Add Beauty with an Elegant Look to Your Home Through Ipe Decking

1. Add Beauty with an Elegant Look to Your Home Through Ipe Decking If you are looking for a durable and long-lasting wood for your deck, you cannot go wrong in choosing ipe wood. Also known as ‘Brazilian walnut’, the material is commonly used in building decks and docks, but it has found its way to the structure of durable homes and commercial spaces that need to look effortlessly elegant. Ipe decking is versatile, too, as it can be used for interior and exterior areas. One notable advantage to using this material is its ability to hold up against nature and the elements, while resisting rot, mold, and insects. Ipe wood is usually a rich brown hue with amber-red colors. The luxurious color and grain are factors that add to the natural elegance it can add to your property. The wood ages gracefully, too, as it develops a silver-gray patina over the decades. If you want to keep its sophisticated features, consider maintaining it with a UV finisher. If you look closely, you will find some boards have hints of other colors, and that some boards have a darker shade of brown that they appear almost black. Some ipe decking are greenish or red, too, which can add further character to your structure. You do not have to treat ipe wood to keep it resistant to termites and other bugs, as ipe is naturally hard and dense, making it difficult for insects to chew on it. So, they are likely to find a softer wood. Ipe decking is durable and will resist fungus and pine beetles, too. Its hardness makes it surprisingly scratch resistant. If something drags across an ipe deck, an 80-grit orbital sander will be needed to restore its smoothness. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to pre-drill the wood prior to installation, so you can have an easier time applying the nails or screws. You can expect ipe wood to last for decades, even for generations. This makes it a great investment if you want to add value to your home down the line, while making sure that you can enjoy your deck for many years. Just be sure to purchase high-quality premium grade ipe decking from a trustworthy and reputable supplier.