Benefits of Ipe Decking Lumber

From the Las Vegas Resort Hotel Treasure Island to your own backyard, Ipe wood is ideal for all types of decking needs. Ipe lumber is one of the most popular types of woods available for decking, and it’s no wonder why. With a durability that enables it to to last longer than you’ll own your house, your deck will be built as a great place to relax, entertain, or simply enjoy the outdoors. Ipe decking is safe for children, pets, and any visitors you may have, and its natural resistance to dirt and spills makes for easy clean up. All in all, it is an exceptional wood to use for decking. Built to last and reasonably priced, Ipe decking brings multiple benefits to your home.

Features

Ipe decking lumber is one of the strongest woods available. Its natural oils have a number of great benefits, and its highly concentrated density levels are similarly useful. The combination of these factors allows Ipe decking to naturally be resistant to rot and decay. Ipe decking does not absorb heat; it remains cool even on the hottest summer day.

Ipe wood can withstand extreme traffic and heavy use and provides great resistance to insects, mold, and fungus. Also resistant to scratches and slivers/splinters, Ipe decking boasts the added benefit of increased slip resistance in wet weather. And amazingly, due to its natural density, Ipe lumber is as fire resistant as concrete or metal.

Ipe wood can be used in decking, flooring, siding, docks, interior wall panels, sun rooms, and any wood appliance. With a lifespan of about least forty years, Ipe lumber can add value and a lifetime of beauty to any home.

Specifics

Originating in the South American rain forests, Ipe decking is one-of-a-kind. Ipe wood comes from trees that grow up to 150 feet all with a diameter of six feet. Ipe lumber is, therefore, incredibly strong and exceeds all existing code requirements for exterior constructions.

Rich brown, red, and amber hues follow Ipe’s interlocking grain pattern. The wood is very eco-friendly, as it is harvested off of fallen and dead trees. Therefore, the trees harvested are no longer producing seeds. Ipe wood exceeds almost every other wood in its combination of hardness, strength, durability, and appearance.

Maintenance

Another benefit of Ipe decking is the very low maintenance required for its upkeep. Ipe lumber requires specialized or higher grade tools to install, as it is a very dense, hard wood, and it also needs adequate cross ventilation to ensure optimal stability. After installation, however, maintenance is quite easy.

It is often recommended that you protect your Ipe wood with a conditioner that will allow it to maintain its natural appearance, but this is certainly not necessary. The conditioning oil will not stain the wood, but it will prevent it from fading in the sun. If you choose not to condition your Ipe wood, it will naturally fade from the sunlight. Ipe decking turns to a fine silver-gray color over time if it is not properly conditioned, but many customer actually prefer this silvery-gray patina and purposely allow their Ipe structures to weather.

Responsibly priced and guaranteed to last, Ipe wood is a wise choice for any wood application. J.Gibson McIlvain Company, the nation’s premier lumber supplier, is a valuable resource for information on all Ipe decking and lumber needs. For more information on all that McIlvain Company has to offer, visit their website at www.mcilvain.com.