How to Buy Ipe Wood
How to Buy Ipe Wood
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Ipe wood is an exotic hardwood that is highly durable and resistant to rots, insects and decay. It is a popular choice for many home improvements projects such as siding, fencing and decking. It can last more than 75 years without preservatives, making it one of the best choices for long-term durability.
How to Buy Ipe Lumber
When buying lumber it is important to find out where the timber comes from and whether it has been harvested in a responsible way. This will help you protect the environment and ensure that future generations have access to this beautiful timber. To get insights about how to recognize the hardness of mahogany, check out this page.
The wood's quality should be guaranteed, so make sure the supplier you choose has a strong reputation for ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship. If you can, ask for samples to be able to judge the quality before buying large amounts of lumber.
A reputable supplier will be able to provide you with a number of grades, which is important for matching your design and ensuring that you get the exact look you want from your deck or fence. The grade of the timber is based on several factors such as weight and density, grain pattern and appearance.
Grain Variation and Rustic Grade Ipe – The grain in the timber will vary between boards, depending on where they were cut from. This means that the different pieces of timber are slightly different in color and texture. This is what gives Ipe the rustic look and feel that makes it so popular for decks.
Density & Fire Resistant Properties: Ipe is dense, which makes it less susceptible to burning than other woods. It also has a fire rating comparable to steel and concrete, so epay wood is a great choice for outdoor structures.
Ipe is also highly resistant to fungi, insects and decay. The US Forest Products Laboratory has tested the wood and found it to be extremely durable against these conditions. It was also selected by the US Navy for its ability to resist termites and decay fungi.
This means that it is one of the most sustainable options available for those who are concerned about the impact their materials may have on the environment. The Brazilian government has an excellent forestry program and can trace each piece of Ipe timber to its source.
Price
Ipe costs more than some other hardwoods, but it is still a good value for your money. It is typically sold by the linear foot, but it can also be purchased by the pound for larger projects.
It is a heavy wood, which means that it can be difficult to saw and drill into. If you're planning to face screw into your ipe timber, you should use a pre-drilling tool such as the Smart-Bit by Starborn. This will ensure that the screws are inserted securely and do not chew through the timber.
You can also get the material air-dried, which is best for outdoor applications as it helps to reduce moisture levels and keep the timber stable in hot or cold weather. It's a bit more expensive than kiln-dried. Get a general overview of the topic here: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwood.