Ipe Wood Decking Installation for Commercial Buildings

Posted by ABS Wood on October 12th, 2017

Ipe is considered as the hardest wood type among all the decking woods like cedars and teaks. It is also the densest wood among all similar varieties and has the fire rating to rival that of concrete and steel. This means it can repel and withstand fire and high temperatures for a long time. It is also one of the few kinds of wood that does not float on water. All these qualities of Ipe make it a perfect choice for home and commercial decking. 

Ipe is a unique decking product with unique usage specifications and storage guidelines. You can definitely use these tips while installing Ipe wood for commercial purposes. 

Job-Site Storage: Ipe wood can be stored outdoors, but it should be covered properly and stashed above any solid surfaces so that the premature fading can be avoided. It should be properly air-dried to avoid any extensive shrinkage after installation. Air-dried wood will lose the moisture but it will not accumulate it and would not expand or warp later. 

Safety: Ipe is different from other hardwoods, and one should not handle it like other woods. The extra dense structure of Ipe makes it heavier than any softwood and most hardwoods as well. Also, a lot of the domestic and imported hardwood dust is carcinogenic and can cause breathing and other health problems. One should always use dust masks while handling Ipe wood. 

Using the Right Tools: Carbide tipped saw blades with fewer teeth are considered best for cutting Ipe wood. Carbide tipped blades stay cooler, reduce friction, and last longer than other saw blades. While using a Miter box, it is best to use a 10” or 12” saw with approximately 24 teeth. Drilling of Ipe wood can be a challenge because of its dense cellular structure. Cobalt alloy drill bits are most effective. They last longer than steel and nitride coated drill bits. However, one should regularly remove the shavings from the hole while drilling, more so than with other hardwoods. 

End Sealing: Almost each wood species can develop minor cracks on losing their moisture. These are not even visible to the naked eye. An end sealing is required to remedy this problem. Many builders use paraffin wax sealant after the construction and this step is important for the durability of the structure. However, Ipe can survive for long periods without any such treatment or sealing, but it is always better to use a paraffin based sealant. 

Other Fittings and Fixtures: When building a commercial grade structure one should not forget the screw fastenings, under-mount bracket fastenings, nailing and clip and biscuit fastenings. For all these procedures various techniques are employed with the help of suitable tools. All these small procedures make this hardwood ready to be used in fit foot traffic structures. 

About the Author: 

This article is written by Bruce Master. He gained an interest in woodworking at an early age. Bruce Master started working with contractors in the 1970s as a salesman at Ace Hardware in Miami. Over the years, he discovered and fell in love with Brazilian woods. He has built decks, docks and specialty items using many of the Brazilian woods. Today, Bruce loves his job as Operations Manager for ABS Wood, a Brazilian wood retailer