Our Premium Grade Ipe Wood Decking is On Sale

We’re offering a select number of Ipe wood bundles and fasteners for sale. Save hundreds of dollars with these ipe bundles.

Now, you don’t have to scour the internet for deck fasteners, end seal, or deck finish. You can build a complete deck with these kits.

Want more info? Check out the hardwood bundle page for more information.

Our Ipe Wood is the difference between a mediocre deck and a spectacular one.

What’s important to you about owning a deck?

Is it the pristine look? Or, is it the sense of relaxation and comfort you get when spending time outdoors with the people you love?

Does it help when the decking material you chose is something you know you can depend on?

For many Ipe wood deck owners, they achieve that feeling of relaxation and comfort every day. If you want to know what it’s like to own a deck that will make neighbors jealous (especially those composite deck owners battling mold, and other issues), then now’s the time to buy ipe wood decking from Advantage Trim & Lumber.

For instance, our inventory of pregrooved 5/4×6 Ipe wood is ideal for every application, especially those that are low to the ground such as single story above ground decks with small gap spacing. What makes this material a better choice for you? Not only do you get a seamless looking surface, but the the added thickness means greater resistance in all aspects. Using 5/4×6 Ipe wood gives you a deck with the strength of a tank,and the look of a luxury hotel pool deck. As you can see from the picture above, ipe wood creates truly outstanding decks that complement your home’s aesthetic and your personal vision.

We have containers of Ipe wood arriving daily. These containers are filled with premium grade materials that will create that first class outdoor living space you want.

We look forward to helping you build your own personal oasis. You can buy Ipe direct, or contact us today if building a deck with this highly sought after material is on your to-do list.

This Pergola made of ipe wood will last for decades and will stand up to the everyday stresses of a hot and humid tropical environment.

Ipe wood can be useful and dependable in many applications. Because this exotic hardwood is so durable it can be used in a wide variety of outdoor applications. With high strength characteristics such as mold, decay, and insect resistance, you can build with confidence and create a truly noteworthy structure of your very own.

Here are the 10 things you can build with Ipe (specifically ipe boards that run from 3′ to 7′):

1. Pergolas (as seen above)
2. Outdoor playground – The frame alone will have structural integrity far better than other woods
3. Outdoor Kitchen
4. Garden Bridge
5. Benches
6. Adirondack furniture
7. Flower boxes
8. Outdoor tables
9. Docks
10. Gazebos (check out this extensive deck photo gallery that includes an ipe gazebo)

Sure, ipe is tough to work with. But, you can’t argue with the results. You can build something pretty remarkable when you use ipe shorts (boards from 1′ to 7′ in length)

If you’d like to build with one of nature’s most enduring and dependable wood’s, you can buy ipe wood online or contact us directly:

Sometimes, we have people and customers who ask us why we spell ipe, i-p-e. We’ve even had a competitor call to gloat over the fact that our site was riddled with spelling mistakes, “You also forgot to spell epay wood correctly!” He was actually serious. When we tried to correct him, he actually scoffed at us. We’re not trying to call anyone out, but it actually makes sense that people would think we are making a mistake. After all, when you see the letters i-p-e in a word, the common pronounciation is “eye-p” (in dictionaries, “ahyp”).

So, let’s set the record straight, epay wood is really spelled ipe wood:-)

Here’s a fun fact: The word “ipê” itself comes from what people believe to be from the language of native  the South American Tupi-Guaraní. This indigenous people have lived in Brazil and throughout South American countries like Paraguay for centuries. Given that fact and the influence of the Portugese in the area, it wouldn’t be surprising if, upon discovering this fabulous and extremely hard tree, the Portuguese would consult with the local people to find out what they named such a unique wood. Ironically, there is a Guaraní words that deal with trees: ypekũ, when translated into English means “woodpecker.” Is there a connection? Possibly. It’s still pretty much a mystery.

I hope this clears up the confusion. If anything, you learned something pretty cool about the strongest and most versatile decking option in the world today, ipe wood.

Great news out of Wisconsin! The city of Green Bay is well on its way to completed a major municipal project called the City Deck.

Of course, this news wouldn’t make this blog without the additional nugget that this commercial project is using ipe decking.

