Redwood vs Ipe for decking material
bdobs
15 years ago
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bdobs
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Brazilian Redwood finishing, same as Ipe?
Comments (3)Thanks John, Was hoping to get your responce. I picked up some 116 today and like the resulting color tests. I wonder about the stuff that I have though. All the pictures of Brazilian Redwood look really red to me too, like beef color as it's also called beef wood. But this is really not that red, it's more of a deep brown, more like Ipe, or to tell you truth I wouldn't like it that much either. It's definately not Ipe though. It's just slighty redder in shade but still predominatly deep brown, and everything else, grain structure, weight, density look like Ipe. This is from a reputable lumber specialty store here in Colorado, Rocky Mountain Forest Products. But, I really wonder about how places represent the wood names that they sell. There are of course a variety of tropical dense woods along the lines of Ipe and BRW, but I don't think we always get exactly what is represented by name. Regardless the bundle I have is nice quality, pre grooved, and looks good, but it's definately not the screaming red that I see in pictures of BRW. What's your experience in getting the truly authentic wood as named? This was 2.29 per LF pregrooved. I hope that's in the reasonable ball park. Certainly not cheap.. Thanks again, Dave...See MoreOld-growth Cedar vs. Ipe for deck?
Comments (3)I replaced a 20 year old cedar deck with IPE. It had rotted through to the point that you could push your thumb through 4x4 posts!. If getting cedar, be sure it is heartwood. That is the only part of cedar that is useable, but it is hard to find since requires large older trees. Cedar is great for saunas because it is soft and flexible--withstands expansion and contraction well. It does well in a wet environment. Being soft, cupping is not a problem since screws can hold it down. Also cuts easy so installation is easy. Softness requires thicker boards and/or closer joist spacing for strength. IPE is extremely hard and stiff. Smooth and splinter resistant. Only vulnerability is excessive moisture. Dense structure makes it hard to stain. Extreme strength means that cupping is a risk if encounter moisture and board is thin relative to width. Wood is strong enough that when it wants to move, screws will rip out of joists as it moves--it is much stronger than pressure treated joist material. IPE is impervious to carpenter bees due to its extreme hardness. While not a priority for most deck builders, IPE is highly fire resistant. Either material will weather to grey if not stained. Hard surface of IPE makes it tougher to damage so it can survive unprotected a very long time. Cedar exposed to sun will gradually lose its insect/mildew inhibiting properties since it is based more on natural chemicals in the wood which are damaged by bleaching of sun. I do not know if a better grade of heartwood would have increased the life of my cedar deck, but generally cedar is not rated for anywhere near the life of an IPE deck....See Moremerbau decking vs. ipe
Comments (3)Thanks for the response john, I have talked to rick at east teak on the west coast and the only ipe they sell is kiln dried. Why is that? Will it be okay for outdoor decking? If i do go that route should i space at 1/8 instead of 1/16 due to no expansion? also do you think the stain will lay better on the dried? Again thanks Lee...See MoreRoof Deck -- vinyl planks vs redwood vs ipe vs composite wood
Comments (4)I have lived in and had decks on the Peninsula and South Bay. Redwood is not as long lived as it used to be, and should have some maintenance. I have ipe on the boat and have little experience with it, it is a new installation. I now have trek at the cabin, friend and brother also have trek. I like my trek, no maintenance vs Redwood. It was expensive compared to Redwood, I didn’t price it against ipe. Trek is heavy....See Moreaidan_m
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