When you search for the best decking wood available, surely you will end up with ipe deck wood. Ipe deck wood is a magical wood found in South America. This wood is perfect for decking because of its extreme and amazing characteristics. Ipe deck wood is extremely durable because of its extreme hardness and it is much denser than other wood decking options. Also, it was given the highest rating by the USDA Forest Service Products Laboratory because of its high resistance in terms of rot and insects without any treatment. Ipe material also has the highest bending strength (psi) and is much harder among its alternatives.
Ipe Deck Wood
But why just not pick cedar or pressure treated lumber? Why must you choose ipe deck wood? Cedar has been a traditional wood decking material. But over years, you would discover that this would start to get rot. Also, it has the lowest bending strength among its two alternatives (ipe lumber and pressure treated lumber). Both cedar and pressure treated lumber has soft surface which would easily result to poor surface condition and appearance. In terms of decay and insect resistance, cedar and pressure treated lumber is also significantly less resistant. Only Heartwood cedar is rated acceptable.
Why Choose Ipe Deck Wood
When it comes to beauty, ipe lumber is also the best. Not like cedar and pressure treated lumber which has rustic appearance, ipe deck wood has solid hardwood look having minimal or no knots at all. This is why most of those who want’s wood decking choose ipe lumber over the other two. It comes in long lengths which gives its refine look. Ipe deck wood is also resistant to shrinking, splintering, and twisting, cupping and checking. Ipe lumber when used for wood decking and exposed to weather, turns into soft silver gloss. This color can be protected with aid of UV protective coatings. But when ipe lumber is allowed to age, the color can be restored back to its original shade by using a pressure washer. It is much harder to maintain cedar’s original color. It turns into black and gray when it is exposed to extreme weather. While the knots of a pressure treated lumber can be seen strongly when it is exposed to weather and turns into pale green.
Ipe Deck Wood Benefits
In addition, ipe deck wood has also the highest fire resistance rating; the same given to concrete and steel. While, on the other hand, cedar can easily burn and pressure treated lumber produces toxic fumes when it is burned. Thus, cedar and pressure treated lumber can bring you danger when it comes to fire.
Your search is over! So why choose others? When you can have the best? This exotic wood from South America can be your perfect choice for a ipe wood decking. Though cedar has been the traditional one, with all of ipe wood’s advantages, surely your money would not be wasted. From its characteristics to its perfect qualities, surely it will be the most suitable material for your deck. Choosing a good material for an affordable price is good. But you should always consider that you will invest for the best. So, when it comes to wood decking? Choose ipe wood deck.