The Best Ipe Decking in North Olmsted

In North Olmsted, Ohio, while composite decking and pressure-treated lumber pose environmental risks due to their plastic content and chemical treatments, Ipe stands out as a sustainable option. Being entirely natural, it’s easily repurposed and biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues behind. With its chemical-free and plastic-free composition, Ipe embodies the essence of authentic wood. This resonates with North Olmsted’s eco-conscious values, promoting the preference for natural decking solutions.

Ipe, with its remarkable Janka Hardness rating of 3,680, surpasses Oak’s rating by a wide margin, making it one of the world’s hardest woods. Its density, akin to concrete, ensures dimensional stability and resilience against North Olmsted’s varied weather. Unlike pressure-treated wood, prone to damage and decay from weather fluctuations, Ipe maintains its structure over time. This stability also prevents raised wood grain issues, ideal for comfortable outdoor surfaces in North Olmsted. While composite materials often sag with time, Ipe’s durability remains intact, making it a perfect fit for North Olmsted’s climate.

With its remarkable durability, Ipe is well-suited to North Olmsted’s climate, lasting for decades even in harsh conditions. Its density and hardness contribute significantly to its longevity. Moreover, Ipe’s innate resistance to water, rot, and decay perfectly matches North Olmsted’s humid environment. Adapted from rainforests accustomed to heavy rainfall, Ipe naturally repels water, mold, and decay. These characteristics ensure that it thrives in North Olmsted’s distinct weather patterns, maintaining its quality and lifespan without compromise.

Ipe and similar tropical hardwoods offer inherent insect resistance, a boon for North Olmsted’s outdoor areas. Unlike domestic lumber needing chemical treatments against wood-boring insects, Ipe naturally repels them. Originating from forests where insects thrive, Ipe’s tough fibers resist penetration. This resilience extends to U.S. insects, making Ipe ideal for North Olmsted’s demanding conditions. Such insect resistance is a typical benefit of tropical hardwoods.

In regions prone to fires, such as parts of the southwestern U.S. and urban projects, material selection heavily considers fire resistance. Ipe stands out as the premier decking choice for these situations due to its exceptional flame resistance. It consistently earns an A Class rating from engineering organizations, alongside steel and concrete. In contrast, plastics, composites, and pressure-treated lumber typically receive lower ratings, classified as C Class.

While initially seeming costlier than alternatives, Ipe decking proves more economical in the long run, especially for North Olmsted. Pressure-treated lumber lasts 5-7 years, while plastic and composite boards degrade within a few years. In contrast, Ipe boasts a lifespan of 40-75 years, making it a cost-effective choice. Though its initial cost aligns with mid-grade composites, it’s cheaper than high-end ones. Despite pressure-treated lumber’s lower upfront cost, the need for frequent replacement makes Ipe the wiser investment over time. It’s a financially savvy option for North Olmsted’s decking needs, both short and long term.