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Brazilian Redwood - Massaranduba Bamboo |
IPE Lumber |
IPE is an incredibly durable Brazilian
Hardwood rated by the US Forest Lab
for 25 years plus. Naturally resistant
to fire (rated class A by the NFPA or
class 1 by the UBC) insects, moisture,
and movement, IPE (16-20%) is perfect
for exterior commercial and residential
applications such as decking, docks,
or exterior furniture. In service for
over 25 years from Diner Key Marina
in Miami, to the Atlantic City Boardwalk,
IPÊ has proven durability. It
can be sealed to maintain its natural
beauty or it can be allowed to weather
to be a beautiful silver gray.
 IPE
is available in a variety of standard
dimensional lumber sizes and can be
used for entire projects. It is easily
cut with standard carbide tipped blades
but requires pre-drilling and screwing
with stainless steel screws. Hidden
fastening systems are also available.
Standard decking size is 4/4 material
(net 3/4" thickness) not 5/4 or
8/4 and on 24" centers the 4/4
material will provide a 100 lb live
load rating far surpassing any cedar,
redwood or CCA pressure treated material.
It has a hardness rating of 3640 Janka,
almost 3 times that of northern Red
Oak at 1260 Janka. IPE wood also resists
surface checking and is naturally resistant
to molds, which are the two most destructive
forces to the face of decks.
When compared to other decking materials
such as redwood, cedar, or copper chromium
arsenate pressure treated materials,
IPE gives longer life (3-5 times the
life span), stronger resistance to fire,
weather, insects and movement and is
competitively priced with high grades
of cedar and redwood. If you compare
the one time cost of IPE to the 3-5
times you replace other materials over
the life span of IPE, the value of IPE
becomes very clear!
IPE wood is a great choice for decking
and exterior usage.
IPE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Tabebuis spp. (Lapacho Group)
Ipe, Bethabara, Lapacho,
Family: Bignoniaceae
Other Common Names: Amapa (Mexico), Cortez (Honduras,, Nicaragua, Costa Rica), Guayacan (Panama), Guayacan polvillo (Columbia), Flor Amarillo (Venezuela), Greenhart (Surinam), Madera negra (Ecuador), Tahuari (Peru), IN (Brazil), Lapacho negro (Paraguay, Argentina).
Distribution: Throughout continental tropical America and some of the Lesser Antilles.  The Tree grows on a variety of sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests.
The Tree: May grow to 140 to 150 ft in height with trunk diameter of 6 ft. Frequently to heights of 100 ft and diameters of 2 to 3 ft. Boles are clear to 60 ft and more, with or without buttresses.
IPE Wood: Heartwood olive brown to blackish,
often with lighter or darker striping,
often covered with a yellow powder:
sharply demarcated from the whitish
or yellowish sapwood. Texture fine to
medium; luster low to medium; grain
straight to very irregular; rather oily
looking; without distinctive odor or
taste.
Weight: Basic specific gravity (oven dry weight/green volume) 0.85 to 0.97; air-dry density 66 to 75 pcf.
Drying and Shrinkage: Generally reported to air-dry with only slight checking and
warping. Kiln schedule T3-C 1 is suggested for 4/4 stock. Shrinkage green to oven dry:
radial 6.6%; tangential 8.0%; volumetric 13.2%. Movement after manufacture is rated as small.
Working Properties: Moderately difficult to work especially with hand tools; has a blunting Effect on cutting edges, finishes smoothly except where grain is very roey. The fine yellow dust produced in most operations may cause dermatitis in some workers.
Durability: Heartwood is very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites; not resistant to Marine borers. T. guayacan, however, is reported to have good resistance in Panama waters.
Preservations: IPE wood is reported
to be extremely resistant to preservation
treatments.
Uses: Outdoor furniture and decking, turnery, shingles, home siding as well as railroad crossties, tool handles, industrial flooring, textile mill items, decorative veneers, and more.
Get an IPE decking quote today.
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"J&W’s a local company, 50 years in Southern California, so you know they’re committed to the community. They’ll actually help you out with your projects. Good company, great products, friendly people…what a philosophy…why go anywhere else."
RJ, El Cajon, CA |
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"I build fences
and patio covers for a living. J&W has quality Redwood, Cedar and
Doug Fir lumber that is a notch above everyone elses. That is what you get
from people that have specialized in outdoor building products for 50
years. They care."
J.C., La Mesa, CA |
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"My wife and I
were really undecided on our backyard improvements. We had talked to so
many people. Finally we got the straight scoop from the people at J&W.
They recommended the right product, helped draw up the plans, and even
gave us the phone number of a local contractor. Totally painless for me,
and my neighbors think I am a genius. Thanks J&W!"
John B., San Diego, CA |
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"We just finished replacing an old deck with brand new composite decking. It changed our whole yard. There were so many choices, but the guys at J&W Lumber helped narrow it down and we got exactly what we wanted. We're thrilled with the way it came out."
Carole, Pt. Loma, CA |
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