What is ipe wood?
Ipe (spelled ipe and pronounced “ee-pay”), also called Brazilian walnut, is a beautiful exotic wood from South America. Ipe wood structures are hard, strong, and naturally resistant to rot, abrasion, weather, and insects.
What does IPE stand for?
What Does Ipe Stand For? Ipe is not an abbreviation. Rather, it’s the common name of Tabebuia serratifolia, a tropical hardwood lumber specie. The correct pronunciation is “EE-pay”. Other common names for ipe include Brazilian walnut and ironwood.
How do you pronounce IPE tree?
The correct pronunciation is “EE-pay”. Other common names for ipe include Brazilian walnut and ironwood. The ipe tree is native to South America. However, it also grows throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, southern Florida, and other tropical regions.
How long does IPE last?
Ipe can last up to 75 years untreated. Why Choose Ipe? In our opinion, it is the best wood all around. The perfect mixture of most durable, lowest maintenance, best-looking wood mother nature makes. Withstands splintering or checking looks beautiful in its natural state or treated. Same fire rating as concrete and bugs don’t like eating it!
See 3 key topics from this page & related content
See 4 key topics from this page & related content
Is ipe wood real wood?
Ipe (spelled ipe and pronounced “ee-pay”), also called Brazilian walnut, is a beautiful exotic wood from South America. Ipe wood structures are hard, strong, and naturally resistant to rot, abrasion, weather, and insects. It is almost twice as dense as most woods and up to five times harder.
Is Ipe good wood?
What is Ipe Wood? Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is world-renowned for its superior characteristics and properties. Ipe is one of the hardest woods in the world which lends to its incredible durability and longevity. It is also naturally resistant to insect attack, mold, rot, fire and decay.
Is Ipe the strongest wood?
The Ipe Brazilian Walnut has a natural durability and a profound beauty. It is a very dense, tropical hardwood highly resistant to rot and insects while carrying a Class A fire rating reserved for concrete and steel.
How is ipe wood pronounced?
Ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood is one of the world's most unique woods, but many architects, designers and builders have been refusing to use it because it is difficult to source from environmentally sustainable operations.
Does Ipe wood crack?
Ipe Decking dries and contracts, leaving tiny cracks in the face or at the ends of the boards. These tiny cracks are known as checks. Face checking is a very normal and is very difficult to see. It does not affect the durability, longevity or water-resistant benefits.
Can you pressure wash Ipe?
Using a pressure washer isn't recommended for regular cleaning of Ipe decking. Power washers use high pressure which can damage and roughen the surface of the wood. Use a shop vac to remove debris and dirt from between planks, a soft-bristle broom to sweep it off, or just a regular garden hose.
Do termites eat Ipe?
Do termites like Ipe decking? Surprisingly, enough termites and other insects from Brazil and the United States tend to stay away from Ipe Decking. Not because Ipe decking isn't delicious, but because this material is extremely dense. Ipe is so impervious that insects, including termites, don't stand a chance.
Does Ipe need to be sealed?
Does Ipe need to be sealed? Ipe does not need any “sealer” in fact the wood is dense, that it doesn't really take sealer anyways. The products used on Ipe are not really sealers as much as UV protectants. It is the sunlight that turns Ipe grey, and using these products can help protect against that.
How long does ipe wood last?
Ipe is more durable than other woods. Within ipe wood are natural oils that preserve it; combined with the wood's exceptional density, you can expect an ipe deck or fence to last up to 50 years without replacement.
Can ipe wood be sanded?
Ipé decking comes with a natural finish and is ready to be lightly sanded after your installation has been completed. To remove transportation and installation scratches, you can use an orbital 5" electric palm sander with #80 grit sanding paper.
Does Ipe sink in water?
The reason Ipe might sink in water is based on a characteristic called specific gravity: anything below 1 will float and anything above 1 will sink. Ipe can range from . 91 to 1.12 specific gravity, which means some will sink and some will float.
Can ipe wood be painted?
First, sand the ipe with coarse-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit. This will give the paint something to cling to. Then, apply several layers of oil-based primer. Finally, you can paint the ipe, but use an oil-based paint instead of the usual latex stuff.
How long does ipe wood last?
