I received a great question from Bob K. (thanks, Bob!) about how to remove ice and snow from an ipe deck.

This is a wonderful question not just because it’s winter, but because it’s just not a good idea to scrape ice off your deck using a snow shovel.

How do you remove ice off of ipe decking?

It’s recommended that you use a pet safe ice melt as it is a less corrosive/abrasive than rock salt and is also eco-friendly.

Why not use a rock salt product? Rock salt is never recommended for wood. In fact, applying rock salt onto wood is a great way to ruin it forever. Not only is rock salt not eco-friendly, it is also not recommended for areas where a pet may walk. Why? Because the salt actually DRIES out the naturally moist padding that your dog or cat has. This drying out leads to your pet’s skin cracking and splitting. Cracking and splitting…Sound familiar?

Remember, wood absorbs and releases moisture and expands and contracts throughout the year. If you put a chemical product on a deck that corrodes and rapidly dries it out you are basically counteracting the natural processes that the wood undergoes and thereby making the wood more brittle and less stable.

Not only that but rock salt will stain your deck.

So, to keep your deck as stable and as good looking as possible, don’t use rock salt on your deck!

As with any product you’re looking into, you must do your research into ice melting products for wood decking. Hopefully, the information in this article will help you make a more informed decision.

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!

Today I wanted to show you Bob Vila guiding you through an ipe deck installation. To be frank, the way this deck was installed could have been a LOT better.

For one, they are not using deck fasteners which would make the finished deck look immaculate. Instead, they settle for a face screwing method. You can tell that this deck is being built with speed in mind. Also, Bob Vila mispronounces ipe by calling it eye-pay (i-pay)…I could go on, but ultimately, the general description about why ipe decking is a superior material to use is pretty much spot on. Bob does a good job of detailing how this roof deck needed to be constructed and the methods used to make sure that it would be a sound structure.

Enjoy…

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.