What is IPE Wood?

Expert IPE wood decking restoration and maintenance services in Chicago

IPE wood decking

Understanding IPE Wood

Ipe wood, aka Brazilian hardwood, is an exotic wood from South America. It is about five times harder and almost twice as dense as most local woods.

In fact, ipe is three times harder than cedar and has the same fire rating as steel and concrete. It makes Ipe boards resistant to rot, mold, surface scratches, and even fire.

How is Ipe Wood Used?

Because of its durability, and comparably low maintenance, IPE lumber is becoming a popular choice for outdoor and indoor applications. From decking to siding to flooring, ipe wood is widely used for residential and commercial applications.

Ipe Decking

Ipe wood decking is one of the most popular applications for this amazing material. You could call it a "Gold Standard" for natural hardwood decking. Known for their durability, ipe decking boards easily outlast any other hardwood and have a beautiful mahogany or walnut look. It is excellent for long-lasting residential or commercial usage.

Ipe Siding

Residential and commercial siding is another popular use for ipe wood. Ipe Siding is one of the most durable siding materials you can buy. Because of its natural durability and beauty, ipe siding is often used as a natural element in modern architecture.

Outdoor Structures

Outdoor structures, such as pergolas, shelters, docks, boardwalks, fencing, and others, can be made using ipe wood. The same properties that make ipe the ideal wood for decking also make it an excellent choice for long-lasting outdoor structures.

Outdoor Furniture

Because of its ability to last for more than 25 years outdoors and its scratch resistance, ipe is becoming a popular alternative to Teak for outdoor furniture manufacturers. Ipe furniture looks ideal alongside elegant ipe wood decking and siding.

IPE wood maintenance

IPE Flooring

Even though ipe is known as an outdoor wood, it is also quite popular as interior flooring. Because of its rich coloring, hardness, and very long life, ipe is gaining popularity as an interior flooring option for residential and commercial applications. Ipe flooring boards are often labeled as Brazilian Walnut.

Ipe Wood Care and Maintenance

While Ipe wood decking is often called a "low-maintenance" option for your deck or siding, it by no means should be understood as "no-maintenance." Without routine ipe deck restoration efforts, your wood, including furniture and siding, will lose its natural luscious color and turn silvery gray. Or, worse, will fail prematurely.

To protect your investment and preserve its natural beauty, we recommend sweeping your deck at least once a month with an outdoor broom. Besides sweeping, check for proper drainage and ventilation.

Your ipe wood boards will lose their original reddish color and turn silvery gray without annual re-sealing. There is no need to worry. The natural bleaching process does not affect the integrity of the ipe boards, and if you like the natural weathered ipe wood look, you don't need to do anything. However, it's recommended to re-apply the sealer annually to keep the wood's original color.

And keep an eye on mildew or moss growth on the ipe deck boards. If left unchecked, it will retain excess moisture speeding up rotting, and its roots will start degrading wood fibers.

IPE Maintenance Pros

Have questions about your ipe deck restoration, or are you looking for someone to repair and reseal it? Look no further. Deck Doc is your best choice. We have decades of experience maintaining ipe wood structures.

Call Now: (847) 979-9299

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WHY CHOOSE DECK DOC FOR IPE?

  • Decades of experience with IPE wood structures
  • Specialized knowledge of IPE maintenance
  • Annual re-sealing services to preserve color
  • Expert restoration and repair services
  • Free estimates on all IPE projects
  • Satisfaction guaranteed
  • Fully licensed and insured
  • A+ BBB Rating

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about IPE wood decking

Ipe wood, also known as Brazilian hardwood, is an exotic wood from South America. It is about five times harder and almost twice as dense as most local woods. In fact, ipe is three times harder than cedar and has the same fire rating as steel and concrete. This makes Ipe boards resistant to rot, mold, surface scratches, and even fire, making it an exceptional choice for outdoor applications.
IPE wood is widely used for decking, siding, flooring, outdoor structures (pergolas, shelters, docks, boardwalks, fencing), and outdoor furniture. Ipe wood decking is considered the "Gold Standard" for natural hardwood decking. It's also popular as interior flooring, often labeled as Brazilian Walnut, due to its rich coloring, hardness, and very long life.
While IPE wood decking is often called "low-maintenance," it should not be understood as "no-maintenance." Without routine ipe deck restoration efforts, your wood will lose its natural luscious color and turn silvery gray, or worse, fail prematurely. We recommend sweeping your deck at least once a month, checking for proper drainage and ventilation, and re-applying sealer annually to keep the wood's original color.
It's recommended to re-apply the sealer annually to keep the wood's original reddish color. Without annual re-sealing, your ipe wood boards will lose their original color and turn silvery gray. The natural bleaching process does not affect the integrity of the ipe boards, so if you like the natural weathered ipe wood look, you don't need to do anything. However, annual sealing helps preserve the original beautiful color.
Keep an eye on mildew or moss growth on the ipe deck boards. If left unchecked, it will retain excess moisture speeding up rotting, and its roots will start degrading wood fibers. Regular cleaning, proper drainage, and ventilation checks are essential. Also monitor for any signs of wear or damage that may require professional restoration.
The cost of IPE wood restoration varies based on factors such as the size of the structure, condition, type of service needed (sealing, repair, restoration), and preparation required. We offer free estimates for all IPE projects. Contact us at (847) 979-9299 to schedule a consultation and receive a detailed estimate tailored to your specific IPE wood structure.
IPE wood requires specialized knowledge and techniques for proper maintenance and restoration. Professional maintenance ensures proper preparation, correct product selection, expert application techniques, and thorough inspection for issues like mildew or moss growth. Deck Doc has decades of experience maintaining ipe wood structures and can help protect your investment and preserve its natural beauty.
With proper maintenance, IPE wood can last for more than 25 years outdoors. Its exceptional durability, resistance to rot, mold, and fire, combined with proper care and annual sealing, makes it one of the longest-lasting wood options available. This is why it's considered the "Gold Standard" for natural hardwood decking and is an excellent investment for long-term outdoor structures.