Yes, this is NOT Green Bay! Just another awesome pic of ipe decking;-)

Think about it…

What other hardwood decking will be able to, year after year, withstand the bitter cold and heavy snow of a Green Bay winter? Pressure treated decking? Heck no! Composite decking? Yeah, right. The plastic will delaminate, then soak up water like a sponge until it finally disintegrates. Ugh. The hardworking people of Green Bay deserve better than that and I’m glad to see that they did their research and chose the perfect decking material for their specific climate.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, our ipe decking can be purchased at wholesale prices. You can order wholesale decking is available to anyone who needs a truckload or shipping container’s worth of this exotic hardwood.

Deck Design of the Week

Ipe Near Raleigh, North Carolina

What do designers and architects use when they need to use wood? They choose ipe. One example of this is the country home located near Raleigh, North Carolina and built by Michael Rantilla (click to see pics). A true testament to modern architecture, this country home stands out with the use of ipe wood. If you’re looking to build a new home and are curious about hardwood options, contact our professional staff. You will speak to an ipe wood expert who will guide you through the many options that are available.

There are plenty of good reasons why professionals choose ipe:

• Ipe is beatiful and weathers better than most other hardwoods
• Ipe provides superior resistance to mold, mildew, rot and decay
• Ipe decking and ipe siding hold up with no maintenance required
• Ipe is a versatile wood that can be used for a variety of applications including
  • Sunscreens
  • Rainscreens
  • Pagodas
  • Pergolas
  • Benches
  • Tables
  • Outdoor Furniture
  • Docks
  • Bridges
  • High end flooring

At Advantage Trim and Lumber we custom mill ipe wood for any and all the above uses. Contact us today to speak with our professional staff. After all, if the people who create such elegant and timeless architecture are using ipe, why can’t you?

One of the many uses for ipe wood is dock construction. There are many reasons why professional dock builders throughout the country use this premium hardwood.

1. Ipe is not porous like composite decking or other inferior docking materials
2. You can build a dock with confidence knowing that it requires very little, to no maintenance
3. Ipe docks have very high tolerance to mold, mildew, and fungus thanks to this exotic hardwood’s natural oils and extreme density
4. Ipe / Brazilian Walnut is, by far, one of the strongest wood materials
5. An ipe dock can take a pounding like no other docking material out there

Need proof?

Take a look at this marina located in Biloxi Mississippi…

This picture was taken days after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. The images from those days were catastrophic. However, this marina made it through with, what looks like, not one single board out of place. Not surprisingly, this massive marina was made of ipe.

Even the source of this image, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said, “It’s hard to imagine how this wooden structure survived intact.”

Frankly, it is a testament to the architects who designed this dock and decided to use ipe hardwood. If a dock this size can take a pounding as bad as Hurricane Katrina and still survive with barely a scratch, doesn’t it make sense to use the same wood docking materials? If you are planning on building a dock, or are a dock builder yourself and need to find premium docking material, contact the leader in ipe, Advantage Trim & Lumber.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, we have a full compliment of ipe hardwood, tools, and accessories to make dock building with ipe simple and easy and efficient.

Ipe wood is not just for decking and flooring. Many people are using this versatile hardwood for siding, and even wall applications. In addition, it’s not uncommon to see docks, wharfs, and even bridges use ipe decking.

Some very famous landmarks have used ipe hardwood including the Brooklyn Bridge walkway, Las Vegas’ Treasure Island, and many famous boardwalks across the country including the Atlantic City and Miami Boardwalks.

If you read this blog often, it’s easy to see why ipe decking is used for many commercial applications. Whenever the elements might be an issue, there is no doubt that you have to use the very best wood materials.

Think about it…If you’re a dock builder in Florida, or anywhere along the Gulf and Atlantic Coast and you know that hurricanes, strong storms, and tides are going to be an issue throughout the year, why wouldn’t you invest in docking material that will stand the test of time and require as little maintenance as possible?

The same goes for other commercial applications. It doesn’t matter if you own a waterfront restaurant, or a two-story walkway or patio, ipe wood is a workable solution that can also bring your commercial project recognition because ipe hardwood are eco-friendly.

