| It is summer time and there is no better place to | | | | Tests conducted during construction of the Panama |
| spend a good portion of it than with your family in | | | | by the United States Naval Research Laboratory the |
| the back yard. In order to do that, every year | | | | United States Forest Products Laboratory found that |
| people all over the country look for the perfect | | | | wood left in the ground for 15 years was still without |
| outdoor furniture. While it may have proven elusive in | | | | any termite infestation. Ipe was also tested by the |
| the past, the hunt is over. If you are looking for | | | | United States Forest Products Laboratory which |
| beautiful, durable and weather proof, then look no | | | | gave the wood its highest rating as well and found |
| further. Outdoor furniture made from Ipe wood | | | | that the heartwood is very resistant to attack by |
| delivers all of this and more. | | | | decay fungi and mold, lasting as long as 40 years |
| This tropical hardwood is widespread throughout | | | | without any treatment and up to 100 years with just |
| South America and Central America. It is found in a | | | | a single treatment of deck oil applied to the surface. |
| variety of places from ridge tops to riverbanks and is | | | | It is not only the durability of the wood that is so |
| also easily grown in managed forests as well. This | | | | incredible; this wood also has amazing safety |
| commercially valuable tree is not an endangered | | | | features. When used for decking around pools and |
| species and most of the stock that arrives in the | | | | hot tubs, it is incredibly slip resistant when wet. This |
| United States originates from forests, which bare the | | | | hardwood exceeds the Americans with Disabilities act |
| Forest Stewardship Council certification. Stock | | | | requirements for Static Coefficient of friction in a |
| receiving this certification helps encourage sustainable | | | | wet environment, providing an extra layer of |
| forestry practices and offers the best remedy to | | | | protection in areas where falls can be dangerous. In |
| exploitive deforestation. | | | | addition to slip resistance, decking made from the |
| Dark brown in color, the heartwood of Ipe is often | | | | heartwood of this tree is also very resistant to |
| beautifully striped with alternating light and dark | | | | splintering which is a plus for using in seating and |
| striping. This natural dark color can be retained by | | | | flooring. |
| applying a treatment of deck oil that contains UV | | | | With so many items today considered disposable, it is |
| protection. If preferred however traditional | | | | a refreshing change to find a product that can be |
| weathering will gradually change the color of the | | | | expected to last a lifetime with such little |
| wood to handsome gray patina. | | | | maintenance. Ipe furniture is affordable as well and |
| The incredibly dense cell structure of this tree is | | | | cost much less than other tropical hardwoods. When |
| what conveys some of its most valuable properties. | | | | compared to the amount of money it will take if less |
| With a natural resistance to insect infestation, fungi, | | | | durable furniture is bought and replaced over the |
| water damage and warping, this wood makes an | | | | course of a lifetime, furniture made from this |
| ideal material with which to build outdoor projects. | | | | incredible hardwood is a deal. |