Project Showcase

Showcase: 500sqft Garapa elevated deck in the PNW

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Marcus Webb

Just wrapped up this 500sqft Garapa build in Seattle. Client wanted that natural look, so we went with a single coat of Penofin Marine oil to handle the constant drizzle. I love how the gold tones pop against the grey sky. We used 5/4x6 boards fastened with hidden DeckWise clips for a clean face. The real headache was the spiral transition around the cedar hot tub; took two full days of scribing to get the radius tight. The Garapa from this supplier milled exceptionally clean, barely any splintering on the cross-cuts. We charged a premium for the custom curved nosing, but the finish is rock solid. Anyone else finding that Garapa takes the oil better than Cumaru in these damp climates? Seems to hold the color longer for my clients.

1 Reply

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Megan O'Brien

Nice work, Megan O'Brien here. That transition around the hot tub looks clean—scribed radii are always a test of patience, especially with Garapa’s density. I’ve noticed the same thing with the oil absorption; Cumaru is so tight-grained that it often just sits on the surface and gets tacky in the humidity, whereas Garapa seems to draw the Penofin in better. I’ve started using a light naphtha wipe-down right before application to ensure the pores are clear of any milling dust, which has really helped the penetration. Do you use a light sand with 80-grit before oiling to open it up, or just go straight on the mill finish?

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