Replies

1. 
   Rarebreed | Apr 26, 2002 12:15pm | #1

   kinger,

   Forget nails. Ipe has such a long life expectancy that IMHO the only way to install it is with stainless steel screws. If you want hidden fasteners, Deck Master offers their system in stainless. However, it is very labor intensive to install. My personal choice would be to predrill and countersink the screws, then plug the screw holes with face grain plugs and epoxy.

   Hope this helps.

   TCW Specialists in Custom Remodeling.
2. 
   JonFish | Apr 27, 2002 05:56pm | #2

   Worked with a company that did two ipe decking installations recently. Both times we pre-drilled holes and used galvanized cut nails from Tremont Nail Company. The heads are attractive just make sure you keep them in a nice line. Your hands and wrists will be sore at the end of the day, but the results are worth it.

1. 
   Kingman12 | Apr 28, 2002 02:59am | #3

   JONFISH that sounds like a good idea.  I assume you used cut nails to prevent bending of the nail . How long a nail did you use.  Does this ipe come fairly straight or do you need a lot of holding power?  Thank you both for your response.

1. 
   JonFish1 | Apr 30, 2002 01:10am | #4

   Kinger-

   We used cut nails for a couple of reasons, one of which was their strength.  But the two buildings we put them on were both built prior to the civil war.  While ipe was not historically accurate, the fasteners had to be.  I believe the nails were 3 inches (12d).  The ipe we used was 5/4 tongue and groove and it ran reasonably straight.  We have to set up some long pipe clamps on a couple of boards to pull it tight.  When we drilled out the holes we bored them pretty big, but were careful not to bore into the framing member underneath.  Ipe is dense, but will split out at the ends.  Also, even though we had it dried to 12%, it still shrank a little bit.  Still looks great though, and I am convinced it is the most attractive method of fastening the boards without going through and capping screw holes.