| This Brazilian hardwood is one of the best products | | | | decking around swimming pools and hot tubs where |
| that can be purchased for use in outdoor projects. | | | | the normal shoe attire is bare feet. |
| Ipe wood is a tropical hardwood originating in Central | | | | Decking and outdoor furniture made with this wood |
| and South America. Because of the location of the | | | | can be expected to last for an extending period of |
| trees natural growth, the tree possesses certain | | | | time with little to no maintenance. When compared |
| attributes that favor its growth in a rainforest | | | | with products made from materials such as cedar, |
| environment. These attributes are also favorable for | | | | oak or pressure treated pine; this wood can be |
| wood that will be used in outdoor door projects. One | | | | expected to have a life span up to five times longer |
| of these traits in particular is the ability of the wood | | | | than that of other. Projects built with other |
| to resist insects and moisture. Results from tests | | | | hardwoods may need to be replaced several times |
| performed by the United States Naval Research | | | | over the course of a normal lifespan. When the total |
| Laboratory show Ipe wood left in the ground for 25 | | | | cost of these replacements is considered, the value |
| years still showed no attacks by termites and | | | | of choosing Ipe wood the first time becomes clear |
| awarded the wood its highest rating. Also of | | | | immediately. |
| importance when using the wood around the home, | | | | Environmental considerations should also be |
| this hardwood has proven to be particularly fire | | | | considered when choosing a material with which to |
| resistant. In tests done by the National Fire | | | | build. This wood is grown throughout Central and |
| Protection Association, the wood was given a rating | | | | South America and it grows on a variety of sites |
| of Class A and Class 1 by the UBC. These are both | | | | from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests. This |
| the same ratings that are carried by concrete and | | | | makes the tree an ideal candidate for growing in a |
| steel. | | | | managed forest environment. Most Ipe wood arriving |
| Another feature unique to Ipe is its incredible | | | | in the United States is wood taken from managed |
| hardness. Standard decking size is 4/4 material with a | | | | forests, which are certified by the Forest |
| net ¾ inch thickness. On 24 inch Centers the 4/4 | | | | Stewardship Council, which is one of the most |
| material will provide a 100lb live load rating that out | | | | respected forestry practices in the world. By |
| performs the more common woods used today. The | | | | choosing wood grown in managed forests, negative |
| hardness rating for this wood is 3640 Janka. Red Oak | | | | impacts of the timber industry are kept to a |
| only carries a Janka of 1260. It is 364 percent harder | | | | minimum within sensitive areas of the world’s |
| than Teak. This superior strength also supplies | | | | rainforests. This also encourages sustainable forestry |
| another nice feature; the wood is naturally resistant | | | | practices which held discourage exploitive |
| to splintering. This is a definite bonus when building | | | | deforestation. |