Few things are more enjoyable than sitting out on a wooden deck and enjoying the surrounding scenery. A deck is usually slightly raised, which means that most creatures that creep or slither will tend not to join you while you are relaxing, and that’s of great benefit to many! A deck opens up your home and provides an opportunity to bring the outdoors into your lifestyle. If you choose the right deck, you could have many years of use out of it, but you would need to ensure that it’s constructed of the right materials for your environment.
Why an Ipe wood deck is a good investment
Ipe is actually Brazilian walnut, so comes from forests in South America. What makes it suitable for a deck is that it’s known to be very strong and resilient and can withstand extremes of temperature, being a very hard wood. According to many deck construction companies, ipe decking is one of the strongest materials on the market, which would make it very attractive to the home owner. Looking at the composition of the wood, it is clear that the wood fibres are very tightly bound together, which is what gives the wood its hardness. The importance of the strength means that the wood has high load-bearing capacity, and also won’t dent or scratch as easily as a softer wood.
Maintenance of an ipe wood deck
Maintenance is one of the principle concerns homeowners have, and why some prefer to build their decks out of plastic that resembles wood, or out of alternative materials. Nothing beats a real wood deck, though, for the smell and authenticity of it. Wooden decks can require a lot of sanding and sealing to keep them in good condition and looking at their best. Another problem is that insects such as termites make their homes in wood, as this is their source of food as well as providing shelter. A further bonus with ipe is that contractors find that they can insert nails and screws without the normal worries about the wood splitting, which can often occur with softer woods.
Surveys have shown that ipe can withstand these insect infestations far better than other woods. Some studies show that they are insect and rot resistant for up to 25 years and more, which would be music to a homeowner’s ears. However, if you are building a deck close to salt water, you may find that ipe can be a problem as it is susceptible to marine borers. If you particularly want to use ipe on a deck near an ocean or estuary, you should discuss this thoroughly with your contractor.
An IPE wood deck should give you many years of maintenance free decking to enjoy. BuyIpeDirect.com can be contacted to discuss the qualities of this wood, and to receive a free quotation.
