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.

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.

The city of Miami has just given the OK to a great new design concept for the soon-to-be constructed South Point Park Pier.

The best part about this plan is that the designers have included the use of ipe decking in their plans.

Why ipe?

Well, I can only imagine that since the Miami Beach boardwalk already uses ipe hardwood, it would be important to maintain that famous South Beach look.

There’s a reason why the Brooklyn Bridge, Las Vegas resorts like Treasure Island, and the Fisherman’s Wharf pier in San Francisco chose ipe. It is the best, most durable hardwood decking option that gives people the greatest return on their investment without sacrificing on quality. In addition, decking that uses ipe hardwood is also the safest choice. Just think of the millions of people who walk, run and ride their bikes on a boardwalk. Wouldn’t it make sense to use an exotic hardwood that needs little to no maintenance and naturally repels rot, decay, mildew, fungus, and mold?

The choice is clear: building a deck with ipe deck boards is the best choice you can make. Check out our extremely competitive ipe price list.

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that I am not a fan of composite decking. After all, there’s a good reason why this blog is called the “Ipe Decking Blog”!

However, despite my own personal reasons, if you conduct your own research into composite decking comparisons and composite decking reviews, you will run across countless complaints and maintenance issues. These complaints are coming from hard-working people like you who have invested their hard-earned time and, above all else, money, building what they thought would be a beautiful addition to their home. If you put yourself in their shoes wouldn’t you want to make sure that no one else goes through what they just went through?

If those composite deck reviews and complaints aren’t enough to prove that composite decking problems can’t be ignored, then would information on composite decking recall notices from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission be of any interest?

Composite Decking Recall #1

Composite Decking Recall #2

If you want to build a deck, or replace your composite deck with decking that will last, then choose a hardwood such as ipe decking. If you look through the other posts on this blog, you will see that ipe decks are vastly superior to composite decks and can even be cheaper to build too!

Last, but certainly not least, if you’re convinced that using ipe hardwood decking is the right way to go, call us at Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. We’d be honored to help you build the deck of your dreams and avoid the nightmare of dealing with fixing your composite deck.

I just came across quite possibly one of the coolest looking hotels in a long time. The Donovan House in Washington D.C., recently opened their brand-new rooftop private pool and rooftop bar. The best part? They chose ipe decking!

Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit that hotel soon to get first-hand pics! For now, you’ll have to settle for this video of an absolutely adorable baby enjoying the day by the Donovan House pool and ipe deck:

There are so many great resources out there to help you build a green deck, or install eco-friendly flooring. Thanks to increased demand and the efforts of governments throughout the world, eco-friendly products are not going to become a fad, but hopefully an industry standard. Obviously, this is important because if the construction industry and the lumber industry fail to recognize that there are only so many resources in the world, they are basically leading to their own demise. After all, there is a point where the damage caused by the old ways of forestry lead to irreparable damage that causes great harm to both our environment and our civilized society. If you think this is just some typical tree-hugger propaganda, think again…

With the world population soaring and nations like China and India continuing to experience sustained growth, the demand for lumber and other products is not going away. There needs to be a sustained effort to ensure that there are enough trees for now and into the future. This is an economic issue that must be dealt with. Thankfully, there are organizations that have been created which are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of forestry and eco-friendly forestry practices.

Organizations such as the United States Green Building Council and the Forest Stewardship Council are leading the way when it comes to promoting green building and eco-friendly products such as:

• Eco-friendly lumber
• Eco-friendly decking
• Eco-friendly flooring

You don’t have to be an environmentalist to purchase FSC wood from Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. If you want to increase the value of your home, purchasing eco-friendly wood is a practical decision that will lead to long-term gains.  We have a wide-ranging selection of ipe decking that has been grown and cultivated with sustainable forestry practices.

Imagine the world in 10, 15, or even 20 years from now.

What will be the standard lumber sold?

What kind of deck would you want to build?

Follow the trends.

Look at the big picture.

Buying ipe decking that is eco-friendly is a choice that makes sense now and into the future.

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.

GREAT NEWS! Ipe decking is now more affordable than most composite decking. For a while, this was not the case. However, since the price of oil is so volatile, the cost of composite decking materials have risen substantially.

Why is this the case?

Because composite decking uses polyethylene and polyethylene is made from oil. So, there’s no getting around it, because composite decking has a core ingredient that is tied to such a volatile commodity, anyone looking to build a deck with composite decking may have to spend a lot more than their budget calls for. A lot more!

What do you do now?

It’s time to consider ipe decking. Simply put, when you do a apples to apples comparison, ipe is far superior to composite decking.

Here are the facts to consider when comparing ipe to composite decking:

1. Ipe decking comes from is 100% natural wood. Composite decking is made of synthetic plastic that is tied to the high price of oil.
2. The price of ipe has remained steady due to the managed forestry practices that industry leaders like Advantage Trim & Lumber have embraced and promoted
3. Ipe is going to last decades due to its natural density and resistance to mold, mildew, fungus, and insects. Composite decking companies cannot make this claim with a straight face.

