General information

The Basics of Brazilian Hardwoods, or, Frequently Asked Ipe Questions

What are Brazilian Hardwoods? Brazilian Hardwoods include the species of Ipe, Jatoba, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Masaranduba. These woods are more commonly know as Brazilian Walnut (Ipe), Brazilian Teak (Cumaru), Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba), and Brazilian Redwood (Masaranduba). Brazilian Wood Decks, especially Ipe,  are known throughout the world for their durability and for their beauty. An Brazilian Hardwood deck will outlast any other due to its high density and natural resistance against insects.

What is Ipe specifically? Per Wikipedia; Ipe wood is used for furniture, decking, and other outdoor uses. It has a fire rating of A1 (the highest possible, the same as concrete) [2], and is denser than water (it sinks). It is increasingly popular as a decking material due to its insect resistance and durability. FSC-certified Ipe wood is now (as of 2007) readily available on the market.

Why should I use Brazilian Decking like Ipe vs composites or other materials? Brazilian Hardwoods like Ipe and Cumaru are environmentally responsible choices which naturally resist rot, decay, insects, and mold without the use of toxic chemicals used in other decking products.  Brazilian Hardwoods are naturally fire resistant with an 'A1' rating, the same as concrete and steel.  Additionally, Brazilian hardwoods are incredibly strong, dense, and harvested from naturally sustainable forests. Brazilian Hardwoods are very durable in daily use, and are resistant to splintering and checking.

How hard are Brazilian Hardwoods like Ipe and how do they compare to Domestic woods like Oak and Hickory?  All woods are ranked on the Janka Scale.  Brazilian Hardwoods are 2 to 3 times as hard as anything grown domestically.

What are other names for Brazilian Hardwoods?  Ipe is known by many names: Ipe Brazil, Amapa, cortex, Guayacan, Flor Amarillo, Greenheart, Madera negra, Tahuari, Lapacho negro and probably others. In addition, it has a number of trade names such as Ironwood™, Pau Lope™ and Brazilian Walnut.   Unfortunately, some dealers use these trade names not only for Ipe wood, but also a number of other similar species like cumaru.    At Advanced Building Supplies you can always be assured you are getting RealIpe, RealCumaru, RealJatoba, RealTigerwood, RealTatajuba or other RealWood species as board is tagged with its species name.

What separates traditional decking woods from the exotic ones? The exotic woods differentiate themselves by their unbeatable hardness and their fabulous natural colors. Traditional decking must be painted or stained. Brazilian hardwoods have a rich grain that makes application of colorant unnecessary.   Hardness is demonstrated by the Janka Scale.

Why use Brazilian Hardwoods for decking? Brazilian Hardwoods far outlast PT and look beautiful. The hardest, Ipe is rated to last 100 years. What this means is the will retain their beauty for as long as you own your home. They will then be an asset towards its sale. A Pressure Treated Pine (PT) deck will need to be replaced in 10-15 years. This means it will be showing its age in a far shorter time. Brazilian hardwoods will still look new.

Can I use Brazilian Hardwood for my Dock? Yes! Brazilian Hardwood provides the same benefits for docks as it does for decks. If anything, Brazilian hardwood makes even more sense in a dock application.   This site shows a Cumaru Dock originally built with PT. It was old and unsafe then replaced with Cumaru.

Do Pine Beatles attack Brazilian Hardwoods? No, they do not attack Brazilian Hardwoods.  Pine Beatles are spreading throughout the US.  The good news is the US Department of Agriculture and Forestry rates Ipe as "Very resistant to attack by decay, fungi and termites."

How do I know I am really getting Brazilian Hardwoods? Brazilian hardwoods are not common in the US and are frequently mis-identified. We at Advanced Building Supplies only sell RealWood wood products. Each length of decking is individually tagged with its species name. Click here for an example.

What is the Fire Rating on Brazilian Hardwoods like Ipe?  Ipe has a Class A fire rating, the same rating given to concrete & steel.

Why don't you have lots of pictures on your website? We strive to have both photos and accurate information about Brazilian hardwoods. One area that many people miss is our Warehouse Tour.  Another site with photos and information, actually one of the best, is Brazilian Wood Depot. We recommend you review their information about the Brazilian hardwoods. You can also call us, our expertise is free.

A note on 5/4 vs. 4/4 decking.  Customer purchases of 5/4 over the past year has dropped dramatically!   Most customers tell us that 5/4 is just too expensive and you really do not need it.  

Should I use 5/4 or 4/4 decking?  Great video answer here.   For any deck with 16" centers on joists, 4/4 decking is ample.   This question usually arises when a builder is scoping 20" or 24" on centers.   Using 20" centers for joists instead of 16" centers really does not save you much time or money.  I've noticed other websites that have used 24" centers on joists with good results. So, this 20" or 24" center must be okay. We do not recommend it because none of our contractors have ever tried it. They simply prefer 16" centers because they like the added strength and security this provides with very little difference in cost or labor.   In summary, 5/4 costs 35-40% more, is not structurally necessary and doesn't add anything aesthetically.   The difference you will pay between 5/4 and 4/4 is far greater than the 16" center PT joists and labor to install them.  Finally, always check with your local building code before starting your deck project.  Many areas in Florida and Louisiana (and other southern states) will mandate deck and dock minimums. 

Joist Centers: 12" or 16" or 20" oh my:  See paragraph above.

How do Brazilian Hardwoods like Ipe withstand the weather?  Weather has little to no effect upon the structural integrity of Ipe, Cumaru or any Brazilian Hardwood decking. The sun will eventually transform the decking from it's original colors to a beautiful silver patina.  If you choose, you can keep the original colors by periodic sealing your deck with a UV Deck Sealer.

Can I use T&G Decking for flooring?  Their are two big differences between T&G Decking and T&G Flooring.  1) Decking is not end matched, or in other words, the T&G are not milled on the ends.  2) T&G Decking is not Kiln dried.  In general air dried products are designed for outdoor use and Kiln dried products are designed for indoor use.

Note: throughout this website, we use the term Ipe and Brazilian Hardwoods interchangeably.  In 99% of the time, what is said about Ipe will also apply to the other hardwood decking, specifically; Jatoba, Tigerwood, Cumaru, Cumaru Rosa, Tatajuba, Garapa, Massaranduba, and others that we carry.  If a specific discussion or answer only applies to a specific wood species, then that fact will be communicated to the reader.