Choose the Beauty and Durability of Ipe Hardwood Decking

Like many homeowners, you may be thinking of installing an Ipe hardwood decking because a lot of people are recommending it. But then you see how much it would cost you to build an Ipe deck—and you start to wonder if it’s really worth the price. Despite the expensive cost of Ipe hardwood decking, it is still considered a great investment. Upgrading your deck using this type of hardwood can add value and timeless elegance to your home.

Durability

Nothing can match the durability of an Ipe hardwood decking. Ipe is resistant to threats that cause problems for most hardwoods. Water, moisture, termite, and heat are not a problem—you can expect your Ipe hardwood decking to last for decades without the need for any repair or a rigorous maintenance routine.

Aesthetic value

Ipe wood has fewer color variations than other types of hardwood. Because of that, the decks can create a more uniform appearance when assembled together. Ipe ranges from olive brown to dark brown or almost black, complete with discrete striping and unique grains. Ipe also varies in terms of texture, with choices ranging from fine, medium, grain straight, and irregular. Many homeowners choose not to apply stain or any type of finishing to their Ipe decking because they look visually arresting just as they are. As years go by, Ipe wood will naturally fade to silver, making your outdoor space look even more luxurious.

Most hardwoods are chosen either because they are beautiful or durable, but Ipe can give you the best of both worlds. It can be installed in any environment without getting damaged. It will also keep itself visually appealing without you having to do much maintenance. Ipe decks are expensive, but if you look hard enough, you can find a reputable supplier that sells quality Ipe decks for less.

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Why Should You Choose a Tigerwood Deck for Your Home?

Brazilian hardwoods are known for their durability and a wide range of uses. There are different types to consider, with tigerwood being one of the best if you are looking for a reasonably priced material in a lighter color for your deck. By choosing a tigerwood deck, you can have a visually striking outdoor area using a material that is environmentally friendly. It is a suitable alternative to composite decks, too, especially if you like its brown graining pattern hue, which is a good match to ipe, in case you are using two different materials in an installation.

Tigerwood deck is a fine hardwood that comes in unique colors, such as reddish brown and light golden brown, with the notable brown and black stripes, resulting in a look that resembles that of a tiger’s coat, hence, the name. With kiln drying, the wood will dry to a reddish-brown color. Tigerwood itself provides an exotic look that will last for years, as it naturally resists decay and rotting. So, you can use it not just for floors, but also as trim or paneling for interior applications, too.

Ipe railings go well with a tigerwood deck, in case you are looking to add more character to your exterior spaces. Just like ipe, tigerwood will easily resist termites due to its hardness, which should turn off the bugs and other wood destroying organisms. Likewise, it is highly resistant to mold and rotting, even when it is frequently damp or soaked in water. When it reaches the end of its service life, it can be thrown in a landfill and left to decompose, which should occur quickly, unlike when you use composite wood that can take thousands of years to rot. Consider buying tigerwood from a reputable supplier that complies with the Lacey act, so you can be sure that the material is responsibly harvested from sustainable and properly managed forests.

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Points to Be Considered for When Choosing a Teak Wood Decking

Brazilian teak wood decking or sometimes called Cumaru decking is a great choice for hardwood decking for homes. With its natural beauty, resistance to decay and rot, teak wood decking lets homeowners enjoy enduring beauty for years. In fact, with proper maintenance and care, this hardwood decking can last more than 25 years.

Brazilian teak wood decking looks like ipe but is slightly cheaper. Perhaps this is the reason why some builders choose it as an alternative to the expensive and heavy ipe. Choosing the right teak wood for your decking is straightforward, though, you must carefully consider the following factors for optimal results:

·         Color variations

As with most tropical hardwoods, Brazilian teak comes with beautiful color variations that range from medium tan to deep tones with reddish-brown tints. You can pick specific shades to complement your home design or you may just let the color variations to make your deck look more natural. Having more pronounced grains, Brazilian teak will surely turn your outdoor setting unique.

·         Decking board sizes

Your choice of decking board sizes is not limited to regular 6 to 7-foot. You can select shorter or odd-length decking boards, too. This is advantageous to homes with odd-shaped decks. This also saves you money.

·         Price

Brazilian teak is an expensive material. But because its market demand is lower compared to ipe and other hardwood, some U.S suppliers sell them at a more affordable price. Some reputable suppliers even price them lower than the market price because they have low overheads.

·         Reputable supplier

If you are going to shell out your money for an expensive Brazilian teak decking, might as well go to a reputable supplier. This does not only ensure durable and high-quality decking boards but also superior customer service. Only a credible supplier can provide helpful insights and tips, from selection, installation, to maintenance.

·         Warranty
 

Despite the durability of Brazilian teak, suppliers should still offer at least one-year warranty to their clients. That way, your decking is covered in case of defects.

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4 Major Point of Difference Between Cumaru Decking and Garapa Decking

When choosing Brazilian hardwoods, you are likely to encounter garapa and cumaru decking materials. Both are popular in the US as lighter color woods, but there are certain differences in their look and feel that could make you prefer one over the other. Knowing these characteristics will make it easier to decide which material is best for your deck. So, here is an overview of the main differences between cumaru and garapa decking:

1. The name – Garapa is also called, ‘Brazilian oak’ due to its hardness and density that is similar to the regular oak. On the other hand, cumaru is ‘Brazilian teak’, which is one of the densest woods, making it highly durable and suitable for building a long-lasting deck. Cumaru decking may seem like IPE to the untrained eye, making it an excellent alternative to the classic IPE if you are looking for harder, lightly colored alternative.
   
