Hi Folks, Need some advice...I have been working on a DIY fence project for my house. Posts are in (white cedar), and I am getting ready to actually construct panels. Originally, I was going to go all cedar, but the cost and availability of cedar in this area actually makes Ipe an extremely competitive option (especially considering durability over time). I have always liked the look of Ipe, and planned on using it for my deck project next spring. I am changing gears kind of quick though thinking about it for the fence, and wanted a reality check. Here is what I was planning... -5x5 norther white cedar posts, 8 foot on center (these are already in) - 1x6 vertical Ipe board panels, spaced (possibly 1x4 - wife is still deciding). Panel is 36" high. - Vertical boards are sandwiched between, attached to, and supported by (4) horizontal 1x6 Ipe "rails" - basically a 1x6 on each side of the vertical board panel top and bottom (so two each top and bottom). Panel will look the same when viewed from either side. - 2x3 trim piece along the top of the panel (decorative and to cover the end cuts/edges of the vertical boards) - Another 1x6 ipe horizontal rail piece spaced 6" above the 36" lower panel (this is basically a decorative touch, which also adds to the fence height). I'll take any feedback anyone may have, but I am really hoping to get answers on these questions: -Does this design sound feasible? -How does Ipe work for a fence, any experiences pro or con? -Is it structurally sound to use a sandwich of 1x6 rails top and bottom to support the spaced vertical boards, or am I going to have structural issues and sagging? The "framed" look the 1x6's give is desireable (as is it looking the same on both sides), but I don't want the thing falling down either. I'll take any advice or opinions you folks have. I was a long time lurker homeresources.com deck forum until it got overrun with spam... Thanks, Dave

1. I would go w/ 2X10s for the ledger & joists. While most 2X8s can span 12 feet it depends on your local jurisdiction's code & what the live & dead loads are, the deflection coefficients, and the type joists. Plus 2X10s will reduce the floor bounce better than 2X8s. Also, since you are cantilevering the IRC code requires that 2X10 joists be used. The size girder is dependant on the post spacing. I would go w/ 5 posts spaced at 6'. Three 2X10s are plenty sufficient for that. 2. I would go w/ 5/4 if money is no object & probably even it it was. Less cupping typically & if you want to run the decking on a diagonal that increases the span but no problem w/ 5/4 IPE. 3. The joist's spacing is related to the joist span (which is 12' approximately (I guess 11' since it sounds like it will be cantilevered by 1')) and to the size & type of joists used. I would go w/ 16" OC.

Jim, I just cant see you diging up really old posts, going on and on about it, with out some type of goal. Exactley what are you trying to prove??? Go to my site, All the ipe projects have 116 on them. As you can see they are not Red or Redwood or anything close to that. Saying it is makes me Mad clear and simple. Now if you put 116 on say preasure treated,garapa or any light color wood then Yes its going to come out a different color than 116 on ipe. This is basic 101 wood finish. Any of the resin base twp products can be mixed together to come up with a different color. I have used combos like that when puting finish on Garapa and other woods. I put cedar tone natural on ipe one time because the Wallet asked for it the result was bad but I did what they wanted however for ipe its most always the 116. Ipe itself is not one color it ranges from almost black to a light tan 116 levals out the differances but the result is not Red. Any color chip you get from Any finish store is going to be different on another kind of wood other than the wood used on the chip you cant expect them to have samples of finish on every kind of product. Just get off it Man. Its up to the Customer to know if one finish is the right one for them. There is no way twp is showing product online / samples / or color chips that dont match up with what they sell. You might not agree with what they call it if so just pick another name for your self and call it that but it Defentley is what they say it is and what they say they sell is what they sell. The JonMon has been a little tense latley after a long term project was real hard on me. This is a mixed site if I could I would edit my last response but O Well. J.

This product actually becomes quite popular today. Another great source for learning about this product is at the following blog http://decktiles.blogspot.com This website also helps http://www.vifah.com/ov/snappingtiles.jsp Here is a link that might be useful: http://decktiles.blogspot.com