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Outdoor Decks & Patios

Posted July 16th, 2009 in Decking Materials, Exotic Hardwoods, FSC, ipe, ipe decking, wood by ipemadeira

 

Outdoor Decks & Patios

 

In the midst of this economy, many people are opting to stay in their homes. Nesting is taking on a new meaning. Remodeling has increased and families are now staying home for vacations and entertaining. This has helped the economy in terms of outdoor products for clients looking to expand their back and front yards. The coastal areas as well as areas with temperate weather can make the most of their outdoor area for a longer period of time. People are willing to invest back into their home for comfort and entertaining. Green and recycling are becoming the norm. Educated consumers are willing to investing into quality products instead of a quick fix.

 

Unemployment is at an all time new high of 9.5%. Foreclosures don’t seem to be letting up and the future is uncertain. People are responding with less outings, vacation and spending. Keeping up with the Jones is no longer viewed as a status quo. Keeping your home and job are the reality of life for the majority of people nationwide. Many homeowners who were looking to upgrade to a new home are now re-evaluating their existing lifestyle and current homes. Many are looking to extend their living space and re-create a home to entertain in and enjoy coming home to.

 

The backyard is an easy addition without having to go into replacing roof and mortar. Some opt for a wraparound or front porch. Many homes that have a porch will include a deck and outdoor kitchen. This creates a totally new entertaining area and cooking environment, opening up more space for more people. Enjoying the outdoor air and ambiance is good for you. Finding a place to relax in a natural environment is the oasis that many people desire and love sharing it with family and friends. The project can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. Whether simply a deck for a couple of chairs or a outdoor kitchen and entertainment area complete with tv, refrigerator, ice machine oven and fireplace, the value of the addition is definitely worth the cost.

 

There are many options for outdoor decking and patio material. The preferred material for many high quality homes is ipe. Ipe decking has seen increases in sales in the last decade due to it’s many outstanding properties. This super wood is one of the strongest woods available with a janka hardness of 3600 and a fire rating same as concrete and steel. Ipe requires no chemicals as it is naturally resistant to insects, mold, rot and fungus. The longevity of Ipe is minimum 40 years with no treatment to over 100 years with a UV inhibitor oil. There is no other decking material that will perform the way this wood does. Man made decking is still experiencing problems with delaminating, staining, warping and mold/fungus growth.

 

When investing into your outdoors, go with the proven leader for durability, beauty and longevity. Ipe hardwood decking will last years beyond your life and you won’t have to worry about it. Pay for the product not the marketing behind the product and if your concern is purchasing a green product than look at the FSC certified Ipe decking. This ensures you are purchasing lumber from a responsibly harvested forest with a future.

 

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Top 10 Ipe Decking Questions

Posted July 16th, 2009 in Decking Materials, Exotic Hardwoods, ipe, ipe decking by ipemadeira

 

 

IPE DECKING

 

 

Top 10 Ipe Decking Questions

 

 

What is Ipe Decking?

Ipe Decking is an all-natural hardwood that is responsibly harvested from the forests of South America and parts of Central America. It is an extremely dense, tight-grained hardwood. Generally the color is a deep rich brown with some pieces displaying red and amber hues. Ipe decking has the highest rating for insect and decay resistance, and is 8 times harder than California Redwood.

 

 

 

Where does Ipe Decking come from?

 

Ipe decking comes from a tree that grows through out South America. We pull the majority of our Ipe Decking out of Northern Brazil. Then it is shipped direct to one of our two locations in either Buffalo NY or Grover NC.

 

What dimensions do you stock in the Ipe Decking?

We carry a full line of decking surface products that we can offer in a standard decking plank, T&G for a cover application, or pregrooved decking for the Ipe Clip Hidden Fasteners. This includes 1×6, 1×4, 5/4×6, 5/4×4 and our own 1×6 Plus which is 2mm thicker than 1×6 decking. We also carry a full stock of dimensional lumber such as 2x material, which we carry from 2×2 to 2×12. We stock fascia material from 5/4×8 to 5/4×12 as well as raining accessories from two styles of railing to 4×4 and 6×6 post. We also operate two fully functional mills and can custom mill our Ipe Decking to customers exact needs.

