| There's a lot of talk about which decking material can | | | | fire would have a better chance of remaining |
| stand the test of time, the elements, and possible | | | | contained to the spot(s) where it landed. Compared |
| accidents that could cause a fire. The truth is, that | | | | to cheap composite decking or an inferior wood, the |
| only one decking material, far outperforms pressure | | | | fire would not spread so fast and you would have a |
| treated decking, composite decking, and most other | | | | better chance of putting it out faster. This Class A |
| wood decking materials; ipe decking. | | | | fire rating for wood is exceptional because both steel |
| While it's nice to sit here and tell you that ipe decking | | | | and concrete also have the same rating from the |
| is the best out there, period, savvy homeowners | | | | NFPA! |
| need to know that there are actual facts behind all | | | | The last test that people looking to start a home |
| the hype. Specifically, there have been major studies | | | | improvement project or deck building project need to |
| and scientific research conducted on the merits of ipe | | | | be aware of is how ipe rates on the Janka Hardness |
| wood. These tests have concluded that ipe wood is, | | | | test. This test measures how much force is required |
| in fact, as good as billed and lives up to its reputation | | | | to force a small steel ball into various woods. The |
| as one of the premium wood decking options | | | | Janka Hardness test is significant if you are |
| available to homeowners today. | | | | comparing ipe decking to California redwood, pressure |
| Three major tests that prove ipe (aka Brazilian | | | | treated decking, cedar decking, and even teak. This |
| Walnut) is the best decking material to choose come | | | | results of this test highlight that ipe is one of the |
| from: | | | | hardest woods that nature offers. Here are the |
| - The US Naval Laboratory | | | | results of the Janka Hardness Scale for those four |
| - The National Fire Protection Agency | | | | previously mentioned species: ipe is three times |
| - The Janka Hardness Test When the US Naval | | | | stronger than teak. Ipe's Janka Hardness is 3600 lbs; |
| Laboratory tested ipe, they found out that a board | | | | while teak's is only 1050 lbs. Pressure treated pine has |
| of ipe wood can be placed in the ground totally open | | | | a Janka hardness of 690 lbs. The Janka Hardness of |
| to the elements for 15 years before it termites | | | | cedar decking is 900. And in a result sure to shock |
| would even attempt to infest it. In addition, they also | | | | any homeowner who thought redwood was an |
| found out that ipe decking was extremely resilient. | | | | extremely hard decking material, California redwood |
| And that mold, mildew, and fungus had a hard time | | | | has a hardness rating of only 480 lbs. |
| developing on the wood. | | | | Clearly, with these scientific tests and results in mind, |
| When it comes to the element of fire, ipe decking | | | | you can shop with confidence in knowing that ipe |
| also receives high marks. In fact, The National Fire | | | | decking is, by far, an exotic hardwood that lives up |
| Protection Agency awarded ipe hardwood a Class A | | | | to the hype and is the most durable decking you can |
| rating when it comes to how it handles fire spread. | | | | buy. When you need decking that will stand up to |
| Why is this important? Suppose your dog knocked | | | | the elements, time, and everything else in between, |
| over your charcoal grill and all the briquettes spilled | | | | ipe decking is your best choice. |
| onto your deck. If your deck was made of ipe, the | | | | |