The Best Ipe Decking in Chicago Heights
Chicago Heights, Illinois receives direct shipments from Brazilian Wood Depot. Our company prioritizes competitive pricing and top-notch quality. Opting for Brazilian Wood Depot means securing the finest ipe wood for your project. From decking to siding or tiles, our family-owned business, now in its second generation, provides personalized guidance to meet your requirements.
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Ipe Decking is Perfect for Chicago Heights, Illinois
Ipe Decking
WHAT IS IPE WOOD?
Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is world-renowned for its superior characteristics and properties. Ipe is one of the hardest woods in the world which lends to its incredible durability and longevity. It is also naturally resistant to insect attack, mold, rot, fire and decay.
Cumaru Decking
Cumaru (pronounced Koo-Mah-Roo) is world-renowned for its superior characteristics and properties. You may have heard of Ipe’s incredible hardness, durability, and longevity- Cumaru is similar to Ipe in many ways and is often used interchangeably with Ipe.
Garapa Decking
Garapa decking is naturally resistant to wood decay and insect damage, having no characteristic odor. Garapa wood is naturally scratch resistant and has an estimated useful life of 25 years. Deck oil preservation treatments will actually add even more years to the life of this very durable wood decking.
Massaranduba Decking
Massaranduba (pronounced Mas-a-ran-doo-bah) is known for its superior characteristics and properties. You may have heard of Ipe’s incredible hardness, durability, and longevity- Massaranduba is similar to Ipe in many ways and is often used interchangeably with Ipe.
Tigerwood Decking
Tigerwood (Muiracatiara) decking lumber is a beautiful exotic Brazilian hardwood which provides one of the most unique wood grain patterns you will ever see. Because of its incredible beauty, Tigerwood lumber it is highly sought after for both interior and exterior applications.
Purpleheart Decking
Purpleheart is well known for its amazing insect resistance and bright purple color when freshly cut. You may have heard of Ipe’s incredible hardness, durability, and longevity- Purpleheart provides many of the same benefits. Purpleheart is extremely hard and dense which lends to its incredible durability and longevity.
Balau Decking
Balau (pronounced Buhl-ow) is also known locally as Bangkirai. Unlike many of the other wood species that Brazilian Wood Depot carries, Balau is native to Southeast Asia namely, Indonesia and Malaysia. While Balau is relatively new to the United States market, it is the European Standard for exterior construction projects.
T&G Porch Decking
Tongue and groove boards are installed much more tightly than Standard Decking. This makes the space feel more like an extension of the home than an exterior deck. There is nothing wrong with using standard decking on a covered porch, but it can be preferable to differentiate between two areas, a deck and a porch, by using a T&G product in the porch.
🌱All Natural
In Chicago Heights, Illinois, while composite decking and treated lumber pose environmental risks with their plastic content and chemical treatments, Ipe stands out as a greener option. Being natural, biodegradable, and chemical-free, Ipe promotes sustainability. Its 100% real wood composition resonates with Chicago Heights’s eco-conscious ethos, advocating for natural decking solutions.
🔨 Hardness
In Chicago Heights, Illinois, Ipe stands out with its remarkable hardness, boasting a Janka rating of 3,680, far surpassing Oak’s 1,200. Its density, akin to concrete, ensures dimensional stability and longevity, crucial qualities in Chicago Heights’s varying climate. Unlike pressure-treated wood prone to damage and decay from weather fluctuations, Ipe maintains its structure. This stability also prevents raised wood grain, ideal for comfortable outdoor surfaces in Chicago Heights. While composite materials may sag over time, Ipe’s minimal movement showcases its durability, making it an ideal choice for Chicago Heights’s weather conditions.
🕰️ Longevity
Chicago Heights, Illinois’s climate finds a perfect match in Ipe’s exceptional longevity, capable of withstanding decades of harsh weather. Its density and hardness play key roles in this resilience. Moreover, Ipe’s innate resistance to water, rot, and decay perfectly suits Chicago Heights’s humid conditions. Adapted from rainforests accustomed to heavy rainfall, Ipe naturally fends off water penetration, mold, and decay. These attributes ensure Ipe’s suitability for enduring Chicago Heights’s distinct weather without sacrificing quality or longevity.
🔧 Board Replacement
In Chicago Heights, Illinois, homeowners value the ease of board replacement, often overlooked when selecting deck materials like pressure-treated (PT) or composite. Picture a scenario: an accident damages deck boards irreparably, such as a spill from a hot grill. With PT or composite decking, replacing a board poses challenges. These materials fade, making new boards stand out, resulting in a visibly patched deck. Yet, tropical hardwoods like Ipe offer a different solution. Their natural variation makes replaced boards less conspicuous. Initially noticeable, within months, distinguishing new from original boards becomes difficult. This advantage, unique to real woods, is crucial for Chicago Heights residents, where outdoor spaces hold significance. The same applies to prefinished and engineered wood flooring, where board replacement can disrupt the overall aesthetic.
🐜 Insect Resistant
Chicago Heights, Illinois benefits from Ipe and similar tropical hardwoods’ natural resistance to insects, crucial for outdoor spaces. Unlike domestic lumber needing chemical treatments against wood-boring insects, Ipe naturally developed this trait. Originating from forests where insects excel at boring into wood, Ipe’s sturdy fibers resist pests effectively. This resilience extends to U.S. insects, making Ipe ideal for areas like Chicago Heights, prioritizing durability against natural elements. Such insect resistance is a common advantage of tropical hardwoods.
🔥 Fire Resistance
In fire-prone areas like Chicago Heights, Illinois, construction material choice heavily considers fire resistance. Ipe stands out as the top decking material due to its exceptional flame resistance. It consistently earns an A Class rating from engineering organizations, alongside steel and concrete. In contrast, materials like plastic, composite, and pressure-treated lumber typically receive lower flame spread ratings, classified as C Class.
♻️ Sustainable
Concerns about the impact on crucial ecosystems arise when sourcing Ipe from South America’s tropical forests, notably Brazil, where Chicago Heights, Illinois, receives shipments. However, the hardwood timber industry, including Ipe sourceing, can aid in forest conservation. Responsible management, coupled with replanting, safeguards habitats, supported by organizations and government regulations. Without such measures, forest lands face higher risks of clearing for activities like cattle grazing. Choosing Ipe from reputable dealers like Brazilian Wood Depot aids in preserving naturally forested lands, crucial for environmentally conscious construction and landscaping projects in Chicago Heights.
💰 Cost and Value
Despite common assumptions, Ipe decking proves to be cost-competitive with alternatives in Chicago Heights, Illinois. While pressure-treated lumber lasts 5-7 years and plastic/composite boards degrade within a few years, Ipe boasts a lifespan of 40-75 years. This longevity makes Ipe more cost-effective, considering the expenses of replacing other materials multiple times. Initially comparable to mid-grade composites and less than high-end ones, Ipe proves financially savvy in the long run, making it an ideal choice for Chicago Heights’s decking needs.
Chicago Heights Park District: Outdoor seating areas, boardwalks, or decking for recreational spaces.
Prairie State College: Exterior landscaping features, benches, or outdoor classrooms.
Chicago Heights City Hall: Interior flooring, wall paneling, or furniture.
Chicago Heights Public Library: Exterior decking for outdoor reading areas or interior finishes for a modern aesthetic.
Veterans Memorial Park: Benches, pergolas, or pathways for outdoor gathering spaces.
Bloom Township High School: Exterior seating areas or decking for outdoor learning spaces.
Parks and Recreation Facilities: Picnic shelters, playground structures, or observation decks in various parks throughout the city.