   
2. The colors – Cumaru typically comes in two variants: red and yellow. Both are used for commercial and decking applications. Its pronounced grain can stand out further with a sealant coating or any high-quality stain. If you prefer a medium-brown hue, consider garapa decking. It can be darkened with tinted finishers if you want a more subdued hue. The material’s grain is characterized as irregular, interlocked, and fine, with a medium texture. Reputable suppliers of cumaru decking carry Garapa in varied grain and color that will add more character to your deck.

3. Durability – Garapa’s hardness is at 2280 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, which makes it harder than oak and maple. This feature makes it durable and resistant to termites, scratches, decay, and rot, and it will not require any wood preservatives. Cumaru decking is at 3540 lbf on the Janka scale and it can resist the same things that garapa can.
   
   
4. Versatility – Cumaru is not just used for decks. It can be used as fencing or outdoor seating material, too. Garapa is mostly used for building decks.

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Cedar Timbers - Select the Right Product for Your Building Project

Cedar is popularly known not only for its aroma, but also for its hardness and strength. Cedar timbers are very durable and pass all building codes and standards in North America. For most builders and designers, cedar timbers are the perfect choice for many types of building projects because of their resistance to rot, moisture, and such issues. They are also used for making different pieces of furniture, canoes, paddles, and musical instruments.

How can one kind of wood be this versatile? That's because cedar exist in multiple varieties. Some of the types of cedar timbers for decking, shingles, and siding are Western Red Cedar, Northern White Cedar, and Yellow Cedar.

If cedar timbers have multiple varieties, wouldn't they come in different colors, too? This is correct. In fact, cedar comes in a wide a range of tones such as cream, yellow, reddish-brown, and pinkish-red. Occasionally, your cedar timber may have tinges and streaks of purple and pink colors. With this wide color option, it’s much easier to build cedar decks, sidings, and shingles that complement your home’s design.

Of course, cedar timbers also vary in terms of prices. The most common type is Western Red Cedar, which is also one of the most affordable options for decking. Meanwhile, Spanish Cedar and Yellow Cedar are the most expensive types as they are harder to obtain.

High-quality cedar timbers can only be found from reputable retailers or suppliers. You'll know that you are dealing with the right supplier based on how hands-on they are at answering your inquiries. They are not just helpful in terms of choosing the right kind of cedar timber for your project but also in giving installation and maintenance tips. They also sell cedar at fantastic prices.

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Teak Wood Decking and Flooring - An Amazing Option for Home Improvement

You can immediately differentiate this from other types of wood with its yellow or red color. Teak is a dependable and quality wood decking which will enhance the look and style of your home. If you are interested in teak wood decking then you will want to know its many benefits.

· Elegance of teak wood decking: - There’s something about a wood deck that makes it a home warmer and more welcoming. The sophistication of teak wood provides a particular kind of beauty that no composite material can offer. Its natural hue together and fine grains produces a combination of perfect deck lines.

· Durability: - Teak is a Brazilian hardwood that can last for up to 20 years with little maintenance. According to the Janka Wood Hardness scale, Cumaru or teak wood comes in at 3540 lbf. To compare, natural oak is at 1360 lbf. Teak is almost 3 times harder than oak wood.

· Protection against insects: - Because of the high density of this wood, pests and other insects have a difficult time penetrating it. Teak wood decking lasts for decades thanks to is natural protective properties. Even without preservatives, teak is a very effective material for indoor and outdoor flooring.

· Uses beyond the deck: - You can use teak wood for almost every part of the house—not just for the deck. Some people use it as living room flooring. The color reflects light nicely and brightens up the room. The reddish brown and yellow combination makes the flooring unique.

Teak wood can also serve as materials for outdoor furniture. With the right shape and size, teak can be turned into useful seats and chairs that you can use in your outdoor space, such as your porch, backyard, or swimming pool deck.

Blog Source URL: https://www.abswood.com/blog/teak-wood-decking-flooring-amazing-option-home-improvement/

Interesting Facts to Know About Brazilian Ipe Decking

You may have heard about how durable Brazilian Ipe decking is. You may have also seen how beautiful it is with its brown color, fine texture, and attractive grain pattern. But there are some little-known facts about this type of wood—and we are enumerating them in this blog.

• Ipe is actually pronounced as i- pei.

• Ipe is a Class A fire resistant material. What does this mean? Simply put, Brazilian Ipe decking was tested according to the standards created by ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials. A sample of the material was installed in a test chamber and exposed to a gas flame. After the test, Ipe was found out to have a Class A rating—same as concrete and steel. The 3 classes of fire rating are Class A, B and C, based on FSR or flame spread rating.

• This type of Brazilian wood decking lasts, conservatively, for at least 50 years. It can last even longer with proper care.

• Ipe comes from the forests of Brazil. Huge trucks harvest Ipe and travel miles on dirt roads, moist soil, and makeup bridges.

• To protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of hardwoods, a law was established more than 100 years ago and amended several times. It is known as the Lacey Act, named after the Iowa congressman John Lacey. This Act bans the import of illegally harvested wood and wood products into the US. Leading suppliers in the US support the Lacey Act and require strict compliance in all their Brazilian Ipe decking imports.

• This wood is three times harder than oak. Based on the Janka Hardness Test, its rating is 3680 lb. The test is specially made to measure wood’s resistance to wear and dents. As a point of perspective, the softest wood exposed on a Janka test has a rating of 22 lbs. Ipe is also naturally scratch resistant.

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