Ipe wood comes from Tabebuia tree which largely found in South America. The wood is the hardest among the ironwoods from the American tropics and subtropics. This property is largely attributed to the harsh environmental conditions of the tropic regions where it is sourced. It has natural oils which act as treating agents which make the wood highly durable. These two properties make Ipe wood the best decking material. The timber color ranges from olive brown, dark brown, and in some cases almost black. It is free of virtual defects such as twisting and splitting. The woods high natural resistivity results in durability and easy maintenance of the decks aesthetic which is referred to as the Ipe advantage.
Ipe Wood Advantages
Unlike other deck building material Ipe gains a silvery color as it ages. This maintains the aesthetic of the wood over a long period. The wood has a high density attributed to the tight fibers and natural oils. This leads to variation in the wood grain which achieves a striking appearance of the structures built form it. This also gives the wood an exceptional smooth touch. The natural oils of the wood also make it insect and fungus resistant. The woods natural treatment by Ipe wood oils gives it a long life of up to 75 years and guarantees service for more than 45 years. The building materials high density makes it hard and strong resulting to firm structures. The combination of the fine properties of Ipe wood makes the maintenance of decks and other structures low. Finally, the building material is fire resistant which makes it the best building material for a deck.
Guides While Ipe Decking
During the installation of a deck, one should observe the safety measures first by following the building codes, use of proper equipment and gear. Ipe wood is very heavy, thus extra care should be taken when handling the decking material. The dust from got from sawing the hardwood is irritable to people who are allergic, hence, the use of a mask is advisable. Once the decking material is delivered, it is advisable to arrange it the respective order to avoid cumbersome movement of the material during decking. While putting together the deck one should consider ventilations between the decking boards in regular intervals which allow for expansion and establish a pattern of the deck’s design. To avoid wastage of the timber, building using 12-inch spans is advisable. Additionally, standard spanning results in minimal reflection of the deck surface.
Ipe Efficiency in Deck Building
Ipe wood has the highest efficiency while building a classic deck. First, the wood has a long lifespan (75 years). The wood required minimal management with the woods exceptional natural resistance to, decay, insects and fungus attack. The wood ages with grace acquiring a silvery glow, unlike all other woods. The wood’s hardness and density guarantee the safety of the deck in case of harsh climatic conditions. The color ranges of the wood are exceptional uniform and merge evenly with the environs of the house. Therefore, it is justifiable that Ipe wood is the best decking material.
Any wood buyer considering the best material for wood decking must be persuaded to choose Ipe wood. Despite the cost, the Ipe advantage in deck building is undeniable.