Will tigerwood keep its stripes?

Vivid orange mellows to deeper reddish-brown and stripes become less pronounced. UV oil slows this.

Suitable for decking?

Yes, very hard at 1850 Janka and naturally durable.

Light pressure with fine grits, card scraper for problem areas.

Decking

flooring

accent walls

furniture

turning stock

exterior cladding

How to Finish Tigerwood: Complete Staining & Sealing Guide (2026)

Prepared by Lumberama's Wood Finishing Team

|Last updated June 9, 2026|Sources & methodology

Tigerwood is a dramatic tropical hardwood known for its striking orange-brown color with dark streaks resembling tiger stripes. Its bold appearance makes it a showpiece wood for decking and flooring.

Key Takeaways

Tigerwood is a dramatic tropical hardwood known for its striking orange-brown color with dark streaks resembling tiger stripes.
Its bold appearance makes it a showpiece wood for decking and flooring.
Penetrating tropical hardwood oil to enhance striping; UV-protective exterior oil; clear water-based finish for interior.
Avoid pigmented stains that mask the natural pattern.
Interlocked to irregular grain with medium texture.

Wood Characteristics

Interlocked to irregular grain with medium texture. Diffuse-porous with medium pores. 1850 Janka, very hard. Orange-tan to reddish-brown with dark brown to black striping. Moderate tannin.

Recommended Finishes

Penetrating tropical hardwood oil to enhance striping; UV-protective exterior oil; clear water-based finish for interior. Avoid pigmented stains that mask the natural pattern.

Preparation Steps

Sand with 80-120 grit. Interlocked grain can tear, sand with light pressure. Clean with acetone before oiling. Card scraper helps tearout areas. No conditioner or filler needed.

Application Steps

1. Sand and address tearout with scraper. 2. Clean with acetone. 3. Apply tropical hardwood oil liberally. 4. Penetrate 15-20 min. 5. Wipe excess completely. 6. Dry 24-48 hours. 7. Second coat if needed. 8. Interior floors: 2-3 coats water-based poly.

Maintenance Schedule

Exterior oil: reapply every 6-12 months. Striping fades somewhat with UV. Interior poly: recoat every 5-7 years. Hardness extends finish life.

Common Mistakes

Using stain that hides dramatic striping; not handling tearout before finishing; expecting vivid orange to remain permanently (darkens over time); film-forming finishes on exterior.

Interior vs Exterior

Interior: Stunning flooring and accent pieces. Clear water-based finish showcases striping. Exterior: Durable decking with real visual impact. Tropical hardwood oil, reapply regularly.