IPE Wood

The species Tabebuia Serratifolia is a wood species commonly referred to as IPE (pronounced EE-pay.) It is an extremely dense Brazilian Hardwood used for a wide range of exterior applications. Known for its strength and durability, IPE decking is now becoming an industry standard.

Tested by underwriter laboratories, this remarkable species maintains a "Class A" fire rating by the NFPA and a "Class 1" by the UBC which is equivalent to that of concrete and steel. It also has a bending strength between 10,000 and 13,000 psi, which is sufficient for any commercial project requiring a natural wood at a smaller than nominal size to replace pressure treated or domestic species of wood. The Janka rating for IPE is 3460 while another popular species such as Red Oak only compares at a 1260. Longevity for not only commercial applications but by homeowners is always a serious concern.

IPE has demonstrated its resilience throughout numerous world renowned jobs and has stood the test of time being placed in such projects like the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey, Sea World of San Antonio, Treasure Island in Las Vegas, and even the Tiger Habitat for the Wichita, Kansas Zoo. The U.S. Forest Products Lab has rated IPE a life span of 25 or more years which should be of great assurance to the individual homeowner and commercial architect in regards to whether or not IPE would ever have to be replaced.

IPE features a wide range of colors and characteristics, from yellowish greens and reddish browns to dark browns that appear almost black. The numerous colors present in IPE help compliment the warm appearance of any natural wood while still providing the essential exotic look.

The IPE harvested is specifically Tabebuia Serratifolia (yellow flowered IPE) which can be quite different in both structural and mechanical characteristics than a lot of the other Tabebuia genera sold on the market today. Generally, our IPE is harder and more stable, which in turn gives better yield to our clientele. With that stated, using a carbide tipped blade for cutting and drilling is essential. A rapid blunting effect should be expected when cutting and keeping your blades and edges sharp is considered to be paramount. Stainless steel screws are the only type of fasteners that should be used whether by mounting through the face or from the side along with the hidden clip systems. Failure to do so will not only result in oxidation or rust from galvanized screws, but will also "bleed" black spots into the wood itself due to the chemical reaction caused by the moisture which will pass from the galvanized product into the wood and can spread throughout the board.

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Rain Forest Responsibility

Everwood Decking will only purchase IPE from Brazilian growers who harvest under the guidelines and techniques of sustainable yield forestry management as set forth by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

Technical Documents.

• IPE Basic Description
• IPE General Characteristics
• IPE Installation Guidelines
• IPE Structural and Decking Span Values
• IPE Comparison Charts
• IPE FAQ

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