Ipe Wood For the Great decking A lot of people that are thinking about buying outdoor furniture recognize that in a couple of years they will be doing this once again because most products simply don't fare well when confronted with the elements. That's why choosing furniture created using Ipe wood makes such good sense. Ipe products are long-lasting and wear extremely well. The original investment produced in Ipe products pays for itself because this can be a purchase that truly only must be manufactured once in a lifetime. That is simply something that can not be said for many outdoor products. Ipe wood products are very durable due to the wood that they are constructed. Ipe is really a tropical hardwood with properties which are just like Teak wood but at a portion of the cost. The botanical name for Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is Tabebuia spp. (Lapacho group). Other common names because of it include Brazilian Walnut, Amapa, Cortex, and Ironwood. It is ipe decking located primarily in Central and South America as well as some areas of Asia. This exotic hardwood is naturally resistant to rot and insects. The trees themselves generally grow to about 100 feet in height, with a naturally straight grain. The grain can also be extremely tight, giving the wood incredible density. Ipe wood is indeed dense so it actually sinks in water. Tests conducted by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory give it the highest rating for insect resistance - 15 years in the floor without attack by termites. Left untreated Ipe wood is proven to last 40+ years, the lifespan, when treated with deck oil placed on the outer lining, is around 100 years. This really is one type of patio furniture that you won't need certainly to worry about replacing anytime soon. Although Ipe is utilized in outdoor furniture construction, that's not its only use. Ipe wood is employed for decking as well. When Atlantic City needed to restore its famous boardwalk, Ipe wood was chosen for the job. The Treasure Island Resort in Las Vegas used Ipe as well for the boardwalk. Beyond insect and rot resistance, Ipe wood can also be extremely fire resistant. For the Flame Spread (10 min) test given by the National Fire Protection Code, Ipe received a rating of 0, this is the same rating as concrete. Another asset when working with Ipe wood for decking is its natural slip resistance. Ipe decking exceeds the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for Static Coefficient for friction in a damp environment. This is very important when used around swimming pools and other places that tend to stay wet. Ipe wood can be a renewable resource. Reputable companies coping with Ipe wood harvest the trees from managed forests to ensure a minimal affect the environment. Aggressive replanting programs exist to ensure Ipe wood is truly a renewable resource and harvesting is performed in an ecologically responsible manner. Ipe wood is no endangered species and much of the Ipe wood for sale in the United States is harvested through sustainable forestry practices, which offer the best remedy for exploitative deforestation. So if you are trying to find outdoor furniture that'll hold its looks and value for decades or decking for that new patio so the family can enjoy the great outdoors for many summers to come, products produced from Ipe wood are a great value. It's an investment that you can feel well about making.
Ronnie Tanner is really a contributing writer at Everlasting Hardwoods. He writes about Ipe decking and other related industry-specific topics for Everlasting Hardwoods