Ipe Decking Mataverde® Premium
MATAVERDE® IPE HARDWOOD DECKING: THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN SUSTAINABLE DECKING
Mataverde® Ipe Decking
What is Ipe?
Ipe is a high density hardwood species that is native to much of Central and South America. The scientific name for Ipe is Tabebuia spp. (Lapacho group). Ipe has also been referred to as Brazilian Walnut. There are many subspecies of Ipe wood. The best subspecies of Ipe grow primarily in Northern Brazil. Ipe is so resistant to decay and insect resistance that it is the benchmark material for exterior hardwoods; all other decking wood and hardwood species are compared to Ipe. Ipe is such a resistant and durable species, Ipe wood has long been used for railroad ties, truck flooring, industrial flooring, boardwalks.
What's so special about Ipe decking?
Mataverde® Premium Ipe Decking is the ultimate decking solution for the discriminating user who wants the very best real natural wood deck. Ipe decking lasts longer than any decking products available and is absolutely beautiful. A deck built with Mataverde® Ipe Decking will provide you with many years of comfort, satisfaction and relaxation.
High density hardwood decking materials such as Ipe decking, Garapa, Cumaru and Machiche decking are not only the best wood decking materials available, they are truly the best decking material options available...without exception. Ipe decking outperforms every known decking material on earth. Ipe decking is undoubtedly the very best of the best decking materials.
There are and naturally distinguishing colorations, unique character marks and graining variations found in all real wood decking materials. Some decking wood species show more natural character than other woods. Mataverde® Premium Ipe Decking is one such spectacular exotic decking wood species.
Learn why Mataverde® Ipe decking is different than other Ipe decking materials.
How long Will Ipe Wood last?
Ipe is one of the longest lasting natural wood materials on earth. Ipe ages beautifully and gracefully. Mataverde Ipe lasts so long we are very comfortable offering a 25 year limited warranty against decay and insects for Mataverde® Ipe decking materials.
It is not common to see Ipe decking and other outdoor Ipe wood projects last for 40-50 years and longer. See for yourself how Ipe compares to other decking materials in a real life comparison. Follow the link to the Ipe video below.
Watch this Ipe decking video to see how remarkable a species Ipe decking really is. See how Ipe decking compares to other wood decking species after 15 years. You will be amazed!
What does Ipe wood look like?
Mataverde® Premium Ipe Decking displays a wide range of colors, fine graining and all-natural splendor. Very similar to the hardwood flooring inside your home, the inherent “figuring” of Ipe decking and Ipe lumber and varied appearance seen in many Ipe deck boards helps create a unique work of art on your Ipe hardwood deck.
Typically there will be a full spectrum of color ranges from tan to olive brown to reddish to dark browns with Ipe decking and Ipe lumber. The exotic graining and “striping” will differentiate every piece of Ipe decking on your deck. Like you see in a hardwood floor in a home, no two pieces of Ipe lumber or Ipe decking are ever exactly alike.
Installation of Ipe Wood Decking
Ipe is such a hard decking material, special techniques and fasteners have been developed to make installing Ipe decking better and faster than ever. There are several Ipe decking installation methods to choose from. The traditional method of installing Ipe decking is to pre-drill the Ipe deck boards and then fasten the Ipe decking with stainless steel screws to the deck joists.
Another faster installation method for Ipe decking is to use the Ejector screw. The Ejector screw securely fastens your Ipe decking to the deck joists without pre-drilling. If you do not wish to see screw heads exposed on your Ipe decking boards, a hidden fastener can be used. The Eb-Ty hidden fastener makes for a quick Ipe decking installation and for a beautiful Ipe deck that will last for many, many years to come.
Click here for installation techniques for Ipe Decking and other high density exterior hardwood decking species.
After installation of your Ipe decking material, a light sanding of your Ipe deck boards with 80 grit sandpaper and a coat of oil or wood stabilizer will ensure your ipe deck will age uniformly, gracefully and beautifully. If you wish to allow your Ipe deck and Ipe decking boards to mature with a naturally silver-gray patina, simply let nature do the work for you.
Care and Maintenance of your Ipe Decking
Ipe decking is a very low maintenance material. Keep debris and dirt off your Ipe deck with regular cleaning. Keeping your Ipe deck clean actually extends the life of the decking and looks beautiful at the same time.
If your desire is to keep the original coloration and appearance of your Ipe deck or other outdoor Ipe project, a coat of rosewood oil finish such as Penofin or similar product is highly recommended. An annual maintenance coat of the oil finish is suggested to maintain the original look of your ipe decking.
Natural weathering of Ipe decking develops a silvery patina making it a very low maintenance choice for Ipe decking material. |
A rosewood oil finish on your Ipe deck darkens and enhances the rich colors and natural graining of Ipe hardwood decking. |
Learn more about care and maintenance options for Ipe wood and Ipe decking.
Physical Characteristics of Mataverde® Ipe:
Mataverde® Ipe decking has natural resistances to shrinking, cracking, checking, twisting, cupping and splintering. Mataverde® Ipe decking is extremely hard and dense and resists all types of punishment. Ipe wood has the highest durability rating of any decking product on earth and is naturally decay resistant throughout all fibers of the wood. In addition to a Class A Fire Rating, Mataverde® Ipe decking exhibits the highest rated termite resistance and decay resistance of all decking materials.
Mechanical Properties of Ipe Wood
Ipe wood has a bending strength of 23,360 psi. Ipe wood has absolutely amazing strength. That means you would have to apply 23,360 pounds of pressure per square inch to break a piece of Ipe! That's one reason why Ipe has been called 'iron' wood. Ipe decking can outspan virtually every wood decking species on earth and still be very sturdy with minimal flex or "bounce" when you walk on an Ipe deck.
Ipe has a hardness of 3,280 lbs (more than triple the toughness of red oak). That's why Ipe wood has such amazing resistance to scratching or gouging. There simply is not a stronger decking material or lumber product than Ipe decking or Ipe lumber available to you. Ipe decking and Ipe lumber have excellent dimensional stability and minimum movement after manufacture. “Green” Ipe wood air-dries very quickly with a minimum amount of shrinkage or checking.
See additional properties of Ipe wood compared to other decking materials.
Mataverde Premium Ipe Decking
Mataverde Ipe high density hardwood decking is so hard and strong it is almost unbelievable how well Ipe decking holds up. Ipe decking is sustainable and has incredible durability. You may want to see for yourself just how durable Ipe decking truly is.
Check out this amazing article complete with pictures of Ipe decking and other wood decking decking species to see how Ipe hardwood decking looks after 15 years.