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Ipe is a very dense, very hard wood. Use of some specialized or higher grade tools may be necessary for good results. This page will give you an overview of handling and building suggestions that will help you achieve excellent results when building your Ipe deck.
Click HERE to go to our Ipe Decking price list
Installation Instructions
Please follow the directions below for satisfactory results.
**All decks should be installed pitched away from the structure they are attached too**
| Installation Step |
Suggested Process |
| Application |
Ipe decking is available in either partially air dried or kiln dried lumber. Air dried lumber is intended for outdoor use for decks, benches, docks, play yards, or other outdoor furniture. Air dried lumber inside will shrink. Kiln dried lumber is best suited for indoor uses. Kiln dried lumber outside will expand. |
| Handling |
Ipe decking should be allowed to sit for a few days prior to installation in order to get acclimated to your local temperature and humidity levels. The deck design should allow for ground side ventilation to insure stability of the decking due to proper air circulation. |
| Cutting & Drilling |
Due to the very hard nature of Ipe, premium carbide tipped saw blades are recommended for cutting. Brad point drill bits or fostner bits provide cleaner holes than standard HSS twist bits. |
| End Sealing |
Our Ipe decking is shipped with the endgrain sealed with a clear wax to prevent any end checking. Fresh cuts should be sealed within 24hrs with endgrain sealant. We sell endgrain sealant by the quart, typically enough for a 500 sq. ft of decking. The endgrain sealant is simply applied with a paintbrush and dries clear. |
| Gap Spacing |
We recommend allowing 1/16" gaps between deck boards for water drainage and wood expansion / contraction. This also allows for proper air circulation. Average shrinkage is approximately 1/16" on 4" wide boards and 3/32" on 6" wide boards. |
| Finishing |
Because of Ipe's natural density and its alkaline characteristics, many oil and water based finishes will not dry properly when applied. We recommend that you test any product on several sample boards to determine compatibility. The finish we sell and recommend is Ipe Oil™ which is manufactured exclusively by the Ipe Clip® company. Other possible finishes include Messmers UV Plus finish, Sitkens Deck Finish, CWF Flood Finish, and Penafin. Applying a finish approximately every two years (depending upon your local climate) will keep the beautiful dark brown color. If you decide to let your deck weather it will turn a silvery gray such as teak does. We recommend that you apply a coat of finish initially after deck installation, regardless of the final color desired. This will ensure that the Ipe retains its oils and stability. |
| Gluing |
If the need arises to glue your Ipe, waterproof glues, such as Gorilla brand polyurethane can be used with satisfactory results. Epoxy glues are also very suitable and can be dyed to black, brown or other colors to match your Ipe deck. Epoxy produces a very strong waterproof bond, particularly important for gluing posts. |
WHICH DECKING PROFILE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Standard & Pregrooved Decking
For traditional outdoor, uncovered decks.
Our standard and pregrooved decking are both a perfect choice to be installed on outdoor decks and docks. When installing outdoor decking be sure to leave a gap between deck boards of 3/32” for air dried material or 1/4” gap for kiln dried material. The difference in gap spacing is to ensure that the decking has room to expand and contract depending on the material used and the environment where it is installed.
RECOMMENED METHOD
Ipe Clip® Method: The Ipe Clip® system uses high strength plastic clips that insert into slots cut into the edge of the deck board which then rests on top of a joist. A stainless steel screw (supplied with each Ipe Clip® fastener) is then screwed down into the joist. We recommend the Ipe Clip® system as many other fastener systems install from the bottom side of the deck, requiring screwing into the bottom of the deck board. With the Ipe Clip® system no screws or holes show from the surface.
Click HERE for more info about the Ipe Clip Installation Process.
**Unlike other systems the fiberglass reinforced Ipe Clip® fastener system can be used with 3/4" and thicker decking material.** 
Above is an example of pregrooved Ipe Decking installed with the Ipe Clip® fastener system
OPTIONAL METHODS
Face Screw / Plug Method: Countersink 3/8" holes into face of deck boards. Predrill 1/8" pilot holes completely through the deck boards. Screw the deck boards down with stainless screws. 3/8" Ipe plugs are then glued into the holes with waterproof glue (i.e. Gorilla brand glue, Epoxy, etc.) Plugs are then knocked off with a chisel and sanded smooth with 80 grit sandpaper ( a round orbit sander works great). We manufacture Ipe plugs in 3/8" diameter with a small taper.
Above is an example of standard Ipe Decking installed with the face screw/plug method.
-OR -
Finish Screw Method: Stainless steel #7 or #8 trim head screws are screwed into the face of the decking. Recommended two per joist. The trim head screw is very small and only slightly noticeable. Torx drive screws will strip out less than square drive.
Above is an example of standard Ipe Decking installed with face screws
Tongue & Groove Porch Decking
For use on covered porches & patios only.
Enjoy Your Deck Year-Round... Decks are not just for summertime anymore! We now offer our customers Tongue & Groove Decking in four unique species. Our T & G decking is the perfect option for any covered porch. So forget about only enjoying your deck in the summertime. Give yourself a deck that you can love anytime of the year. T&G decking has no gap spacing in between the boards after it is installed, similar to interior hardwood flooring.
T&G decking will need to be installed directly on top of the floor joists, not on a sub floor as the material will need cross ventilation underneath it. The material will need to be under cover and have a pitch to allow for drainage. For installation we suggest that you pre drill a hole on a 45-degree angle where the tongue and the face meet, you will see a slight v-groove in this corner. Then, on that same 45-degree angle drive a trim head screw through the pre drilled hole, through the deck board into the floor joist. We carry a large variety of stainless steel trim head screws that a perfect for this application. The trim head screws are required because the head will sink into the corner where the v-groove is. This sinking action will allow the next deck board to slide into place and will perfectly conceal the previously installed screw head.
Above is an example of Tongue & Groove Ipe Decking installed...
Find Out More About Ipe
Check out our new website for Ipe Decking. Go to www.IpeDepot.com The largest Ipe Decking resource on the web.
Click HERE to go to the Ipe Decking price list.
Click HERE to see why Ipe is the best decking material in the world!
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