However, AtruWood takes pride in offering exceptional and comprehensive options. So, if you’re on the fence about which type of lumber might be the best decking material for your home, we’ve got a solution that will be the perfect fit. Here are a few important things to consider:

 Ipe Decking

Hailing from tropical forests in Central and South America, Ipe is wood species that makes a big statement.

• Characteristics: Dense, hard, and durable
• Look: Rich, deep brown or auburn coloring with fine to medium grain
• Climate Considerations: Ipe excels in moist, humid climates. It doesn’t do as well in dry environments. Use the Köppen climate classification system to determine if Ipe is right for your home.
• Other Things to Consider: Due to a spike in the demand for Ipe, there’s been an increase in unsustainable harvesting. Always purchase FSC-certified wood decking material to support responsible forestry.

Cedar Decking

Originating from AltruWood’s backyard, cedar has a distinctly Pacific Northwestern aesthetic. Its versatile nature and sustainable origins make it a great fit for most building projects.

• Characteristics: Low density, rot resistant, and lightweight
• Look: Robust, light brown coloring with pink or red undertones and rough grain
• Climate Considerations: Cedar is suitable for virtually any environment
• Other Things to Consider: Cedar is often considered a classic wood material. It delivers that quintessential look–unique grain, rich coloring, and graceful aging – that makes it quite versatile so you can use it for a wide range of projects.

If you’re anything like the Altruwood team, you’re excited for the warm spring weather and many hours of barbeque heading your way thanks to your new deck. Still have questions about which type of wood will work for your deck? Get in touch today.

Before we delve in, it’s important to answer a common question: “What is Ipe decking?” Ipe, which is often referred to as ‘Brazilian Walnut,’ is a hardwood found in South and Central America. The tree is known for its immense density and stands out as one of the hardest hardwoods on the market. Harder hardwoods have spiked in popularity in recent years, leading to dramatic deforestation. It’s essential to purchase FSC-certified Ipe in order to protect the sustainability of our planet’s forests.

Now, consider the following factors when deciding if Ipe wood decking is the perfect match for your home.

Climate: Ipe thrives in moisture-rich environments. It makes sense, too, since the wood hails from a tropical climate. While the Pacific Northwest and coastal regions are perfectly suited for the wood, it’s a good idea to choose another option if you live in a dry climate.

Hardness: The sheer density of Ipe – about three times harder than cedar – means that it is durable and rugged. It’s also resistant to insects and algal growth, making it one of the most solid woods. With proper care, you can count on your Ipe deck tiles to thrive for half a century or more. However, the hardness of this material can sometimes be problematic. You’ll need specialized equipment to drill holes in Ipe.

Beauty: Ipe has a deep, rich color that subtly shifts to silver as it weathers. These natural elements complement virtually any architectural style perfectly. However, due to a high concentration of tannic acid, Ipe doesn’t hold paint well. Thus, if you have dreams of a crisply painted porch, other wood options like cedar, or reclaimed hand hewn beams would work better. About 15% of the illegal forest trade is concentrated in this type of wood, so we’re happy to report our Ipe decking is responsibly harvested and sustainably managed. If you decide that this wood is the perfect fit for your deck, then make an investment in the wellbeing of our forests and commit to purchase FSC-certified lumber with us.

As you prepare for the task of installation, you probably have questions about what to expect. Here are answers to some of the most common wood floor installation questions we receive:

Q: Where can you install solid wood floors?

A: You can install solid wood floors in almost any room, as long as you follow a few guidelines. We don’t recommend installing wood floors in rooms that are below ground level, as the risk of moisture damage is too high. Other than that, we believe wood floors are a lovely and durable choice for any room in your home!

You may have heard that wood floors should not be installed in “wet” rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, but we respectfully disagree. As long as you take good care of it and mop up spills sooner rather than later, wood is a welcome change from linoleum or tile. Exotic hardwood like Ipe lends a serene, natural beauty to bathrooms, while reclaimed oak adds a warm, old-fashioned feeling to kitchens.

