Ipe Decking

Premium carbide tipped saw blades and high quality drills are recommended for smooth cuts due to the hardness of Ipe. Pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink when using screws as fasteners. End sealing: ends should be sealed immediately after cutting using a clear aqueous wax end sealer to reduce checking.

Natural durability, superior performance, incredible beauty. Ipe (ee-pay): is an extremely dense tropical hardwood with excellent durability and performance characteristics. Ipe is the finest quality decking material available, with a distinct patina and fine grain. This fantastic and durable South American hardwood is rated by the US Forest Products Lab for a 25 year life. It is naturally resistant to fire, having a NFPA Class A rating and a UBC Class 1 rating (the same as steel and concrete). This wood resists insects, rot and mildew, and it can be used in ground contact without preservatives or additional treatments. Testing by the US Navy in a 1962 Panama Canal study showed Ipe to be one of the top performers in resistance to decay, termites, and borers. It is perfect for exterior residential and commercial applications such as boatdocks, decking, boardwalks, outdoor furniture, pool decking, foot bridges, etc. It can be sealed to maintain its natural color and beauty, or allowed to weather to a beautiful silver gray color.This very dense wood requires no sealers or treatments for durability, ever. Because it is one of the earths most dense woods, Ipe remains smooth and splinter free. It tends not to absorb water, twist, splinter, or bow like softer woods. This means that if you use Ipe for your deck, you will be able to walk on it barefoot for a long time. Photo: above left: Ipe Boards ready to be installed in a deck. Finishing is optional required for this incredible iron-wood. Other Common Names: Amapa , Cortez , Guayacan , Guayacan polvillo , Flor Amarillo , Greenhart , Madera negra , Tahuari , Ipe , Lapacho negro , Pao Lope.