Tigerwood: 7 Surprising Facts About This Hardwood

Ever wondered what gives tigerwood its bold tiger-like stripes and why people pick it for decking and flooring? This post shares seven clear facts about the wood. You will learn about its color, hardness, water and pest resistance, pros and cons for outdoor use, and simple care tips. Short, useful info for anyone planning a wood project.

Tigerwood is a striking tropical hardwood prized for decks, floors, and custom projects. This guide explains what tigerwood is, how it performs, what it costs, and how to care for it so you can choose and maintain it with confidence.

What Is Tigerwood?

Scientific Classification and Origin

Tigerwood (commonly sold as goncalo alves) refers to several Astronium species native from southern Mexico through Central America into Brazil. Reputable suppliers such as ETT Fine Woods highlight its stable sourcing regions and consistent quality for exterior and interior use.

Physical Characteristics and Tree Size

This dense hardwood shows an orange‑brown to reddish base with dark streaks that resemble a tiger’s coat. Mature trees can reach about 150 feet tall with trunks near 5 feet in diameter, yielding long, clear boards that suit large decks and expansive floors.

Common Applications

Builders and makers pick tigerwood for decking, flooring, exterior siding, furniture, stair treads, and high‑end millwork. For visual comparisons, see exotic options like zebrawood or figured options like tiger maple wood, and explore broader Brazilian wood choices for regional context.

1. Tigerwood’s Distinctive Tiger-Stripe Appearance

Natural Color Variations

Tigerwood wood shows dramatic striping over golden‑brown to red hues, and no two boards look alike. Designers love the contrast because the bold stripes read as luxury in both modern and traditional spaces.

Weathering and Patina Development

Sunlight slowly deepens the base color, while unfinished exteriors mellow to a silver patina. If you prefer the original tones, periodic oiling keeps the color rich; if you want gray, let it weather and clean gently as needed.

2. Exceptional Durability Outlasts Most Woods

Janka Hardness Rating

Tigerwood posts a Janka hardness near 1850 lbf, tougher than maple and red oak, which improves dent and scratch resistance. See the ABS Wood guide for a practical view on durability in busy homes and deck spaces.

Lifespan Expectations

Installed correctly, tigerwood decking can deliver 25+ years outdoors with simple maintenance. Indoors, tigerwood flooring often lasts 50+ years thanks to its density and resistance to wear.

Natural Resistance Properties

The wood contains natural oils and has a tight grain that resists decay, surface checking, and abrasion. This built‑in protection reduces the need for chemical treatments while keeping structural integrity high.

3. Superior Water and Pest Resistance

Moisture Absorption Properties

Dense, tight pores slow water uptake, so boards stay dimensionally stable in humid zones. That’s why pool surrounds, coastal decks, and bathrooms are common tigerwood applications.

Mold and Mildew Prevention

Natural extractives help block fungi, mold, and mildew on exposed surfaces. Good airflow and routine cleaning are usually enough to keep surfaces fresh without harsh chemicals.

Insect and Rot Protection

The wood’s density and oils make it unattractive to many insects, including termites, and slow decay. See Brazilian Lumber facts for a quick resistance recap that matches field experience.

4. Tigerwood Decking Advantages and Drawbacks

Key Benefits

• Showpiece look: bold, striped grain with warm reds and browns.
• Long service life: decades of performance with simple care.
• Scratch resistance: great for pets, parties, and high traffic.
• Low upkeep: no paint needed; periodic cleaning and optional oil.
• Barefoot friendly: dense surface with low splintering.

Potential Challenges

• Heavier cuts: hardness needs sharp carbide blades and pre‑drilling.
• Tool wear: slower feed rates and more frequent bit changes.
• Color shift: UV darkening or silvering unless periodically oiled.
• Premium cost: priced above domestic softwoods.

Cost Considerations

Tigerwood typically costs less than ipe and teak, yet more than cedar or pressure‑treated pine, landing it in a value spot among exotics. Regional pricing and board lengths vary; supplier pages like LRJ Lumber provide current availability and sizes.

Here are a few small tigerwood items that showcase the figure and color before you commit to big projects.

5. Environmental Benefits and Carbon Storage

Carbon Sequestration Properties

Living trees absorb and store CO₂ for decades, and long‑lasting lumber continues to store that carbon in service. Choosing durable products delays carbon release and supports lower lifetime impacts.

Sustainable Sourcing Practices

Look for FSC certification and legal harvest documentation, plus suppliers that replant and manage forests responsibly. For context on sustainability concerns and best practices, see Impactful Ninja.

Long-Term Environmental Impact

Because tigerwood flooring and decking last for decades, you get long service per harvest. That longevity spreads the environmental cost across many years of use, which often beats short‑lived materials.

6. Installation and Maintenance Best Practices

Installation Considerations

Acclimate boards to site conditions and leave proper ventilation gaps to reduce movement. Pre‑drill fastener holes, use stainless steel screws or hidden fasteners, and cut with sharp carbide for clean edges.

Pre‑drill every hole and keep blades sharp; the wood rewards precision with clean results.

Installer tip

Care and Maintenance Tips

Sweep grit often, then wash yearly with mild soap and water to keep surfaces bright. Indoors, add felt pads under furniture; outdoors, reapply a UV blocker every couple of seasons if you want the original color.

Color Preservation Methods

If you prefer rich reds and browns, use a penetrating oil with UV inhibitors after install and as needed. Many owners keep color with a product like Penofin’s tigerwood formula

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7. Performance Compared to Other Exotic Woods

Hardness and Durability Comparisons

Tigerwood balances hardness, stability, and cost better than many exotics. Use this quick comparison as a planning reference for decks and floors.

Species	Approx. Janka (lbf)	Typical Outdoor Service	Notes
Tigerwood	1850	25+ years	Bold stripes; stable with oil/UV care
Ipe	3510	30–40+ years	Very hard; higher cost and tool wear
Teak	1070	20–30 years	Oily, workable; premium price
Cumaru	3540	30–40+ years	Extremely hard; heavier movement
Red Oak (ref.)	1290	Interior use	Common benchmark for hardness

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Many buyers pick tigerwood for value: high durability and standout looks without ipe or teak pricing. Factoring lifespan, minimal upkeep, and resale appeal, total cost of ownership stays competitive for premium projects.

Common Project Applications

Choose tigerwood for feature decks, elevated walkways, wide‑plank flooring, and statement stairs. For furniture accents, compare rich exotics like cocobolo, bocote, or Brazilian rosewood depending on color and workability goals.

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