In the world of Brazilian hardwoods, Jatoba shines as a promising alternative to the renowned Ipe. The scarcity of Ipe has thrust lesser-known species into the spotlight, and while Cumaru is a top choice, its demand often outpaces its supply. This is where Jatoba takes the stage, emerging as a readily available, long-lasting solution for premium decking. In this article, we’ll delve into the technical aspects, comparing Jatoba and Ipe, shedding light on why Jatoba is positioned to be the next big contender as an alternative to Ipe.
Diving into the Technical Details Let’s skip the overwhelming numbers and focus on the four critical factors for decking species: hardness, weight, stiffness, and stability. Even if you’re not a lumber expert, understanding how Jatoba measures up against Ipe in these key areas is essential to realizing the potential of this lesser-known hardwood.
Hardness Matters The Janka hardness test gauges the force required to embed a steel ball, approximately ½-inch in diameter, halfway into a wood sample. While you won’t be subjecting your deck to this test, the measurement reflects the wood’s ability to endure the wear and tear typical of a deck. Ipe boasts a remarkable Janka hardness rating of 3684, while Jatoba is no slouch with a rating of 2690.
Doing the math reveals a difference of roughly 25%. However, it’s crucial to remember that Ipe’s hardness is exceptional, even in comparison to other popular decking woods. For instance, Pressure-Treated Pine stands at 690, and Western Red Cedar falls even lower at 330. When you stack Jatoba against these options, it’s 400% to 800% harder. Therefore, your new Jatoba deck is sure to stand strong, even if you own a sizable dog named “Clifford.”
Weight Considerations Ipe weighs in at 62 pounds per cubic foot, while Jatoba is slightly lighter at 57 pounds per cubic foot. This weight disparity becomes evident when constructing a 1,000 square-foot deck. The impact is most noticeable during the transportation of the wood to the job site, where Ipe can be more expensive and labor-intensive to move. In this scenario, a lower score is preferred, and Jatoba takes the lead in terms of weight.
Stay Tuned for More Part 2 of our series will delve into stiffness and stability, providing further insights into the Jatoba vs. Ipe comparison. In Part 3, we’ll offer comprehensive assessments based on all four key aspects.
Exploring Ipe Alternatives While no wood species can precisely replicate the characteristics that make Ipe exceptional, certain options exhibit comparable strengths, making them feasible substitutes for Ipe, depending on your specific project and environmental considerations.
