Let the wood acclimatize
Ipe decking is not only procured from Brazil but is machined there as well. Brazil has a naturally humid climate that differs from ours. Once you receive your decking you should allow the material time to equalize to the environment of your location. This will generally take 1-2 weeks depending on the environment of your location. By doing so, you will reduce the shrinkage between boards after installation. If the wood is not allowed to “pre shrink”, gaps between boards may develop that are wider then the original desired spacing.
The substructure/joist system
For the load-bearing portion of the substructure, a high quality pressure treated product works fine. The Ipe decking will shelter the substructure; therefore, bearing most of the weathering. For these reasons, using treated products for the substructure of your Ipe deck makes the most sense from both a cost and practical standpoint.
Joist spacing
In order to ensure a long and safe service life of your deck we recommend a joist spacing of 16” on centers for 1x4, 1x6, and 1x8 Stock. For 5/4 deck, boards at 24” spacing can be used and 32” for 8/4 material. Depending on the design, shorter joist spacing may be required for installing deck with a diagonal pattern.
End Checking
During installation, exposed end grain after sawing can produce end checking/end cracks. To help reduce end checks, a wax based emulsion; such as a product similar to Anchor Seal can be used.
Ipe Deck spacing
When installing the decking boards, a 1/16” spacing between boards is generally recommended. This will allow for proper air circulation between boards while also minimizing the gap width after natural seasoning of the deck.
Tools
Ipe can be worked with conventional carbide tipped blades and drill bits. The tool life of high-speed steel will be greatly shortened when cutting or drilling Ipe.
Fasteners and fastening systems
Newer fastener systems like eb-ty now offer the benefit of a hidden screw system that eliminates the hassle of pre drilling and saving even more time by automatically spacing the decking boards. These systems are designed to be virtually invisible compared to nails and screws, giving your project a nice finished look without any extra work.
Stains
Ipe can be left in its natural appearance and over time weather to a silvery grey colour. To help preserve the beauty and colour of Ipe, a stain coating can be applied. Before applying any type of stain, brush and wash the decking surface to remove any dust or dirt. UV inhibiting coatings will help to maintain your Ipe's natural walnut colour.
Pricing
Ipe is comparable in price to other conventional decking woods such as clear cedar and Redwood. It is also within the range of the composite decking products now being offered.
Some Final Odds and Ends-
Ipe is an air dried product which minimizes expansion problems that are often seen in composite/plastic materials as well as other wood species. Although Ipe has a smooth texture, it is normal to see some minor surface checking as the deck ages and weathers. In no way will this affect the strength and durability of your deck. |
