Ipe
The benchmark. Dense enough to sink in water, a Class-A fire rating without treatment, and a 40-plus-year working life. Silvers evenly if you let it; holds a deep brown if you oil it annually.
A1.1 — Hardwood decks
Real wood, at the top of the market
An ipe deck on a Craftsman does something no composite can: it belongs. Most Portland builders won’t quote hardwood — it’s slow, it’s hard on tools, and it punishes sloppy work. That’s exactly why we build it.
CCB #138911 Licensed, bonded & insured 70+ projects since 2020 Portland & the east side 5-yr written workmanship warranty
A1.1a — the case
Why hardwood, honestly
The strengths are real and so are the costs. Both, before you decide:
What you get
A surface that outlasts every synthetic on the market, feels like furniture underfoot, and looks better in year ten than year one. Hardwood shrugs off Portland weather the way the synthetics only imitate: no chalking, no plastic sheen, and repairs that blend instead of announcing themselves.
What it asks
It costs the most — top of our $85–$100/sq ft range and beyond for complex builds. Installation is slow, skilled work: every hole pre-drilled, every board clipped. And if you want the brown instead of the silver, plan on an annual oil. We’ll tell you which maintenance path fits how you actually live.
A1.1b — species
Sourced by species, not by brand
There’s no manufacturer here — just sawmills, grading, and a builder who knows the difference. We source each species deliberately and show you the actual boards.
Cumaru
Ipe’s slightly less famous neighbor — most of the density and lifespan at a friendlier price. More color variation board to board, which some owners love and some don’t. We’ll show you a real pile, not a brochure.
Tigerwood
Dramatic figure — orange ground with dark striping that mellows to russet. Slightly softer than ipe, still decades of service. The board for owners who want the deck noticed.
Mahogany
The traditionalist’s board: fine, even grain that takes oil beautifully. Genuine mahogany is sourced by species and origin — we’ll tell you exactly what you’re getting, because the name gets borrowed by lesser wood.
W — warranty
No manufacturer warranty exists. Ours is the warranty.
Composite brands sell 25-year paper. Hardwood comes with none — which is why our written 5-year structural workmanship warranty matters most on exactly these builds. The wood will outlast the paper either way; the warranty covers the work.
Read the warranty → Next step
Bring your house, we’ll bring the boards.
The consultation includes real samples — ipe, cumaru, tigerwood, mahogany — against your actual siding, in your actual light. That comparison decides more than any brochure.
Book a Design Consultation
or call Tim: (503) 597-8520