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Porches & Decks

IPE - Checking on boards, not on ends

16 years ago

Have a few IPE samples from some suppliers, and decided to purchase a board locally to test. Left a 1 x 6 outside on my existing deck in the sun, for approximately two weeks. It rained a few times, weather has been cool here in Los Angeles. The board lightened a bit, as expected, but I have noticed a lot of mild checking on the full surface of the board. There are hairline cracks throughout the board, along the grain lines. I know this can happen on the ends without sealing after cutting, but is it normal to see this on the face, consistently throughout?

It might ultimately be OK for my application, but I was surprised to see this. If this is common, does the checking get worse, stay mild, or close up with age, and if it is not normal, could there have been a problem with the drying process?

Finally, I am considering IPE, Garapa, and Red Mangaris. My primary goal is little or no maintenance, and resistance to termites and rot. I am OK with lightening in the wood, but do not want to seal, stain nor do anymore than mild cleaning. Can anymore suggest experience with with other than IPE, for durable low/no maintenance hardwoods such as Garapa and Red Mangaris and if there are benefits to either of those two (or others) over IPE.

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Comments (7)

dooer
16 years ago
Checking occurrs naturally with all woods, if they are not dried under controlled enviroments (kiln dried).

Ipe is generally air dried. Some boards will be drier then others with this method. The wetter ones will check more when put out in the direct sun.

I've not noticed it to get worse with time with ipe. Ipe is so dense, it does not absorb too much moisture.

For the most part, it is not noticeable in ipe because it is so fine, unless you get down on your knees.
tom_nwnj
16 years ago
I don't know about that checking stuff. I didn't see that with my ipe deck. I have slight checking on some end grain, after 6 months.

Did you talk to eastteak.com. the website says they are in Wash. (shipping??). The guys I have dealt with in South Carolina are very helpful, knowledgeable, and provide free scraps for you to check out.
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Hey there not a contractor or bulider just a home owner doing some do it your self projects some times getting in over my head....But dealing with Ipe your going to want endseal all the open cuts that you make I let one of my boards sit for a day with out end seal and checking and craking started after less than 24 hours. When talking to John at Advantge Trim and Lumber he told me that you can finish Ipe at any time with in 2 years of it being down and bring the color back. When we finished my first deck it was as soon as we got done we power washed the deck to get any saw dust or dirt out of the grain and then used Messmers UV plus suggested by John once the deck was dry and I LOVE the way it looks.
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You should run the decking in the direction that your wife likes :-). Both ways have their advantages. that said, what you mostly see when the deck is done is the decking. It's a lot easier to do a good job decking if you don't have any butt joints. It's difficult, as your Ipe boards won't all be of the same dimension...they will range from 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 wide. The downside is that framing is more of a problem. 24" centers on your joists works well with 5/4 decking. If you buy 1x6, you should go with 20". pressure treated is what we all use for the substructure...but don't use the word simply, because there's nothing simple about framing with ACQ. It cups and twists before you get it out of the lumberyard. Never, and I repeat...Never...leave it out in the sun before its installed. don't use hidden fasteners.
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stevekat
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks. I called EastTeak and they were very helpful. They suggested kiln dried, and I am not sure that is available locally, if the local yards even know what they have. Shipping, even from Washington State to CA adds materially to cost, but I might go that route anyway to get the right product.
marcelad
16 years ago
Steve,

I was wondering what wood you ended up getting for your deck. I live in Los Angeles too, and I'm wondering whether I should get IPE or mangaris.

Thank you.
davidlagarden
14 years ago
I am looking to build a deck (ASAP) in an exotic wood in LA. Does anyone know of a dealer to buy hard wood decking locally? Cumaru would be my first choice but happy with a good deal on IPE or maybe mangaris. Also interested in opinions about any of these woods as decking, prices and vendors locally or experience people have had with shipping wood. THANK YOU
john_hyatt
14 years ago
Its not good to lump in mangaris with South American lumber. Totaly differant areas of the world and different trees all toghther.

Cumaru is not nearly as stable as ipe/garapa but has the same life span.

East Teak trucks me S A lumber on a regular, never had bad boards or anything but most execlent service. J.
Susan
5 months ago
My husband and I are very disappointed with the Mangaris deck we had installed this past year. The boards have curled and are starting to split. After applying the recommended oil finish, every bit of dirt sticks to the deck. The wood is very splintery which did not improve after a light sanding. Unfortunately, we topped our handrails with it which is a concern when using the stairs. Initially it was gorgeous, but perhaps it could not handle our wet winter and harsh summer here in Southern California.

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