One feature of ipe decking that I most often forget to mention is how ipe handles fire. This kind of information is important to know because many deck owners use tiki torches, grills, and firepits on their deck. While we all try to be careful, there is always the chance, however remote, that one of those things could tip over and spark a fire.

There have been many instances where a dog bumped into a charcoal grill and spilled over some briquettes, or a guest tips over a seemingly put out tiki torch and a fire gets started. In those situations, you must react quickly to properly put out the fire before it spreads to the rest of your deck.

If you have a deck made of ipe, or are considering building an ipe deck, you need to know that ipe has a fire spread rating that is the same as concrete! What does this mean? Unlike other hardwoods that spread fire rapidly, fire tends to remain isolated around its point of origin. In this way, the damage that the fire has made is contained in a much smaller region on your deck. Of course, calling the proper authorities and attempting to put out the fire right away is absolutely critical and recommended.

Interestingly enough, ipe wood has up to a Class A fire rating for flame spread. Here is a table that shows the ratings given to ipe decking from the National Fire Protection Agency (Note, there are other third party certification companies that show similar results. Results will vary based on the moisture content, origin, and species).

Hopefully, this information proves helpful when considering what kind of decking to choose. For more information on ipe decking, check out our ipe wood specifications page.

There are many different LEED requirements that builders and architects can take advantage of. One particular credit is the MRc7 credit.

If a green building project uses a certain percentage of FSC wood, they can qualify for this LEED credit. If you want to qualify for this LEED credit, your project must have installed at least 50% of FSC wood. An exemplary performance Innovation in Design credit can be attained if you use 95% FSC certified wood.

There are many different kinds of FSC wood available including:

• FSC Ipe
• FSC Cumaru
• FSC Tigerwood
• FSC Garapa

The great thing about building green and LEED construction projects is that they are extremely creative. The green building revolution is certainly pushing the envelope when it comes to how hardwoods like ipe wood can be utilized. One such example that I recently found was the recently opened Eco Park in the Discovery Green Conservancy project in Houston, Texas. 60% of the wood used throughout the whole park used ipe hardwood. Using ipe hardwood helped the Discovery Green park project earn a Gold level LEED certification.

The designers and planners of Discovery Green chose ipe for the following reasons:

• Mold, mildew, and rot resistant
• Extremely strong & dense
• Insect resistant
• Requires very little maintenance

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, we can help you get your LEED Certification with our FSC lumber, FSC flooring, and FSC decking products. Since 1992, we have been the leader in establishing sustainable forestry practices that lead to the overall health of the environment. We are also members of the United States Green Building Council and the Forest Stewardship Council. Visit our main website to learn more.

Who says the US Government can’t do anything right?

Recently, the United States Postal Service unveiled its new Green Roof for one of its major mail processing facilities. As a New York City native, I can tell you that the building in question is H-U-G-E. This building is so big, that when they decided to promote eco-friendly products as well as promoting energy efficiency, they were creating the largest green roof in all of New York City.

What makes this green building project even worth mentioning? Well, if you haven’t guessed by now, they used ipe wood as part of the green roof project! What’s even better is that they chose FSC ipe!

Once again, this proves that ipe wood is fast becoming a standard hardwood when it comes to green building projects and eco-friendly construction. I’m happy about this because in a tough city like New York, it’s great that they chose the toughest wood possible for such a wonderful project.

Recently, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently unveiled the highly anticipated new addition to their botanical garden area called the Gardens. Inspired by Asian pagodas, “The Lantern” is a truly beautiful structure. It was designed to offer a tranquil place to view the water as well as a peaceful place to get away from the hustle of university life (even for a few minutes). Read more about SIUE Gardens and the Lantern.

Why is this worth mentioning? The architect and planners specifically chose ipe decking due to the fact that it is environmentally responsible. I am sure they also realized that, in order for this structure to maintain its look for decades to come, they needed to choose ipe hardwood because it can withstand the elements unlike any other hardwood decking material.

Once again, this proves why ipe decking is the best decking material today.

The reasons why they would choose ipe Brazilian hardwood is simple.