Moreover, ipe is a renewable resource and is 100% biodegradable. This is an important distinction to make because composite decking is made from non-renewable resources such as petroleum. Many homeowners with composite decks are now learning the hard way because their composite decking ends up in a landfill because it fails to stand up as promised. Doesn’t it make sense to choose a decking material that is proven to stand the test of time and is also less expensive?

When you choose Advantage Trim & Lumber Company for your ipe decking needs, you also have the option of purchasing a whole host of decking supplies and accesories to make building an ipe deck simple and easy.

For more information and to see our list of ipe price list, check out our Ipe Decking Prices page.

If you’ve ever tried building a deck one of the most annoying and agonizing things to do is deck board straightening. This is why Advantage Lumber offers the best deck tool on the market, the  Hardwood Wrench™ Deck Board Straightening Tool. This deck tool has been designed to straighten bowed decking boards without any extra effort on your part. I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a deck board wrench that has been engineered to straighten even some of the toughest hardwoods like ipe not too mention decking such as pressure-treated lumber, cedar, etc.

The Hardwood Wrench makes installing a deck really simple since it speeds up installation for a more precise and clean installation process. Plus, because the hardwood wrench cam locks into place and allows you to fasten the deck board while the wrench holds the deck board straight, there is no need for a second person to hold the deck board. I’m sure you can agree that freeing up that extra set of hands is important because they can be off doing something more productive. So, if you find yourself short on manpower, the hardwood wrench can deliver true hands free “one man” operation.

The Hardwood Wrench is a deck tool that has the following features:

• Anodized aircraft-grade aluminum
• A solid hardwood handle
• Adjustable deck tool that perfectly fits a variety of joist sizes
• A self-locking cam design for hands-free holding power

At a recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas, deck builders and general contractors spoke very highly of this Hardwood Wrench. Our loyal customers who have purchased a Hardwood Wrench also tell us that the tool’s quality, strength, and ease of use definitely made it a great deck tool. Unlike similar deck tools, the Hardwood Wrench is designed with you in mind. By purchasing deck tools that are easy to use, durable and long-lasting, deck builders and homeowners alike can save labor costs and precious time. Simply put, no other deck board straightening tool offers these features and benefits.

If you’d like to see this ground-breaking and easy-to-use deck tool in action, check out the Hardwood Wrench website to see a brief demonstration video. It take s just 30 seconds to see how easy it is to install ipe decking, or any other hardwood decking!

The choice between using pressure treated decking or ipe decking has led to much speculation. Is pressure treated wood safe? Is ipe more resistant to insects than pressure treated wood? When starting any home improvement project the quality of the building materials should always be taken into account. A deck purchase should be no different. That’s why at Advantage Trim & Lumber Co. we offer only the BEST decking options that are available on the market today. All our ipe decking and other exotic decking lines are 100% free from added chemicals and wood preservatives. You may be asking yourself how this affects you, the homeowner that will be installing the decking on his/her home.

First off, lets take a look at how pressure treated decking is made. Pressure treatment is a process that forces chemical preservatives into the wood. Wood is placed inside a closed cylinder, vacuumed and then pressure is applied to force the preservatives into the wood. The preservatives are meant to help protect the wood from attack by termites, other insects, and fungal decay. Now with ALL of these chemicals that come with pressure treated decking… do you really want this material installed on a deck that will come in contact with so many of your loved ones? Sure pressure treated decking may be resistant to some insects, but what about a few years from now? What about the overall condition of the pressure treated lumber used on your deck; will your pressure treated deck stand the test of time?

Not only are the chemicals found in pressure treated a health concern, but the lumber itself is far inferior to ipe decking and any of the hardwoods that Advantage Trim & Lumber Co. offers. Above is an example of a pressure treated deck (2) and an ipe deck (1) that have been weathered over time. The pressure treated decking is from a bay front restaurant located in Longboat Key, Florida. You can see that the ipe decking (1) stands up to the elements much better than the pressure treated decking (2). Besides the Ipe (1) turning to a sliver/grey color the ipe looks the same as the day it was installed. To make this comparison even MORE drastic… The ipe deck (1) is from the famous Miami Beach boardwalk! Clearly, the fact that an ipe deck held up in more severe conditions is probably the best testimonial anyone could give. Typically, commercial applications like the Miami boardwalk should show much more wear than residential applications. However, the exact opposite is shown here because of the superior NATURAL qualities found in ipe decking (1).

NOTE: We do recommend Pressure Treated Lumber for deck framing and joist material. The kind we have in stock (MCA – Micronized Copper Azole) has more qualities and benefits that make it an exceptional material for structural support. Learn more about MCA vs. ACQ decking.

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.

Many people settle for composite decking due to the fact that composite wood and materials are cheaper than more high-quality exotic hardwoods like ipe. However, while the cost may be appealing, the long term viability of the materials is suspect at best. If you do a simple Google search for “composite decking complaints” or “composite decking lawsuit” you will see that, while people and businesses may have saved some money initially, they took a great risk in choosing an inferior product.

