What Is Ipe Decking? Benefits, Uses, and Best Alternative

What You Should Know About Ipe Decking: Benefits, Drawbacks & Best Alternatives

Ipe (pronounced EE-pay), also known as Brazilian Walnut, is a dense exotic hardwood tree originating from the tropical forests of the Amazonian regions of South America.  Ipe lumber with its main source from Brazil, is one of the most known Brazilian hardwood, has been popular in North American for decades due to its natural preservatives extract in its wood.  There is no comparison in terms of quality and beauty of plastic composite decking against natural Ipe hardwood deck.

Why Ipe Deck is so Popular?

Ipe is actually one of the densest hardwoods available, more than 2-1/2 times the hardness of oak and is naturally resistant to rot and decay. It also has a very high fire rating due to its density and is known to last for years, which is why so many architects specified Ipe hardwood lumber for many outdoor projects which include Ipe deck, Ipe deck tiles, Ipe siding and other structural uses. Ipe hardwood decking has proven itself to last for many years in all types of climates and in all types of outdoor applications.

Ipe Hardwood Harvesting Practices

Although Ipe wood has been very popular use as exterior hardwood decking material and siding panel for both commercial and residential applications it has also been the target of illegal harvesting in many South American countries. Many North American and European architects, designers and builders have now begun to refuse the use of Ipe lumber because of the lack of sourcing certainty. Ipe lumber has already been over harvested (from both legal & illegal harvesting) in Northern Brazil and the lack of any respected government policy or agencies to track or report harvesting in the neighboring countries makes legitimate sourcing a real problem.

Illegal harvesting has been the major issue with all rainforest timber and has been documented many times. Even though many South American countries attempt to regulate the problem it's still extremely difficult to ensure the harvested lumber is legally taken. 

Ipe Hardwood Lumber Uncertainties

Some American hardwood brokers and distributors are well aware of the situation, and they never know for sure the legality of their source(s). Furthermore, most Ipe harvested trees are now in their second and third growths and are not the same quality as the first growth trees were. Thus, Ipe boards in long lengths can be bowed, overly colorful, and individual boards in each bundle vary in length. The longest Ipe planks (16 to 22 feet long) are the most desirable and the most expensive. Lumber wholesalers never know for sure what the supply will be. Plus, Ipe prices are steadily rising due to supply and demand while the quality has been declining.

Lumberyard warranties for Ipe lumber are very vague and for good reasons. After all, it is just a board cut and milled from a tree, just like a 2x4. Grades, colors. lengths and quality of Ipe lumber will vary from board to board and shipment to shipment, so buyers beware. Experienced deck installers and contractors know this and take it into account when bidding decking projects, but it still creates hassles because you cannot always get the lengths or quality boards needed for the jobs.

Ipe Decking Issues

Ipe is a natural rain forest tropical wood that is extremely hard, dense and can be milled into extremely long planks. This makes it an attractive choice for decking. At the same time it is known for cupping, buckling and twisting which make it difficult to install, Ipe should be acclimated to its surroundings before installation. Like all woods, Ipe is not dimensionally stable, meaning it will grow and shrink as temperatures and humidity changes.

Ipe Decking Installation

One of the biggest hassles with Ipe decking boards is hauling around 16 to18-foot long boards, especially in tight spaces. Due to its weight, it takes two guys to carry the long boards. The long boards also require a lot of room for storage. Because of Ipe’s density special carbide drills and saw blades are required and it requires much more time for proper installation. Thus, the labor costs are much higher to install Ipe decking.

The Smart Alternative to Ipe Deck

For over 25 years, many architects and specifiers worldwide chooses dassoXTR Fused Bamboo decking over Ipe as the choice  wood for decks.  It has all the unique features of Ipe lumber along with some added benefits. With dassoXTR planks no more worries about bowing, buckling, cupping or twisting. dassoXTR is the natural choice because it is low maintenance, installs 30-40% faster, easier to handle, consistent quality and color and is dimensionally stable. Plus, dassoXTR exterior bamboo deck is class A fire resistant, rot and decay resistant and eco-friendly - with no VOCs or other harsh chemicals. Cleaning is easy similar to general wood maintenance.  dassoXTR planks are also backed by a 30-year warranty.

See below how dassoXTR exterior bamboo decking compares to ipe decking

• Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), which measures the material’s resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a force is applied to it.
• Janka hardness scale, an industry standard that rates the relative hardness of wood, measuring its resistance to denting and wear.
• Decay and insect resistance testing.

See how dassoXTR compares to Ipe decking.

If you would like to learn more about dassoXTR exterior bamboo decking and it's features and benefits, feel free to Contact Us.  We also have samples available that we can send to you upon request. Your decking quote is just a click away.  Be sure to see our dassoXTR gallery for some of the projects dassoXTR products have been used worldwide.