- What it is: Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) — Brazilian Cherry. Naturally Durability Class 1 tropical hardwood from South America.
- Hardness: 1,260 lbf Janka — the hardest decking species we stock. More than twice as hard as European oak.
- Service life: 40–60 years above ground. No preservative treatment ever required.
- Cost: £75–£105/m² boards. Total installed 20m² deck approximately £2,160–£3,300.
- Profile: Smooth 21x145mm — face fix. Pre-drilling essential.
- Colour: Deep salmon-red to rich reddish-brown with prominent darker grain streaking. The most visually distinctive decking species available in the UK.
- vs Balau: Harder, denser, more distinctive colour. Balau is slightly cheaper and available in more profiles.
Jatoba — Brazilian Cherry — is the premium residential hardwood decking specification in the UK market. Of all the decking species available in the UK, Jatoba combines the highest natural hardness, one of the highest densities, Durability Class 1 performance, and the most visually striking appearance. The deep reddish-brown colour with prominent darker grain streaking is immediately distinguishable from any other decking timber — it is a material that makes a genuine statement. This guide covers everything about Jatoba decking in the UK: what it is, how long it lasts, what it costs, how to install it correctly, how to maintain it, and how it compares to Yellow Balau and ThermoWood.
Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) smooth decking boards — the deep reddish-brown colour and distinctive darker grain streaking make Jatoba the most visually striking hardwood decking species available in the UK. Naturally Durability Class 1, 40–60 year service life, no treatment required.
What Is Jatoba? — Brazilian Cherry Explained
Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) is a large canopy tree native to South and Central America — from Mexico through the Caribbean to southern Brazil and Bolivia. It produces one of the hardest and densest timber species commercially available anywhere in the world. In the UK hardwood decking market, it is known both as Jatoba (its botanical name) and Brazilian Cherry (its most widely used trade name in North America and the UK).
The name Brazilian Cherry refers to its colour — fresh Jatoba has a distinctive salmon-red to deep reddish-brown tone that is genuinely cherry-like in its richness. Unlike some tropical hardwoods that appear nondescript until installed, Jatoba has a colour and grain character that is immediately striking in boards and even more so across a completed deck.
Why Jatoba is so durable
Jatoba's Durability Class 1 performance comes from three compounding factors:
- Exceptional density: At 910–1,060 kg/m³, Jatoba is among the densest of all UK-available decking timbers. High density means tight cell structure, minimal void space for moisture ingress, and inherently high biological resistance
- Natural extractives: Jatoba heartwood contains natural chemical extractives including copalic acid and other resinous compounds that are toxic to the wood decay fungi and wood-boring insects responsible for most exterior timber deterioration
- Natural silica: Like Yellow Balau, Jatoba contains naturally occurring silica deposits — contributing to both its exceptional hardness and its biological resistance
Jatoba Cost UK 2026 — Full Breakdown
| Profile | Dimensions | Board cost/m² | Subframe + fixings/m² | Installation/m² | Installed/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jatoba Smooth 21x145mm | 21 x 145mm | £75–£105 | £8–£15 | £25–£45 | £108–£165 |
Total cost by deck size
| Deck size | Materials only | Fully installed |
|---|---|---|
| Small — 10m² | £830–£1,200 | £1,080–£1,650 |
| Typical — 20m² | £1,660–£2,400 | £2,160–£3,300 |
| Large — 30m² | £2,490–£3,600 | £3,240–£4,950 |
| Wraparound — 50m² | £4,150–£6,000 | £5,400–£8,250 |
Jatoba vs Yellow Balau — Which Hardwood to Choose?
| Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) | Yellow Balau (Bangkirai) | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability class | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Janka hardness | ~1,260 lbf | ~1,000–1,100 lbf |
| Density | 910–1,060 kg/m³ | 870–1,050 kg/m³ |
| Service life | 40–60 years | 40–60 years |
| Colour | Deep reddish-brown — most distinctive | Golden-yellow to medium brown |
| Profiles available | Smooth only | Smooth, ribbed, dual ribbed |
| Board cost/m² | £75–£105 | £65–£90 |
| Best for | Premium residential — visual impact | Best value hardwood — widest profile range |
Choose Jatoba when the deep reddish-brown colour and premium residential specification are the priorities — it is harder, denser, and more visually distinctive than Balau. Choose Yellow Balau when profile choice (ribbed or dual ribbed for slip resistance) is important, or when the slightly lower cost is a factor. Both are Class 1 with 40–60 year service lives — the performance difference is marginal, the aesthetic difference is significant.
