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Why Use Ipe Decking?

Posted In: Home Improvement

When it comes to building a deck, the lumber the deck boards are crafted from makes a world of difference. Of the many choices 100% hardwood is obviously the best. And of all the hardwoods used for decking material, lumber from the Ipe tree is clearly the worlds, strongest, longest lasting lumber on the face of the planet. These factors are critically important when choosing which decking material to use on your deck.

Ipe decking has other advantages as well. It’s highly resistant to rot, insects and mold activity. And it looks “Oh so good!”

Long Lasting:
Ipe decking material lasts 40+ years without being pressure treated (arsenic on your kids feet, no thanks!) or even sealed or stained in any way. Ipe decking ages to a fine silvery color without being sealed. If you lock in it’s dark new wood look with sealer and keep up on the maintenance Ipe decking is know to last over 100 years.
This longevity is due to Ipe’s density. It’s the hardest densest wood on the plant. In the 50’s they called it Ironwood! The “Janka Hardest Test” officially confirms that ipe is by far the worlds hardest and strongest wood. Nothing else even comes close. Ipe is more than 8 times as hard as Redwood! Ipe is so dense, in fact, that most ipe boards will sink when placed in water.
This density is highly favored by organizations building decks for large numbers of people an/or high traffic.

Natural Resistance:
The ipe tree makes natural oils that make it resistant to the many wood boring insects, molds and bacteria of the rain forests of Brazil. This is a far better way to thwart termites than any of the man made methods of insect protection that you would have to use on any other deck. This combined with the density makes it unsuitable for wood eating insects.

Looks great:
Ipe decking has a new wood look of deep brown colors. Some people prefer it’s age look of a silvery color. If you want to keep the new look, you just need to seal it like any other deck. The difference being if you don’t seal the ipe decking, it won’t be destroyed in a few years like cheaper deck boards would be. It also still be beautiful, just a different color than originally.

View some great Ipe Decking photos. You’ll see why the great looks of ipe decking is what people talk about rather than it being the world’s best wood!

Article Source: Why Use Ipe Decking?