Yes, Ipe Decking is Class A Fire Rated the same as concrete and steel. ASTM-E84 tested to National Fire Protection Code, Class A, Uniform Building Code, Class 1; Highest Rating.

 

 

What maintenance does Ipe Decking require?

 

 

Is Ipe Decking Fire Rated?

 

 

 

That’s up to the customer. Ipe Decking again is extremely dense and due to this requires no long-term maintenance. Ipe Decking if left untreated will fade in color to a silver gray patina color but will not splinter nor will it rot for at least 40+ years. If the customer is looking to have the Ipe Decking retain its color then we suggest applying Messmers U.V. Plus Natural For  DeckingHardwood. We suggest applying one coat once the deck is done again about 6-8 months later and then every other year after that or as needed as the decking losses color. We always suggest the customer applies at least one coat of Messmers U.V. Plus Natural for Hardwood Decking once the deck is completed, whether they where looking for the Ipe Decking to turn to that silver gray color or retain its color. This will help to ensure that the material will weather evenly.

How Often Does Messmers need to be applied?

 

Messmers U.V. Plus will need to be applied once the deck is done again 6-8 months later and then every other year after that depending on how much the material has faded in color.

 

Why do you suggest using the Messmers U.V. Plus?

 

We suggest using Messmers U.V. Plus Natural for Hardwood Decking, as this seems to be the best finish that we have found to work not only on our Ipe Decking but all of the Hardwood Decking products that we carry. Messmers U.V. Plus penetrates deep enough in to the material that it will not leave an oil residue on the surface of decking. Messmers hold the color of the decking products longer than most products on the market. We do carry this product as well and can ship this directly to your job site.

How is Messmers U.V. Plus applied?

 

Messmers U.V. Plus must be applied to a clean surface. We suggest rolling the Messmers on the decking with a 3/8″ nap paint roller. Then allow the material to sit for 10-15 min. Next look over the decking and if you see the Messmers U.V. Plus pooling in any area simply wipe it off with a dry rag. Allow the Messmers to dry for a full 24 hours. This must be applied on a dry day with a temperature of at least 50 degrees for 24 hours.

Can Ipe Decking Be Sealed Or Stained?

 

 

Ipe Decking cannot be sealed or stained, as the material is too dense and oily for a sealer to adhere to the surface, and will not accept a stain as the material again is extremely dense and has a very high oil content. Ipe Decking can have an oil finish applied with a U.V. Inhibitor which will hold the color of the decking and protect it from U.V. rays. The product that we suggest using is Messmers U.V. Plus Natural for Hardwood Decking.

 

How far can I span my joist’s?

That depends on the material that you are looking to use. With 1×6 and 1×4 you can span 16″ on center, with 5/4×4 and 5/x6 you can span 24″ on center, and with 2x material you can span 32″ on center. All of these recommendations will allow the customer to be at zero deflection.

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Wood is Good

Posted July 10th, 2009 in Decking Materials, Exotic Hardwoods, FSC, ipe, ipe decking, wood by ipemadeira
 

Wood has been a much needed resource for our ancestors for thousands of years. Trees provided wood to make fire for heat making winters bearable and for foods that would otherwise be hard to eat. Wood also was used for building homes. We have used wood for tools, to write on and for weapons. This renewable and sustainable resource has been and will continue to be one of mother natures’ most prized gift and our best choice for many uses.

