Whitmer Decks x Advantage Lumber

Tropical Hardwood You can Feel Good About

Enjoy The Beauty and Longevity of Tropical Hardwoods, Responsibly Sourced from Advantage Lumber

We design and build custom outdoor living spaces using premium tropical hardwoods for clients who want unmatched durability, natural beauty, and long-term performance. These hardwoods are ideal for high-end decks, porches, pergolas, and architectural features where standard pressure-treated lumber or composites aren’t the right fit.

Our team sources and installs top-grade tropical hardwood products and handles the specialized detailing required to build them correctly — from structure and fastening methods to finishing and long-term care planning.

Hardwood Species We Commonly Install

We help clients select the right species based on appearance, performance, budget, and use case. Common options include:

• Ipe hardwood decking

• Cumaru hardwood decking

• Tigerwood decking

• Garapa decking

• Red Balau Decking (Mahogany Decking)

• Teak exterior lumber

• Moso Bamboo Thermally Treated Bamboo Decking

Each species offers a distinct color range and grain pattern, along with high structural strength and weather resistance. We review samples with you and explain how each option will age and weather over time. We can install each product with screw fasteners, hidden fastener systems, or with screw fastener and plug systems. These materials are commonly installed as Tongue & Groove Porch Floors and Tongue & Groove Ceilings.

Built for Long-Term Performance

Installing tropical hardwood is different from building with softwood or composite. Proper results depend on experienced layout, fastening, spacing, and structural planning.

Our hardwood deck and porch builds include:

• Hidden or specialty fastening systems designed for dense hardwoods

• Pre-drilling and precision fastening to prevent splitting

• Proper ventilation and drainage detailing

• Structural framing designed for hardwood load and movement

• Clean board layout and grain selection for visual consistency

• Edge detailing and trim integration

This ensures the finished surface performs well and maintains a refined, high-end appearance.

Maintenance Options and Finish Guidance

Tropical hardwood can be maintained in multiple ways depending on your goals:

Natural weathering:
Allow the deck to fade to a silver-gray patina with minimal ongoing oiling.

Color retention:
Periodic oil treatments preserve the rich brown and amber tones.

We provide clear maintenance guidance and product recommendations so you know exactly what to expect and how to care for your deck or porch floor.

Sustainability of Our Tropical Hardwood Materials

We prioritize responsibly sourced materials when building tropical hardwood decks and outdoor structures. The hardwood products we install are sourced through established suppliers that focus on legal harvesting, managed forestry practices, and transparent supply chains. That means our clients can choose natural hardwood with confidence — not only for performance, but for environmental responsibility.

Many of the tropical hardwood species we use come from forests that are selectively harvested rather than clear-cut. Selective harvesting maintains forest canopy, protects biodiversity, and supports long-term forest regeneration. These practices help ensure that hardwood resources remain renewable and available for future generations.

Another key sustainability advantage of tropical hardwood decking is lifespan. Dense hardwood species can last several decades in exterior applications without chemical treatment. Because the material naturally resists rot, insects, and moisture, it does not require pressure-treatment chemicals and does not need frequent replacement. A longer service life means fewer material cycles, less waste, and lower lifetime environmental impact compared to shorter-lived decking options.

We also encourage sustainability through smart design and installation practices — optimizing board layout, reducing jobsite waste, and planning builds for durability and repairability rather than short-term use.

For homeowners who want a natural material that aligns durability, performance, and responsible sourcing, tropical hardwood is one of the most sustainable premium decking choices available