Ipe is more durable than other woods. Within ipe wood are natural oils that preserve it; combined with the wood's exceptional density, you can expect an ipe deck or fence to last up to 50 years without replacement.
Do termites eat ipe wood?
Do termites like Ipe decking? Surprisingly, enough termites and other insects from Brazil and the United States tend to stay away from Ipe Decking. Not because Ipe decking isn't delicious, but because this material is extremely dense. Ipe is so impervious that insects, including termites, don't stand a chance.
Does ipe wood need to be sealed?
Does Ipe need to be sealed? Ipe does not need any “sealer” in fact the wood is dense, that it doesn't really take sealer anyways. The products used on Ipe are not really sealers as much as UV protectants. It is the sunlight that turns Ipe grey, and using these products can help protect against that.
Is ipe wood good for decks?
Ipe wood is a high density hardwood decking material. The high density of Ipe decking is one reason why Ipe decking lasts so long and is so durable. Ipe decking is naturally resistant to termites and rot and decay. Ipe decking is so dense it has received a Class A fire rating.
What is Ipe Wood?
Coming from the forests of Central and South America, Ipe is also called lapacho or Brazilian walnut. It does have some unique features.
Sustainability Concerns of Ipe
Overall, Ipe is quite sustainable because of its carbon sequestration and storage.
Current State of Ipe – What Can You Do About It?
Despite its vulnerability, the Ipe is still quite popular, and it will be harvested for the foreseeable future.
What is an ipe?
Ipe (or Ipé) is also known as Ironwood, Brazilian Walnut, Pau Lope or Lapacho. Ipe generally refers to all species of the Tabebuia genus.
Is IPE wood harder than teak?
The ratings are from the Janka test, commonly used to measure wood hardness. It is the number of pounds per square inch required to drive a small steel ball half its diameter into the surface of the wood. Ipe wood is more than 368% harder then Teak wood!
What is an ipe?
Ipe is not an abbreviation. Rather, it’s the common name of Tabebuia serratifolia, a tropical hardwood lumber specie. The correct pronunciation is “EE-pay”. Other common names for ipe include Brazilian walnut and ironwood.
Where do Ipe trees grow?
The ipe tree is native to South America. However, it also grows throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, southern Florida, and other tropical regions.
What is the color of ipe wood?
It is also naturally resistant to insect attack, mold, rot, fire and decay. The color of Ipe heartwood is a rich brown with red and amber hues ...
How long does IPE last?
Longevity- Ipe is renowned for its ability to last many decades even in extreme weather conditions. Density and hardness, as discussed above, plays a large role in that. Natural resistance to water penetration and rot/decay also contributes to its longevity. The forests, from which they evolved, experience 100-400 inches of rain per year. That is up to 8-10 times more than anywhere in the United States. Evolutionary responses to this heavy rainfall have made this wood naturally resistant to water penetration, mold, rot and decay.
Why Brazilian Wood Depot?
The Goal of Brazilian Wood Depot is to maintain a reliable supply of the highest quality hardwood decking, railings, siding lumber, fasteners, finishes and technical support to suppliers, contractors and home owners looking for the best products at the best prices. We certify our quality lumber with the RealWood™ tag and stand behind our best choice fasteners, finishes and accessories as being the highest quality products for the task at the best price.
What is the hardest wood?
Ipe is one of the hardest, commercially available, woods in the world. With a Janka hardness rating of 3680, Ipe can withstand the most extreme elements and commercial wear and tear. Currently, there are no decking options that compare to Ipe’s many benefits. Plastic Decking is one alternative, but it has many downsides…
What is the most flame resistant decking material?
Ipe is the most flame-resistant decking material, hands down. Ipe is one of the only materials, aside from steel and concrete, that regularly receives an A Class rating from engineering rating organizations. Plastic, composite and pressure treated lumber typically receive the lowest flame spread ratings C Class.
What is the best wood for a deck?
Ipe is considered the highest quality, best natural wood decking material on the market today. It is also one of the most popular species for decking we stock at Brazilian Wood Depot. On this page, you’ll learn more about Ipe decking, the benefits it provides and other useful information to help get you started.
How long does pressure treated lumber last?