Ipe decking has the following features that pine decking, composite decking, and other decking materials just don’t have:

• A beautiful color that can be left untreated or treated to create rich colors
• Extreme density that keeps ipe looking beautiful for years
• Natural resilience to mold, mildew, insects, rot and decay
• Ipe wood is eco-friendly

Ipe decking has been featured in many wonderful commercial structures. From the Brooklyn Bridge, to the Boardwalk in Miami, to Treasure Island in Las Vegas and beyond, ipe wood continues to be the hardwood of choice for architects and exterior designers. As always, Advantage Trim & Lumber is your number one source for all things ipe.

Deck posts are the perfect choice for any decking project. Whether you need to build a two story deck and need the second level to have a fence, or your one-story deck needs some flair, Advantage Trim & Lumber has hollow slip posts that can be custom milled with most of our hardwood decking options.

When you order a custom made slip post from Advantage Lumber you can rest assured that it will be:

• Custom milled to your precise dimensions
• Inspected thoroughly before it leaves our facility
• Durable and resilient even in the harshest environments and weather conditions
• Will match your decking order and will make your deck look complete
• Made from premium grade ipe hardwood
• Shipped to your door in days, not weeks like other companies that sell deck posts

Our custom slip posts are manufactured from premium grade ipe and can be used on almost any decking project when applicable.

When you’re investing in your home and in memories that will last a lifetime, you want to be sure that each and every piece of decking from the ipe deck boards to the hidden deck fasteners are going to last as long as you do.

Now more than ever, homeowners are looking at their home and thinking,

“With the housing market the way it is, we may be at this home for much longer than we thought. Is now the time to build a deck or do a room addition?”

In short, the answer may be “Yes!”

After all, if you are choosing rethink the length in which you and your family will occupy their home, then why not make the most of your time there?

There are many practical factors that you may not be aware which will make the decision to build a deck much easier…

1. The fact is, professional labor costs are much cheaper now than in years past. Simply put, it is in a deck builders best interest to build a deck for less AND well so that you can refer them more business in the future.
2. Ipe decking is now cheaper than most composite decking! Due to the high price of oil (a key ingredient in the making of the plastic that composite decking needs), composite decking is now MORE expensive than ipe decking. Now is the time to take advantage of the low price of ipe decking. If you need more reasons to choose ipe over composite decking, check out some of the other posts I’ve done which highlight the harmful side effects that composite decking can have on the phycial and monetary health of you and your family!
3. Building a deck helps the overall community and our economy. When you build a deck for your home, you’re not only employing the services of a labor company and their workers, you’re helping the livelihood of the the truck driver who shipped the wood to your home, the person who took your order, the person who initially cut your ipe decking…on and on. When you step onto your finished deck, you will be rest assured that many people also benefited from your choice to build a deck for your home

At Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, it would be an honor to be chosen by you for your decking needs. It is our goal to ensure that the hardwood that you choose for your deck suits your needs both now and into the future.

Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is an exotic hardwood that is used for decking, flooring, and a host of many other applications. Ipe has many names and is also known as Brazilian Walnut, Amapa, Cortez, Guayacan polvillo, and many others. Ipe also gets misspelled in various different ways such as epi, epay, and eepay. Regardless of the name (or the spelling), ipe is gaining greater recognition and notoriety over other famous hardwoods such as teak. One of the main reasons why ipe decking has such a good reputation is because of its density. Ipe is so dense that a single piece of it will actually sink in water. So, while ipe may not be the best wood to use on a yacht, it certainly is perfect for a deck.

One test that is utilized to measure the hardness of woods like ipe and teak is the Janka Hardness Scale. This test measures the force required to push a small steel ball into the wood about halfway. In fact, when tested with the Janka Hardness Scale, ipe was proven to be three times as strong as teak. Ipe’s Janka Hardness was registered at 3600, whereas the Janka Hardness of teak came in at just 1050. People who are looking to construct a deck, or install a floor with ipe can also let their wallets breathe a sigh of relief because ipe is less expensive than teak  too.

