Porta’s Cumaru is an extremely strong timber, beams are strength graded to F34 and posts to F27. This stronger timber enables longer spans, reduces number of posts and saves you money for on-site labour. Porta Cumaru has a very high density of 1,085 kg/m3, which means it meets the requirement as a BAL 19 timber as specified in AS 3959-2009 for use in timber construction in bushfire zones. Cumaru is a Class 1 above-ground life expectancy is greater than 40 yrs. And probable in-ground durability greater than 25 yrs. also termite-resistant.

Cumaru is an attractive timber, with a unique interlocking grain. Mid-brown in colour with a reddish or purple hue when cut changing to brown with red or gold flecks. It can age to a lustrous grey if left uncoated.

Pre-drilling for screwing or nailing when installing decking is recommended. Its inherent hardness has a blunting effect on tool cutting edges, therefore saws/chisels/drills etc. need to be sharpened more often. It can be sanded, oiled and painted very easily. Porta recommends using an oil-based paint/stain preparations due to its high timber density, as water-based products have minimal penetration for long-term coating durability. Compared to other hardwoods tested Cumaru demonstrated no apparent or negligible tannin bleed. However Porta recommends cleaning of timber prior to installation and a suitable sealer to protect the timber and minimise any potential run off of natural resins onto surrounding surfaces.

Cumaru is ideal for applications where a durable timber is needed such as decking, fencing, screening, stairs, furniture, flooring, cladding, windows & doors, handrails, pergolas, landscaping, boardwalks and marina applications.

Cumaru is sourced from sustainably managed forests in Peru. Our supplier is FSC certified and harvests the timber in a manner that preserves the forests, wildlife and surrounding communities for future generations. Porta holds Chain of Custody certification which means our suppliers for all our timbers are also FSC certified.

Porta Cumaru is FSC certified as being responsibly harvested and processed using responsible forest management and practices and accredited by a third-party organization.  This assures that Porta Cumaru protects the forests biodiversity and ecological processes. Buying FSC-certified timber helps support sustainable forest management, which reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and protects wildlife habitats.

Porta Cumaru has been used in external exposed application such as board walks and wharves, for many years. Our trials show Cumaru withstands severe weather exposure and our experience is that it is highly durable. Read more about Cuamru in the Atlantic City Boardwalk case study.

Sustainable forest management is the process of harvesting trees in accordance with the highest standards of sustainable forestry as dictated by the relevant certification body, FSC, or PEFC. Using FSC as an example, FSC forest management certification confirms that the forest is being managed in a way that preserves the natural ecosystem and benefits the lives of local people and workers, all while ensuring it sustains economic viability. These are audited by an independent third party. Click here to view a short video on sustainable forest management relating to the tropical forests in Peru (called tropical given their longitudinal position).