For a waterside project, choosing between Ipe and Greenheart is not simply a matter of which wood is harder. The right choice depends on where the timber will sit, how often it will be wet, whether it will be immersed, and how the material can be responsibly sourced and prepared for your design.
Both are exceptionally dense tropical hardwoods. Both can suit demanding outdoor work. But for permanent or regular saltwater immersion, Greenheart has the clearer track record in the technical sources reviewed here. Ipe deserves a closer look at species identification and marine-borer exposure before it is specified below the waterline [1][2][3][4].
Comparing density and Janka hardness
The Wood Database reports average dried weights of about 1,050 kg/m³ for Ipe and 1,010 kg/m³ for Greenheart, and Janka hardness figures of 3,490 lbf for Ipe and 2,530 lbf for Greenheart [1][2]. These are reference values, not guarantees for every board: wood properties vary with species, growing conditions, and moisture content. Janka hardness measures resistance to indentation; it is not a structural design rating.
The numbers show that Ipe tests harder in this comparison, while the average dried weights are relatively close. For your project, that difference may matter for surface wear, machining, handling, and the structural design, but hardness alone does not decide which species will last longer in a particular marine environment.
Rot resistance and marine borers
Both species’ heartwood is rated highly resistant to decay: CIRAD classifies the heartwood of both Ipe and Greenheart as durability class 1 against decay fungi [3][4].
Marine-borer resistance needs more careful reading. CIRAD’s species sheets say both timbers naturally cover use class 5, which includes regular or permanent exposure to salt, sea, or brackish water. That classification is useful, but it should not be treated as a guarantee against every marine borer in every location. The Wood Database specifically warns that Handroanthus serratifolius, one of the species sold as Ipe, is susceptible to marine borers [1][3].
Greenheart has particularly strong support for marine structural uses: CIRAD describes its natural suitability for seawater exposure, and the Guyana Forestry Commission identifies marine structures such as dock piles, piers, and boardwalks among its uses [4][7].
For submerged or regularly tidal structural members, Greenheart is the more reassuring choice based on the evidence reviewed. For Ipe below the waterline, confirm the botanical identity, source, and suitability for the actual marine-borer conditions at your site before specifying it [1][3][4].
Salt air, weathering, and maintenance
Salt air and seawater immersion are different exposures. An above-water deck faces sun, rain, salt deposits, and repeated wetting and drying. A submerged or tidal member faces a different level of moisture exposure and potential marine-borer activity. The wood species is only part of the decision; drainage, ventilation, fasteners, and the full construction detail matter too [3][4][8].
Both woods change appearance outdoors. Ipe can weather to a silvery grey, while the Guyana Forestry Commission describes Greenheart developing a silver-grey patina over time. If you prefer the natural weathered look, the colour change can be part of the design. If preserving the original colour matters to you, discuss suitable finishes and an ongoing care plan before installation [7][8].
For coastal detailing, use fasteners suited to the exposure and the structural design. Ipe installation guidance recommends stainless-steel fasteners, board spacing to allow for movement and airflow, and sealing freshly cut ends to help reduce checking and splitting [8].
Workability and fabrication
Neither species is an easy wood to machine. Ipe’s high density and hardness create high cutting resistance and can blunt tools quickly; irregular or interlocked grain also requires care to avoid tear-out. Greenheart is demanding too: CIRAD notes a fairly high blunting effect, recommends stellite-tipped saw teeth and tungsten-carbide tools, and advises pre-boring for screws and nails [1][2][4].
The product information on our Ipe and Greenheart pages also flags the challenge of machining these dense woods. While silica is sometimes mentioned in descriptions of tropical hardwoods, the comparative technical sources cited here do not provide consistent measured silica percentages for either species. It is more accurate to plan for documented tool wear, careful machining, and pre-boring than to attribute every workability issue to silica alone [1][2][4][10][11].
This matters when you are working to exact dimensions or a detailed finish. A clear specification, suitable tooling, and careful preparation help reduce surprises during fabrication.
Availability, identification, and responsible sourcing
“Ipe” is a trade name used for timber from several Handroanthus species, so the name alone may not tell you exactly which species is being supplied. CITES lists Handroanthus spp. in Appendix II under annotation #17, covering specified wood products including logs, sawn wood, veneer, plywood, and transformed wood, with the listing taking effect on 25 November 2024 [1][5][6]. For a specific shipment, confirm the species identification and applicable documentation with your supplier.
Greenheart, Chlorocardium rodiei, is not listed in the CITES Appendices in the edition valid from March 2026 [2][5]. That distinction does not, by itself, demonstrate that a particular timber shipment is legally harvested or responsibly sourced: ask for clear information about origin and supporting documentation for either species.
At Evergreen, material is sourced and milled to order, rather than drawn from local retail stock [12]. Our sourcing is focused on responsibly harvested Amazonian timber, with project consultation and custom fabrication to suit your requirements. We can discuss moisture testing, planing and surfacing, and island-wide delivery as part of planning your order. You can explore our custom-cut service for made-to-order dimensions and preparation.
Which species suits your waterside project?
- Above-water decking and boardwalks: Ipe is a strong option when hardness and a rich brown appearance are priorities. Greenheart can also suit exposed waterside applications; decide based on the specified species, expected exposure, finished look, and detailing [1][2][3][4].
- Piles and members exposed to immersion or tidal water: Greenheart has especially clear technical support for marine structural use. For Ipe, check the exact species and local marine-borer risk rather than relying on the trade name alone [1][4][7].
- Boatbuilding and marine decking: Both species appear in technical references for marine applications, but the intended position and exposure matter. Choose the timber against the actual design requirements, not simply as a presumed substitute for another species [3][4].
- Projects requiring custom dimensions or a particular finish: Confirm the wood species, grade, moisture condition, dimensions, and fabrication requirements before finalizing the design. Dense hardwoods reward accurate preparation and disciplined installation [1][2][4].
The wider yachting sector is exploring alternatives to teak: a 2026 BBC report describes interest in modified woods, synthetics, and engineered materials [9]. That report does not establish that Ipe or Greenheart is becoming a universal replacement; it reinforces the value of comparing materials by application and verified performance.
A practical decision
For above-water Caribbean decking and boardwalks, either Ipe or Greenheart may be appropriate when the timber is correctly identified, sourced, prepared, and detailed. For submerged or regularly tidal structural work, Greenheart has the clearer evidence in the sources reviewed. Ipe’s high Janka rating is valuable, but it does not resolve the species-specific marine-borer caution [1][2][3][4].
If you share where the timber will be used, how it will meet the water, and the dimensions you need, we can help you consider the options and prepare a made-to-order specification. You are welcome to contact us to start the conversation.
Sources
- The Wood Database: Ipe (Handroanthus serratifolius)
- The Wood Database: Greenheart (Chlorocardium rodiei)
- CIRAD Tropix: Ipe technical sheet (2026)
- CIRAD Tropix: Greenheart technical sheet (2026)
- CITES: Appendices I, II and III, valid from 5 March 2026
- CITES: Notification to the Parties 2024/129
- Guyana Forestry Commission, Greenheart
- J.H. Monteath Lumber Company, Suggested Installation Guidelines for an Ipe Deck
- BBC News: The yachting industry searches for alternatives to teak (4 February 2026)
- Evergreen Barbados Solutions, Brazilian Walnut (Ipe)
- Evergreen Barbados Solutions, Greenheart
- Evergreen Barbados Solutions, Custom-Cut Service