Building a custom home for a client and wants to change from composite to Ipe decking.Its 38' x 12' and never used this wood before. Would appreciate any advice and tips on installation. What thickness and width seems to be the most popular, And what do you recommend for fastening? Thanks for your help.
Advice on Ipe decking
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3,359 Posts
the search button is your friend. lots of threads on ipe here...
Mac
Mac
I have lost counting how many Ipe decks we did but it is probably over 500. We have tried all kinds of fasteners but the last 4 years we stick with screwing and plugging. It is a bulletproof and never have a call back. Most use 4/4 boards now including me and use 16" o.c. (12" o.c. with diagonal pattern). If you have the money than 5/4 is great but really not needed if you have the joist spacing at 16
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109 Posts
5/4 x 6 Ipe. Order with a groove milled in the edges. There are several fasteners to use with the groove. The fastest and strongest is stainless steel and can be installed with a pneumatic gun.
The biggest issue with screws on Ipe is labor cost. EVERY screw hole needs to be pre-drilled and countersunk.
Check out this pneumatic gun on YouTube. search Youtube for "TC Gun" and
"comparison video tc gun".
Use this method and you can install Ipe as quickly as any other deck board.
If you want to try this new gun the rep in your area will bring it by your jobsite Contact me and I will get you her contact info.
The biggest issue with screws on Ipe is labor cost. EVERY screw hole needs to be pre-drilled and countersunk.
Check out this pneumatic gun on YouTube. search Youtube for "TC Gun" and
"comparison video tc gun".
Use this method and you can install Ipe as quickly as any other deck board.
If you want to try this new gun the rep in your area will bring it by your jobsite Contact me and I will get you her contact info.
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3,673 Posts
Using any of the clips with ipe is a major gamble for a lot of reasons with or without that silly gun.
John agrees with Al and Clemens face fasten all the S American lumber, pluging makes for a great install but will take some time....actually after your into it using a forster bit,tightbond 111, a random orbital, and factory plugs like East Teak sell pluging is not all that bad far as time goes. J.
John agrees with Al and Clemens face fasten all the S American lumber, pluging makes for a great install but will take some time....actually after your into it using a forster bit,tightbond 111, a random orbital, and factory plugs like East Teak sell pluging is not all that bad far as time goes. J.
I don't like the pre-grooved boards, perfer to use biscuit cutter to install clips if you're going to use them.
I looked at a DIY'er ipe deck last week. The guy used pre-grooved boards with eb-ty's. Some places the groove was not deep enough so he clips the eb-ty's. :laughing:
After the boards shrink there was barely any left to hold the boards down so he had a cupping problem, especially at the butt joints. He should have screwed & plugged the ends, but wasn't really to concerned about that, just wanted it finished since he'd been working on it for 2 years.
I looked at a DIY'er ipe deck last week. The guy used pre-grooved boards with eb-ty's. Some places the groove was not deep enough so he clips the eb-ty's. :laughing:
After the boards shrink there was barely any left to hold the boards down so he had a cupping problem, especially at the butt joints. He should have screwed & plugged the ends, but wasn't really to concerned about that, just wanted it finished since he'd been working on it for 2 years.
Everything looks good when it is just built. How does it look in 10 years.
With the screw and plug it will last for a very long time and I can re sand it if needed which I can't do with regular face screws. I seen these clips come out no matter how tight you installed it and forgot about an Ipe deck that is low to the ground with no or low ventilation.
Like John said, it is not that bad if the guys have a system going and give George from East Teak a call for your plugs.
You need some plugs anyway if you do an Ipe railing. My guys just love to plug everything because it looks so great.
With the screw and plug it will last for a very long time and I can re sand it if needed which I can't do with regular face screws. I seen these clips come out no matter how tight you installed it and forgot about an Ipe deck that is low to the ground with no or low ventilation.
Like John said, it is not that bad if the guys have a system going and give George from East Teak a call for your plugs.
You need some plugs anyway if you do an Ipe railing. My guys just love to plug everything because it looks so great.
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