Few decks make an impression like a padouk deck. Fresh boards glow a vivid orange-red, mature to a deep reddish-brown and, with a little oil, keep a rich colour that no other common decking timber can match. Padouk is also very stable, durable outdoors and pleasant underfoot, which makes it a favourite for premium terraces, roof gardens, pool surrounds and boat decks. If you want a deck that stands out, padouk decking is one of the best natural choices.
In this guide we explain padouk’s properties as a decking timber, board sizes and profiles, prices per cubic metre and per square metre, how its colour changes, the CITES permits it needs, installation tips and how to care for it. At Global Timber Trade Hub we supply kiln-dried padouk decking sawn and profiled in Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.
In short
- Padouk gives a striking red deck that matures to deep reddish-brown.
- It is very stable, durable and comfortable underfoot.
- Kiln-dried padouk decking starts from about $1,550 per m³ FOB.
- That is roughly $35–40 per m² FOB in board value for 21 mm boards.
- African padouk is CITES Appendix II listed, so allow time for permits.
- Regular UV-protective oil keeps the colour; unoiled it weathers to grey.
Why choose padouk for a deck?
The first reason is colour. No other mainstream decking wood offers padouk’s red tones, which suit modern architecture, Mediterranean gardens and luxury terraces. The second is stability: padouk moves very little between wet and dry, so boards stay flat and gaps stay even. The third is durability: its heartwood resists rot and insects outdoors without chemical treatment. Padouk also has a fine, smooth surface that resists splintering, which is comfortable for bare feet. And while it is dense, it is not as heavy or as hard to work as azobe or ipe, so installation is more straightforward.
Padouk decking at a glance
| Property | Padouk |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Pterocarpus soyauxii |
| Colour | Orange-red, matures to reddish-brown |
| Density (dry) | about 700–800 kg/m³ |
| Durability | Very durable |
| Stability | Excellent |
| CITES | Appendix II (African populations) |
Board sizes and profiles
- Thickness: 21 mm for most residential decks; 25–28 mm for wider joist spacing or commercial use.
- Width: 90, 120 or 145 mm.
- Length: random lengths, typically 1.8–4.0 m.
- Profiles: smooth, fine-ribbed or grooved; smooth suits barefoot areas.
- Extras: matching fascia boards, stair treads and coping.
Padouk decking price
Kiln-dried, profiled padouk decking starts from about $1,550 per m³ FOB. For 21 × 145 mm boards with 5 mm gaps, one cubic metre covers roughly 40–45 m² after waste, so the board cost is around $35–40 per m² FOB. Add freight, duties, joists, fixings and installation for the full project cost. Padouk is a premium deck, priced above iroko and tali but usually below teak. See our padouk wood price and hardwood decking cost guides.
How the colour changes
Freshly machined padouk is a bright orange-red. Within weeks of light exposure it deepens to a rich red, and over months it matures towards a darker reddish-brown. If left completely unoiled outdoors, it eventually weathers to a silver-grey, like most hardwoods. To keep the red tones, clean and apply a UV-protective, pigmented decking oil once or twice a year. Many owners love the deep red-brown of a well-maintained padouk deck, which looks luxurious for decades. If you want a deck that stays bright orange, padouk is not the right choice, because no finish will keep it that colour permanently.
CITES permits
African populations of Pterocarpus, including padouk, are listed on CITES Appendix II. Every commercial export needs a CITES export permit from the producing country, issued against proof of legal origin. Permits add a few weeks to lead times and a small cost per cubic metre. Never buy padouk decking without a valid permit, as shipments can be seized. See our CITES timber species guide.
Padouk vs other premium decks
| Species | From (USD/m³, FOB, decking) | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Iroko | $1,150 | Golden brown |
| Padouk | $1,550 | Red to reddish-brown |
| Doussie | $1,650 | Golden to reddish-brown |
| Afrormosia | $1,800 | Teak-like golden brown |
See doussie wood price and padouk vs purpleheart for more comparisons.
Installation tips
- Joists: durable hardwood or aluminium, around 400–500 mm apart for 21 mm boards.
- Ventilation: at least 100–150 mm of airflow beneath the deck.
- Gaps: 5–8 mm between boards.
- Fixings: stainless steel screws, pre-drilled, or hidden clips.
- Protect surroundings: padouk dust and early rain run-off can stain pale stone and render red.
- Seal ends: to reduce end checks.
