If you’re searching for the strongest decking material available today, you’ll eventually encounter ipe Brazilian hardwood. This dense species grows in South America, mainly Brazil and Peru, and today, it has earned a reputation for exceptional performance, especially for custom decking.

But what truly makes it one of the toughest timbers you can buy? Understanding its structure will help you decide if it fits your project.

What is ipe?

Ipe is known for its rich brown to olive tones and smooth to medium texture and interlocked grain. But it’s also well-known for its hardness — a trait that earned it nicknames like Brazilian black walnut or ironwood. Its high density makes it remarkably resilient, especially for demanding applications where you need materials that must endure decades of use. You just need to make sure that you’re using high-quality Brazilian ipe decking to enjoy that benefit. If sustainability matters to you, choose FSC-certified ipe.

Here at ABSWood, we can supply you with FSC-certified ipe Brazilian hardwood, meaning the lumber comes from responsibly managed forests. Every plank is traced through a documented Chain of Custody process, from harvest to delivery.

FSC certification also ensures respect for local communities and long-term forest health. And as a bonus, choosing FSC-certified Brazilian ipe decking may even help your project qualify for LEED credits.

What are the characteristics of ipe wood?

  • Durability – Ipe’s exceptional density contributes to its long service life. With proper maintenance, you can make your ipe Brazilian hardwood deck can last up to 75 years or possibly more, making it one of the most durable wood options available. This longevity makes it ideal for projects where structural stability and performance must be maintained over many decades.
  • Excellent fire resistance- Ipe holds a Class A fire rating, which puts it in the same category as steel and concrete when it comes to fire resistance. This added safety benefit makes Brazilian ipe decking a smart choice when your property needs to prioritize optimum fire performance.
  • Superior strength – Ipe’s strength is one of the main reasons it outperforms nearly every other decking material. With a Janka hardness rating of 3,680 lbf (16,390 N), it ranks among the hardest woods available. This means you won’t have to worry about common objects or foot traffic scratching the surface, making it highly resistant to heavy wear. It’s why ipe Brazilian hardwood is reliable in demanding outdoor environments.

If you happen to drag something across the surface, you can usually restore the finish with an 80-grit orbital sand — yes, you will need 80-grit because it’s that hard. This toughness allows your Brazilian ipe decking to stay smooth and visually impressive, even after decades of use.

Ipe is also exceptionally dense — about 69 lbs/ft³ (1,100 kg/m³) — so you must use carbide-tipped tools and pre-drill fastener holes for clean installation. Its density reduces expansion and contraction to around 2% to 4%, helping the ipe Brazilian hardwood stay stable through extreme temperature changes. This structure also makes your deck highly resistant to termites and other insects. Its density is so significant that ipe sinks in water, unlike lighter wood species that float.

  • Resistance to bugs – Ipe trees grow in tropical regions, and this gives them the natural oils and tight grain that add to the strength and durability of the hardwood. These properties help your Brazilian ipe decking resist termites as well as mold and fungus. Wood-destroying organisms like pine beetles and fungi cannot penetrate ipe’s dense structure, so your deck maintains its structural integrity without chemical treatments.

Build a tough deck with ABSWood

Here at ABSWood, we supply you with premium-grade ipe Brazilian hardwood with consistent color and strict quality specifications — all at direct-from-mill pricing. If you’re ready to build a deck that delivers long-term performance, call 1-877-722-7473 (1-877-7ABS-IPE) or 352-508-4990 to request a tailored quote.