Ipe Wood
Ipe wood is the ideal wood for use on decks. For starters, Ipe has greater hardness and resistance to pests than any other decking wood. It is an extremely dense wood which has very tight grain. As far as color goes, Ipe decking exhibits a medium/dark brown color which looks very similar to mahogany. With a 100 year lifespan under the best conditions, Ipe does not need to be replaced with at least a generation or two. With its extreme strength, heavy objects like spas can be installed onto the deck without any bending or warping. Paying the extra price for Ipe will get you a low maintenance, durable deck which will stay beautiful for years to come. It is generally cheaper than teak and is considered to be a renewable resource.
What is Ipe Decking?
Ipe originates from South America and is considered to be an exotic wood. As a decking material, Ipe is just about perfect. The secret to its strength is in the tightly packed grain. It resists bending under extreme load, is resistant to rot, resists all weather conditions and is not likely to be worn by abrasion. It is several times harder than most other woods used on decks. With very little knots or warping, the physical characteristics for Ipe are ideal. If left unprotected, Ipe decking will age gracefully into a grey color. The original color can be revealed by power washing the surface to expose a new layer. To retain the mahogany color that Ipe is known for, UV protector can be applied regularly.
Ipe as a Cedar Alternative
For years, decks have been built mainly of Cedar. While strong, Cedar can rot and degrade unexpectedly, resulting in considerable restoration costs. Originally, the Cedar used for decks came from first-growth trees on the west coast. These first growth trees were tall, thick and strong because they had been growing for hundreds of years in natural forests. Today, much of the Cedar wood we see on the market comes from second generation trees which are mainly sapwood. These trees are not as thick and well developed as the originals. These sapwoods have a dramatically reduced resistance to insects and rot.
Applying Finish / Sealer
Again, the application of sealer is only necessary if you desire to maintain the deep brown color of Ipe wood. Even without coating , the extreme density of Ipe will allow it to resist even the most extreme weather, resist chipping, and exhibit low water penetration. Preservatives have a difficult time penetrating the surface of Ipe decking and are not recommended.
To preserve color, apply a coat of sealer which contains UV inhibitor to all deck surfaces. Depending on the product, reapplication is needed every 1 to 4 years. Application frequency also largely depends on the weather conditions in your area. Thin coats are ideal, as over coating a deck can cause the surface to become sticky and unappealing. Excess liquid should be wiped up with a cloth. Expect to see a slight darkening of the wood after application.
Cleaning Ipe Wood Decking
If the Ipe has been left to age, but the original color is desired, a power washer can be used to restore it. Test the power washer at varying spray intensities on a hidden area of the deck. Use smooth back & forth motions to evenly clean the surface. Try to be as uniform as possible to ensure even coloring. Do not stay in one spot too long, as this can result in notches being carved into the deck by the pressurized water. It is also possible to sand the surface, but this takes more time and is quite laborious.
Paint and Varnish
Ipe does not take well to paint or vanish. Its high density gives it very little texture for paint to adhere to. Varnish and stain will not penetrate the surface enough to result in permanent coloring.
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