Is ipe wood a fire resistant wood?
Contrary to what is usually believed, woods as hard as those of Ipé have an excellent behavior against fire, presenting great resistance. Ipe wood is well above the standards set by the authorities in terms of fire resistance.
What are the disadvantages of ipe wood?
Ipe is extremely dense less susceptible than other woods to burning, with a fire rating that is the same as steel and concrete. But the density can make it difficult for contractors if they are trying to saw and nail it. The solution is to pre-drill holes and use steel screws. Plus, the hardwood chews up blades. These factors increase labor costs.
Where does ipe wood come from?
Ipé or “green ebony” is a wood from the Tabebuia species which originated in South and Central America. The Ipe tree can reach 35 meters in height and its trunk varies between 60 and 100 centimeters in diameter. The main supplier of Ipe wood is Brazil. What is the color of Ipe Wood? Ipe is brown in color.
What is the best alternative to ipe wood?
One excellent and sustainable option is reclaimed cumaru, also known as Brazilian teak; it looks similar to Ipe with a rich, warm color and costs less. Reclaimed teak is another choice, also offering similar durability and rot-resistant benefits. Tip: Teak is less dense, making installation easier and more affordable. 9.
What is ipe wood?
The terms ipe lumber or ipe wood are often clustered with other tropical hardwoods that share similar characteristics, especially for outdoor furniture. These woods include teak and shorea. Quite simply, Brazilian ipe looks good just about anywhere outdoors.
How long does ipe wood last outdoors?
Other attributes of ipe wood include: It can last more than 25 years outdoors. One of the densest hardwoods, it sinks in water.
How big are ipe trees?
Also known as trumpet trees, ipes can reach more than 100 feet high and up to 50 feet wide (at the top, with branches and leaves ), and are supported by narrow trunks that are 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Tabebuias can be deciduous, evergreen, and semievergreen, and some drop their leaves before producing spectacular clusters of flowers in colors that include white, golden yellow, lavender, bright pink, and red.
What is the boardwalk on Coney Island made of?
Some of the wood along Coney Island's boardwalk in New York was made of ipe, which is a testament to its longevity. Residents protested in 2015 when part of the boardwalk was set to be replaced by recycled plastic lumber and concrete. The famed boardwalk opened in 1923 and was reconstructed in the 1940s.
Is cedar harder than cedar?
Three times harder than cedar. One of the densest hardwoods, it sinks in water. It has the same fire rating as steel and concrete, making it a more fire-resistant choice than softwoods. It has high concentrations of tannic acid, which makes it resistant to rot, insects, and fungi.
Is IPE a good wood?
Some compare its strength to that of steel. Similar in appearance to mahogany, ipe is also popular for its durability and beauty as a warm, rich, hardwood. It's a smart choice that is becoming more popular in outdoor applications such as decking and patio furniture.
How long does ipe wood last?
If you’re considering ipe wood for a deck (or for siding, or for a fence), you probably already know that the smooth hardwood resembles mahogany and can last more than 50 years without needing replacement. Ipe has natural attributes to defeat many of the plagues that deck owners fear most: insects, rots, fire, and the effects of inclement weather.
What are the natural attributes of an ipe tree?
Ipe has natural attributes to defeat many of the plagues that deck owners fear most: insects, rots, fire, and the effects of inclement weather. However ipe trees, native to South America, are rare in their natural environments (as few as seven trees will grow per acre of forest).
How much does an IPE cost?
Ipe is notably more expensive then redwood and cedar. On average, ipe costs $3.50 to $5 per square foot “and the cost of labor will increase the total price to around $20 per square foot,” according to Improvenet. 3. Ipe is more durable than other woods.
What are some alternatives to IPE?
There are plenty of alternatives to ipe wood. Using reclaimed wood is a smart start. Several wood types are good alternatives. One excellent and sustainable option is reclaimed cumaru, also known as Brazilian teak; it looks similar to Ipe with a rich, warm color and costs less.
What does it mean when IPE is FSC certified?
When ipe trees are responsibly grown in managed forests, the harvested wood gets a stamp of approval from the Forest Stewardship Council (which is what it means when you see the label “FSC-certified wood”).
Can IPE dust cause headaches?
Although severe reactions are uncommon, Ipe can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as headaches, or asthma-like symptoms. If you work with this wood, please wearing protective clothing, gloves, and a proper mask.
Is IPE wood a fire hazard?
Ipe is extremely dense less susceptible than other woods to burning, with a fire rating that is the same as steel and concrete. But the density can make it difficult for contractors if they are trying to saw and nail it. The solution is to pre-drill holes and use steel screws. Plus, the hardwood chews up blades.
What is ipe wood used for?
Balconies and roof terraces can also be equipped with Ipé. Ipe Wood is used for the manufacture of furniture , indoor and outdoor floors, stairs, beams. This wood is growing in popularity as a coating material due to its durability and insect resistance.
Where does ipe wood come from?
Ipé or “green ebony” is a wood from the Tabebuia species which originated in South and Central America. The Ipe tree can reach 35 meters in height and its trunk varies between 60 and 100 centimeters in diameter. The main supplier of Ipe wood is Brazil.
How long does tropical ipe last?
