What is ipe lumber? | ContextResponse.com

Ipe (spelled ipe and pronounced “ee-pay”), also called Brazilian walnut, is a beautiful exotic wood from South America. Ipe wood structures are hard, strong, and naturally resistant to rot, abrasion, weather, and insects. It is almost twice as dense as most woods and up to five times harder.

Similarly one may ask, what tree does IPE come from?

Also called Brazilian walnut, ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood is typically found in South America and some parts of Central America. It is one of the densest hardwoods available, three times harder than cedar.

Also, does ipe wood need to be sealed? Oiling, often referred to as sealing, your Ipe deck is not required. Ipe, like all other wood species, will weather to a silver/gray patina with prolong exposure to the Sun's U.V. rays.

Correspondingly, how can you tell if wood is IPE?

Characteristics – Authentic IPE wood is brown, with small variations that add character to it. In some cases, you should be able to find a few boards in a darker shade of brown that are almost black. Some are red, and some may be greenish. In any case, the texture should be very fine, with a lovely graining pattern.

How much does ipe wood cost?

Ipe Decking Cost It can range between $3,500 and $9,800 depending on the wood grade quality and the level of difficulty to build. Expect to pay between $4 and $8 per linear foot for the lumber compared to $3 to $7 per foot for pressure-treated wood. Labor adds another $25 to $45 per square foot.

Is IPE better than teak?

When compared to teak, Ipe has nearly four times the hardness and is so dense that it actually sinks in water. Concrete and steel have a class 1 fire rating—and so does Ipe. The quality of this wood is appreciated because like teak, it's durable, insect resistant and decay resistant.

How long will an ipe deck last?

40 years

Is IPE safe for cutting boards?

Ipe is a handsomely dark wood, especially when it's sanded and oiled. Because the wood is so dense, hard, and resistant to weathering, the primary use of ipe is in outdoor decking. That's also what makes it such a fine furniture wood – and it'll make a good looking chopping block, too.

Can I use teak oil on IPE?

Popular choices include walnut oil, coconut oil, and teak oil. NOTE: The treatment may change the coloring or undertones of the wood. Test it in a small area before applying it to the deck. If your Ipe needs sanding, use an orbital sander and 50 grit disks.

Can you burn ipe wood?

Ipe is hard as nails.Ipe is extremely dense less susceptible than other woods to burning, with a fire rating that is the same as steel and concrete. The solution is to pre-drill holes and use steel screws.

Is ipe wood poisonous?

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ipe has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms, and/or disturbance of vision. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Do you need to stain IPE?

No, you do not need to stain Ipe. However, if you want it to stay brown, red and dark you will need to apply a U.V. Coating.

How do you cut ipe wood?

Ipe wood is an extremely hard, high density tropical hardwood. Of course Ipe wood decking is hard to cut, that's why deck builders and other construction professionals use carbide saw blades when cutting Ipe wood. Carbide saw blades will give you a good clean cut through Ipe wood, quickly, safely and repetitively.

Can IPE be painted?

I have not seen Ipe painted. I think the density is not the issue, rather the natural oils which make Ipe a rot resistant product. This can prevent the paint from adhering to the wood and then flake off over time.

How do you install ipe wood decking?

FASTENING METHODS

Countersink a 3/8” hole into the face of the deck board.
Pre-drill a pilot hole straight through the board using a 1/8' drill bit.
Use 305 or 316 grade stainless steel deck screws.
Screw the ipe deck boards so they hold firm to the joist.
Use wood plugs to fill the holes.

How do I make an IPE fence?

How to Build a Horizontal Ipe Fence

Step 1: pick out the straightest boards you can find from your shipment.
Step 2: End seal your boards.
Step 3: Measure where the board will overlap on the post.
Step 4: Use a 1/8” drill bit and 3/8” countersink bit to predrill a hole for the screw.
Step 5: Apply some construction adhesive on the post.

How much does ipe wood weigh?

Weight: Basic specific gravity (oven dry weight/green volume) 0.85 to 0.97, air dry density 66 to 75 pounds per cubic foot. A 3/4" thick finish material weights approx. 4.5 pounds per square foot. Moisture Content of Decking: Our Ipe Decking is specially dried for use on exterior projects.

Is IPE a type of mahogany?

Ipe decking and “mahogany” decking are both very beautiful natural wood decking species. The decking material commonly sold in the US market as “mahogany” is actually the “Shorea” wood species, sometimes also called Luan mahogany or Philippine mahogany.

Is ipe wood sustainable?

Ipe is a very dense hardwood that grows in Central and South America. Ipe is naturally durable, rot and insect resistant—one industry group claims it will last 40-plus years—and its fire rating is comparable to concrete and steel. However, not all ipe is sustainably harvested.

How hard is black locust?

Comments: Black Locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with Hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance. Although it shares a similar common name with Honey Locust, the two aren't in the same genus, (Robinia and Gleditsia, respectively).

What is the most fire resistant wood?

It was hypothesized that the painted redwood treated with the fire retardant spray would be the most fire resistant. Redwood was the best overall wood type, and the non-painted wood pieces treated with fire retardant spray was the best overall solution.

What is the best sealer for ipe wood?

Ipe Oil Hardwood Deck Finish may be used on exterior hardwood to enhance the wood's natural beauty. For exceptional results on Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru and other exotic hardwoods, Ipe Oil is the best solution.

What is the best finish for IPE decking?

Make sure to choose a wood stain that is designed for dense wood such as IPE: IPE Decking Stains All of these stains are transparent but pigmented stains. Our most popular are: Ipe Oil, Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods, Defy Hardwood Stain, Penofin Exotic Wood Stain, and Armstrong Clark in Mahogany Color.

Does ipe wood crack?

If it doesn't, you'll increase the chances of splitting and separation over time. The good news is, Ipe is hardier than cedar or redwood. If the Ipe moves from a humid area to an arid one, it may dry too fast. Rapid moisture loss in any wood will cause surface cracks and separation.