Ipe delivers for looks, strength and durability.

IPE. Our first choice for outdoor projects is Ipe (“ee-pay”). It’s the best natural decking material on the market and one of the strongest woods in the world. It is also the most stable of all the durable hardwoods on the market.

Also known as Ironwood or Brazilian Walnut, Ipe is typically found in South and Central America. Colors range from light to dark olive brown, with variations that add character, such as greens, reds and yellows. Ipe has been used on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk and on parts of the iconic boardwalk at Coney Island.

View some of the many benefits of Ipe

Ipe

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Ipe:

• Highly resistant to mildew, decay, borers and termites


• Smooth surface, splinter free, low maintenance


• US Forest Products Lab rating: 25-year life; proven 75+ year life


• Highly scratch and slip resistant


• 2X–3X stronger than white oak; 8X harder than California redwood


• Same Fire Class A rating as concrete and steel


• Favored for commercial exterior construction


• Requires no additional treatments or preservatives for use in-ground contact


• Dries with minimal checking, twisting or bow


• When left untreated, it will fade to a silver grey and is susceptible to staining.  However with a deck wash and penetrating oil stain, the decking can closely return to its original, appealing color

Other decking material choices

PVC. For customers who don’t want to use natural wood, our second choice would be PVC which offers excellent resistance to color change and staining and will not rot.

Read more about PVC

PVC

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PVC:

• Appearance has greatly improved – though still is somewhat plastic in appearance, some products more closely resemble real wood


• PVC is nonporous and easy to clean without harsh chemicals


• Improvements have raised PVC prices nearer to the cost of Ipe


• Some products get very hot in the sun, making them uncomfortable to walk on


• Strength can be an issue; projects usually need additional framing and can eventually sag


• PVC expands in the heat and contracts in the cold

COMPOSITES. Combines PVC and up to 50 percent wood fibers.

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Composite

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Composites:

• Wide variety of composite decking products


• Stronger than PVC-only decking, and additional framing is not generally necessary


• Cap stock composites are made with a polymer or plastic-based shell surrounding a wood-plastic core for durability and water resistance


• Cap stock’s additional layer also reduces color fade, scratching and staining


• The amount of cap stock varies among products; some are fully enclosed, some with three sides, and some without


• Even with cap stock, end cuts remain susceptible to water penetration and its potential for mushrooming and rot


• Decking can fade and also produce mildew and mold


• Can also become hot under foot in direct sunlight

Connectors and Fasteners

No matter which material you choose, we use only the highest quality connectors and stainless steel deck screws.