Anyone use Ipe on a porch deck?

[kerry]

Put down fir 23 yrs ago but the southern exposure and snow have finished it off. Considering replacing with Ipe. Non-tongue/groove with clip fasteners?? Pretty expensive stuff but it looks like it would last.

[t walgamuth]

I used redwood on my deck and after 20 years some parts are pretty bad. I have a separate balcony which I plan to pull up the redwood from, salvage the best of it to repair the other deck and put down some sort of synthetic/wood product. I have not done my homework on all the options but at first I was thinking to go with the solid "boards" but today was leaning more toward the t and g with concealed fasteners which should provide a fairly water tight surface which offers some advantages.

[kerry]

The Ipe seller I looked at said only use t/g ipe on covered porches, not on open porches.

[t walgamuth]

That's not what I am familiar with. I'll do some research and get back with what it was.

[David Wilson]

T&G on an open porch will be a constant problem with mildew and other associated moisture issues. The rain needs to flow through the deck. IPE holds up well in high moisture areas.
I have a seat in my shower made of IPE. The wood is so dense it will not take a finish. What ever you put on it stays on the outside. Does not penetrate. Should make a top notch deck. Good luck.

[kerry]

No mildew problems around here. Too dry. Will it hold up in very dry but snowy environs?

[suginami]

Originally Posted by kerry

No mildew problems around here. Too dry. Will it hold up in very dry but snowy environs?

I don't see why it wouldn't.

This Old House has been using ipe on nearly all their projects in New England the past several years.

[Emmerich]

Any open deck needs to have spaces for water drainage which would cause issue with hidden fasteners being seen. You can't nail Ipe, too hard, drill a hole and use a screw. Maybe they are other hidden fasteners that would work.

[sunedog]

You also have to seal the end grain of every cut. I used ot build decks as a sideline business but never had a customer go for the added expense of Ipe. I've done some woodworking projects with it and I disagree with above...you can stain it and put polyurethane on it.

[kerry]

Looks like it's about $800 in materials for a 70 sq ft porch.

[MercFan]

Family friend is a contractor and few years back he built a house for a manfacturing executive near South Bend, IN. He used Ipe on his wrap around deck - this was few years back... I'd have to check how it's holding up but I felt a piece of it in my hand and it's so dense, like nothing you've ever seen before. You cannot put a nail through that wood - you need special fasteners or drill holes thorough it. Excellent wood from Brazil.

Next time I have a chance to speak with him I'll ask, but I would venture to guess that will last for years.

[kerry]

They have it on the docks at Chatfield Marina directly exposed to all the weather year round. Seems to be holding up well.

[cmac2012]

When using hardwood I often, well, always predrill for nails. Using finish nails, or headed nails for that matter, I use a bit that is exactly the size of the nail or a tad smaller. Works for maple which is pretty hard. Not used Ipe but I've heard it's about as durable as teak.

[sunedog]

I mentioned I've used Ipe for some woodworking projects. Here is a Thomas the Train table I made out of Ipe for my son.

(BTW -- it's for sale. He's outgrown it. It's my custom design. Folding legs. Has a table top that converts it into an activity table that you can use without tearing apart the train layout.)

[kerry]

Ordered my porch Ipe from this place. $1.55 per linear foot for 1x4x7' on sale.

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