Everlasting Hardwoods

What is better than installing decking for a patio or outdoor entertainment area? Not much unless the wood you use for the decking is something that does not have to be constantly maintained once it is installed! Decking made from Ipe wood promises just that.

A hardwood that originates from parts of Central and South America and parts of Asia, this lumber has many advantages that make it a natural choice for any outdoor project. The wood itself is a dark brown walnut color that puts off a green dust when cut. The texture is a fine to medium grain. The trees grow up to 150 feet in height and can achieve trunk diameters of up to 6 feet. The tree is not an endangered species and grows in a variety of sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests. It is also easily grown in managed forests. Most of this type of tropical hardwood that is imported to the United States originates from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Managed forests receiving this certification use some of the most respected forestry practices in the world. Use of Ipe wood culled from these forests encourages sustainable forestry practices. This type of forestry offers the best remedy to exploitive deforestation in sensitive rainforest areas.

The wood is has an extremely dense cell structure that gives natural protection to the tree. This density makes this wood actually sink in water it is so tightly grained. While this does make the timber more difficult to work with at the sawmill, for the customer, it means the tree is impervious to rot, insect infestations, mold and fungi. Tests conducted at the United States Naval Research Laboratory found that Ipe wood left in the ground untreated for 15 years still showed no signs of termite attack. The heartwood is extremely resilient and resists attack from insects and remains rot free even when left untreated. The United States Forest Products Laboratory conduct tests which showed no rot or damage to the wood for 40 plus years if untreated and 100 plus years when the wood received only a single coat of deck oil. It was giving the highest rating available from the forest laboratory.

It is also naturally resistant to fire as well. In tests conducted by the Nation Fire Protection Association, when Ipe decking was exposed to flames for 10 minutes it had a flame spread value rating of 0, that is the same as concrete. The wood is slip resistant as well. This is an important safety feature when using the decking around pools, saunas and hot tubs where wet floors are experienced quite frequently. Ipe wood decking exceeds the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for Static coefficient of friction in a wet environment. This wood is resists splintering which is always a bonus when the environment will encounter bare feet on a regular basis.

The initial cost of the wood is higher than that of cedar or redwood but when the lifespan of the lumber is factored in the cost drops significantly. Most decking will need to be replaced at least several times over the life span of the deck, the cost of which adds up over time. Ipe wood however is an investment that only needs to be once to be worry free for life.

When considering what wood to use for outdoor decking Ipe wood cannot be beat for its durability and cost. Ipe wood is an exotic hardwood found throughout South America that is incredibly resistant to rot, insect infestation and has amazing fire resistance as well. Pronounced ee-PAY, this incredible hardwood has several common names, which include Brazilian Walnut, Amapa and Cortez.

When the famous boardwalk in Atlantic City needed to be replaced, Ipe wood was chosen. It was also used for the boardwalk at the Treasure Island Resort in Las Vegas

This wood is an extremely dense, tight-grained wood, which is the source of its longevity. When tested by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory it received its highest rating. This was based on Ipe wood left in the ground for 15 years without attack by termites. It is also resistant to mold and fungi. The wood can be expected to last 40+ years left untreated and an amazing 100+ years with a treatment of deck oil. Not only is it long lasting, it is a fraction of the cost of Teak.

When compared to more common woods used in outdoor projects, Ipe wood wins easily. Even against those woods long thought superior for out door use such as Cedar and Redwood. Studies done on recent Redwood use suggest that while Redwoods used at the beginning of the twentieth century did indeed offer excellent quality when used outdoors, that is not the case today. The reason for this is quite simple. Redwood used a century ago was taken from old growth forests and those no longer exist. The Redwood used today is produced from new growth trees and the heartwood of younger trees provides much less resistance to rot and insects than that of old trees. Irresponsible logging practices of the past century depleted all old growth Redwood except those trees protected in National Forests.

Use of Ipe wood is also an environmentally sound choice as well. Importers of Ipe wood to the United States usually purchase wood that is grown in managed forests that have been approved by the Forest Stewardship council. The practice of taking trees from managed forests means that sustainable forestry practices are in use, thus Ipe wood produces one of the renewable wood products in the world today. The use of Ipe instead of Teak or Mahogany leads to environmentally responsible forestry practices in sensitive rain forest environments.

One of the reasons Ipe wood is so new to the market for outdoor products is actually the same reason Ipe wood is also so durable. The wood is so incredibly dense that only recent technological machinery advances have made it possible to process the timber at an affordable price. Ipe wood must be drilled for fasteners and attachments; it is much too dense for the traditional hammer and nail techniques. This wood nearly 400% harder than teak and is one of the only woods that sinks in water!

When it comes to investing in your homes beauty and functionality, Ipe wood is a natural choice. Although it is more costly initially to install, the rewards by far outweigh the initial investment because once it is installed, Ipe wood is virtually maintenance free and will last a lifetime. Even pressure treated woods cannot boast the staying power of Ipe wood.