06 Dec Garapa’s Sun and Rain Resilience
Garapa wood is some of the most resilient timber in the world, standing up to elements like the blistering sun and torrential rain like it’s nothing but a blip. It is extraordinarily resistant to shrinking, splintering, cupping, twisting, checking, and warping. It’s tough and dense with a soft-looking, satin-esque grain. Its beautiful honey grain is a rarity among decay-resistant commercial hardwoods.
As an exterior wood, Garapa is classed as very durable, withstanding foul weather and continuing to look great for years. If you’re in the market for a tropical hardwood that withstands the elements, has a beautiful colour, is rot-resistant, and is a cheaper alternative to other hardwoods, look no further than gorgeous garapa.
What Makes Garapa Sun and Rain Resilient?
Garapa is also sometimes referred to as Brazillian Ash since it’s originally from South America. Brazil’s climate includes heavy rainfall, high humidity, and intense sunlight, which made garapa adapt to withstand these conditions. To survive in Brazil’s rainforest system, garapa developed tight and densely grained wood, which protects it from swelling, shrinking, and warping in warm and moist environments.
Sun Resilience
As Brazil is a region with intense sunlight, garapa evolved to resist the effects of harmful UV radiation. Its structure minimises fibre breakdown from long-term sun exposure, which helps it maintain resistance to weathering and integrity. Moreover, garapa’s tight and fine grain and texture reduce its ability to absorb water, making it resistant to extreme changes in weather or temperature.
Garapa’s golden honey colour makes it moderately resistant to UV degradation. Long-term exposure fades it to a silvery grey, but it does so less quickly than other woods. Applying high-quality oils and avoiding harmful oils can help it retain its colour and UV resistance.
Rain Resilience
Garapa has oils and chemical compounds like tannins, lignin, terpenes, and sometimes, silica. Its oils and compounds protect it against moisture and pest penetration, making it more resistant to decay and mould caused by rain and cold weather. In addition, its density makes it more resistant to wear, tear, and warping.
How to Leverage Garapa’s Natural Protectant Properties
Now that you know what makes garapa sun and rain resilient, it’s time to learn about how you can leverage these properties to maximise the lifespan of indoor and outdoor structures like decking, furniture, and siding.
Design for Durability
Even resistant woods like garapa can fall victim to moisture exposure. Be sure you include mechanisms for adequate airflow when designing with garapa. Designing structures with slight slopes or drainage mediums for water runoff will help garapa maintain its resistance to decay and mould.
Seal and Protect
Apply high-quality sealant or wax to garapa planks to reduce water absorption. This also helps to reduce splintering. This way, your wood is less prone to drying out in high-temperature conditions. If you would like to preserve garapa’s gorgeous golden colour, apply a finishing oil now and then.
Routine Maintenance
Ensure you maintain your wood by routinely cleaning off bugs and leaves likely to decay on your garapa. Also, be sure to monitor for surface changes like discolouration or mildew and repair cracks or splintering in your wood promptly.
If you have any questions about garapa or its maintenance, contact Garapa.co.za. We would love to help you experience the durability and beauty of high-quality garapa.