Ipe Decking Mataverde® Premium

MATAVERDE® IPE HARDWOOD DECKING: THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN SUSTAINABLE DECKING

Mataverde® Ipe Decking

What is Ipe Wood?

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. Ipe is also known by several trade names including Iron Wood, Pau Lope and others. 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 has become the benchmark material for all exterior hardwoods; all other decking wood and hardwood species are compared to Ipe. Ipe is such a resistant and durable species that 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 wood natural 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.

Ipe wood is naturally hard and abrasion resistant, that's why Ipe has been used on high traffic projects like boardwalks and esplanades for years.

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 hardwood decking species.

Learn why Mataverde® Ipe decking is different than other Ipe decking materials.

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, quartersawn figuring and “striping” will differentiate every piece of Ipe decking on your deck. Like you would see in a hardwood floor in a home, no two pieces of Ipe lumber or Ipe decking are ever exactly alike.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video to see a range of the graining variations and colors of Mataverde Ipe wood decking.

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 and wood siding materials. 

It is not uncommon to see Ipe decks and other outdoor projects made from Ipe wood 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!

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 allow your Ipe to acclimate and let nature do the work for you.

Physical Characteristics of Mataverde® Ipe:

Mataverde® Ipe decking has natural resistances to shrinking, cracking, checking, twisting, cupping and splintering. Mataverde® Ipe decking is extremely stable, 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.

Mataverde® Ipe has a Class A fire rating. The natural fire resistance of Ipe wood, makes it a great choice for decks that are near fire pits, chimneys, chimineas, charcoals grills and more. Cigar and cigarette burns are not a problem with Ipe decking.

The high density of Ipe decking makes Ipe the highest rated decking material option for termite resistance and decay resistance.

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 3,680 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 a sustainable decking material 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.

Mataverde Ipe Decking and Siding Has a Class A Fire Rating. Mataverde Ipe hardwood decking and siding has been tested and surpasses E-84 flame spread and smoke requirements for Class A fire rating. This gives our Ipe decking and siding a Class A fire rating.

The ASTM testing conducted on the Mataverde Ipe hardwood decking and siding meets the same requirements as the IBC (International Building Code) and the ANSI/NFPA (Amercian National Standards Institute/National Fire Protection Association) for a Class A fire rating.

Download Mataverde Ipe Decking and Siding Class A Fire Testing results here.

Learn more about Ipe wood and Ipe projects by clicking the link below:

Check out Ipe deck and Ipe project pictures by clicking below:

Learn how Ipe decking compares to other wood decking materials and wood decking products. Click below:

See how Ipe decking compares to synthetic decking materials including composite decking by clicking below:

Mataverde Ipe Hardwood Decking Features

• Ipe decking is olive brown to reddish and blackish tones.
• Ipe decking and Ipe wood lumber often exhibit a wide range of character and striping.
• Ipe wood decking ages to a pale silvery gray tone if left natural
• Ipe hardwood is extremely strong, durable and stable
• Ipe wood has excellent resistance to termites and decay
• Ipe wood decking has natural slip resistance
• Ipe decking, siding and Ipe lumber have a Class A Fire rating
• Density of Ipe wood is 1.04 g/cm3 (actually sinks in water)
• Ipe wood has a hardness of 3,680 (making Ipe more than 2.8 x harder than white oak)
• Ipe wood is so strong and durable, it was selected for use in the construction of the Panama Canal
• Ipe wood is so scratch resistant it has been used for boardwalks throughout the world
• Mataverde Ipe wood is harvested using eco-friendly, sustainable yield forestry guidelines

Check out other Mataverde® Hardwood Decking Species:

Mataverde High Density Hardwood Ipe Decking

• Over 2,000,000 feet of Ipe, Cumaru and Garapa decking in stock
• Your choice of Ipe, Cumaru or Garapa wood species
• Ipe lumber and Ipe decking are environmentally responsibly harvested
• Ipe decking and Ipe lumber are available FSC Certified
• Many Ipe decking sizes, Ipe wood deck accessories, Ipe lumber and Ipe timbers available
• Ipe decking is very stable, consistent and highly durable
• Ipe wood is free of toxic preservatives
• Virtually maintenance free option for your Ipe deck
• Ipe is up to five times harder than pine, cedar and redwood
• 25-year insect and decay resistant warranty for Mataverde Ipe decking
• Ipe decking is competitively priced and is a terrific long term investment
• Mataverde Ipe decking lasts...and lasts beautifully

• Articles about Ipe decking
• Ipe Decking Compared to other decking materials
• Articles about Ipe Lumber and Ipe Wood

Mataverde Ipe Decking and Ipe Lumber Stock List

All Mataverde Ipe wood products including Ipe decking, Ipe timbers and Ipe lumber are available by one of two sustainable yield forestry harvesting methods: FSC (Forest stewardship Council) or IBAMA/SEMA harvesting methods.

Ipe Decking Sizes

Ipe Decking Accessories

Ipe Boards

Ipe Dimensional Lumber

Ipe Beams, Ipe Posts, Ipe Timbers

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.