Take one look at this deck…

This Amazing Looking Ipe Deck was Constructed by Someone Just Like You

With the right decking, plans, and a heckuva lot of willpower, the owner of this home created one of the nicest decks we’ve seen in a long time.

Using 5/4×6 Ipe decking, this deck has all the features one wants in a deck: Durability, Resilience, Low-Maintenance, and Genuine Beauty. And, with the Holidays just around the corner, this outdoor living area will give this family a relaxing place to watch the snow fall over the mountains near the Uinta National Forest.

Check out more pictures of this featured ipe wood deck.

You can buy E4E S4S Ipe decking to create the most unique deck in your neighborhood!

One of the great things here at Advantage Trim and Lumber is hearing about the customers who are elated with their decks. Many people actually come way under budget when they buy ipe decking from us. It’s not uncommon that, during the conversation with our hardwood experts, homeowners decide to ratchet up their overall design on the spot!

Our inventory of regular, or Eased 4 Edges / Surface 4 Sides (E4E / S4S) ipe decking is available if you want to build some deck additions. For instance, many customers who buy pre-grooved ipe decking end up having enough money to purchase enough E4E S4S ipe deck boards to build any of the following structures and addons:

• Ipe benches
• Ipe planter boxes
• Lattices
• Outdoor kitchen cabinetry
• Outdoor furniture (chairs, tables, etc.)

Looking at the pic above, you can tell that the owners of this home, really went out of their way to make their new deck have the appeal of a sunroom, without the windows.

When you see how much money you’ll save with Advantage, your surplus can be used to take your deck design to the next level. Check out the selection of E4E S4S ipe wood that’s currently on sale! We have varying lengths available via our Overstock Sale for a limited time only. Call now for more information.

Deck Design of the Week

Duval House by The Mark Odom Studio

I recently had the privilege of speaking directly to head designer behind this week’s Deck Design of the Week, Mark Odom. The Mark Odom Studio is an architect firm out of Austin, Texas who creates unique homes for discerning homeowners who want a contemporary, yet warm environment to live in.

As a well-established designer in the Austin, Texas area, I am thankful and honored to have pried him away from his innovative projects to talk to him about one of his most recent homes, The Duval House. This contemporary home has features that incorporate ipe decking.

The Mark Odom Studio an Austin Architect & Designer Firm Created this Highly Functional Deck Design (check out the fence and bench made from ipe decking!)

Why did you chose ipe for this project?

“Due to the density of IPE, it presents an opportunity to have natural grade lumber in wet or weathered areas that won’t deflect, bow, or lose its original state.  This allows us to use natural wood throughout interior and exterior while maintaining a slender tolerance between edges; clean non-compromising lines are important in modern work.”

Have you chosen ipe for any other projects/applications?

“We’ve used ipe on wood fencing, rain-screens, floors & walls in wet areas and visual screens between spaces.  Again, the density of wood and sharp edges allows us to achieve these moves without having to use steel.”

What was it like to install?

“Ipe is fairly easy to install.  There’s really no special skill needed beyond deck construction other than a high level of precision and eye for detail.”

Thanks for sharing this info, Mark! I really appreciate your time!

As you can see from the pic above, this modest deck is ideal for outdoor gatherings. I can’t thank the Mark Odom Studio enough for sharing allowing us to feature their design. If you’re looking for an interior designer in Austin, be sure to add the Mark Odom Studio to your short list.

And, if your goal is to incorporate ipe decking into your home renovation project, look no further than Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. Now that we’re running two great decking sales (Ipe Decking Sale & Exotic Hardwood Sale), you can buy ipe and other exotic hardwood options at prices not available anywhere else!

Deck Design of the Week

New York City High Line Park

New York City is constantly evolving. From the people to the architecture, New Yorkers are used to the constant changes that take place. As any New Yorker knows, there are a lot of places that can make the city seem brand new. One such place is the newly opened High Line Park. If there’s anything that New Yorkers know how to do is how to turn something ugly into something fun, exciting, and invigorating. The fact that people actually thought of turning an abandoned transit line into a park is nothing short of genius.

Below is a news report which will give you a walk through and explanation of the history and future of the NYC High Line Park. Why would I decide to highlight this park instead of a regular old deck? Well, for the past couple of days I’ve been looking to highlight commercial or very unique ways that people use ipe wood and ipe decking.

And, if you visit the area you’ll see that the designers of the NYC High Line Park used ipe for the benches, lounges, as well as a wonderful amphitheater.

Project managers who are interested in building with this material can count on Advantage. The ipe decking we sell comes from managed forests that use sustainable forestry practices. While there are other companies that try to say that their decking is eco-friendly, they don’t have the history and commitment to the environment that we do. For every tree that we use, we plant five more. We are also members of the United States Green Building Council as well as the Forest Stewardship Council. Simply put, we don’t just sell eco-friendly wood such as certified FSC Ipe, we actually practice what we preach.

Deck Design of the Week

Ipe Wood used by Terry & Terry Architecture

By now, you should know that I am a sucker for great home designs. Unfortunately, where I live, practically every house looks the same (ugh!). So whenever I come across a unique home, or architects that are stretching the boundaries of what an American home can be, I just have to stand up and applaud.

All the more reason why this week’s Deck Design of the Week feature focuses on a pair of brothers who, in my opinion have taken ipe and embraced it as the sustainable, elegant, and functional wood that it really is.

Terry & Terry Architecture is a firm out of San Francisco and they have created some wonderful homes that feature ipe wood. Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle interviewed Terry & Terry Architecture and it’s not hard to see their passion for great home designs.  While the article has some great photos, their personal website has an even greater variety of the work that they’ve done. Check out how they use ipe wood to its fullest potential. You may even be inspired yourself!

As you can see, it’s hard to single out just ONE of their many great designs. The cool thing I like about them is how many different ways they’ve used ipe. Looking through their site, you’ll see how they used ipe for siding, decking, and even walls.

As always, Advantage Trim & Lumber is your one-stop source for all things ipe. Whether you need Brazilian Walnut flooring (ipe flooring), or ipe decking, we provide homeowners, deck builders, and architects premium grade ipe wood at prices that simply cannot be matched. Don’t forget, not all companies offer ipe that has been sustainably cultivated and harvested. Be careful before you throw money at lumber companies that say they sell eco-friendly products without backing it up. We have our FSC certification and can sell eco-friendly wood.

In the world of home design and architecture, there are certainly some wonderful uses for ipe that even I haven’t thought of! I’ve been doing a lot of research online to see what exactly savvy homeowners and architects are doing with this versatile, dependable, and luxurious exotic hardwood. To say that I was inspired would be a complete understatement!

With that in mind, I am proud to introduce the Ipe Decking Blog’s new feature…

The Ipe Design of the Week

To start things off right, let’s take a trip to the Pacific Coast where a truly spectacular display of modern architecture is currently facing the setting sun.

Sebastian Mariscal has designed some truly awe-inspiring modern homes and has received many awards and recognition for his work. One of his home’s even features a second story that is covered in ipe hardwood!

You can see pictures of how Mariscal used ipe siding for this truly unique beachfront home.

Ipe Siding

Where can you buy ipe siding?

In addition to our extensive selection of ipe decking, Advantage Trim & Lumber Company offers homeowners, deck builders, and architects ipe siding that is second-to-none!