MataverdeDecking.com Blog

Ipe Decking vs. other Wood Decking Species

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Fifteen years ago, we took all the wood decking species that were available at the time and built a small "test deck" with sample pieces of each decking species.  We then took the wood deck and placed it outdoors to weather on its own and see what would happen to each species over time.  Check it out...the results are astonishing!

We chose only the finest quality decking boards of:

• California Redwood decking, all heartwood, clear vertical grain
• Douglas Fir decking , clear vertical grain
• Genuine "Swetenia" Mahogany decking (not the lower quality pseudo-mahogany decking so commonly found today)
• Red Cedar decking, clear vertical grain
• Pressure treated yellow pine decking, clear vertical grain
• Ipe hardwood decking

The photo of the wood decking species shown below was taken in 2008 after twelve years of exposure to New England weather conditions.  No sealers, paint or stains were placed on any of the wood decking species.  All the deck boards were left to weather naturally.  As you can plainly see, not all wood decking species are created equally.

 After twelve years of exposure:

• The pressure treated yellow pine decking and western red cedar decking were severely structurally deteriorated exhibiting significant cracking, checking, splitting and rotting.
• The Douglas Fir decking was splitting, checking, “wicking” moisture at the end grains and starting to rot.
• The California Redwood decking (all heartwood, clear vertical grain), which is no longer readily available, showed some checking, some cracking, mildew and trace amount of rotting.
• The genuine Mahogany decking was cracked, checked and cupped more than 3/16”.
• The Mataverde Ipe decking was the only species of wood that handled the elements gracefully. The Ipe decking showed no signs whatsoever of splitting, checking, rotting or cracking.  It appeared to be as strong and unaffected by the elements as the day it was installed.

If you would like to see what this wood decking test looks like after 15 years, click below: