Specification points

About Garapa wood

Garapa, botanical name of Apuleia Leiocarpa, is a hard tree with natural weather resistance. This tree comes from South America and is very often used for terrace boards. Garapa is characterized by good stability, strength and durability. Garapa is a very popular exterior tree species worldwide.

Color and weathering

Yellowish, yellowish red with various shades, darkens over time. Color differences are natural and common. Due to UV radiation, the wood changes color to gray in the air, and changes the color of the surface to a dark shade due to moisture or dirt. The weathering time of wood depends on the method of treatment, the location of the climate, the exposure of individual pieces to rain and other weather conditions.

Substance content

In the case of this tree species, as in the case of other tropical tree species, the initial leaching of the dye in the form of a dark liquid is manifested. Avoid contact of the washed-out dye with plasters, bricks or places that could be stained. Drain rainwater through a pipe system or sewer if the installation is carried out on floors or balconies. Use only stainless steel screws for installation and avoid contact of the wood with corrosive metals, which create blue-black dark stains on the wood.

Properties

Medium degree of volume changes of wood, low degree of curvature, small growth defects, slight chipping. Possibility of cracking due to climate. Necessity of pre-drilling holes for screws. Wood, which is exposed to outdoor climatic influences, changes its volume, dries out or grows according to climate change. There may be slight differences in width for individual boards, due to the different expansion of the wood during moisture balance between radial and tangential growth of the wood. In wood that is exposed to outdoor climatic influences, cracks, deflections, so-called troughs, torsion and rotation, cracks and fissures, especially at the ends of the boards due to drying, varying depending on relative humidity or changes in climatic conditions, small holes after wood-destroying insects. If you want to restore the original color of the wood, use a professional Saicos dehumidifier (new window) according to the technical sheet. Then treat with a suitable protective oil paint.

Knots and other natural features of wood

Knots and eyes, healthy or partially fused, cracks around the knots, marrow run-in, resin channels, marbling and other natural features are an integral part of the wood. Although tropical trees in particular tend to have a low number of knots, their number and the occurrence of the above traits are allowed.

Storage

When storing wood before and during installation, make sure that the wood is not exposed to direct sunlight, rain, snow or other external influences. It was well covered or best stored in covered unheated areas, with relative humidity values ​​identical to
outdoor humidity. At the same time, sufficient interleaving of the wood with spacers was ensured, enabling air ventilation and prevention of the formation of mold. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in twisting, deformation or other changes to the wood during storage.

Care

Regularly clean the terrace from dirt, soil, sediment and pollen. This prevents macropore impurities from penetrating the wood. Under objects that are placed on the terrace, such as parasol stands, flower pots, bowls, mats, water and moisture settle, so there is no possibility of fast and natural drying of wood. Long-term moisture and dirt stains can form under these objects. Carry these items standing on the terrace from time to time or make sure that there is natural drying and ventilation of the air under them. This will prevent the formation of dark spots on the wood.