When buying decking, it’s important that you are aware of some natural occurring defects that plague other species as well as pressure-treated decking.

Some of the more common defects that you can run into are checks, knots, and splits. If you’ve ever stepped on a chemically treated wood decks, you most definitely have seen all three of those defects since they’re most common with softer and lesser grade woods.

In this one picture, you can see how knots, checks & splits have made this surface dangerous to walk on.

Checks are a result of the wood separating across rings. They are more prevalent on vertical grain cuts of decking.

Knots are indicative of the presence of a branch that was in the lumber. Lower grade materials typically include knots and are, therefore, cheaper.

Checks and splits typically occur when the wood cells are torn apart. They are rather unsightly and can produce splinters.

Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about any of these defects if you install an ipe deck. Not only will your deck be made of premium grade materials, it will also need less maintenance,  look great and be safer than decks that are riddles with the problems outlined above.

Contact Advantage Trim & Lumber Co. Inc. today for premium grade ipe decking.

With Winter right around the corner, many people are asking us about ipe decking’s capacity for snow load.

Since no two decks are the same, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much snow per square feet it would take to actually distress a deck to the point of breaking. BUT, what we can say for sure is that ipe decking has been ASTM-D143 tested. Ipe wood decking has a maximum bending strength of 22,560 psi (Pounds per square inch)!  your ipe deck might even be stronger  than the frame that supports it!

Or, to put it more simply: The result of these tests reveal that ipe decking is 3 times more durable than cedar decking.

If you already own an ipe deck, you’re probably not even sweating the upcoming winter. And, for good reason. With ipe wood’s high density, tight, interlocking grain, and natural oils, it dries fast and weathers well. Also, when you follow the recommended finishing schedule, (using a deck finish product like Ipe Oil™) you can also have peace of mind knowing that your deck surface will be able to repel water even better than it already does!

When you buy ipe decking from us, you will also get premium grade ipe from the Lapacho species. What does this mean for you? Well, it’s simple:

ALL of our Ipe Decking inventory easily exceeds all existing building code requirements for exterior constructions.

With a maximum bending strength of 22,560 psi (Pounds per square inch), your ipe deck will be stronger…in fact, it will be stronger than the frame that supports it!

Why is this fact important when it comes to snow load?

Snow load is going to be determined by the way the framing structure is built. This is regulated by the building codes set forth by your local Building Departments. These building codes provide a minimum requirement for the strength of the structure. Most people build to the code and some go over board. Without knowing how the framing is done there is no way to tell what the deck will hold.

As with any major home improvement, or renovation project, you want to be certain that you are in compliance with all local building codes. Also choosing a reputable deck builder who has a wide portfolio of completed decks (with satisfied customers) will also go a long way.

Oh, and don’t forget to buy ipe from us, here at Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. Our years of experience, reputation, and low ipe prices will get you well on your way to building your own ipe deck with ease.

Conact Advantage today and get the latest ipe prices!

Ipe decking goes under many names. It’s not surprising to see people confuse ipe with other names like Brazilian Walnut, Pau D’Arco, Ipe Tabaco, Yellow Poui, Bethabara, Pau Lope ®, and Ironwood ®.

Regardless of the name, a deck made of this exotic hardwood is going to last you a lifetime. If you want to know why, all you have to do is check out the many detailed stories and deck designs that are featured in this blog.

For the past 17 years, Advantage Trim & Lumber has been committed to providing deck builders and DIY homeowners decking options that are second to none.

Oh, and our prices are the best in the market, too! We also ship to all corners of the world and every person on our staff can help you answer all of your ipe decking questions.

So, if you or anyone you know is planning to build a deck, patio, or covered porch, check us out and we’ll be honored to help.

Many people, including me, like to talk about how ipe decking is one of the most durable and dependable woods on the market. This isn’t just sales talk. There have actually been studies and tests done that concluded that ipe wood lives up to the hype.

Three specific tests that prove this are from the US Naval Laboratory, the  National Fire Protection Agency, and the Janka Hardness Test.

The study from the US Naval Laboratory showed a single piece of ipe wood could be left in the ground completely exposed to the elements  for 15 years without termite infestation. They also discovered that that ipe decking was very resistant to mold, mildew, and fungus.

The National Fire Protection Agency and other third party certification companies have shown Ipe hardwood to have up to a Class A rating for flame spread. What does this mean? Let’s say someone bumped into your charcoal grill and some briquettes fell onto your deck. Well, if you owned an ipe deck, the fire would not spread as quickly as if you had a deck made of cheap composite decking or an inferior wood.

Finally, the Janka Hardness test revealed that ipe is one of the densest hardwoods that nature provides. By measuring the force necessary to push a tiny steel ball into a piece of hardwood, the Janka Hardness test is an important factor to consider if you are comparing ipe decking to pressure treated decking, California redwood, and even teak. 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 lbs, whereas the Janka Hardness of teak came in at just 1050 lbs. Pressure treated decking came in at 690 lbs. and, surprisingly, California redwood came in at 480 lbs.

These tests clearly demonstrate that this exotic hardwood lives up to its reputation as one of the most durable woods in the market. When you need decking that will stand the test of time, the elements and anything in between, ipe decking is your best choice.

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.