Decking specialists in London

Ipe

Botanical Name:Tabebuia spp

Family:  Bignoniaceae 

 Distribution: Central & South America

The Tree:  Ipe is a large canopy tree, growing to a height of 120 feet in the natural rain forest, with trunk diameter up to 3 feet. Some specimens grow to 150 feet with a 6 foot diameter trunk.

The Wood:  Ipe heartwood is light to dark olive brown, often with attractive lighter or darker striping and striking contrasts with the lighter color sapwood. It has a fine texture, medium lustre, and a somewhat oily appearance. Ipe is very hard (two to three times as hard as oak), very strong and very heavy. It weighs approximately 70 pounds per cubic foot and sinks in water which makes this the heaviest wood we feature. Ipe is rated as extremely durable and is so dense that water penetration is low enabling a very quick drying time after rain. It is also extremely resistant to algae which helps prevent it becoming slippery and is perfect around swimming pools. The wood is naturally a very rich colour which fades with time to an attractive light silver. An annual application of Australian Timber Oil will preserve the original colour.

Summary: Ipe is prized for quality furniture and decorative veneers, and because of its legendry strength, durability, and resistance to rot and splitting is our first choice in hardwood decking. In the United States ipe has the same fire resistance certification as steel or concrete. It has the colour, durability and strength of teak but is a fraction of the price.  

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