All about Ipe

Ipe is an exotic hardwood is resistant ti decay, bug infestation and rot. Ipe is 8 times harder than California Redwood and is estimated to last more than 20 years WITHOUT ANY PRESERVATIVES!!!

Ipe lumber and ipe decking is usually partially air dried or dried in a kiln. Air dried Ipe is best used for decks and other outdoor furniture. If you are using ipe wood that you bought from out of town, be sure to let it sit for a few days before installing it so it can expand or contract based on your local conditions, before installation.

Cutting and drilling ipe is a bit more difficult than other lumber. Because of its extreme hardness you should always use carbide tipped saw blades and drills.

Ipe is usually shipped with the ends sealed with a clear wax to preventy checking. Any cuts you make should also be waxed.

When building a deck with ipe you should allow for 1/16" gap between each board. Ipe shrinks about 1/16" on 4" boards and about 3/32" on 6" wide boards. Finishing Ipe is not needed. If you decide to leave it natural it will turn silver gray with time. If you decide to finish it, you will be amazed at the beauty. Many oil and water based finishes wont dry properly on Ipe. We reccomend Messmers UV plus. If you want to keep it dark you should apply Messmers finish once a year depending on the condition.

	APPEARANCE	HARDNESS	BENDING STRENGTH	DECAY RESISTANCE
Ipe	An extremely dense, tight grained wood. Generally a deep rich brown with some pieces displaying red and amber hues.	3600lbs	22,560 psi	Highest rating for insect (termite) and decay resistance.   Offers up to 100 year lifespan.
Douglas Fir	A light reddish-brown wood with generally straight grain.	670 lbs.	12,400 psi	Not naturally resistant to decay. Should be painted or stained to prevent decay.
Pressure Treated Pine	Very pronounced grain. Dusty yellow-green palor due to chemical treatment of the wood.	690 lbs.	14,500 psi	A chemical preservative, chromated copper arsenate is forced into the wood.  Offering resistance to decay, but also potential health concerns.
California Redwood	Several grades available that vary considerably in in appearance and quality. Usually straight grained with a fine, even texture. Color varies from cherry-red to dark reddish-brown	480 lbs.	10,000 psi	Premium grades are more durable than most woods in common use. Resistant to decay, but relatively soft and quick to weather. Treatment is recommended.
Western Cedar	Fresh cut, this wood appears a salmon pink color which turns a coffee brown over time. Species is generally straight grained.	580 lbs.	7,500 psi	This softwood is more durable than most woods in common use. Resistant to decay, but relatively soft and quick to weather. Treatment is recommended.
Philippine Mahogany	Interlocked grain similar to true mahogany, but with a courser texture. Species is generally medium to dark brown.	760 lbs.	12,000 psi	Only the dark red species are resistant to decay. Although more durable than cedar and redwood, it is still relatively soft compared to Ipe Decking.

FIRE RATING FOR IPE Decking		IPE DECKING RATINGS
Ipe Decking Flame Spread (10) Minutes	0	NFPA Class*	A
Ipe Decking Flame Spread (30) Minutes	5	UBC Class**	1
Ipe  Decking Smoke Developed Values (10) minutes	3
Ipe Decking Fuel Contribution (10) Minutes	0
* NFPA is the National Fire Protection, NFPA no. 1 Fire Safety Code
** UBC is the Uniform Building Code, 1979 Edition, Part VIII, Fire Resistive Standard for Fire Protection.

