Brazilian Ipe Decking

Ipe Is Used For Decking, Flooring, Veneer, and Exterior Lumber

  • Ipe wood structure
  • Hardwood decking on a pool deck with ipe wood
  • Ipe wood pool deck
Hardwood decking that is ipe wood

Common Name(s): Ipe, Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho

Common Name(s): : Ipe, LapachoBrazilian, Walnut

Scientific Name: Handroanthus spp. (formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus)

Origin: Tropical Americas (Central and South America); also farmed commercially

Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 69 lbs/ft3 (1,100 kg/m3)

 

Color & Appearance:

Ipe heartwood can range from red-brown to yellow olive-brown or dark black-brown. It may have contrasting dark brown/black stripes. In certain species powdery yellow deposits lie within the wood. Ipe can be hard to distinguish from Cumaru, another solid South American timber, but Ipe is usually darker and does not have Cumaru’s delicate vanilla and cinnamon scent when being worked.

Grain & Texture:

Ipe wood has a fine-to-medium texture with a grain that varies from straight to irregular and interlocked. It has adequate natural luster.

Rot Resistance:

Ipe wood is very durable with excellent insect resistance, but some species are prone to marine borers. It has excellent weathering features. [Ipe was used for the boardwalk of New York City’s Coney Island and lasted 25 years before replacement.]

Workability:

Generally, Ipe is a difficult wood to work since it is very hard, very dense, and has high cutting resistance. It also has a marked blunting outcome on cutting edges. This wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain can tear out on interlocked parts. It can be hard to glue correctly, so surface preparation before gluing is suggested. Straight-grain wood turns well; however, natural powdery yellow deposits can sometimes hinder wood polishing or finishing.

Common Uses:

Ipe is used often for decking, flooring, veneer, exterior lumber, tool handles, and similar turned objects.