Ipe Decking - How Is It Different from Bamboo Decking? |
Posted: July 19, 2016 |
Typically found in Central America and South America, Ipe wood (also known as Brazilian walnut) is one of the most durable hardwoods available. It is actually Five times harder than the mighty cedar. This makes ipe wood highly popular for building house decks. Bamboo, on the other hand, needs to be engineered and manufactured with other materials to make it suitable for decking. There are more than 1,000 species of bamboo in Sub-Saharan Africa, North and South America, Australia, and Asia. Since it is grass, bamboo grows faster than wood and is considered sustainable. Ipe wood with its natural oil, it can keep the bugs out without the need for any chemicals. What’s more, ipe wood decking is resistant to decay and mildew, making it ideal for coastal locations. Architects claim that an ipe deck can last for half a century if maintained properly—and a minimum of 25 years without treatment. This exotic hardwood can resist slivers and scratches and can stand up to heavy use and extreme traffic. Ipe has a rich brown color that can fade if left under the sun for too long. If you want to retain the natural color of your ipe decking, just maintain it with a UV finisher. Some home owners prefer their ipe decking a little bit gray, so they don’t apply finishers. It’s possible to build a deck using bamboo but it can be very challenging to find the right bamboo wood. Most manufacturers harvest bamboo prematurely, diminishing its strength. Note also that bamboo wood goes through several processes before it can be turn to wood decking. It needs to be cut, bleached, and carbonized to remove insects and sugars. Bamboo also needs to undergo the process of gluing, molding, and baking, before it is cured. Another trouble with Bamboo is that the composite material is usually processed in China, and the strands are often bonded with formaldehyde glue. This puts your bamboo deck at risk of curling and peeling. And of course, formaldehyde is a known toxin that is never good for the health. Bamboo decking must be kept dry because humidity alone can cause this type of wood to twist and swell. This material is known to absorb sunlight and heat, so it might not be the most practical choice when building a deck. Sources: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444868204578063091931357384 http://ipedecking239.blog.com/2011/11/07/ipe-decking-vs-bamboo-decking/ http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444868204578063091931357384 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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