Ipe Wood Decking Option:
Wood Property Comparison
(ipe tech data, ipe wood decking comparison with other wood
decking options, in common usage for exterior decking applications)
| Property |
Ipe
Lumber |
W.Red
Cedar |
Pressure
Treated |
Bending Strength
(psi) |
22,560 |
7,500 |
14,500 |
Hardness
(lbs) |
3,600 |
580 |
690 |
| specific gravity |
1.06 |
.32 |
|
| Durability of Wear Surface |
Extremely hard & dense |
Very soft surface that scratches &
dents easily |
Soft surface. Typical knots &
imperfections result in poor surface condition and
appearance. |
| Decay & Insect Resistance |
highest natural rating for rot &
insect resistance with NO treatment -rated by the
US Forest Lab for 25+ years |
Only the highest grade of Heartwood
is rated "acceptable", sapwood & second growth
is significantly less decay/insect resistant. |
Impregnated with toxic chemicals.
Knots may not be thoroughly treated and may be more
likely to rot or be destroyed by insects. |
| Preser-vatives |
does not accept preservative well |
application of chemical preservative
recommended |
treated chemically, usually warrantied
for 20-30 years |
| Looks |
Solid hardwood look with little or
no knots, long lengths, very refined look. Resistant
to shrinking, splintering, twisting, cupping, and
checking. |
Rustic softwood appearance. Lesser
grades contain knots Resistant to splintering, twisting,
cupping and checking |
Very rustic appearance Pressure treating
increases brittleness and makes pine more susceptible
to splintering, shrinking, and checking. |
| Weathering |
Turns to a soft silver patina with
time. Little/no maintenace. |
Difficult to maintain original color.
If left natural, blackens and grays. |
Weathers to a pale green, with knots
showing strongly |
| Fastening |
Superior fastening with stainless
steel screws or nails. Will not pull loose or pop-up. |
Galvanized nails often split wood,
starting decay from water penetration. Tannic acid
may react with galvanized nails, corroding fasteners
& causing black stains. Nails can pop up |
Galvanized nails often split wood,
causing decay from water penetration. Chemical treatment
may react with nails, corroding fasteners and causing
black stains. Nails can pop up. |
| Other |
Extremely strong. Natural fire resistance:
Class A-1 NFPA and UBC |
Limited strength. Burns easily |
Copper chromated arsenate treatment
is toxic and banned in many areas. Splinters and
saw dust should be avoided. Not for use around pools,
except as substracture. Burning produces toxic fumes. |
|
much of this information is from the USDA Forest Products
Laboratory Wood Handbook
Link to: comparative
study by US Forestry Laboratory on durability of various woods
for the full study results.
|
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US Forestry Service
See the link below for the complete study done by the
US Forestry Service Research Branch comparing many different
wood species
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Products, specifications, and techniques shown
are meant as a guide to better understanding for the designer, builder,
and/or homeowner.
Owners of this site assume no liability for and
makes no claim to the suitability of any products or information
shown, other than to report history of usage, and sharing of knowledge
from others.
It is the sole responsibility of the owner or installer
to adequately test for product suitability and application method
for a particular installation.
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