The Best Ipe Decking in Jacksonville
Brazilian Wood Depot provides direct shipping services to Jacksonville, Florida. We operate as a direct supplier, ensuring competitive pricing and superior quality. Opting for Brazilian Wood Depot means acquiring top-notch ipe wood for your significant project. Whether it’s decking, siding, or tiles, our family-owned business, now in its second generation, is committed to assisting you in selecting the ideal materials.
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Ipe Decking is Perfect for Jacksonville, Florida
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 contrast to composite decking composed of non-recyclable plastic and wood pulp, which adds to environmental pollution, and pressure-treated or reclaimed lumber containing harmful chemicals detrimental to plant and animal ecosystems, Ipe stands out as a more sustainable option for Jacksonville, Florida. As a completely natural material, Ipe is easily repurposable and biodegradable, leaving behind no harmful byproducts. With its chemical and plastic-free composition, Ipe embodies the essence of authentic wood. This resonates with Jacksonville’s environmental awareness, promoting the adoption of natural decking alternatives.
🔨 Hardness
Ipe, ranked among the world’s top 10 hardest woods, boasts a Janka Hardness rating of 3,680, far surpassing Oak’s rating of approximately 1,200. Its remarkable hardness and density, often likened to concrete, contribute significantly to its dimensional stability, prolonged lifespan, and resistance to weathering. These attributes hold particular relevance in Jacksonville, Florida, where variable weather conditions can pose challenges to construction materials. Unlike pressure-treated wood, which is prone to substantial expansion and contraction, leading to structural damage and hastened 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 ideal for creating comfortable, barefoot-friendly surfaces in Jacksonville’s outdoor areas. While composite and plastic decking materials tend to lose their structural rigidity over time due to repeated expansion and contraction, resulting in sagging, Ipe’s minimal movement under similar conditions underscores its durability and suitability for Jacksonville’s climate.
🕰️ Longevity
Ipe’s remarkable durability, capable of withstanding decades of harsh weather conditions, is especially fitting for Jacksonville, Florida’s climate. Its density and hardness are key contributors to its longevity. Furthermore, Ipe’s inherent resistance to water, rot, and decay perfectly complements Jacksonville’s humid environment. Adapted from rainforests experiencing annual rainfall ranging from 100 to 400 inches, far exceeding typical U.S. climates, Ipe naturally repels water, mold, and decay. These characteristics render it an excellent option for enduring Jacksonville’s distinct weather patterns while maintaining both quality and lifespan.
🔧 Board Replacement
For Jacksonville homeowners, the ease of board replacement is a crucial factor often underestimated when selecting deck materials such as pressure-treated (PT) or composite. Consider an incident on your deck, such as a spill of hot grill contents, resulting in irreparable damage to the boards. With PT or composite decking, replacing a board poses challenges. These materials fade over time, causing new boards to stand out conspicuously, leading to a deck with visible patchwork. However, tropical hardwoods like Ipe offer a different scenario. Their natural variation from board to board means that replacing a board is far less noticeable. Although new boards may initially appear distinct, within a few months, distinguishing them from the original ones becomes challenging. This advantage is unique to authentic, natural woods and holds significant importance for those in Jacksonville, where outdoor living spaces hold considerable value. The same principle applies to prefinished and engineered wood flooring, where board replacement can disrupt the overall aesthetic.
🐜 Insect Resistant
Ipe and similar tropical hardwoods offer natural resistance to insects, a quality especially advantageous for outdoor spaces in Jacksonville, Florida. Unlike domestic lumber, which often necessitates chemical treatments to deter wood-boring insects, Ipe has evolved this resistance naturally. Originating from forests where insects are adept at burrowing into wood, Ipe’s sturdy wood fibers are highly resilient to these pests. This durability extends to insects found in the United States, making Ipe a superb option for regions like Jacksonville, where resilience against natural elements is paramount. This insect resistance is a prevalent benefit among most tropical hardwoods.
🔥 Fire Resistance
In fire-prone regions such as various states in the southwestern United States and significant urban construction projects, the selection of construction materials is greatly influenced by fire resistance. Ipe stands out as the premier decking material in these contexts due to its outstanding flame resistance. It is among the select few materials, alongside steel and concrete, to consistently achieve an A Class rating from engineering rating organizations. In contrast, materials like plastic, composite, and pressure-treated lumber typically receive lower flame spread ratings, classified as C Class.
♻️ Sustainable
Sourcing Ipe from the tropical forests of South America, particularly Brazil, raises legitimate concerns regarding the impact on these vital ecosystems. However, the hardwood timber industry, which includes Ipe harvesting, can contribute to forest conservation efforts. Responsible management of Ipe harvesting, coupled with replanting initiatives in its natural habitat, serves to safeguard these ecosystems, backed by the involvement of relevant organizations and adherence to local or federal government regulations. Without such stewardship, these forested areas face heightened risks of clearance for activities such as cattle grazing and agriculture. Opting for Ipe or other tropical hardwoods from reputable suppliers like Brazilian Wood Depot allows customers to contribute to the preservation of naturally forested lands, a consideration pertinent to environmentally conscious choices in Jacksonville’s construction and landscaping endeavors.
💰 Cost and Value
Contrary to common assumptions, Ipe decking does not incur higher costs over the long term compared to alternatives. 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 substantially longer lifespan of 40-75 years, contingent on environmental factors. This extended durability renders Ipe a more cost-efficient option, particularly when factoring in the expenses associated with replacing pressure-treated or composite boards multiple times throughout the lifespan of one Ipe installation. The initial cost of Ipe decking aligns with mid-grade composites and falls below that of high-end composites. Despite pressure-treated lumber appearing initially cheaper, the frequent need for replacement renders Ipe the more financially prudent choice in the long term, demonstrating its value for Jacksonville’s decking requirements, both in the immediate and distant future.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Ipe wood could be utilized for outdoor walkways, seating areas, or decking around exhibits.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: Ipe wood could be incorporated into outdoor garden structures, benches, or decking in the museum’s riverside gardens.
Friendship Fountain: Ipe wood could be used for boardwalks, seating areas, or viewing platforms surrounding the iconic fountain on the St. Johns River.
Jacksonville Beach Pier: Ipe wood could be employed for the construction of the pier itself, as well as benches, railings, or decking along its length.
Riverside Arts Market: Ipe wood could be utilized for outdoor vendor booths, seating areas, or walkways within this vibrant market along the river.