Best Decking Material
 Ok,
wouldn't it be nice if there was one material that far outshined all
others?
Something
stronger then anything else, tougher, more durable, better looking,
versatile and fairly priced?
well it's often imitated, and holds up for years
and years without even applying a finish, does not split splinter or
degrade and does not take a boat load of oil to produce. It's Ipe the
South American ironwoood. Ipe is too dense and tough that water does not
seriously penetrate and deteriorate Ipe like other lesser woods and
composites. This density makes Ipe difficult to apply a finish
(Ipe with an oil finish is perhaps the most beautiful deck you will ever
see) however the good news is Ipe holds up beautifully with no finish at
all, Ipe will patina a lovely soft silver color and require only the
most basic maintenance occasional cleaning (most folks just power wash
their Ipe decks once in a while).
pricing: Ipe is more expensive
then rather treated lumber, but on par with a clear cedar, mahogany, or
redwood which it blows away, and about the same cost as many of the mid
to high end composites. Ipe is cheaper then many of the high end
composites that try to mimic Ipe's apperance,so you get the real thing
for less money then the wannabee.
greeness: Ipe harvesting is
monitored by the forestry stewardship, and by creating a valuable
harvestable selective cash crop, some of the rain forest may actually be
sparred of clear cutting. Of course it takes no oil to produce Ipe like
a composite decking, save for bamboo (which we are testing right now)
real wood decking is about as green as you will find. It would be nice
if composites (made from recycled materials? ) were as green as they are
implied.
There are so other great choices in their own
niches. we like Evergrain and Azek composites, we understand Ipe is not
for everyone and both of these products have solid attributes. Tigerwood
is another beautiful exotic. Although not quite as durable and dense as
Ipe Tigerwood usually prices out a substantial discount. Tigerwood is
probably the best value on the marketplace right now. Bamboo decking is
on the horizon, bamboo is rapid growing, strong and durable. current
offerings require a maintenance commitment for outdoor decking usage,
and bamboo does not come cheap. But we will continue to watch and test
bamboo.
In closing, Ipe stands out as the best material
for decks 2nd to none, Tigerwood is a great buy, Evergrain and Azek are
great composite's and fairly priced, and bamboo may be an option in the
near future.
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