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.