Pressure treated lumber is considered to last about 5-7 years before boards begin to deteriorate and rot. Plastic and composite boards will typically begin to fade and deteriorate within a few years. A composite deck is unattractive and nearly unusable after about 8 years.
What is ipe wood?
Ipe is most commonly used for outdoor applications. This is due to the durability and longevity of the material. Ipe is best used with an outdoor application when it is air-dried or kiln-dried. The moisture content of air-dried Ipe is usually around 18% this is perfect for outdoor application. It will keep the wood stable in heat, rain, wind, and cold temperature swings and maximize the over 75-year life of this wood. When Ipe is kiln-dried the moisture content is reduced to around 8-10%. Kiln-dried usually costs a bit more. The thing is that Kiln can be used anywhere, but air-dried is usually only used outdoors. However, if you desire kiln-dried we usually can accommodate that also.
Why Choose Ipe?
In our opinion, it is the best wood all around. The perfect mixture of most durable, lowest maintenance, best-looking wood mother nature makes. Withstands splintering or checking looks beautiful in its natural state or treated. Same fire rating as concrete and bugs don’t like eating it! Also, visit our what is ipe decking page if you have more questions.
How much does Ipe cost?
It also matters what quality and lengths, as low grade boards or short boards can be much less expensive. Ipe costs are usually around $2.50-$3.00/LF for 1×4 Standard boards. Today the cost of Ipe might be different than tomorrow, you really need to get a quote as the prices change by market demand and inventory. But you also have to understand if you are comparing it to other woods Ipe lasts up to 75 years! So it’s not really fair to compare Ipe on a price per linear foot basis. To be more specific and try to answer that question Ipe costs start at about $2/linear foot for 1×4 and go up from there. That would mean that it would be about $6/square foot.
How do you pronounce “Ipe”?
Ipe is actually pronounced E-Pay. The word is Portuguese so its not said how it is spelled. But don’t worry, no matter how you say it we will know what you are talking about! Use the sound clip below to hear how it is said.
How can I treat my Ipe to get a weathered look?
If you want that look you do not treat it with anything other than end sealers and it will naturally turn grey. Not only that if you decided to, but you can also bring it back to a beautiful brown. Ipe can last up to 75 years untreated.
What color variations does Ipe have?
Ipe can vary greatly from batch to batch and board to board. We do our best to prevent major color differences in our orders, but we do not color match. Remember the wood is natural so it varies. If you are treating the wood this may matter a bit less. Ipe color can vary as you see here. Sometimes orders will look much more similar and sometimes they will be very different. If you want to match color, you should order more to ensure you have a better selection or you can cull boards that are too drastically different. There is not a standard Ipe color.
Is Ipe real wood?
Yes, Ipe is real wood and it comes from real trees! Ipe is not a brand but the actual type of tree and lumber.
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?
- Coming from the forests of Central and South America, Ipe is also called lapacho or Brazilian walnut. It does have some unique features. Ipe is quite durable and weathers quite well. This means that under normal use conditions, Ipe will last upwards of 25 years before needing to be replaced. That is why years ago, many architects recommended Ipe for decks because of its str…
Sustainability Concerns of IPE
- Overall, Ipe is quite sustainable because of its carbon sequestration and storage. But these trees are vulnerable to being overharvested. A long history of illegal logging combined with the distances that must be traveled has made Ipe less sustainable compared to other types of wood. Besides being used for decks, Ipe is well suited for furniture. It sports a low carbon footprint whe…
Is Brazilian Walnut (IPE) Good to Use Outdoor?
- Ipe wood is a popular option for outdoor usage because it resists fading even when exposed to the UV rays of the sun. It is quite durable and the natural oils it produces help repel insects, rot, and fungi. Brazilian Walnut or Ipe is also dense, meaning that it resists water quite well even when unprotected by oils, stains, or paint. This means you...
Current State of IPE – What Can You Do About It?
- Despite its vulnerability, the Ipe is still quite popular, and it will be harvested for the foreseeable future. About the only curbs to the harvesting are its limited use as flooring or decking. For those who have concerns about the environment, then Ipe should never be chosen as the wood for any project with one exception. Reclaimed Ipe offers a good solution for those who want to use the …