Ipe vs Cedar

Yes — Ipe is approximately 10 times harder than Western Red Cedar (Janka 3,680 vs 350 lbf). This makes Ipe dramatically more resistant to dents, scratches, and wear from foot traffic, furniture, and everyday use.

Cedar decking typically lasts 10–20 years with regular annual maintenance. Ipe can last up to 75+ years. You could go through 3–4 Cedar decks in the lifespan of a single Ipe deck, paying for labor, materials, and permits each time.

Yes — significantly. Cedar requires annual sealing or staining to prevent rapid greying, checking, splitting, and decay. Neglecting maintenance even one season accelerates deterioration. Ipe needs only optional UV oil if you want to maintain the brown color; otherwise it ages gracefully to silver-grey with zero treatment needed.

Yes — Cedar is a softwood that ignites relatively easily and is not fire-rated. Some wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones in California and other fire-prone areas restrict Cedar decking due to fire risk. Ipe is Class A fire-rated (ASTM E84), the highest rating available — comparable to steel and concrete.

Ipe is significantly better for wet, humid, and coastal environments. Cedar's low density (23 lbs/cu ft) means it absorbs more moisture, leading to faster decay, warping, and checking in humid conditions. Ipe's extreme density (69 lbs/cu ft) and natural oil content make it highly resistant to moisture damage, saltwater, and marine borers.

Cedar's lower upfront price per board foot is appealing, but its 10–20 year lifespan means you'll rebuild your deck 3–4 times over the period a single Ipe deck is still performing. Each rebuild includes material costs, labor (often the most expensive part), permits, and weeks of construction disruption. When calculated on a cost-per-year basis, Ipe is the more affordable choice.