Ipe Woods USA – Certified Lumber Dealers
Is your purchase safe from poor quality wood? The building industry is full of companies trying to cut corners and save money. For every piece of high-quality wood, there are 5 pieces of junk. We offer the lowest prices on the internet guaranteed for any specific grade and size, and sometimes when companies cannot beat us fairly they will mix in low-quality boards or “shorts” to try and lower the price. We never do this! We sell only the highest quality and at the lowest price. Don’t risk a large purchase on a company because they are a few bucks cheaper. Buy direct from us or an Ipe Woods USA – Certified Lumber Dealer.
What do you need to know as a consumer and why you should buy from us:
There is a grading system for wood. It is not an arbitrary process like some would like you to believe. The higher grades have fewer knots, defects, and allowable bend/sway. And certified grading expert can look at a piece of wood and determine its grade, just like a diamond is graded so is lumber. According to the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), the highest grade is FAS (Firsts and Seconds).
If a company tells you a grade other than the ones outlined here, you should ask three questions.
1. What organization/association/company made and backs these grades?
2. Who is certified to inspect the lumber to ensure it meets that grade?
3. If I have a problem with my order, can I have a certified third-party inspector to determine that board grade?
4. Will the grade be on my invoice?
We recommend buying the highest grade because if you buy a lower grade, you will probably have to spend more time installing. Things happen with lower grades like the boards bent so much you have a hard time installing them. You will probably have a defect that you want to cut out. Each defect also can cause structural week points causing them to not last as long or even allow visible damage to occur when the boards expand and contract. This occurs when water or snow get into the defective portion or quick temperature changes. If you are ordering specific boards you will not have the length you want if you have to cut out a knot or defect. Meaning the board will not be the size you need any longer.
We try to bring integrity to our industry and the selling of our products. Check out the actual NHLA Tropical Hardwood Grading Book Here, the link already has the page turned to “Tropical Hardwood”. The NHLA is the oldest and largest lumber association in America. We hold ourselves to the highest standards. We are proud members of the NHLA.
NHLA Grades:
| Grade | Trade Name | Min. board width | Min. board length | Min. cutting size | Min. Area of clear cuttings required |
| Firsts and Seconds | FAS | 6″ | 8′ | 4″ x 5′ or 3″ x 7′ | 83-1/3% |
| FAS One Face | F1F | 6″ | 8′ | 4″ x 5′ or 3″ x 7′ | 83-1/3% |
| Select | SEL | 4″ | 6′ | 4″ x 5′ or 3″ x 7′ | 83-1/3% |
| No. 1 Common | 1C | 3″ | 4′ | 4″ x 2′ or 3″ x 3′ | 66-2/3% |
| No. 2A Common | 2C | 3″ | 4′ | 3″ x 2′ | 50% |
| No. 2B Common | 3AC | 3″ | 4′ | 3″ x 2′ | 33-1/3% |
| No. 3A Common | 3BC | 3″ | 4′ | 1-1/2″ x 2′ | 25% |
Grades Ipe Woods USA Sells
- Firsts and Seconds (Top Grade), nothing but the best. – Ultra-Premium
- Select and Better (Select, F1F, and/or FAS) – Premium
- Commons (All Common Grouped Together) – Sub-Premium
Defects You Can Not See
The way wood is sawn affects its quality. In order to produce fewer waste methods of sawing are used that actually can make the boards more prone to chipping and warping. It is important to buy from a dealer that utilizes methods to saw boards in a way that is meant for the quality of the board and not maximizing profits.
Installation of Ipe is not “Common”
Ipe cannot be installed like most other woods. If it is installed improperly it could reduce the life of the wood and or cause defects such as warping and structural issues. All Ipe Woods USA – Certified Lumber Dealers are informed as to the proper installation, but even more importantly have the ability to consult with our expert staff during installation as to the proper techniques and best ways to ensure your deck lasts a lifetime.
Why should I buy from a Certified Lumber Dealer?
We guarantee all of our wood to be quality and the grade specifically stated or asked for otherwise. When you are working with a Certified Lumber Dealer that buys from us you can rest easy knowing that the lumber you receive will be the highest quality available. We do not cut corners, we sell the wood that we would want ourselves when building.
Why do we not sell pressure-treated lumber?
You can go down to the local chain store and get pressure-treated lumber. The process that produces pressure-treated lumber has chemicals that seal the wood in an attempt to protect it from insects, fungi, and decay. It is most typically made from pine. So the pressure-treated lumber is susceptible to many issues including warping, swelling, and even water retention. This may sound like a good option for outdoor use, but in our experience, it ends poorly.