Ipe is a type of Brazilian hardwood that is used for a wide range of applications, including decking. It has incredible resistance to the elements, making it ideal for outdoor use. The environmentally-friendly ipe does not need toxic chemicals to prevent rotting, decaying, molding, and insects. It can also easily retain its color with just a UV blocker finisher.
When it comes to the installation of ipe wood for your decking, it’s best to contact a contractor. You can do the installation yourself, but it will take you a lot of time. What’s more, a DIY project can be more costly when you make expensive mistakes or need to buy tools that aren’t in your tool box. Consider the risks of getting an injury when doing DIY projects too. Calling in the professionals is more practical and safer. Don’t worry—you still have full control over the project. The best deck builders will make sure that you are involved every step of the way.
When you order ipe wood decking, you will receive two types of wood: the support and the surface. To keep everything together, you will need to purchase stainless steel. Once construction is complete, you can let your ipe decking bathe in the sun for a couple of days until you get its wanted color. After that, you can finish it off with UV protection finisher.
When it comes to maintenance, ipe decking only needs touch ups of UV protection finishers. There’s no need to sand it out. If your ipe decking gets a little bit of gray color due to sun exposure, you can restore it by using brightener cleaner. For regular cleaning, you can simply wash it with water or opt for pressure washing depending on condition of your deck. If you are a little apprehensive of doing it on your own, you can request for professional ipe deck cleaning.