Here’s a simple ipe decking versus composite decking comparison chart:

You may be asking yourself, “Sure ipe decking is better, but it’s still more expensive!” You’re right. Being a high-quality premium exotic wood does come with a price. However, have you considered the overall return on investment? Take a moment to review the comparison chart once more. Ask yourself what it would cost you in medical bills if someone got hurt from a broken piece of composite decking? What if that person sued you? Sure, maybe your insurance would take care of it, but what would happen to your insurance cost after the fact? In this instance, isn’t it better to look at the long term advantage of building an ipe deck?

Advantage Trim & Lumber Company is proud to be the industry leader and foremost authority on Ipe and other exotic hardwood decking. Since 1992, we have offered our valued customers like you access to our expanded decking inventory which includes four distinctive exotic hardwood species. Simply put, our hardwood decking is far superior to any composite decking on the market today. Since our hardwood decking offers a lifespan of 100+ years you know you are going to enjoy your deck for many years to come. With a combined 6 million board feet of inventory and over 1 million board feet in transit via cargo ship, you are certain to find the perfect exotic hardwood for your deck. Unlike our competition, Advantage Trim & Lumber Company not only offers a wide selection of exotic hardwoods, we are also an industry leader when it comes to upholding eco-friendly environmental standards. To prove our commitment to sustainable forestry standards, we also have been awarded the highly-coveted FSC Certification from the world-renowned Forest Stewardship Council.

We offer excellent pricing on hardwood flooring because many of our mills that manufacture our Ipe decking also produce flooring. Our large volume of decking & lumber imports allows us to increase our buying power and pass the savings onto you. We can also customize your dimension flooring order in a variety of sizes, with long length flooring available upon request in our U.S. facilities. At Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, we run our own prefinishing line in our North Carolina facility. When you choose the hardwood flooring options from Advantage Lumber, you can rest assured that your flooring project will feature the finest premium hardwood flooring.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, we ensure that our customer service staff is highly-trained and skilled because when you buy from us you are buying directly from the lumber mill. We operate two fully functional lumber mills in Buffalo, NY, Grover, NC. We also have developed great partnerships with facilities located throughout South America. Regardless of who answers your call, every one of our representatives has hands on experience working with the finest European production machinery in a real working lumber mill. This means we can provide you with the answers to any questions you may have about hardwood decking, flooring, or lumber. When you choose the custom milled lumber options from Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, you can rest assured that your construction project will have the finest premium exotic hardwood.

With over 55 species of exotic and domestic hardwoods available everyday, Advantagelumber.com is your complete source for all of your hardwood and hardwood supply needs. We carry domestic hardwoods like walnut, maple, and cherry. We also keep in stock exotic hardwoods from South America such as teak, mahogany, and rosewood as well as African hardwoods including African mahogany and the hard-to-find zebrawood. Whether you need a single board, a bundle, or a whole truck load, Advantage Trim & Lumber Company has what you need. Is it any wonder why mills, manufacturers, retailers and even homeowners know that when they need the perfect hardwood, they can depend on Advantage Trim & Lumber Company? In fact, we ensure that if we don’t have your specific request in stock, we will find it and ship to you as fast as possible. Since 1992, we have expertly serviced customers throughout countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Whether you are looking to build a new hotel in Dubai, or you’re about to start building an ipe deck for your Atlanta home, Advantage Trim & Lumber Company is your complete solution. With Advantage Trim & Lumber Company, you can rest easy knowing that your construction project will have the finest premium hardwood.

Few things in life are as refreshing as stepping out onto your ipe deck to enjoy the company of friends, loved ones, or just to have a moment of solitude. Homeowners who are looking to upgrade or replace their existing patio and outdoor entertainment area are turning to ipe in droves for many reasons.

The reasons why people are choosing ipe decking include:

• Low maintenance
• Better return on investment
• A fresh and beautiful look that lasts
• Increased resistance to mold, mildew, & fungi
• Natural repellent to termite & other insect infestation
• Ipe is eco-friendly

Also known as Brazilian walnut, ipe is a dark brown wood that comes from surprisingly versatile trees. The Tabebuia Serratifolia tree can measure a maximum height of around 150 feet and often has a trunk diameter of around 6 feet. Contrary to what you may have heard, ipe is not an endangered species and grows in a variety of places throughout Central and South America. In fact, ipe is as abundant in Brazil as yellow pine is in the United States.

The wood for ipe decking can be responsibly cultivated in managed forests that have been certified by the respected Forest Stewardship Council. The process to get FSC certified is laborious, time-consuming, and ultimately worth every second. When we, as a leading eco-friendly ipe wood importer, promote responsible forestry practices, consumers, retailers, contractors, and manufacturers start to see the value in using FPC certified woods. At Advantage Trim & Lumber we hope that when you step out on your new ipe deck, you will breathe easier knowing that you have an eco-friendly deck that is still the envy of the neighborhood.

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.

Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) is one of the most dense hardwood materials available today, it is so dense that it actually sinks when placed in water. This makes Ipe the absolute best choice for your outdoor projects like decking and patio furniture.

Because Ipe is so dense and hard it’s naturally resistant to mold, mildew and termites. It also does not contain any knots and does not splinter which makes it an excellent surface to walk on. All these excellent features make ipe decking the only decking material that can last 40 years or more with no maintenance, no pressure washing, and no chemicals applied to the ipe.