A thread for Ipe lovers

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Hey all, I thought it might be fun to start an Ipe Lovers thread.

We did a deck recently where the owner just had replaced his rail system with ipe and cable. Pretty neat looking. Rod snapped a shot of one X that had a really cool grain pattern. Thought I would post it. Anyone else have any ipe (or other hard wood) shots with cool patterns in the grain?

Beth

[Proclean 14]

I'm about to give up on posting on these boards - but here goes again. Ipe (ironwoods) on an iron staircase from 2 weeks ago. I hope it turns out. If not maybe this old guy can figure out how to attach a thumbnail. I have many hardwood pictures if needed. Like Shane - what winter. Spring is busting at the seams.

If the picture doesn't show, let me know and I'll email it to someone who knows how to do it.

Paul

Pao Clean

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Paul, send it over and I'll post it for you if you are having difficulty. There are directions in the FAQ area if you feel up to browsing. Basically, if you click Go Advanced instead of using the quick reply, then scroll down to "manage attchments" click that, then browse to the file and click upload....should be all set.

Beth

[Celeste 341]

Here are Paul's pics :) Ooooh, and they're pretty too!

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I love the spiral stairs!

Beth

[Proclean 14]

I guess I'm getting my wings.

An upper and lower deck Ipe on the same house near a lake. The boathouse was also Ipe.

Man, I hope this works.

Paul.

Pro Clean

[Proclean 14]

Man, I'm trying.

Paul

[Proclean 14]

OK. Maybe this old man can be taught some new tricks.

Ipe deck, cypress and cedar below.

Paul,

Pro Clean

[Celeste 341]

Those are beautiful Paul! I really like the last one - curved decks are so nice!

Celeste

[James 624]

just clean with bleach every year......

[PressurePros 248]

LOL.. Jim you are a trip.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Hey Jim,

Put up some finished shots too. :) Ken you too. I know you have some.

Beth

[Celeste 341]

Two tone ipe we did last year - just finished maintenance this week.

[newlook 265]

Sweet...

[James 624]

I was sitting here with a bottle of champane and a cigar . Admiring the work I had just finiished. Relax and think of summer>>>>>>>

[PressurePros 248]

Ipe definitely is nice for pictures. Australian Timber Oil: Honey Teak, Amberwood and a blend of the two (not neccessarily in that order)

[James 624]

Lets do year after pictures????? I have some comming. I also have a few AUSSY strip jobs and siikko's........

[James 624]

This was and is a very difficult job to finish. Parts of the wood were one and half years old and others 2 months.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

That floor looks like cedar, not ipe...? Lots of knots...

Beth

[James 624]

That is cedar who put that there. That was knot supose to go here.

[Roger Oakley 14]

Being from England, what is an "IPE" deck?

Sorry to sound stupid but our decks are nowhere near as large and exotic as the USA so don't know what IPE means.

Roger

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Ipe is a hardwood that grows in Brazil. It's incredibly durable, dense and not very porous. It has the beauty of a fine wood such as Mahogany.

Beth

[StainlessDeal 16]

It is pronounced like the pig-latin for, "pea".

I hadn't even heard of it until last year, and Mr. Petry had to pronounce it for me.

Some call it ironwood or brazilian ironwood. Very hard.

[RPetry 564]

Roger,

When Beth says "dense, and not very porous" that is an extreme understatement. Trying to get any stain into the wood is near impossible.

The wood is so hard and dense, weathering does not deteriorate it to a noticeable degree. Ipe will naturally fade to a silver patina, similar to teak.

Ipe sinks in water. Ipe has the same fire rating as concrete. Older growth ipe will quickly dull carbide saw blades and drill bits. The wood is near bulletproof. It has also become very expensive in the northeastern US.

[Proclean 14]

Be carefull.

Iron Woods is a trade mark for IPE coming from Cecco. If the IPE doesn't have the green label it is not Iron Woods.

Paul Dinos

Pro Clean

[Neil_Asheville 114]

I'm hearing 'ironwood' refered to as the heartwood of any ipe brand. Much like a #1 or premium grade. Is this correct, or is it being misused in place of the Iron Woods brand company?

http://www.ironwoods.com/default.asp

/neil