$22 |
| Premium composite | $25–$40 |
Cost Per Year of Service
| Material | Lifespan | Cost / SF / Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ipe | 50 yrs | $0.50 |
| Cumaru | 35 yrs | $0.60 |
| Garapa | 30 yrs | $0.60 |
| Composite | 25 yrs | $1.30 |
What Drives Variability
- Substructure (existing vs new framing)
- Fastener system (face vs hidden clip)
- Pattern complexity (picture frames, mitered borders)
- Local labor market
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