| For homeowners who don't enjoy the yearly | | | | United States Naval Research Laboratory, wood left |
| maintenance that normally goes along with home | | | | in the ground for 15 years still showed no signs of |
| ownership, decking made from Ipe wood is a smart | | | | insect attack and received the laboratory's highest |
| choice. It means there is one less thing around the | | | | rating. The heartwood of the tree is also extremely |
| house that doesn't require yearly costly upkeep. | | | | resistant to decay, fungi and mold. The United States |
| Unlike other parts of the home, this tropical hard | | | | Forest Products Laboratory awarded Ipe its highest |
| wood decking is something that can be installed and | | | | rating as welling, classing it as very durable after 25 |
| then just enjoyed. There are very few things that | | | | years. |
| can be called maintenance free but decking | | | | Even with no treatment whatsoever, this exotic |
| constructed from this type of hardwood is one. | | | | hardwood can be expected to maintain its integrity |
| This wood is one that many may not be familiar with | | | | without warping or rot for up to 40 years. With a |
| but that is changing quickly. Pronounced EE-pay, this | | | | single application of deck oil, that time span is |
| lumber comes from a tree that is indigenous to | | | | lengthened to 100+ years. Now that is seriously low |
| Central and South America and some parts of Asia. | | | | maintenance. In fact, when the city council in Atlantic |
| Its botanical name is Tavevuia spp. However, it is | | | | City had to replace the famous boardwalk there, Ipe |
| known by several other common names including: | | | | was the wood chosen for the project. |
| Brazilian Walnut, Amapa, Cortez and Greenheart. The | | | | Although more expensive in the beginning than |
| tree grows in variety of settings and can be found | | | | choosing treated pine, cedar or California Redwood, |
| from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests, | | | | this tropical hardwood pays for itself several times |
| which make it a natural selection for growing in a | | | | over the lifetime of the project because no there is |
| managed forest setting. In fact, most Pie wood that | | | | little to no maintenance or replacement necessary. |
| is available for purchase in the United States has | | | | Ipe has established a reputation as premium decking |
| Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The | | | | material, not just because it is durable. The wood |
| FSC is one of the most respected forestry practices | | | | itself has a beautiful walnut color with a tight to |
| in the world and encourages sustainable forestry | | | | medium grain pattern. Once a deck has been installed, |
| practices, which offers the best remedy to | | | | one can choose to treat the wood with a light deck |
| exploitative deforestation. This means that when | | | | oil that offers ultraviolet protection. This allows the |
| purchasing Ipe wood one can be assured that the | | | | wood to maintain is natural coloring, however if left |
| wood they are choosing is a responsible ecological | | | | untreated the wood will weather to a beautiful silver |
| choice. | | | | patina while retaining all of its natural strength and |
| This exotic hardwood is incredibly resistant to water | | | | resistance. |
| rot and insect infestation. In tests conducted by the | | | | |