IPE Decking? Are There Draw Backs?

Tommy V

Hi, I'm considering trying IPE decking for the first time. Does anyone have any good or bad opinions about this wood? Is it hard to work with? Do end cuts really need to be sealed to prevent checking as I've read? And has anyone had experiance with buying from online dealers?
Thanks for any advice

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

VERY hard to work with, Hard on your tools especially your blades BUT the finished results are Beautiful...

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Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

Tommy V

Thanks Michael,
any advice on where to buy at a reasonable price?

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

No sorry I never ordered the stuff, when I did work with it the GC had it on site already. Have you tried your local lumber yards? I know some online dealers will send you a sample of what they have but I'm not sure about ordering lumber online you never know whats going to end up at your door.

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

bob the builder

I have had good quality and poor quality IPE. I purchase locally. Awesome looking deck. You planning on plugging the screw holes? Yes wax the ends. I do the trim piece on edge also to cover up the end grain. Just rip down a board and have it over hang the facia cladding...

Bob

Tommy V

Thanks Bob, Im thinking im going to use the hidden fasteners, with some reluctance. I feel im sacrificing a fair amount of structural strength for the appeal of the no fastener look.
Ill also be using a fascia board to cover the end grain.

bob the builder

Curious what kind of hidden fastener you are thinking about?

Bob

Tommy V

Ive seen advertised those IPE fasteners and some that you use in conjunction with a biscut jointer.

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

Do a search here on the forum on "IPE decks" I think someone here had bad results with the hidden fasteners and IPE, better safe than sorry.

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

Tommy V

Thanks Michael, Ill do that

DecksEtc

The only "major" drawback I can think of is finding customers willing to pay for the increased cost of it. I haven't run across too many willing to even entertain getting a quote for it in my market.

bob the builder

I'm with you on the customer paying for the increase, and I'm really not that sure what I would use if I did cross that bridge....

Bob

DecksEtc

I'm no expert on hidden fastener sytems in the first place as I have never had a customer wanting it bad enough to be willing to pay for the additional labour. I know the manufacturers of hidden fasteners claim they are the best way to attach deck boards I just haven't seen very many decks done that way, especially over an extended period of time.

I was taught to screw down the boards and have never had a call back on anything related to deck boards that were screwed down.

bergenbldr

Forget the hidden fastner systems.Your best bet is to use a stainless steel trimhead screw ,just make sure you pre-drill or you will end up with a lot of broken screws.

Tommy V

The trim head srcews would make for a stronger installation but ohhh! To put all those holes in that Pretty and expensive wood!

bob the builder

They sell plugs, just have to bore out the hole...


Bob

DecksEtc

Again, more cost involved for labour.

I just need the customer(s) willing to pay the price!

Mike Finley

If they are willing to pay for Ipe, they ought to be willing to pay for the installation. Pluged is the top of the line way to go. It's a shame not to go that route.

I really don't consider it to be hard to work with, other than it's weight. Every wood worker or carpenter likes working with a nice wood and Ipe certainly is that. It's nice to work with as far as I'm concerned.

Il Fissatore

Groove your boards and go hidden, it looks so much cleaner, and its less labor intensive. My buddy Don and I lay grooved ipe in like 4 minutes a board.

Stone Mountain

Terry, I'm on my thrid IPE deck this year.
And, we've done several decks with underscrewing.
My salesman just sold a $20,000 IPE deck, come look when it's done.
steve

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