 

This natural resource is biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient, durable, salvageable and beautiful. Wood uses less energy to process than steel, concrete, plastic and aluminum. It is used for insulation and has low thermal diffusivity (measure of how quickly a material can absorb heat from its surroundings). It supports and feeds the people who grow and process it. Sustainable forestry practices are now heavily enforced with companies like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and the Green Council. Ipe wood is one species that FSC has begun to regulate more heavily and it has benefited the Amazon by sustaining the forests for use and for living off for many indigenous people. Ipe along with Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood and many other hardwoods are being utilized for their strength, durability and longevity not to mention chemical free properties. Furniture, flooring and decking have long been made with wood and have lasted the test of time with minimal maintenance and chemicals. In addition, building with wood keeps us from digging up fossil fuels and manufacturing wood products make the least water and air pollution, solid waste and emission of gases.

 

Today we use all parts of the tree as even small pieces of the wood can be used in engineered wood products and paper. The great thing about wood is the tree it comes from is self sustained. It uses soil, air, carbon dioxide and water to grow and will decompose back to the earth in a renewable cycle as long as we use responsible forest management. The earth has provided a wonderful resource to help us shelter, feed and protect ourselves and with care we can help minimize use of non recyclable materials from filling our landfills and polluting our planet at the same time utilize what mother nature has given us. In other words, wood is good. Remember it can’t be duplicated and doesn’t need to be.

 

Tabebuia Spp. decking Brazilian Walnut aka Ipe

Ipe decking (Brazilian Walnut)

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Decking Choices & Differences

Posted June 30th, 2009 in Decking Materials, wood by ipemadeira
 

 

 

 

If you are reading this article, than you may be looking for a new deck. If this is the case, than you must be bombarded with the different choices that are available for decking material. There are three major competitors; treated lumber, composites and hardwood lumber. They all have their pro’s and con’s. When weighing out the differences you will see why the choice is easy. Ipe decking has superior qualities that make it easy for you.

 

Treated lumber is probably the cheapest choice. The problem is it is treated with chemicals that are harmful for the environment and most importantly for you and your family. The longevity of the treated woods is about 10-15 years with annual maintenance and may be less in the harshest environments. Splintering and rot are some complaints in as little as 2-3 years. This lumber will be relatively easy to install but will require sealing and regular maintenance.

 

Composite lumber is somewhat mid of the line and can be very high priced depending on manufacturer and color selection. This material is a combination of plastic composites and wood fibers. This product is heavily marketed as the big corporations are spending their money on pushing that composite decking requires no sealer and will last forever. These are false statements. Composite decking has a history of problems with staining and color fading. The wood fibers that are mixed in the plastic has an environment for mold and fungus growth and some decking products have warped with the heat exposure. De-lamination has been reported in as little as 9 months after installation. Warranty will only cover the materials thus creating more labor with removal and re-installation. As for maintenance, the warranty is not valid with out regular maintenance of the decking. Sealing the deck with a preservative would be the way to insure a resistance to fungus and mold.

 

Now let’s examine Ipe decking. Ipe wood is 3x’s as hard as oak with a fire rating class A same as concrete and steel and slip resistance rated above the coefficient of friction for commercial applications. The hardwood is so dense it is resistant to mold and fungus. No worries about chemicals, Ipe is also insect and rot resistant. Ipe has been used in several commercial application due to its strength and natural beauty. Those who have environmental concerns about deforestation can rest assured that there are governmental and private organizations that monitor forests specifically for practices and procedures. The forests in Brazil where Ipe is predominantly exported from has government implemented regulations that utilize selective harvesting and responsible forestry practices with severe penalties for forest owners that do not comply. FSC certified forests are now growing at a rapid rate and requires annual audits and compliance for responsible forestry. These types of systems in place will ensure that the forests stay in place rather than get burnt down for cattle gazing and agricultural cash cropping. This also ensures that jobs remain in place for the people that need them with the natural resources that they rely on. The life expectancy of Ipe decking is average 50 years with up to 100 years with maintenance. Pricing for this deck is more than treated lumber but when faced with having to replace and re-install in as little as 10 years, this hardwood is less expensive over time.

 

 

The choice is easy when comparing the information and when you look at the difference. Decking should be installed and than enjoyed for the lifetime of the home. Put something in you know will last, has no chemicals and you can enjoy without all the maintenance requirements.

 

 

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