Timber talk

Garapa is an ethically sourced timber that’s a cut above the competition

Rosenfeld Kidson is one of the country’s leading suppliers’ of decking hardwood and its ethically sourced Garapa timber range is perfectly suited for outdoor construction.   

A rot and decay-resistant hardwood, Garapa has a light yellow-to-honey colour, which combined with its lustrous qualities give it strong aesthetic appeal. It also has a high silica content, which is a deterrent to wood-eating insects.

While primarily used as a decking timber, Garapa is also good for smaller applications such as exterior furniture and joinery; it weathers very well and is not prone to checking or splitting.

Good for everybody

Ethically sourced from South American forests, Rosenfeld Kidson’s Garapa has a 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) rating. This means all of the timber comes from FSC-certified forests.

In order to be given FSC certification, a forest must be managed in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. So not only do your clients get a great finish, they can take pride in knowing that the timber comes from a sustainable source.

PlaceMakers is committed to ensuring the tropical timbers sold in its stores are supplied from approved sources
of verified legal origin.

As members of the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group (NZITTG), PlaceMakers has committed to the policy whereby, as a member of NZITTG, it will only purchase and sell tropical timbers and products made from tropical timbers (including Kwila), from independently approved sources of verified legal origin.

Installation tips 

Garapa saws, nails and screws well, with only a slight blunting effect. It also glues well. Avoid contact with iron filings, as this can cause discoloration. If this does occur, staining can be removed with a light scrub using oxalic acid.

All decking should be kept dry before installation and stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight, elevated approximately 100mm off the ground.

Ventilation
Adequate ventilation of decks is essential for long-term stability. Allowing air to freely circulate around the deck will reduce the moisture differential between the top and underneath of the boards, minimising the likelihood of cupping and distortion.

To achieve proper ventilation, decks should be raised at least 450mm off the ground with adequate gaps left between the boards.

Fastening
All decking boards should have two pre-drilled pilot holes per joist. Depending on the timber’s dimensions, recommended fastenings include:

• 10g x 50mm/65mm stainless steel 316 grade decking screws.
• 65mm annular grooved stainless steel 316 grade decking nails.

Coating
Decking can be coated on all four sides using Rosenfeld Kidson’s Factory Oil service prior to delivery. This can be provided as a clear ‘sacrificial’ coat to reduce the potential for movement and aid in the seasoning process; or as naturally pigmented oil to slow discolouration.

Garapa sizes available
Standard plain decking profiles:

• 60 x 19mm, 90 x 19mm and
  140 x 19mm.
• ‘Jumbo’ decking: 140 x 25mm.
• ‘Boardwalk’ decking: 140 x 32mm.
• Kiln-dried sawn sizes: 100/150/200 x 25mm, 100/150/200 x 40mm and 100/150/200 x 50mm. 

In addition to the kiln-dried sizes above, Garapa is available as air-dried 150/200/250 x 75mm and 100x100mm and 150x150mm posts.