Inspecting Ipe

The prize-worthy characteristics of Ipe make it a king among decking species. This Brazilian-based lumber species isn’t just for decking, though. To learn more about how to install it and the applications for which it is ideal, read on.

Ipe Products and Applications

Hardwood to Go specializes in air-dried S4S, E4E Ipe decking that’s dried to a moisture content of 12-18%, allowing your decking to resist checking and excessive movement when exposed to sunlight and varying moisture in the atmosphere. However, we also carry kiln-dried, rough-sawn Ipe. If you’re not sure what’s best for your application, let us know, and we can help you figure it out.

While decking is not a finished product, here at Hardwood to Go, our partnering lumber companies do provide end sealing in order to further prevent checking during shipment and the acclimatization period. We also recommend applying a sealer anytime you cut the length of your Ipe decking. We’d be glad to add the premium end sealer we use here with your shipment. Kiln-dried Ipe with a moisture content between 6-8% is better suited to interior projects, but you can read more about that here.
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Ipe boards

Ipe decking. It’s become the standard by which all other decking is measured, and for good reason: This tropical decking species has a lifespan of over 40 years, allowing it to add beauty and value to your home. So let’s learn a little more about this amazing product, shall we?

Ipe Selling Points

Ipe decking comes from Ipe, a Brazilian hardwood species often referred to as “ironwood.” Similar to iron in its density and hardness, this exceptionally stable species all-but eliminates concerns over warping and twisting. Wood movement can be described as tangential and radial, and most species move more significantly tangentially than radially; Ipe, however, is one of those rare species that move at a 1.1 ratio, making it highly dimensionally stable — an ideal characteristic for an exterior species that will endure plenty of shifts in moisture content. Issues like gap size are still significant to consider during installation, but at least with proper installation, Ipe can be trusted to retain its shape for decades.
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