Compared to other types of wood, the lifespan of Ipe is immensely long. For example, Ipe decking boards last up to 30 years if properly installed. Incidentally, Ipe belongs to the highest durability class (1).
What is the color of ipe wood?
Mature Ipe wood has a color ranging from olive gray, dark red to medium to dark brown. On the radial cut, narrow light and dark stripes may alternate and the sapwood is red-gray. Over time, under the influence of light, the color of the wood darkens. Tropical woods are very characteristic.
What is sapwood wood?
The sapwood is yellowish gray. The structure of the wood is very regular, with a fine grain and. Ipe has a straight grain, sometimes interlocked grain.
What is the best tropical wood?
Ipe wood is considered one of the best tropical woods by wood experts. This is so thanks to its characteristics and properties. But what is ipe wood? Find out here what are Ipe wood unique characteristics and the reason you should choose it.
Why is Ipé wood gray?
Ipé, like all exotic woods, will naturally turn gray due to external aggressions (Ultra-violet and pollution). If you want to keep its natural shade, you will need to apply a saturator. To counteract the aging effect, the original color can be restored thanks to the use of specific oils, to be applied once or twice a year.
Where is Ipe Wood From?
Ipe wood is found in South America especially in the Amazonian rainforest that has very hot temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of rainfall. Strong winds are also common in this area, which makes for the perfect environment to grow these types of trees.
Ipe Wood Appearance
Ipe wood is a beautiful type of Brazilian hardwood that ranges from light brown to a very dark color. It has an intense grain pattern, but the deeper grains are not always visible when it’s finished and sanded. In general, this wood is very strong and dense with a medium coarse texture.
Ipe Wood Strength
The appearance of ipe wood can greatly vary depending on the grade or level you are looking at for your project.
Common Ipe Wood Uses
Ipe wood is often used for outdoor projects because it’s so durable and weather resistant. Decking, fencing, gazebos, and pergolas are all popular uses for this type of wood. It doesn’t require a lot of maintenance but does need to be sealed every few years in order to keep its color and protect it for the future.
How to Clean Ipe Wood
The best way to clean ipe wood is by using a mild detergent and a soft brush. Be sure to rinse the wood thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residue. You can also use a pressure washer if you have one, but be careful not to damage the wood with high-pressure water.
Ipe Wood Pros and Cons
There are a few things to consider before purchasing ipe wood. It is important to be aware of the pros and cons of this type of wood so you can make an informed decision. Here is a look at some of the key benefits and drawbacks of ipe wood:
Is Ipe Wood Eco-Friendly?
One of the beautiful properties of Ipe wood is that it is eco-friendly. It is a renewable resource (tree) and its density prevents it from catching on fire easily. The resins inhibit insects and fungus growth while reducing sap seepage into the heartwood.
What is IPE wood used for?
Common Uses: Flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects. Comments: Ipe is a wood of extremes: extremely dense and durable, as well as extremely difficult to work. Its incredible hardness and strength make it well suited for flooring applications, ...
When did IPE move to Handroanthus?
Formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus, species of Ipe (H. guayacan, H. impetiginosus, H. serratifolius) were moved to the Handroanthus genus in 2007 based on genetic studies .
Is ipe wood darker?
In certain species, there are powdery yellow deposits within the wood. Ipe can be difficult to distinguish visually from Cumaru, another dense South American timber, though Ipe tends to be darker, and lacks the subtle yet characteristic vanilla/cinnamon scent while being worked.
Does ipe have a smell?
Odor: Ipe has a mild scent while being worked. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ipe has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms, and/or disturbance of vision.
Is IPE a threatened species?
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, Ipe species grow in very low densities, with mature trees only occurring once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet (3 to 10 hectares) of forest area.
Can Ipe be used to glue wood?
Also, Ipe can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the natural powdery yellow deposits can sometimes interfere with polishing or finishing the wood. Odor: Ipe has a mild scent while being worked.
Why use ipe wood for siding?
For all these reasons, Ipe Woods USA suggests you keep Ipe wood in mind when you’re planning on adding a deck, building a fence, or putting on siding. The high fire-resistance of Ipe wood helps prevent the flames from gaining a toehold and doing more damage.
What is the king of fire resistant wood?
The King of Fire-resistant Wood. When it comes to fire-resistant wood, the king is Ipe wood, of course. As we’ve said before they don’t call it ironwood for nothing. If you have been through a fire and are in the process of rebuilding there are many solid reasons to consider using Ipe wood as siding, decking and fencing.
Is IPE wood fire resistant?
Just like everything else on the planet these days, there are tests to see just how well wood stands up to fire. And when it comes to Ipe nothing touches it. Essentially how they do it is they install and 20’x25’ sample as the ceiling of a test chamber, and then see how fast the fire spreads. Of all the woods, Ipe came out on top. It has been given up a an A rating for fire resistance. That means it’s the best.
Does ipe lumber sink in water?
Ipe lumber is so naturally dense that it resists fungus, rot and termites. It even sinks in water.
Can you use ipe wood as a fire extinguisher?
You barely have time to look for the fire extinguisher before things get out of control. If you’ve used Ipe wood as your for your deck, you’re able to get things under control before the point of no-return. The dense ironwood takes so long to ignite, that life can be a little calmer when an accident happens.
