Ipe Wood Takes Maintenance Out of the Outdoor Equation

For homeowners who don't enjoy the yearly maintenance that normally goes along with home ownership, decking made from Ipe wood is a smart choice. It means there is one less thing around the house that doesn't require yearly costly upkeep. Unlike other parts of the home, this tropical hard wood decking is something that can be installed and then just enjoyed. There are very few things that can be called maintenance free but decking constructed from this type of hardwood is one.

This wood is one that many may not be familiar with but that is changing quickly. Pronounced EE-pay, this lumber comes from a tree that is indigenous to Central and South America and some parts of Asia. Its botanical name is Tavevuia spp. However, it is known by several other common names including: Brazilian Walnut, Amapa, Cortez and Greenheart. The tree grows in variety of settings and can be found from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests, which make it a natural selection for growing in a managed forest setting. In fact, most Pie wood that is available for purchase in the United States has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The FSC is one of the most respected forestry practices in the world and encourages sustainable forestry practices, which offers the best remedy to exploitive deforestation. This means that when purchasing Ipe wood one can be assured that the wood they are choosing is a responsible ecological choice.

This exotic hardwood is incredibly resistant to water rot and insect infestation. In tests conducted by the United States Naval Research Laboratory, wood left in the ground for 15 years still showed no signs of insect attack and received the laboratory's highest rating. The heartwood of the tree is also extremely resistant to decay, fungi and mold. The United States Forest Products Laboratory awarded Ipe its highest rating as welling, classing it as very durable after 25 years.

Even with no treatment whatsoever, this exotic hardwood can be expected to maintain its integrity without warping or rot for up to 40 years. With a single application of deck oil, that time span is lengthened to 100+ years. Now that is seriously low maintenance. In fact, when the city council in Atlantic City had to replace the famous boardwalk there, Ipe was the wood chosen for the project.

Although more expensive in the beginning than choosing treated pine, cedar or California Redwood, this tropical hardwood pays for itself several times over the lifetime of the project because no there is little to no maintenance or replacement necessary.

Ipe has established a reputation as premium decking material, not just because it is durable. The wood itself has a beautiful walnut color with a tight to medium grain pattern. Once a deck has been installed, one can choose to treat the wood with a light deck oil that offers ultraviolet protection. This allows the wood to maintain is natural coloring, however if left untreated the wood will weather to a beautiful silver patina while retaining all of its natural strength and resistance.


Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Everlasting Hardwoods. He writes about Brazillian Walnut and other industry specific topics.