The Best Ipe Decking in Fitchburg

Ipe offers a sustainable alternative to composite decking materials containing non-recyclable plastics and toxic chemicals commonly found in pressure-treated or reclaimed lumber. Unlike these options, Ipe is a natural material that is fully biodegradable and easily repurposed, making it an environmentally friendly choice for Fitchburg, Wisconsin. With its 100% real wood composition, Ipe aligns perfectly with the city’s eco-conscious values, promoting a “Go Natural!” approach to decking solutions.

Ipe, ranked among the world’s top 10 hardest woods with a Janka Hardness rating of 3,680, surpasses Oak’s rating by a significant margin. Its density and hardness, often compared to concrete, contribute to its dimensional stability, prolonged lifespan, and resistance to weathering. These attributes hold particular significance in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, where varying weather conditions can pose challenges to construction materials. In contrast to pressure-treated wood, which is prone to significant expansion and contraction, leading to structural damage and decay, Ipe maintains its structural integrity over time. This stability also mitigates the issue of raised wood grain commonly observed in softer woods, making it an ideal choice for creating comfortable, barefoot-friendly outdoor surfaces in Fitchburg. Unlike composite and plastic decking materials, which can lose rigidity over time due to expansion and contraction, resulting in sagging, Ipe demonstrates minimal movement under similar conditions, highlighting its durability and suitability for Fitchburg’s climate.

Ipe and other tropical hardwoods possess a natural resistance to insects, which is highly advantageous for outdoor spaces in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Unlike domestic lumber that necessitates chemical treatments to deter wood-boring insects, Ipe has developed this resistance naturally. Originating from forests where insects excel at boring into wood, Ipe’s robust wood fibers are highly resistant to these pests. This resilience also applies to the insects commonly found in the United States, making Ipe an ideal option for regions like Fitchburg, where durability against natural elements is paramount. This insect resistance is a typical characteristic shared by most tropical hardwoods.

In fire-prone regions such as many states in the southwestern United States and significant commercial projects in urban areas, the selection of construction materials is greatly influenced by their fire resistance. Ipe stands out as the preferred decking material in these contexts due to its outstanding flame resistance. It joins the ranks of steel and concrete as one of the few materials consistently receiving an A Class rating from engineering rating organizations. In contrast, materials like plastic, composite, and pressure-treated lumber typically have lower flame spread ratings, often classified as C Class.

Despite common assumptions, Ipe decking does not incur higher costs than alternatives in the long run. While pressure-treated lumber typically lasts around 5-7 years before deteriorating, and plastic and composite boards often begin to fade and degrade within a few years, Ipe offers a significantly longer lifespan of 40-75 years, depending on environmental conditions. This extended durability renders Ipe a more cost-effective choice, particularly when factoring in the expenses associated with replacing pressure-treated or composite boards multiple times over the lifespan of a single Ipe installation. Initially, the cost of Ipe decking is comparable to mid-grade composites and lower than high-end composites. Despite pressure-treated lumber appearing cheaper initially, the frequent need for replacement makes Ipe the more economical option in the long run, demonstrating its financial prudence for decking needs in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, both in the short and long term.