Carpentry and Woodworking - What about an ipe' deck?
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8888nt
11-19-03, 11:11 AM
I am considering installing an ipe deck. What are the drawbacks to this type of deck - besides the price tag?
I have also heard that you do not need to treat or stain ipe. Is ths true. It doesn't sound right to me. What products are out there to treat or stain hardwoods like ipe?
I have also heard that you do not need to treat or stain ipe. Is ths true. It doesn't sound right to me. What products are out there to treat or stain hardwoods like ipe?
GregH
11-20-03, 06:43 AM
8888nt:
I don't have any experience with that material but here is an importer's info (http://ipe-wood.com/tech.html).
I don't have any experience with that material but here is an importer's info (http://ipe-wood.com/tech.html).
Speedy Petey
11-21-03, 07:14 PM
Two words I don't like about it: "Brazilian Hardwood"
"Distribution: Throughout continental tropical America and some of the Lesser Antilles. The Tree grows on a variety of sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests."
Just the place you want to harvest lumber. :rolleyes:
That's OK, in a few years we won't have to worry about it, there won't be any left.
I just did a house (electrical) for a good customer. He did several decks, stairs, railings, etc. with what looks like this stuff. He was so proud of it, he asked me what I thought of it.
I told him I though it should be against the law to use rain forrest lumber like that so he could have the most expensive deck in the land.
He didn't like what I had to say.
"Distribution: Throughout continental tropical America and some of the Lesser Antilles. The Tree grows on a variety of sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests."
Just the place you want to harvest lumber. :rolleyes:
That's OK, in a few years we won't have to worry about it, there won't be any left.
I just did a house (electrical) for a good customer. He did several decks, stairs, railings, etc. with what looks like this stuff. He was so proud of it, he asked me what I thought of it.
I told him I though it should be against the law to use rain forrest lumber like that so he could have the most expensive deck in the land.
He didn't like what I had to say.
chfite
11-21-03, 07:49 PM
According to the importer of Ipe, all this wood is harvested from sustainable, managed lands, and is replanted. I don't know for sure, but that is the importer's position.
Here is the web site:
http://ipe-wood.com/tech.html
Buying tropical hardwoods from unmanaged sources certainly puts the future supply at risk.
Here is the web site:
http://ipe-wood.com/tech.html
Buying tropical hardwoods from unmanaged sources certainly puts the future supply at risk.
Speedy Petey
11-22-03, 06:45 AM
"Tree grows on a variety of sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests."
Doesn't sound like managed, replantable land to me.
This is what my customer tried to sell me also. Not many of us on the site bought it though.
Doesn't sound like managed, replantable land to me.
This is what my customer tried to sell me also. Not many of us on the site bought it though.
Hellrazor
11-22-03, 10:25 AM
They replant it just like we do with strip mines :)
chfite
11-22-03, 06:59 PM
These sites are more clear about managed forests than the first one I mentioned.
http://deckspecialists.com/ipe_report.htm
http://www.recyclops.com/ipe_decking.htm
http://www.certifiedwood.com/about.html
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/learn.shtml?Directory_Code=topicsmain&Page_Code=lumber
Of course, we decide for ourselves what is believable.
Hope this helps.
http://deckspecialists.com/ipe_report.htm
http://www.recyclops.com/ipe_decking.htm
http://www.certifiedwood.com/about.html
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/learn.shtml?Directory_Code=topicsmain&Page_Code=lumber
Of course, we decide for ourselves what is believable.
Hope this helps.