Ipe clip, hidden deck fastener information

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This ipe deck was installed using Ipe clip hidden deck fasteners. Click here to order Hidden Deck Fasteners This is 5/4 ipe decking installed with a, ipe clip. The groove is cut with a buscuit jointer. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ipe Clip Hidden Deck fastener. Can the IPE CLIP™ fastener system be used on decking other than Ipe? How do I cut the slot in the edge of the decking? Will a BoWrench® help with installation? What is the recommended gap space between deck boards? Can IPE CLIP™ fasteners be used on 3/4" thick decking? Does the IPE CLIP™ fastener system come with screws? Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system faster and easier to install than other edge fastening systems? Will screws "overdrive" through the IPE CLIP™ fastener, like sometimes occurs with other fasteners? Can boards be removed if needed once an IPE CLIP™ fastener is installed? Are IPE CLIP™ fasteners UV resistant? Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system suitable for use in my climate? Will the IPE CLIP™ fastener system cause stain marks on my deck? Do I need to "stand on my head" to install my deck using the IPE CLIP™ fastener system? Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system manufactured in the United States? Click here to order Ipe Clip Deck Fasteners Can the IPE CLIP™ fastener system be used in decking other than Ipe? Yes, the IPE CLIP™ fastener system can be used on all high quality decking materials such as Trex®, composites, ironwood, teak, cedar, and redwood. Low quality materials that have high expansion/contraction rates such as pressure treated pine should be avoided. Top of page How do I cut the slot in the edge of the decking? Slots are cut using a standard biscuit joiner tool or a router with a slot cutting bit. Note that some decking dealers offer deck boards with pre-cut grooves along both edges to receive edge mount fasteners. Top of page Will a BoWrench® help with installation? Yes, the BoWrench® rests on the deck joist and pries the deck boards tightly together. It is like an extra set of hands, a great help for jobs with limited numbers of installers or handling warped deck boards. Top of page What is the recommended gap space between deck boards? The IPE CLIP™ fastener automatically sets the gap spacing at the proper 3/32" between deck boards to allow for expansion and water drainage. Top of page Can IPE CLIP™ fasteners be used on 3/4" thick decking? Yes, because the IPE CLIP™ fastener is up to 3 times stronger than other edge fasteners it can be used on 3/4" or thicker decking. Top of page Does the IPE CLIP™ fastener system come with screws? Yes, each IPE CLIP™ fastener system kit contains high quality stainless steel square drive screws, Ipe plugs, a square drive screwgun tip and a high speed steel drill bit. Top of page Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system faster and easier to install than other edge fastening systems? Yes, the round shape of the IPE CLIP™ fastener allows for approximately 1" of tolerance side to side in positioning the slot above the joist. Other edge fastening methods do not allow for any tolerance in the positioning, which can slow and complicate installation. Top of page Will screws "overdrive" through the IPE CLIP™ fastener, like sometimes occurs with other fasteners? Because the IPE CLIP™ fastener is manufactured from high quality, fiber reinforced polypropylene it is extremely resistant to screws being overdriven. The screw is left slightly countersunk for maximum holding power. Top of page Click here to order Ipe Clip Deck Fasteners Can boards be removed if needed once an IPE CLIP™ fastener is installed? Yes, because the IPE CLIP™ fastener does not allow screws to be overdriven, it can be removed to replace a deck board. Top of page Are IPE CLIP™ fasteners UV resistant? Yes, both the brown and gray IPE CLIP™ fasteners are 100% UV resistant. Top of page Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system suitable for use in my climate? Yes, the IPE CLIP™ fastener system is suitable for use in all climates from severe cold to extreme heat. Top of page Will the IPE CLIP™ fastener system cause stain marks on my deck? Many decking materials react with non-stainless fasteners provided with lesser quality systems. The IPE CLIP™ fastener system comes complete with high quality stainless steel square drive screws to resist staining of the deck surfaces. Top of page Do I need to "stand on my head" to install my deck using the IPE CLIP™ fastener system? No, all fastening is easily done from the top side of the deck, unlike some deck fastening systems that require the work to be done from the underside. Top of page Is the IPE CLIP™ fastener system manufactured in the United States? Yes, the IPE CLIP™ fastener system is proudly manufactured in the United States. Click here to order Hidden Deck Fasteners Accessories to help build that deck or accent the one you already have. Classic Balusters Outdoor Enhancement Lighting Dock Lights and Accessories In-Deck Lighting Disks Pyramid Deck Lights Flat Deck Lights Deck Lighting Classy Caps Postcap Lighting Post Caps Large Pyramid Post Caps Flat Post Caps Centerpieces for Deck Balusters Colonial Balusters Baroque Balusters Arc Balusters Bench Maker Deck Bracket Cedar Bead And Cove Molding Deck Lighting 12 Volt Transformers & Wire Woodburst Chinawood Deck Oil