Cumaru Decking for Hospitality Outdoor Spaces

Why Cumaru for Hospitality?

Cumaru is a tropical hardwood known for its strength and resistance, qualities that are particularly beneficial in hospitality environments. This inherent durability helps maintain the deck's appearance over time, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Beyond its strength, Cumaru offers natural resistance to insects, rot, and fungi, and is also resistant to weather changes. Cumaru also carries a Class A fire resistance rating.

Visually, Cumaru presents a bold grain and a range of reddish-brown tones that can complement various design aesthetics, from rustic to contemporary. This natural beauty can contribute to the inviting ambiance desired in hospitality settings, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Ensuring Visual Consistency Across Large Areas

For hospitality projects, maintaining visual consistency across large or interconnected outdoor areas is crucial for a polished look. Cumaru's natural variations in color and grain are part of its appeal, but careful selection and installation can help achieve a harmonious appearance.

When planning, consider ordering all material for a single project at once to help ensure it comes from a similar batch, minimizing noticeable color shifts. During installation, installers can dry-lay boards to arrange them in a way that blends the natural variations, distributing lighter and darker tones evenly across the deck surface. This approach helps create a cohesive aesthetic that aligns with the overall design vision of the hospitality space.

Cumaru's natural properties mean it will weather to a silver-grey if left untreated. For projects that aim to retain the original reddish-brown hues, regular application of an appropriate decking oil is necessary. This decision should be made early in the planning process, as it impacts long-term maintenance scheduling and budget.

Designing for Guest Use and Traffic Flow

Hospitality decks are functional spaces that must accommodate diverse guest activities and heavy traffic. The layout of Cumaru decking should support these uses, considering factors like seating arrangements, access points, and potential areas for events or dining.

Board width can influence the perceived scale of the deck. Cumaru is commonly available in 1"x6" (3/4" x 5.5" actual) and 5/4"x6" (1" x 5.5" actual) profiles, with lengths from 3 to 24 feet. Wider boards can create a sense of expansiveness, while narrower boards might offer a more intricate pattern. Planning for board lengths that minimize butt joints can create a cleaner, more continuous surface, which is often preferred in high-end hospitality designs.

Consider how the decking will integrate with other elements like planters, lighting, and railings. Proper spacing between boards is essential for drainage and ventilation, especially in areas that might experience spills or heavy rain, which is common in outdoor hospitality settings.

Maintenance Planning for Commercial Operations

The maintenance regimen for a Cumaru deck in a hospitality setting needs to be practical and efficient, aligning with operational schedules. While Cumaru is naturally durable, a proactive approach to cleaning and care will help preserve its appearance and extend its lifespan.

Regular cleaning to remove debris, dirt, and spills is fundamental. For hospitality spaces, a daily or weekly cleaning schedule might be necessary, depending on traffic and use. If the goal is to maintain the original color, periodic oiling will be required. The frequency of oiling depends on sun exposure, climate, and the specific product used, but generally, annual or bi-annual applications may be needed. This must be factored into the operational budget and staff training.

For areas around pools or dining spaces, specific cleaning protocols for common stains (e.g., suntan lotion, food, beverages) should be established. Always confirm the compatibility of cleaning products with Cumaru to avoid discoloration or damage. Untreated Cumaru will gradually achieve a silver-grey patina, which can be a low-maintenance option for some design schemes, but this should be a deliberate choice.

Worked Example: A Resort Pool Deck

Consider a hypothetical resort planning a new Cumaru pool deck measuring 60 feet by 30 feet, with a total area of 1,800 square feet. The design calls for a consistent aesthetic, easy guest movement, and minimal visible fasteners.

The project specifies 5/4"x6" Cumaru decking (actual 1" x 5.5"), aiming for a staggered butt joint pattern to minimize the appearance of seams. To achieve a clean look, hidden fasteners will be used. Given the high traffic around a pool, the resort commits to a bi-annual oiling schedule to maintain the rich reddish-brown color, alongside daily sweeping and weekly power washing (on a low setting with appropriate cleaner) for general cleanliness.

For material estimation, we calculate the linear footage. Each 5.5-inch wide board covers approximately 0.458 feet in width (5.5 / 12). For a 30-foot width, approximately 65.5 boards are needed (30 feet / 0.458 feet/board). Rounding up to 66 boards, and assuming an average board length of 16 feet to minimize waste and provide flexibility for cuts, the total linear footage required for the 60-foot length would be 66 boards * 60 feet = 3,960 linear feet. Allowing for cuts, waste, and a buffer for future repairs, the resort might order 4,500 linear feet of 5/4"x6" Cumaru decking. This includes extra material for any intricate cuts around the pool edge or for future replacement of damaged boards. This quantity allows for efficient installation and minimizes the need for additional small orders.

The resort also plans to integrate Cumaru fascia boards along the perimeter to create a finished edge, ensuring a cohesive appearance. The planning includes specifying ventilation gaps beneath the deck to manage moisture around the pool area, extending the life of the Cumaru.

Before you order

• Confirm desired finished appearance: natural silvering or maintained color with oiling.
• Determine board profile (e.g., 1"x6" or 5/4"x6") and preferred lengths to optimize layout and minimize waste.
• Evaluate fastening system: hidden fasteners for a clean look vs. face fasteners.
• Develop a detailed maintenance plan: cleaning frequency, oiling schedule, and compatible products.
• Plan for drainage and ventilation, especially around water features or in humid climates.
• Consider integration with other elements: stairs, railings, lighting, and landscaping.
• Estimate material quantities, including a buffer for cuts, waste, and future repairs.
• Review local building codes and accessibility requirements for commercial outdoor spaces.

Confirm installation details, approved uses and warranty terms in the current instructions for the exact product and profile. Your installer should verify the substrate, structure and applicable project requirements.

Questions to help you decide

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