When you discuss the possibility of installing ipe deck boards onto your wooden deck, the chances are that most contractors will tell you that it would be a wise choice. One of the biggest problems with wooden decks is the maintenance that they require. Being exposed to the weather means that the harshness of beating sun, driving rain, or icy winters constantly bombard your deck. With this weather abrasion, it’s usually necessary to re-sand, seal, varnish or paint your deck almost every other year. However, as ipe – which is another name for Brazilian walnut – is a particularly strong, exotic wood, it is naturally resistant to rot and weather. It is thus far more durable than other woods that could be used.
Benefits of using ipe deck boards
Ipe is naturally a dark brown color, and this adds a particular beauty to your deck. Over time, with weathering, the color may fade to a deep, dark grey, but this is also most attractive. Of great importance is that ipe has been awarded a Class A fire rating. This means that it is more resistant to fire than softer woods, as it’s twice as dense as even some other harder woods. Soft woods can burn very quickly, whereas the dense wooden fibres of ipe are very tightly packed together, which retards fire due to less oxygen being available in the wood.
A huge complaint amongst homeowners with wooden decks is that the wood, even when treated, often starts to rot over time. Ipe is far more resistant to rot, owing to its structure, and this makes all the difference. It might be more expensive initially to install ipe deck boards but, over the years, their durability will make them cost effective many times over. Another benefit of ipe is that it comes in long lengths, so there isn’t the problem of warping that can occur with other boards. Also, ipe is virtually knot free, which is a huge benefit. Knots might add interest to a deck, but they are often weak points, so having far fewer knots, if any at all, is a great advantage.
Installing ipe wood boards
Once you’ve decided to use ipe for your wooden deck, you will be assured that the boards are incredibly durable and should last for between 20 and 50 years. The boards will not dent or scratch easily, so their appearance will remain good for many years. Water seals are unnecessary for these boards, so you would only need to clean any stains that appeared. One aspect that you should be aware of is that the density of this wood makes it very heavy, and your contractor might need to have a larger team to assist with installation. Once the boards are in place, however, their strength will allow for a much greater load-bearing ability than other softer woods.
IPE deck boards are extremely hard-wearing and rot resistant, so they are perfect for your wooden deck. Contact BuyIpeDirect.com for more details and for a free quotation.