Ipe is also worlds better than both pressure treated and composite decking. Although ipe costs more than composite decking and pressure treated decking, the return on your investment is so much greater with ipe. Here are some additional reasons why you should consider ipe for your next construction project:

• 100% Natural
• Free from chemicals and preservatives
• Can last over 100 years without any treatment
• Naturally resistant to termites and other insects due to superior density
• Superior fire spread resistance

The best place to purchase ipe is from Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. When you purchase ipe decking from Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, you will also be helping the environment. Our ipe decking is made of all-natural biodegradable and eco-friendly materials. In addition, Advantage Trim & Lumber offers hidden deck fasteners to make installation a breeze. They also will ship to all corners of the United States and beyond. So, if you want to have a deck that not only is the envy of the neighborhood, but will be so for decades to come, then ipe wood is the best choice you can make.

Furniture makers across the world are starting to use ipe wood to make high-quality outdoor furniture. Because ipe is a unique hardwood, it has features and benefits that make it the perfect choice for your next Adirondack chair, outdoor dining table, outdoor chest, or bench. While most people know ipe to be a very dense hardwood, it has some unique advantages over most other woods, including the more expensive ones such as teak.

The Tabebuia Serratifolia also known as ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is found throughout Central and South America. Anyone who tells you that ipe is found in Asia is probably confusing ipe with the more expensive and well-known teak. While both are worthwhile and durable woods, ipe is less expensive, stronger, and will last a lot longer. This begs the question, what makes ipe so unique?

To put it simply, the cell structure of the ipe tree is packed so densely, that the tree is extremely resistant to insect infestation and other common problems. To prove that Ipe is a superior wood, just look at the Janka Hardness Test results. While teak has a respectable result of 1050, ipe can boast a result of 3670. These tests prove that ipe is over 3 times harder than teak. Moreover, Ipe also boasts superior resistance to decay, fungi, and mold. Even after the tree has been processed into lumber, its toughness remains uncompromised.

Even the US Forest Products Laboratory has given ipe lumber its highest rating. In addition, the US Naval Research Laboratory tested this exotic hardwood and found that, if left in the ground, an untreated piece of ipe lumber will withstand attack from termites for over 15 years. A single piece of ipe can be left untreated and exposed to the elements for over 40 years before it starts wearing down. If a plank of ipe has been given the right oil treatment, the results are mind-boggling. A treated piece of ipe wood could last an estimated 100 years or more. Is it any wonder why ipe is starting to see increased popularity when it comes to outdoor furniture?

Besides ipe outdoor furniture, this hardwood is used most often for decks and patios. In fact, homeowners who have recently completed construction of their beautiful new ipe deck soon come to realize that the area around their pool is also much safer. Cheaper wood decks are notoriously known to be slippery when wet. However, as opposed to other woods that require the use of slip resistant padding, ipe provides superior slip resistance. Indeed, many people who recently installed an ipe deck are surprised to find out that their deck surpasses even the most stringent safety standards. Ipe decks even surpass the Americans with Disabilities Act’s Static Coefficient of Friction requirement. Not only will having an ipe deck bring peace of mind when it comes to having children running around your pool, the fact that ipe lumber does not easily splinter adds another level of safety.

Purchasing ipe over other exotic hardwoods also encourages eco-friendly forestry practices. Most hardwood is imported into the U.S. from managed forests that have been endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council. Unlike our competitors, Advantage Lumber believes that these eco-friendly cultivation practices are the only way to offer customers high-quality lumber without causing irreparable damage to the environment. Utilizing wood from managed forests is a big step in promoting forestry practices that lead to sustainable forests. When excessive deforestation and slash and burn tactics are reduced, we all win.

When considering return on investment, ipe is surprisingly affordable due to its durability and longevity. In addition, when you compare other woods that have shorter a lifespan due to rotting and warping, ipe also saves you money in replacement and maintenance costs. The fact of the matter is this, when you consider its lifespan and cost, ipe is a more cost-effective purchase than even teak.

As sound financial investments and home additions go, having both ipe outdoor furniture and an ipe deck or patio is an easy decision. Even hotels in Las Vegas and the boardwalk of the Brooklyn Bridge have chosen ipe as their exotic hardwood of choice. If you need any further proof, then consider the fact that contractors, architects, and designers across the world have been choosing ipe over teak and other exotic hardwoods.

All of our ipe decking comes with a wax end sealer applied to the end grain, this prevents the ends of the boards from checking. The end grain sealant  is very easy to apply just brush it on with a paint brush and it will dry clear.  Any fresh cuts should be sealed with end grain sealer within 24 hours.