Why Buy Ipe Wood For Your Deck?

If you're planning to build a deck on your home, Ipe wood is a great choice. This tropical hardwood is naturally resistant to insects, fire, and scratching. It also retains a cooler temperature in hot weather. As a result, you can expect it to last a long time. In addition, this wood is one of the hardest in the world.

 

Ipe wood comes in a variety of colors. The heartwood is typically olive or reddish brown, but it can also be black or even a shade of yellow. It is difficult to tell the difference between it and its cousin, Cumaru, visually, as Ipe tends to be much darker and lacks Cumaru's characteristic cinnamon scent. Ipe also has a medium-to-fine texture, and its grain is mostly straight, though it can be irregular. It also has a moderate natural luster.

 

It is important to find a reliable supplier for your ipe wood purchases. Be sure to look for certifications, including FSC and PEFC. Purchasing ipe wood from a certified source ensures that it was grown legally. There are some unscrupulous drop-shippers out there who will try to trick you with cheap pricing, but you should be aware of their tactics.

 

One major drawback of ipe is its high price. The price per square foot is about $5 to $6, which is high compared to cedar or mahogany. This cost can be further increased by the labor cost involved. However, if you use ipe wood correctly, it will last for fifty years.

 

Another downside to ipe wood is that it is less sustainable than other timbers. Many species are shade-intolerant, which makes harvesting them unsustainable. Also, ipe species grow slowly, meaning they require a large forest area with little competition in order to grow to maturity. This means that felling a single tree would take over 100 years, which is a long time.

 

The price of Ipe wood boards depends on the quality and size. While you can save money by buying multiple Ipe boards, you may have to spend more money on the overall cost of the deck. The government regulates the import of ipe wood to ensure the quality of products. This requires testing for quality and traceability, resulting in higher production costs. Also, the price of Ipe wood varies depending on the time of the year.

 

If you're planning to build a deck, ipe wood is a great choice. Although you may not be familiar with the material, the wood will last for many years without sealing it. Most people just wash their Ipe deck down once a year in the spring and again in the fall. Besides that, Ipe doesn't require much maintenance. It has a unique beauty and a very dense structure.

 

Another great thing about Ipe wood is that it is naturally resistant to insects. Because it is so dense, it cannot be infested by termites. This makes it a better choice than composite materials. It is also more dense and harder than White Oak. Moreover, it has a class A fire rating. Furthermore, Ipe wood is easy to mill to any size, making it a very versatile option. Check out this related post that will enlighten you more on the topic: https://www.britannica.com/science/wood-plant-tissue.