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It’s time to layout the 10 common consumer complaints and concerns about Ipe Decking. What are the fixes? Which ones are myths? And how to determine if Ipe is right for your deck project? This article will put the kibosh on all unanswered concerns and speculation. Read on to learn the truth about these common Ipe Decking problems.
Ipe is, undoubtedly, one of the hardest woods in the world. There are harder species of wood, but not many. A Janka Hardness scale is used to measure and compare materials based on their hardness. Most reliable sources place Ipe in the top 10 of hardest woods. Of the top 10, Ipe is one of only three or four that are commercially available.
To put Ipe’s hardness in perspective, Ipe earns a Janka Rating of about 3,684. Compare that to White Oak, a domestic hardwood known for its hardness, at about 1200. Hardness is important to a materials longevity and durability. The benefits of being one of the hardest woods in the world are numerous. A high hardness rating lends to incredible longevity, durability and resistance to insects, fire, moisture penetration, mold and rot.
But, wait! Doesn’t Ipe’s hardness negatively affect its workability? Won’t I need special blades to cut it? Isn’t it too strong to straighten curves in the boards? The short answer; no, no, and no. But there are some tips that can make working with Ipe much easier,
Some customers are unsure what to expect from Ipe, in terms of color. Manufactured decking boards, like plastics and composites, are not only consistent, they are EXACTLY the same. Real, Natural Wood, like Ipe, provides a variety of different colors, from light olive browns, to darker chocolate browns. This color variation is exactly what makes Ipe very desirable. It makes the deck look natural and gives it abundant character. Customers should also expect to find cathedral arches, interlocked grain patterns, and intermittent black striping. All of these features give Ipe it’s characteristic beauty. Here are some tips regarding color expectations,
Other Brazilian Hardwood Species offer different colors and more consistency. Consider Garapa and Massaranduba for consistency in color.
Acclimation is the process of becoming accustomed to a new climate or new conditions. This is an oft overlooked or improperly addressed process for Ipe Decking installation. It applies to nearly all wood decking and flooring. If you are ordering Ipe, locally, this section probably doesn’t apply to you. But let’s say you live in Colorado and you ordered Ipe from Brazilian Wood Depot, in Atlanta GA. You will absolutely want to take heed of these simple tips,
Ask the supplier for Storage and Handling tips.
Technically, Ipe doesn’t require any maintenance whatsoever. Ipe maintenance is only required to maintain the natural brown colors. Without maintaining an annual oil regimen, the boards will turn a beautiful silvery-grey. This will not affect the structural integrity, longevity, or durability of the wood. It’s all a matter of appearance. In fact, many customers prefer to let their Ipe go grey. The best part is, you can always bring them back to their original brown colors.
The general rule of thumb to maintain Ipe’s beautiful brown colors is an annual application of a UV Oil, with Messmer’s UV Plus, and periodic cleaning depending on conditions. Some customers are put off by the maintenance associated with Ipe. What they may fail to realize is that, the ability to refinish Ipe decks actually makes it a much more desirable decking material. Plastic and Composite alternatives fade overtime and cannot be brought back to the original conditions. Here are a few tips regarding oiling and maintenance,
This aspect of choosing a decking material is probably the most often overlooked. While Ipe is the most durable material decking option, they can still get damaged. The two most common ways decking boards get damaged is by spilling the hot contents of a grill or firepit and scratches from heavy metal furniture. Both of these can be remedied by replacing the boards. With Ipe, board replacement is an easy, worry free solution. Ipe is one of the only decking options that provides the ability to replace boards.
Why can’t I replace composite or plastic decking boards? These boards fade over time and cannot be refinished. That means, when you replace a composite/plastic board, the old boards won’t ever match the new ones. Ipe naturally varies in color, so the new ones will blend in nicely with the old ones. Sun exposure will also help the new boards match the old ones. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering board replacement,
Consider the fastening method. Some clip designs make it difficult or impossible to access the heads of the screws. Also, plugging an entire deck can make replacing damaged boards more difficult. Learn about different fasteners and their which one is best for your project.
There’s no denying that Ipe wood can cup. Cupping is the shape a wood board takes on where one side of the board is convex and the opposite side is concave. Typically, with decking, the top/face of the board dips in the center and the sides rise. It is important to understand why boards cup.
Cupping is always a result of improper ventilation and inadequate moisture equalization. When moisture becomes trapped underneath decking boards and the face of the boards dry, it creates a higher moisture content under the boards than above the boards. This causes the bottom to expand and the top to contract and cup. To prevent this, you’ll want to take these simple precautions,
Follow the supplier’s installation guidelines.
What if the conditions are not suitable to achieve suitable airflow and moisture equalization? Some common examples might include, covering a concrete pad without a frame system, a rooftop deck with waterproof membrane, or areas that have a maximum elevation requirement may not allow for suitable airflow. Ipe Deck Tiles can be a perfect solution for those condition. Deck Tiles are manufactured tiles made up of 7-8 smaller Ipe boards. These boards are very resistant to cupping and are a great solution for these types of conditions.
Ipe Decking dries and contracts, leaving tiny cracks in the face or at the ends of the boards. These tiny cracks are known as checks. Face checking is a very normal and is very difficult to see. It does not affect the durability, longevity or water-resistant benefits. This checking goes away again once the boards gain moisture and expand. The checking that can be more problematic is called End Checking. End checking occurs at the end of board cuts where moisture can escape more easily. The solution is simple,
The term Brazilian Hardwoods just sounds expensive. Fortunately, as far as reasonable decking options go, it really isn’t. Many customers feel that going with plastic or composite decking is more cost effective than Ipe. While this can be the case, especially with the lowest grades of manufactured decking, it usually isn’t.
There are also Ipe alternatives that also grow in Brazil and cost less than Ipe. These other species like Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Purpleheart and Massaranduba are just a beautiful and durable as Ipe.
This can absolutely be true, especially locally. Depending on where you are in the United States or Canada, Ipe can be difficult or impossible to find, nearby. This has a fairly easy fix,
Also, suppliers often run out during Brazil’s wet season. Harvesting Ipe is limited to about 5 months of the year. Torrential rains prevent loggers from working in the other seven months. This means suppliers must plan ahead, the best they can, to prepare inventory for the wet season. Some are effective in doing so, others run out for prolonged periods of time.
Ipe is one of several Brazilian Hardwoods used for decking, siding and flooring. Of course, much of Brazil is covered in natural rain forests. It’s not unusual for environmentally minded consumers to be put off by the idea that purchasing Ipe will harm our planet’s natural rain forests. Fortunately for everyone, that isn’t the case.
Truth is, as long as you’re purchasing responsibly sourced Ipe, you’re supporting essential, low-carbon emitting jobs in the Amazon and working against illegal timber poachers. Legal Ipe loggers care deeply about the sustainability of Ipe and the surrounding forests. They are also required to follow state specified re-growth regulations. When you buy, legally, you’re supporting these positive attributes. When the demand for legal Ipe falls, illegal log poaching increases.
In conclusion, Ipe is a great choice for decking. The upfront costs are similar to other options, but it’s longevity and durability makes the long term costs far lower than anything else.
The maintenance for Ipe Decking can either be low or none. Annual oiling will maintain the brown colors otherwise, they’ll turn a beautiful silvery grey and still retain their durability.
Responsibly sourced Ipe helps maintain low-carbon emitting jobs in the Amazon and represents the only 100% natural, biodegradable, recyclable, chemical free and reusable decking materials.
The Ultimate Ipe Decking Comparison Guide 
