If you’re looking for a new deck or patio surface, IPE decking may be the right choice for you. It’s relatively inexpensive and can help save you a lot of money over the life of the deck or patio. But what exactly is it? What are the benefits? How can you tell if IPE decking is right for you?
When most people think of lumber, they think of cheap, unappealing decking material that won’t last long and is easily damaged. However, IPE wood decking has unique, natural properties that make it stand out among other lumber types. It is vital, and naturally resistant to insects, decay, termites, and water. This makes it an excellent option if you want to go with a hard-wearing, long-lasting deck or patio surface.
IPE wood: Available All-Around
Unlike other hardwood flooring types, you don’t have to special order Brazilian walnut to build direct. The lumber is readily available in the U.S., Canada, and South America and comes in various colors. There are white, black, oak, maple, and cinnamon IPE wood decking planks. The planks’ beauty is that each plank can be cut into slivers to create individual boards of varying lengths.
>> Useful Guide: How to Clean Hardwood Floors With Vinegar
You’ll rarely find any hardwood flooring that has the same properties as IPE wood decking. Typically, hardwood floors are susceptible to warping, scratches, and nick that can cause major damage. But, with IPE wood, things aren’t so bad. For one, the surface is tough and dense. In fact, it’s among the hardest surfaces you can find, second only to diamonds.
That means that when the wood decking layers are combined, they’ll retain heat better than regular wood. The planks will also be tough, which means they won’t easily bend or split. Splitters won’t work on them. And since they’re so dense, the planks won’t retain water and moisture, which can cause rot. It’s one of the reasons that tropical wood decking has such beautiful looks. For extra protection, there are easy-to-install underdeck panels to keep your outdoor living space nice and dry.
With other deck options, especially those that use more traditional materials, you’re often required to fasten the planks to the floor using nails or screws. However, with the use of stainless steel fasteners, you can eliminate that need, along with the problems associated with them. That means less risk of breaking the woods and more enjoyment from your newly built deck or patio.
Read more: How To Rehydrate Wood Floors – Make Floor Shine Again.
The Durability of IPE Wood
There are several advantages to this form of decking. One is its durability. It can outlast all kinds of other materials. In fact, it’s here in the United States for over a hundred years. It’s a highly durable wood, which means it can withstand some serious wear and tear and provide years of reliable use for your backyard deck.
And since it possesses many of the same desirable hardwood characteristics as most hardwoods, it’s also a good choice for people who want an attractive deck that can add value to their property. Unlike softwood varieties, an IPE wood deck will still darken over time, just as real hardwood would.
This means your investment in your new deck will be well worth it. It can even increase the overall value of your property. With all these benefits and the superior durability of this hardwood decking, there’s no reason not to choose it for your backyard. More tips on choosing woods for DIY projects? Read here!
Another advantage of installing an IPE wood deck is that it requires less maintenance than most other kinds of wood decking. Since the planks are made of a single piece, there’s no need to joint or glue anything together. Because of this, there’s no need to scrape off splinters or otherwise finish the boards with preservatives or other products that may otherwise require a great deal of extra care.
You may want to read more: How To Make Hardwood Floors Look New Again – Useful Methods.
Finally, there are several environmental benefits to installing an IPE wood deck as well. Like all tropical wood varieties, it grows on trees that grow throughout the world. That means it has some of the same insects and pests prevalent in the areas it grows. Thus, this can cause all kinds of problems for people who have pets or live in dry and windy climates. However, the wood is built to prevent the problem of a deterrent. Plus, over time, the wood will continue to grow, preventing decay and other types of damage.
Final Words
The gray patina that develops on an IPE deck results from years of exposure to the elements. For this reason, you should plan on having the gray patina reduce in size over time. If the amount of sunlight your deck receives is sufficient to keep the gray patina at bay, then there shouldn’t be much of a problem with the growth of the algae or other wood-destroying organisms cause the problems.
With regular cleaning and proper treatments, you’ll find that over time the gray patina will disappear entirely, and your lovely new deck will look just like it did the day you added it.
