Ipe Hardwood Characteristics & Span Values

Ipe (EE-pay) is an incredibly durable Brazilian Hardwood, and is rated by the US Forest Lab for 25 years plus, which is the highest rating they offer. This hardwood is perfect for exterior commercial and residential applications such as decks, docks, siding, or exterior furniture. From Dinner Key Marina in Miami to the Coney Island Boardwalk in New York City, Ipe has proven durability. It can be sealed to maintain its natural beauty or weather to a beautiful silver gray.

Ipe resists surface checking and is naturally resistant to molds, which are the two most destructive forces to decks and other exterior projects. When compared to other decking materials such as redwood, cedar, or pressure treated materials, Ipe lasts longer and is naturally more resistant to fire, weather, insects, moisture and movement. If you compare the one time cost of Ipe to the 3-5 times you need to replace other materials over the lifespan of Ipe, the value of this tropical hardwood becomes clear!

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IPE

Characteristics Common Name(s) Ipe (ee-pay), Ironwood, Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho Scientific Name Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia) Distribution Tropical Americas (Central and South America) Tree Size 100-130 ft. tall with a 2-4 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Heartwood can vary in color from reddish brown, to a more yellowish olive brown or darker blackish brown; sometimes with contrasting darker brown/black stripes. In certain species, there are powdery yellow deposits within the wood. Ipe can be difficult to distinguish visually from Cumaru, another dense South American timber, though Ipe tends to be darker, and lacks the subtle yet characteristic vanilla/cinnamon scent while being worked.

Grain/Texture Has a fine to medium texture, with the grain varying from straight to irregular or interlocked. Moderate natural luster.

Endgrain Diffuse-porous; solitary and radial multiples; medium to large pores in no specific arrangement, moderately numerous to numerous; tyloses and mineral/gum deposits occasionally present; parenchyma unilateral, winged, and marginal; narrow rays, spacing normal; ripple marks present.

Rot Resistance Rated as very durable; excellent insect resistance, though some species are susceptible to marine borers. Superb weathering characteristics.

Workability Overall, Ipe can be a difficult wood to work, being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance during sawing. Ipe also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain can tear out on interlocked areas. Also, Ipe can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the natural powdery yellow deposits can sometimes interfere with polishing or finishing the wood.

Odor Ipe has a mild scent while being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ipe has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms, and/or disturbance of vision.

Sustainability Ipe is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, Ipe species grow in very low densities, with mature trees only occurring once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet (3 to 10 hectares) of forest area. This necessitates the clearing of large sections of rainforest trees (most of which are of little commercial value). Though uncommon, certified sources of Ipe are occasionally available.

Uses Flooring, decking, siding, soffits, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects.

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IPE

Span Values

DECKING Nominal Size

40 psi

50 psi

60 psi

100 psi

1x4

32”

30”

28”

24”

1x6

38”

34”

32”

28”

5/4x6

42”

38”

36”

32”

2x6

62”

58”

56”

48”

*Includes dead load of 10 lbs/sf

STRUCTURAL Timber Size

Joist Spacing

2x6

Live Load Rating 40 lbs/sf

50 lbs/sf

100 lbs/sf

18”

11’ 4”

10’ 8”

8’ 8”

2x6

24”

9’ 11”

9’ 4”

7’ 7”

2x6

32”

9’ 0”

8’ 5”

6’ 11”

2x8

18”

15’ 5”

14’ 6”

11’ 10”

2x8

24”

13’ 6”

12’ 8”

10’ 4”

2x8

32”

12’ 3”

11’ 6”

9’ 5”

2x10

18”

19’ 7”

18’ 5”

15’ 0”

2x10

24”

17’ 1”

16’ 1”

13’ 2”

2x10

32”

15’ 6”

14’ 7”

11’ 11”

2x12

18”

23’ 8”

22’ 3”

18’ 2”

2x12

24”

20’ 8”

19’ 6”

15’ 11”

2x12

32”

18’ 9”

17’ 8”

14’ 5”

*Includes dead load of 10 lbs/sf HARDWOODS

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