Q: What kind of subfloor do you need to install a solid wood floor?

A: We recommend a 1/4-inch thick plywood subfloor for installing solid wood floors. That doesn’t mean you should count yourself out if you have concrete subfloors in your home; you can glue down plywood over your concrete and then nail down your solid wood flooring over the plywood subfloor.

Q: How do I prepare for solid wood flooring installation?

A: First of all, prepare for a process that takes a week or more. Before your wood floor even arrives, you need to make sure that your subfloor is in good condition; use a level to make sure that there are no high or low spots, and sand accordingly if you discovery any. Walk around to check for loose spots or creaks, and then nail down any wiggly bits. Install a vapor barrier over your subfloor–this will keep moisture from wicking up from the ground and damaging your natural wood flooring.

When your wood flooring arrives, you need to spread it out in the room where it will be installed so that it can to acclimate before you can install it. This will take several days at least. It may be frustrating to wait now, but it will save you problems with boards warping later on. Acclimation time allows your wood, which is a natural, living product, time to adjust to the moisture level in your home.

Once all these steps are complete, then the installation can begin.

Q: How long will installing solid wood floors take?

A: That depends on a lot of factors. First, you have to prepare (see above) which takes several days. If you decide to install your wood flooring yourself, it may take longer than if you hire a team of professional installers. The National Wood Flooring Association estimates that a professional flooring crew can install 300 square feet of solid wood flooring per day, so your final time depends on the size of your room.

Staining, letting the stain dry, sealing, and letting the stain cure will take several days as well. Installing a solid wood floor will take at last a week, perhaps two or more, from start to finish.

Q: How long will my solid wood floor last?

A: Forever! Well, maybe not forever. But consider this: buildings that have been standing for 100 years or more are routinely dismantled because they are no longer useful in their current state. Guess what’s not worn out? Their wood floors! From old churches to old theaters to old gymnasiums, wood flooring is reclaimed and re-used every day. When you install solid wood flooring in your home, you are making an investment that will last for generations to come.

If you want help determining which type of solid wood floor would be best suited for your lifestyle, give us a call. At Altruwood, we call ourselves the wood experts because we truly enjoy talking about this stuff. Contact us today and we’ll guide you through the wood flooring installation process.

Here are snapshots of two tropical hardwood alternatives with just as much beauty and durability as Ipe.

FSC® Certified Jatoba

Jatoba grows in several South American regions. Jatoba’s grain is similar to Ipe’s interlocked stripe-like pattern. Jatoba deepens with age, featuring deep, warm, reddish tones. Jatoba’s signature coloring gave way to the moniker, Brazilian Cherry (though not a cherry tree).

Jatoba’s Janka hardess is 2350, making it difficult to saw, shape, and nail with standard steel tools – carbide tools are recommended. To compare, Jatoba is 35% less hard than Ipe (3684) and 40% harder than White Oak (1360).

Though Jatoba is difficult to work with, this wood has fair gluing and staining properties, unlike Ipe. Jatoba is also naturally bug-resistant but should be finished and routinely maintained to prevent premature weathering and decay in outdoor applications.

Jatoba’s hardness makes it a durable choice for residential and commercial flooring, decking, and furniture. Jatoba is also hardy enough for shipbuilding, railroad ties, and outdoor furniture.

AltruWood-ism tip: On a budget? FSC® Certified Jatoba is usually less expensive than FSC® Certified Ipe.

FSC® Certified Mahogany

There are several wood species that go by Mahogany; however, Honduran Mahogany is the only true species of Mahogany. Honduran Mahogany is naturally found in the Latin Americas.

Honduran Mahogany or Genuine Mahogany has a variety of grain patterns – straight, interlocked, or wavy – and darkens from a pale pink brown to a red brown with age. Finished Honduran Mahogany features an iridescent quality when viewed from different angles, a phenomenon called chatoyancy.

