We have ipe for our covered porch. We are in central California, no snow, lots of heat. Our porch floor is about 4 years old. We initially oiled it and have done nothing more. We are very happy with it!

Thanks dancingsams. Did you let it go gray or do you still maintain it with oil?

We will oil it this summer, for the first time in 4 years. It has not gone gray - it is still a beautiful brown.

Look into a KOMA product called plantation flooring. Its a PVC based, but looks beautiful like a Charleston style home. Or look into a hardwood t & g floor, I have found some that are 1 x 6 planks and are beautiful looking.

I installed t&g spruce or pine 1x4 flooring on my porch floor 12 years ago and it's fine. This is an open traditional front porch with a roof overhead. I stained ours with an opaque stain and have redone it a couple of times in the 12 year span.

Besides basic wear, it's fine. Floor boards are installed directly over the joists which I spaced at 12" o.c. so they get a good amount of support, but nothing over the top.

Maybe you are asking too much, especially from a wood floor?

I laid heavy poly on the ground under the porch to reduce the moisture coming out of the ground directly under the floor, and put some sidewalk stones on one end for clean storage, with a removable lattice panel on the side.

I framed the stairs in pressure treated lumber and can easily replace the treads as they wear out.

Hi Mags438,

Well, Ipe can be the answer but its always about how much maintenance is too much maintenance for you. Typically, Ipe in a very well covered porch will do wonderfully. Yes, Ipe is rot, termite, mildew, resistant but not fully maintenance free. Then again, how many products truly are maintenance free? The t&g look you're looking for is wonderful and it is meant to be used for a well covered porch. This means that almost no sun gets on the deck, no rain or snow either. This will minimize any movement allowing you to have the t&g without any buckling.

Now, if the porch will be well covered it means that Ipe won't suffer from the harmful UV rays that fade out the color. Your results will be like dancingsams's porch a coat of oil perhaps every 4 years, maybe less.

Maintenance will be required such as sweeping it, and maybe washing some spots if there are stains. Sanding might be limited to only any deep scratches made but it isn't necessary for the day to day maintenance.

Attached are a few pictures of some porches that have used our woods: Ipe, and Cumaru.

I hope that you find your solution and your project turns out terrific.

Advantage Cumaru™ · More Info

Tongue and Groove Ipe Porch · More Info

Wow, On Cue with an upcoming project. How do you beat 1929 t&g painted heart pine 3/4" x 3 1/4" x 6' 1/4" (boards are 1 length 6' 1/4")? Only about 8" of edge / overhang is rotten, all else perfect but I think that the single length boards 6' 1/4" add stability since the covered porch is actually built within the structure of the total bungalow. There is a slant. I planned to replace completely but also getting older and want low maintenance. Basically I want the same thing but heart pine is not old (400 yrs) growth and not the same. What are some good options? Please help.

78 5A webpage called askthebuilder.com says Douglas fir hands down if you want 100 years out of the new floor. Says ...alot. checkitout.....askthebuilder.com/porch-decking/