Looking for the best hardwood for decking and tired of hearing only about Ipe? You are not alone. Ipe prices have climbed, supply has become harder to verify, and many architects and contractors now ask us for an alternative that lasts just as long outdoors. The good news is that Central Africa grows several hardwoods that do the job very well, often at a lower cost.
In this guide we compare the eight African species we supply most often for decking, from private gardens to busy boardwalks. We explain what really makes a deck last, which profiles to choose, and how to order. Everything here comes from what we ship every month at Global Timber Trade Hub.
In short
- Choose a species with natural durability class 1 or 2 for outdoor use.
- Padouk, Doussie, Okan and Azobe are the toughest African decking woods.
- Tali and Iroko give strong value for money.
- Hardness matters for heavy foot traffic and commercial sites.
- Good drainage, spacing and fixings matter as much as the species.
- Plan on 21–28 mm thick boards on joists at about 400–500 mm centres.
What makes a hardwood good for decking?
A deck lives a hard life. It is wet, then dry, then hot, then cold. People walk on it, drag furniture over it and drop things on it. The best decking timbers share five qualities:
- Natural durability: resistance to fungal decay without chemical treatment. Look for class 1 (very durable) or class 2 (durable) under EN 350.
- Hardness: resistance to dents and wear, measured on the Janka scale.
- Stability: low movement between wet and dry seasons, so boards do not cup or twist.
- Low splintering: important for bare feet around pools.
- Legal, steady supply: you want the same timber for repairs in ten years.
The 8 best African hardwoods for decking at a glance
| Species | Durability class | Janka (lbf, approx.) | Colour | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padouk | 1 | 1,970 | Vivid red, mellows to brown | High |
| Doussie (Afzelia) | 1 | 1,810 | Golden to red-brown | High |
| Okan | 1 | 3,000+ | Yellow-brown to dark brown | Medium |
| Azobe | 1–2 | 3,350 | Dark red-brown | Medium |
| Tali | 1–2 | 2,000+ | Yellow-brown to reddish | Medium-low |
| Iroko | 1–2 | 1,260 | Golden, darkens to brown | Medium |
| Mukulungu | 1 | 2,900+ | Red-brown | Medium |
| Bilinga | 1 | 1,600 | Golden orange | Medium |
Figures vary between trees and sources. Use them for comparison, not for structural design.
1. Padouk: the showpiece deck
Padouk is the wood people stop and look at. Freshly installed, it is a striking orange-red. Left to weather, it slowly turns a warm brown, then silver-grey. It is very durable, very stable and pleasant underfoot.
We recommend Padouk for premium residential decks, hotel terraces and yacht-club walkways. It is CITES Appendix II listed, so every shipment comes with a CITES export permit.
2. Doussie: stable and refined
Doussie, also called Afzelia, is one of the most stable hardwoods in the world. That makes it a favourite for wide boards and for decks around swimming pools, where boards get wet and dry many times a day. It has a fine, even grain and a calm golden-brown colour.
Like Padouk, Doussie is CITES listed and priced at the top of the range. Many clients choose it when they want a deck that will still look elegant in 25 years.
3. Okan: the hard-wearing workhorse
Okan is very dense and very hard. It is a strong choice for public spaces, bridges, piers and any deck that gets heavy foot traffic. It is class 1 durable and resists wear exceptionally well.
Because it is so hard, Okan needs pre-drilling and good tools. In return, it shrugs off stiletto heels, furniture and even light vehicles on boardwalks.
4. Azobe: heavy-duty and proven
Azobe is better known for lock gates and harbours, but it also makes a superb heavy-duty deck. It is our first suggestion for bridge decks, crane mats and walkways near water. It is very heavy, so plan the substructure and handling accordingly.
Want to compare it with the classic alternative? Read our guide to Azobe vs Greenheart.
5. Tali: the value choice
Tali is often overlooked, which is good news for your budget. It is dense, durable and widely available in long lengths. Its colour varies from yellow-brown to reddish brown and evens out as it weathers.
For large municipal or commercial decks where cost per square metre matters, Tali gives some of the best value we know.
6. Iroko: easy to work, reliable outdoors
Iroko is softer than the species above, but it is durable, stable and easy to machine. It weathers to a pleasant brown-grey and is popular for garden decks, benches and outdoor furniture. Our guide to Iroko vs teak explains why many buyers use it as a teak alternative.
7. Mukulungu: dense and fine-textured
Mukulungu is very heavy and very durable, with a finer texture than Azobe. It suits high-traffic terraces, docks and stairs. Supply is smaller than for Okan or Tali, so tell us early if you plan a large project.
8. Bilinga: golden and borer-resistant
Bilinga has a bright golden-orange colour and an excellent durability record, including in contact with water. It is lighter than Azobe, which makes it easier to handle on site. It suits pontoons, boardwalks and coastal decks.