Honduran Mahogany is easy to work with because it is less dense than Jatoba and Ipe. Honduran Mahogany has a Janka hardness of 800. Honduran Mahogany is a sound choice for furniture-making and cabinetry – this wood sands, stains, and glues well. However, Honduran Mahogany should be finished and routinely maintained to preserve its coloring and prevent premature decay and insect attacks.

If Honduran Mahogany is unavailable, consider African Mahogany which grows naturally in west tropical Africa. African Mahogany has a Janka hardness of 830, slightly harder than Honduran Mahogany (800), but just as easy to work with.

African Mahogany also shares the similar grain patterns, red brown tones, and chatoyancy effect characteristic of Honduran Mahogany. African Mahogany is resistant to some pests like termites but not all insects, so it should be finished and routinely maintained to withstand weathering and decay.

The only similarity that Santos Mahogany shares with Honduran Mahogany is where it grows, starting in southern Mexico and on through Central America and South America. Though Santos Mahogany features rich red brown and deep burgundy tones, Santos Mahogany is not related to the Mahogany wood species. Santos Mahogany has a Janka hardness of 2200, nearly three times denser than Honduran Mahogany.

Like Ipe, Santos Mahogany features an interlocked grain pattern, is hard to work, and proves extremely durable in indoor and outdoor applications – it is decay-resistant and yields some insect-resistant.

AltruWood-ism: Ask your FSC® Certified vendor about their FSC® Certified Mahogany they carry along with the other tropical wood alternatives to FSC® Certified Ipe.

Here’s a recap of what the WSJ had to say about Ipe’s durability and performance. We added a few tidbits toward the end, too.

Ipe Origin + Qualities

Ipe (EE-pay) or Brazilian Walnut is harvested in Central America and South America. Ipe’s Janka hardness is 3684, more than three times the Janka hardness of Western Red Cedar. Ipe wood does not float in water unlike most woods. Ipe wood is also fire-resistant – Ipe does not burn nor smoke.

Ipe Applications

Ipe wood is commonly used in exterior applications such as Ipe siding and Ipe decking. One of the most famous Ipe decks is New York’s Coney Island boardwalk (hit hard but still recognizable after Hurricane Sandy). Ipe flooring is a popular choice for interior applications, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.

Advantages of Ipe

Ipe’s lifespan is easily 25 years with minimal maintenance. Go ahead and add another 25 years when regular maintenance is performed on this hardwood.

Ipe also produces an oil that bugs detest, making it bug-resistant. Ipe is rot-resistant and mildew-resistant, too.

Disadvantages of Ipe

Ipe is difficult to drill, saw, and nail with standard steel tools. Expect dull blades and blunt edges on standard tools – a woodworker’s nightmare. Painters won’t have much luck either because of Ipe’s resistant-to-nearly-everything properties.

Another disadvantage of Ipe results from commercial demand. Illegal Ipe harvesting and unauthorized Ipe distribution leads to unsustainable forestry and shoddy business practices for local communities.

Rely on FSC certified wood distributors who support sustainable forestry. If you’re unsure about your wood vendor’s forestry practices, be sure to ask to support responsible forestry efforts.

AltruWood-ism: Do you live in an Ipe-friendly climate? Check out the 5 Climate Controls Tips for Ipe Decking to find out.

Ipe has dressed some of the nation’s most iconic decks, such as NYC’s Coney Island Boardwalk – which lasted for 25 years before needing replacement.

Thanks to a big branding campaign in the 1980s, word about Ipe’s indestructibility in everything from furniture to bridge beams spread like wildfire. As a result it has been the pick of the lumber litter ever since. However, there’s a downside to all the warranted hype and hoopla this tropical hardwood gets—there’s not enough Ipe supply to meet Ipe demand.

With Ipe shortages come rising costs, increased lodging concerns, and forest sustainability issues. However, by diversifying our hardwood choices we can slow the Ipe shortage and encourage forest sustainability.

