What is Ipe decking? Is it environmentally friendly?

Ipe or commonly referred to as Brazilian Walnut is an exotic hardwood with exceptional strength characteristics – it is often referred to as one of the hardest woods known to man. It is mostly found in Brazil as well as throughout Central and South America and some of the Lesser Antilles.

Wahoo Decks purchases Ipe from Brazilian growers who harvest under the guidelines and techniques of sustainable yield forestry management as set forth by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). Using Ipe wood is an environmentally responsible choice over pressure-treated lumber, which contains a variety of toxins and chemicals, and is not necessarily intended for decking use.

What is the fire rating for Ipe decking?

NFPA Class A Fire Rating - the same rating given to concrete and steel.
UBC Class 1
*NFPA is the National Fire Protection, NFPA no. 1 Fire Safety Code
*UBC is the Uniform Building Code, 1979 Edition, Part VIII, Fire Resistive Standard for Fire Protection.

Should I be concerned with insect damage to my Ipe deck boards?

No. Ipe is naturally resistant to insect damage including termites and marine borers. Also, Ipe is highly resistant to fungal decay, material wear or breakdown from pedestrian traffic, splintering, rot, and other types of decay.

U.S. Forest Products Laboratory – Class (Very Durable – 25 years). This is the highest rating available from the forest laboratory.

How do I clean my outdoor Ipe deck?

Your local home improvement store should carry a variety of deck cleaners although be sure to use a non-bleach cleaner. Sodium Per carbonate deck cleaners are very effective yet hard to find. You may lightly scrub the surface with a medium-to-stiff bristle deck brush; this will be more effective than pressure washing.

Will the Ipe boards ‘weather’ over time?

It is not required to paint, seal, waterproof, or stain your Ipe decking. Very similar to the more common Teak wood; Ipe is a very dark board that naturally fades to a sought after silver patina.

Although if you desire to maintain the rich walnut color, use an oil based sealer with UV inhibitors – it should be specially formulated for hardwood decking. Wahoo Decks recommends staining Ipe wood with Cabots Australian Timber Oil for Decks. You can find this item at any Lowes home improvement store, item #238948. – “Australian Timber Oil penetrates deep into the dense, resin-rich woods to accentuate natural wood depth and patina. Containing a precise blend of superb-grade linseed oil for maximum penetration, long-oil alkyds for durability and pure South American tung oil for color depth and water repellency, Australian Timber Oil delivers three-way oil protection. In addition, complex translucent iron oxide pigments are added to ensure a lasting U.V. –absorbing surface rich with color and dimension.”

Remember: Ipe sealing is typically referred to as ‘oiling.’