Ipe (pronounced E'-pay) is an amazing wood species. Ipe wood is also known as Lapacho, Bethabara, Tabebuia spp, Ironwood, Pau Lope, Mataverde and other trade names. Ipe is one of the hardest species of wood on earth. There are over 30 subspecies of Ipe that grow from Central America through South America.
While all subspecies of Ipe are extremely strong, hard and dense, the best Ipe subspecies are native to Northern Brazil. In this fast growing tropical climate, the Ipe tree reaches full maturity in about 30 to 35 years. The Ipe tree can grow from 140 to 150 ft in height with trunk diameters up to 6 ft. In northern Brazil, Ipe is harvested by sustainable yield forestry methods including IBAMA/SEMA and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Ipe wood is extremely tough and highly durable. Ipe is a very high density tropical hardwood. Ipe is so dense it will actually sink in water. The US Forest Products Laboratory has performed extensive testing of Ipe. The USFPL has found Ipe to be very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites. The United States Navy also conducted extensive research on Ipe and hundreds of other tropical wood species to see which woods performed best against fungus and insect attacks. Ipe tested so highly the US Navy selected Ipe wood to construct the locks in the Panama Canal.
Ipe has a fiber bending strength that is so high, it takes 25,360 pounds of pressure per square inch to break an Ipe board! Ipe is known to dry rapidly with little shrinkage and minimal checking. Ipe is also very stable after drying. Ipe wood is so hard that carbide tipped wood working tools work best.
Ipe lumber is available in a wide variety of sizes and uses including Ipe Timbers, posts, dimensional lumber, boards, hardwood decking, porch flooring, railing, stair parts, furniture, flooring, rainscreen siding and more. Ipe is so strong and durable it is also used for railroad ties, tool handles, shipbuilding, bridges, stakes, posts, truck flooring, container flooring and other uses.
From a cost and value perspective, Ipe is affordable. Ipe is stronger than teak and Ipe costs about 75% less than teak. Ipe outlasts virtually every other wood species in an outdoor environment. Ipe also has a Class A Fire Rating making Ipe an excellent option in projects where safety and fire resistance are a concern. In life cycle cost analyses Ipe ranks at the top of the list making it a very good (and sustainable) return on investment.
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To learn lots more about Ipe and outdoor decking material options, download the comprehensive whitepaper, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking Material"