Installing Jatoba Decking — Critical Points
- Pre-drill every fixing: At 910–1,060 kg/m³ and Janka 1,260 lbf, Jatoba is exceptionally hard — it will split boards and shear screws without pre-drilling. 4mm pilot drill, countersink, then drive. This is non-negotiable
- A4 stainless fixings only: Jatoba's natural tannins and extractives corrode standard and galvanised fixings within 2–3 years, causing black staining at every screw point. A4 stainless throughout
- TCT blades required: The silica content in Jatoba blunts standard steel saw blades extremely quickly. Tungsten carbide tipped circular saw blades and drill bits throughout. Have spares available
- Heart side down: Install heart-side down so boards cup upward (self-draining) rather than downward (pooling)
- 5–6mm expansion gaps: Consistent gaps throughout — tropical hardwoods expand seasonally despite their density
- End grain sealing: Apply exterior oil or end grain sealer to every cut end immediately after sawing
- 50mm minimum ground clearance: Free air circulation beneath the subframe regardless of species durability class
Jatoba is harder than Yellow Balau, harder than any softwood, and significantly harder than ThermoWood. It will blunt saw blades after 10–15 cuts and drill bits after 20–30 fixings. For a 20m² deck expect to use 2–3 pilot drill bits and 1–2 saw blades. Factor this into your tool budget and have spares on site before starting. Using blunt tools on Jatoba causes board splitting and fixing failures that are expensive to remedy.
Jatoba Maintenance — The Simple Truth
- Preservative treatment: Never — Class 1 durability, no treatment ever required
- Cleaning: Every 1–2 years, stiff brush and dilute exterior wood cleaner along the grain. See our decking cleaning guide and our Siberian larch decking guide
- Oiling: Optional every 2–3 years to maintain the reddish-brown colour. Koopmans Houtolie applied after cleaning. Left untreated, Jatoba weathers to silver-grey over 18–24 months — the structural performance is unaffected
- Fixing inspection: Every 5–10 years — check A4 stainless screws are tight
What is Jatoba decking?
Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), known as Brazilian Cherry — naturally Durability Class 1 tropical hardwood from South America. Janka hardness ~1,260 lbf, density 910–1,060 kg/m³, 40–60 year service life, no treatment required. Deep reddish-brown colour — the most distinctive decking species in the UK market.
How long does Jatoba decking last in the UK?
40–60 years above ground with correct installation — A4 stainless fixings, ventilated subframe, 50mm minimum ground clearance. Naturally Durability Class 1 under BS EN 350. No preservative treatment required throughout this service life.
How much does Jatoba decking cost in the UK?
£75–£105/m² for boards in 2026. Total installed 20m² deck approximately £2,160–£3,300 including subframe, fixings, membrane and professional installation. Add 20% VAT on labour for residential projects.
Is Jatoba better than Yellow Balau for decking?
Both Class 1, both 40–60 years, both zero maintenance. Jatoba is harder (1,260 vs 1,000–1,100 lbf Janka) and more distinctive in colour. Balau is available in more profiles (smooth, ribbed, dual ribbed) and costs slightly less (£65–£90/m² vs £75–£105/m²). Choose Jatoba for premium visual impact. Choose Balau for best value hardwood with widest profile range. See our full decking cost guide, best decking for UK weather guide, and best wood for decking 2026 for more context.
Jatoba Brazilian Cherry Decking — UK Stock, 7–14 Day Delivery
We supply Jatoba smooth 21x145mm decking from UK stock alongside our full decking range. FSC and PEFC certified. Tell us your deck dimensions for a precise board quantity and complete material list. Nationwide delivery 7–14 days.