Are you planning to build a new deck or update an existing one? ABS Wood specializes in offering a broad selection of sustainably sourced ipe hardwood decking for your project.
Using ipe hardwood decking not only enhances your outdoor living space and increases your property’s value—it also offers a range of benefits. Known for its rich brown color, ipe (sometimes called Ironwood or Brazilian Black Walnut) brings a touch of elegance to your home. Its durability and resistance to moisture—which helps prevent fungus, rot, and wood-destroying organisms—make it an ideal choice for decking.
Beyond this, ipe hardwood decking has an additional advantage: It helps reduce your environmental footprint. By selecting ipe for your deck, you contribute to global efforts aimed at preserving the rainforests.
Here are five key reasons why ipe hardwood decking is a superior choice for both you and the environment:
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Responsibly sourced
At ABS Wood, we sell only responsibly sourced ipe wood decking from sustainably managed forests in South America to show our commitment to the Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is an international non-profit organization dedicated to managing and ensuring the sustainability of forests around the world. FSC-certified bodies monitor and audit all wood products from the forests to job sites.
FSC certification is important because it encourages positive governance in maintaining forests. Governments and companies are working together to maintain and monitor local forests while the organization coordinates their efforts. In addition, buying FSC-certified ipe means you’re using materials from well-managed forests, so be sure to look for their check mark and tree logo when buying ipe hardwood decking. We proudly show that logo here at ABS Wood.
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Represents the pillars of sustainability
When you buy from us, you are guaranteed a full Chain of Custody ipe. Plus, you know you’re building with ipe wood decking that is socially responsible, sourced in an environmentally friendly way, and economically viable, the three pillars linked with forest sustainability. At ABS Wood, we sell only ipe that complies with the Lacey Act, so you can be confident that it’s responsibly harvested.
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Reduces landfill contributions
Ipe hardwood decking is all-natural, unlike composites. While durable and long-lasting, composite wood contains materials that take centuries to rot and return to the earth. That’s not a problem with ipe because it’s naturally biodegradable, so it won’t sit too long in landfills.
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Reduces waste
With ordinary materials, you will have to replace and rebuild your deck after a few decades. Ipe wood decking is denser than oak. Imagine a baseball bat but 3 times harder. This density also makes it fire-resistant like concrete, earning an A1 fire rating.
In technical terms, ipe scores 3680 lb on the Janka Hardness scale. That makes the wood difficult to pierce or scratch. Another advantage to this hardness is ipe hardwood decking naturally resists pests and fungus. That means pine beetles, termites, and other wood-destroying organisms won’t be able to grip the wood.
These benefits demonstrate that ipe’s longevity surpasses that of standard hardwoods, eliminating the need for frequent replacements or repairs of your deck. By choosing ipe, you reduce waste production associated with building new structures every few years.
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It doesn’t require chemical treatments and pesticides
Ipe wood decking is naturally durable, resilient, low-maintenance, and pest-resistant, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time applying treatments regularly. In fact, you can skip chemicals and pesticides altogether without worries.
However, we recommend applying a UV-blocking finisher periodically to your ipe hardwood decking if you want to preserve its rich brown color. Otherwise, you can let it age with sun exposure and turn silver-gray.
So, if you’re thinking of using environmentally friendly materials, contact us here at ABS Wood to get high-quality ipe wood decking at reasonable prices. You can also get an estimate for ipe hardwood decking by calling 352-528-4990 or 404-549-4840.