Which species for which deck?
| Project | Our first choice | Good alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Private garden deck | Iroko | Tali |
| Pool surround | Doussie | Padouk |
| Hotel or restaurant terrace | Padouk | Okan |
| Public boardwalk | Okan | Tali |
| Pier, pontoon or marina | Bilinga | Azobe |
| Bridge deck | Azobe | Mukulungu |
Decking profiles and sizes
Most of our decking leaves the mill planed to one of these profiles:
- Smooth both sides (S4S): clean, modern look, easy to oil.
- Grooved or reeded: improves grip on one face.
- Smooth with eased edges: the most popular choice for residential work.
- Hidden-fixing grooves: side grooves for clip systems, so no screws show.
Common sizes are 21 × 145 mm, 25 × 145 mm and 28 × 145 mm, in random lengths from about 1.8 to 6.1 m. We also cut to project sizes for public works, for example 40–60 mm thick boards for bridges.
Does grooved decking really reduce slipping?
Grooves help a little, but they also trap dirt and water, which can make algae worse in shady spots. In our experience, a smooth board with a good anti-slip oil and regular cleaning is often safer than a grooved board that is never maintained. For public sites, ask your engineer which slip rating the project requires.
Moisture content: kiln dried or air dried?
For decking, we usually supply boards kiln dried to about 18–20% moisture content, or air dried for very heavy species. Very dry boards can swell after installation if they are laid tight, so always follow the spacing rules below. If your site is in a dry climate, tell us and we will adjust.
Installation tips that make a deck last
- Ventilate: leave at least 150 mm of free air under the joists.
- Space the boards: a 5–8 mm gap lets water drain and boards move.
- Pre-drill: dense hardwoods split if you screw without pre-drilling.
- Use stainless steel: A2 or A4 screws prevent black stains from iron and tannins.
- Seal the ends: an end-grain sealer reduces checking.
- Joist spacing: about 400–500 mm centres for 21–28 mm boards.
Maintenance: oil or let it go grey?
All the species in this guide can be left to weather naturally to a silver grey. That is the lowest-maintenance option. If you prefer to keep the colour, clean and oil the deck once or twice a year with a UV-protective decking oil. Never use a film-forming varnish outdoors on decking; it peels and becomes slippery.
Cost: what does a hardwood deck really cost?
Timber is only part of the price. For a full budget, add the substructure, fixings, labour and finishing. On the timber side, Tali and Okan usually offer the lowest cost per square metre for top durability. Padouk and Doussie sit higher because of demand and CITES paperwork. Our guide to African hardwood prices gives current price ranges per cubic metre for all 30 species.
Legality and sustainability
Every board we ship comes from concessions with valid harvesting permits, with legal-origin and chain-of-custody documents. For CITES species such as Padouk and Doussie, we also arrange the CITES export permit. This makes due diligence under the EU Deforestation Regulation, the UK Timber Regulation and the US Lacey Act much easier for you. Read more on our sustainability page and in our guide to CITES timber species.
How to order decking from us
To get a fast, accurate quote, send us:
- species, or the type of project if you want our advice;
- board thickness, width and profile;
- total area in m² or volume in m³;
- preferred length range;
- destination port and timing.
Decking is often shipped together with joists and beams in the same container. Our heavy construction and outdoor timber range lists all available species.
Hardwood vs composite decking
Composite boards are often sold as maintenance free. In practice, they can get very hot in direct sun, they can fade and stain, and they cannot be sanded back if scratched. A good hardwood deck stays cooler underfoot, can be sanded and re-oiled if it is damaged, and stores carbon instead of being made from plastic. For high-end projects, most architects we work with still choose real hardwood.
Sources
- Janka hardness test on Wikipedia
- CIRAD Tropix for durability and technical data.
- The Wood Database for species properties.
Related guides
- Iroko vs teak
- Azobe vs Greenheart
- Best wood for marine construction
- African hardwood prices per m³
- How to import timber from Africa
Frequently asked questions about the best hardwood for decking
What is the best alternative to Ipe decking?
Okan, Padouk and Doussie are the closest in durability. For value, Tali performs very well at a lower price.
Which hardwood decking lasts the longest?
Class 1 species such as Padouk, Doussie, Okan, Mukulungu and Bilinga can last 25 years or more when installed with good ventilation and spacing.
Do I need to treat hardwood decking?
No chemical treatment is needed for these species. Oiling is only to keep the colour; you can also let it turn grey.
What thickness should hardwood decking be?
21–28 mm suits most residential and commercial decks on joists at 400–500 mm centres. Bridges and heavy-use decks use thicker boards.
Get a quote for hardwood decking
Tell us your species, profile and area through our quote form. We will reply with price, available lengths, photos of current stock and shipping options to your port.