Protecting pale surfaces
Padouk’s red colour comes from natural extractives that can wash out in the first months, especially with rain. Fine red dust from cutting also stains. Cut boards away from pale paving, render and fabrics, sweep up dust promptly, and protect or regularly wash light stone around a new deck. Once the deck has weathered for a season and been oiled, bleeding largely stops.
Maintenance
Clean the deck a couple of times a year with a soft brush and mild deck cleaner. To keep the red colour, apply a UV-protective oil once or twice a year after cleaning. Avoid high-pressure washers, which raise the grain. A light sanding and fresh oil after several years restores the original richness.
Dust and health
Padouk dust can irritate skin, eyes and airways in some people. Cut outdoors where possible, use extraction, wear a dust mask and gloves, and wash clothing separately, as the red dust stains.
A worked example for a roof terrace
Consider an architect designing a 60 square metre roof terrace for a city apartment block. The client wants something warm and distinctive that looks good from the apartments above, and the roof structure has strict weight limits. Padouk is lighter than ipe or azobe, so it suits the load limits better, and its red tones make a striking contrast with grey concrete and glass. The architect specifies 21 × 120 mm smooth boards on adjustable pedestals and aluminium joists, with hidden stainless clips so no screw heads show. The decking volume is around 1.4 to 1.5 cubic metres. Because padouk needs a CITES permit, the order is placed early in the design process, alongside other timber for the building, so permits and shipping fit the construction schedule. The building’s maintenance contract includes a clean and oil once a year to keep the colour. The result is a terrace that residents notice and value, at a timber cost that is a small share of the overall roof works.
Ordering padouk decking
When you request a quote, tell us the board thickness and width, profile, deck area or volume, whether you need fascias, stair treads or coping, and your destination port. Because of CITES, give us your required delivery date as early as possible. For first orders, a letter of credit or a deposit with the balance against copy documents keeps both sides protected. See our letter of credit for timber guide.
Lead times
Kiln-dried padouk decking is usually ready to load in 8–12 weeks, including permit time. For summer projects in Europe and North America, order in winter.
Choosing the right finish
The finish you choose decides how a padouk deck looks over the years, so it is worth deciding before the deck is built. A clear oil without pigment slows greying a little but cannot stop the colour changing, because ultraviolet light breaks down the surface of the wood. A pigmented oil with UV filters, in a red or natural tint, holds the colour much longer and evens out small differences between boards. Film-forming varnishes are not recommended outdoors, as they crack, peel and become slippery. If you prefer a low-maintenance deck, you can let padouk weather to grey; it will remain sound and stable, and the grey has a soft, natural look. Some owners oil the deck for the first few years, then let it weather once they have enjoyed the red tones. Whatever you choose, apply oil to clean, dry boards in mild weather, and wipe off excess so the surface does not stay sticky. Test the product on an offcut first to see the final colour.
Padouk beyond the deck
Padouk is also used for garden furniture, planters, gates, cladding accents and boat trim, so it is easy to create a matching outdoor space. Its stability makes it a good choice for outdoor tables and benches. See our best wood for outdoor furniture guide and our hardwood cladding guide.
Weight and freight
Padouk weighs around 750 kg per cubic metre when dry, so a 20 ft container usually reaches its weight limit before it is completely full. Kiln-dried decking is lighter than fresh-sawn timber, which helps. Because padouk is high in value per cubic metre, freight is a smaller share of the landed cost than for cheaper species. See our timber shipping cost guide.
Common mistakes
- Expecting the bright orange to last: padouk matures to reddish-brown.
- Cutting near pale paving: red dust stains.
- Buying without CITES permits: shipments can be seized.
- No ventilation under the deck: even stable woods suffer.
Our honest advice
Padouk makes one of the most beautiful and stable decks available. Choose it for premium terraces, roof gardens and pool areas where its colour will be enjoyed, plan for CITES lead times, protect pale surfaces during installation, and oil it regularly if you want to keep the red tones. If budget is tight, iroko or tali give durable decks at a lower price.
Sources
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about padouk decking
Does padouk decking stay red?
It matures to reddish-brown; regular UV oil keeps red tones, unoiled it turns grey.
How much is padouk decking per square metre?
Roughly $35–40 per m² FOB in board value for 21 mm boards.
Is padouk decking durable?
Yes. It is very durable and very stable outdoors.
Does padouk need CITES permits?
Yes. African padouk is on CITES Appendix II, so exports need permits.
Get a padouk decking price
Send us your board size, profile, deck area and destination through our quote form. We will reply with a firm price, permit timing and lead time.