Support sustainability and buy FSC® Certified Jatoba or FSC® Certified Mahogany

There are other tropical hardwood alternatives to Ipe, such as Jatoba and Mahogany. Both tropical hardwoods are just as stable and just as pretty as our masked avenger Ipe.

FSC® Certified Jatoba shares a similar stripe-like grain to Ipe, though Jatoba is lighter in color with its rich orange-brown tones. On a side note, Jatoba is also called Brazilian Cherry because its color resembles the reddish brown tones on domestic cherry-stained furniture.

Jatoba’s Janka hardness is 2350, sitting comfortably at the stronger end of the scale. Although it is 35% less hard than Ipe (3684), Jatoba is 40% harder than White Oak (1360). Like Ipe, Jatoba’s applications are just as varied: railroad ties, tool handles, and flooring. And Jatoba is rot and bug resistant, making it a sound choice for durable decking.

One more thing—you’ll find Jatoba a bit more budget-friendly compared to Ipe.

FSC® Certified Mahogany is another alternative to Ipe. There are several tropical types of Mahogany, some yielding a higher Janka hardness than others.

Santos Mahogany, harvested in Central and South America, has a Janka hardness of 2200. Though it looks like Mahogany with rich reddish brown and burgundy shades, Santos Mahogany is not true Mahogany – it is denser and harder to work with unlike traditional Mahogany hardwoods.

Honduran Mahogany is related to the Mahogany family. Its Janka hardness is 800, still a durable hardwood resistant to decay yet easier to work with compared to Jatoba or Ipe.

Other hardwoods that are included in the Mahogany group include African Mahogany and Philippine Mahogany. Ask your FSC® Certified vendor about FSC® Certified Mahogany and its tropical wood alternatives to FSC® Certified Ipe. 

A quick web search on Ipe turns up topics on its superior fire-rating and mildew-resistance. In 2008, Consumer Reports lauded Ipe number one in decking – you can find it on the Coney Island boardwalk, in SeaWorld, and around the Statue of Liberty. However, there are a few climate issues to be aware of before choosing Ipe decking.

Las Vegas Ipe fiasco

A number of years ago, some Vegas casino bigwigs caught wind of Ipe’s indestructibility and deemed the tropical hardwood hardy enough for their boardwalks. What they didn’t bank on was that this Ironwood wouldn’t be able to take the heat for too long. A major boardwalk overhaul had to be done a few years after installation… Ouch! Needless to say, Ipe that performs well in one part of the world may not make the mark in another.

5 climate control tips for Ipe decking

1. Use the Koppen climate method to find out if Ipe is right for your climate type. There are five major climate types based on the Koppen climate method. Ipe is a tropical hardwood harvested in tropical climates and performs well in moisture-rich climates, but not so well in arid climates.

2. Ipe decking needs to have high moisture content for it to remain stable outdoors. Moisture content between 14% and 18% prevents the Ipe decking from warping. When purchasing Ipe, ask for air-dried instead of kiln-dried decking.

Air-dried Ipe decking sustains its moisture, making it immune to climate variations. If Ipe is kiln-dried, moisture is lost. Kiln-dried Ipe decking ends up dry, thirsty, and less stable – this type of Ipe decking would soak up moisture too quickly in wet climates or become parched too soon in dry climates. In both climates, the kiln-dried Ipe’s stability is compromised.

3. Acclimatization is also important. Let your air-dried Ipe decking acclimatize for 14 – 21 days in the same area as the jobsite. Keep Ipe out of the sun and in an area with good ventilation. It’s not uncommon for decking to expand or contract as much as ¼” during acclimatization.

4. Proper installation design prolongs the stability of Ipe decking. When ground level decks are designed with side ventilation, the decking boards have room to breathe, expanding and contracting with temperature changes.

5. To prevent Ipe decking from splitting at the ends, seal the boards. Sealant acts a barrier to keep excess moisture out, further ensuring Ipe decking stability.

Want to go green? AltruWood’s FSC Certified Tropical Hardwood Ipe decking is a sustainable option.