Brazilian Walnut Decking - Natural Scratch Resistant Decking |
Posted: February 18, 2016 |
Ipe one of the best decking materials you can use if you are looking for a scratch-resistant hardwood. In the US, ipe is commonly referred to as 'Brazilian walnut' or 'ironwood', and for a good reason. The material is one of the hardest woods known to man. Think of its hardness as three times of that of a baseball bat. Brazilian walnut decking has been used for decades in Europe, but there are local suppliers in the US that can provide high-quality ipe for your project while ensuring that the material is responsibly harvested and compliant to the Lacey Act. Brazilian hardwood is all natural and boasts an incredibly long life. Once it decomposes, it will return to the earth (unlike composite materials that remain in landfills or take hundreds of years to rot). Hence, ipe is an environmentally friendly decking material for any project that requires a durable and strong hardwood. The durability and hardness of Brazilian walnut makes it ideal for building other structures, too, such as boardwalks, docks, and tables. The density of ipe makes it three times harder than oak. Moreover, it provides Brazilian walnut an A1 fire rating, which is comparable to concrete. Its denseness prevents bugs from biting or eating through the wood, too. Even if termites try to gnaw at the wood, they will be instantly discouraged and leave to find something that is softer. In the Janka scale, ipe is at 3680lb. Its hardness renders it naturally scratch-resistant, too. Ipe is naturally hard and dense, and there are no chemicals used to achieve that effect. However, due to its denseness, you need to pre-drill penetrations into it and use carbide tipped tools and brand name saws. An 80 teeth saw should provide a nice and clean cut. Be sure to buy Brazilian walnut decking from a leading supplier of ipe, timbers, and weather decking in the country once you have decided that it is the material you are looking for. Choose a supplier that is known for their direct to consumer and builder web model, which allows it to pass the savings on to you. Buy premium grade Brazilian walnut decking with minimal bowing or imperfections to make sure that you are getting a high-quality material for your project. About the Author: This article is written by Bruce Master. He gained an interest in woodworking at an early age. Bruce Master started working with contractors in the 1970s as a salesman at Ace Hardware in Miami. Over the years, he discovered and fell in love with Brazilian woods. He has built decks, docks and specialty items using many of the Brazilian woods. Today, Bruce loves his job as Operations Manager for ABS Wood, a Brazilian wood retailer.
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