When planning a hardwood deck, one of the most common requests we hear is the desire for “all 16-foot boards” or boards in one specific size. While this seems practical, it’s important to understand that hardwood decking is sourced in naturally varied lengths, and requesting all boards in one uniform size can be difficult or impossible to fulfill. It can also increase material cost, limit design flexibility, and reduce the natural aesthetic value that makes Ipe so desirable. Even more importantly, choosing full-length boards can create installation challenges and future replacement issues that many homeowners and installers don’t anticipate. By understanding how random-length Ipe boards are produced, shipped, and installed, you’ll be better equipped to choose the option that delivers the best long-term results for your project. If you want a deeper overview of how Ipe performs across different board sizes, explore our main Ipe Decking page for detailed specs and guidance.