Do you want to make your outdoor lounging area look much better and more functional with decking? When it comes to decking materials, wood is always the top choice for its ability to make any space more luxurious and aesthetically pleasing while providing a timeless appeal. But don’t just choose any wood—you also have to make sure it’s durable, long-lasting, and requires minimal maintenance. Ipe decks fit the description. It’s one of the hardest hardwoods hailing from South America.
Why should you use ipe?
Also known as Brazilian Black Walnut or Ironwood, ipe hardwood is three times harder than a baseball bat, making it scratch-resistant. With a Janka hardness rating of 3680 lb, working with ipe typically demands carbide-tipped tools and specialized sawsfor smooth cutting. It's also crucial to pre-drill the wood and have spare bits ready to ensure a seamless installation process.
Resists bugs
Ipe decks are so hard that wood-destroying organisms like termites and pine beetles will give up trying to gnaw on the hardwood. You don’t even need special chemicals or pesticides to keep your deck bug-free for a long time.
Ages gracefully
Ipe hardwood does not require any preservation treatments. It will naturally turn silver-gray with sun exposure, and once it does, it will last that way for several decades. That said, you can preserve the beautiful, natural rich brown and amber hues by periodically applying a UV-blocking finisher. Other than that, you don’t have to do anything else to keep your deck in good shape.
Sustainable
Unlike other materials, ipe wood naturally decomposes at the end of its lengthy lifespan, so it doesn’t end up in landfills. Be sure to choose ipe wood that is responsibly harvested from South America and complies with the Lacey Act. This ensures your decking choice supports ethical and sustainable forestry practices.
Where to get ipe hardwood
If you’re looking for ipe hardwood, it’s best to buy from a local supplier like ABS Wood, where you can get it at a reasonable price. They only sell the highest quality ipe decking materials. Visit their website to explore their products or call 404-549-4840 or 352-508-4490 for an estimate.
About the Author:
Bruce Master serves as the general manager at Advanced Building Supplies, also known as ABS Wood, a leading provider of a comprehensive range of Brazilian Hardwood products, including Ipe, Garapa, Cumaru, and Tigerwood. Bruce's affinity for exotic woods is a natural extension of his family heritage, rooted in a lineage of skilled woodworkers. Both his grandfather and father were esteemed craftsmen and cabinet makers.
Beyond his managerial role at ABS, Bruce actively engages in designing, planning, and installing his own decks. Prior to his involvement with Brazilian Hardwoods, Bruce held a generalist position at a large Ace Hardware store in Miami, Florida, specializing in serving an almost exclusive clientele of contractors working on projects in Miami Beach.
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