I’m going to replace a cedar deck which, I am told, is about 15 years old. Half of it is one rise up from grade, and half is two rises up.
I’ll probably be able to keep the framing. I’ll know after I tear into it. I’ll try to talk the customer into “strapping” the lower level with 2×6 to remove the 5 1/2″ mid-deck rise — I think those are killers.
The yard is shaded, right next to the woods, and the house is on the West side, blocking the drying rays of the afternoon sun. I’d rather buld something more than a 15-year deck, so I’m going to pitch Ipe, which is the only exotic I’ve ever built with.
But there are others out there, I know. So who of you has used what, and how did it perform?
AitchKay
Edited 5/29/2009 3:28 pm ET by AitchKay
Replies
My top choices in wood are port orford cedar, fir, and ipe - good better, best.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I'm pretty sure that the cedar I'll be tearing out is Western Red.But where would Angelim Pedra, Cumaru, Massaranduba, Cambara, Tiger Wood, Jatoba, Merbau, Meranti, Purpleheart, and Red Tauari rank on your list?AitchKay
I've used Pedra on 2 decks - one being my own, I liked it so much.
Oils up beautifully, (Penofin) and is really nice stuff. I also did Trex, Cedar and (shudder) PT 5/4 decking boards.
Given the option of a nice deck and the sense to maintain it, cleaning and oiling it every 2-3 years, I'll take the hard Pedra over the Cedar.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Sorry for the cheap shot, Piff, I couldn't resist.I have a little bit of experience with three of those woods: Back in the late 80s, I worked on a restaurant job where we installed Jatoba T&G flooring -- very hard, very good looking. But that was interior use. I also used Purpleheart for a deck railing about 15 years ago. While I liked it, I felt it would be disappointing in the long run, as it fades, and has to be rejuvenated regularly, with less and less success as regards to color.I only know Meranti as a plywood, where it is often a reasonable Lauan substitute and varnishes up well...That’s why I asked if anyone had experience with Ipe alternatives -- there’s a lot out there.Who's had a chance to compare any of these woods?AitchKay
never seen or used them, so they aren't on my list.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Yep, that's the reason for my OP, to get some comments from folks with more experience than you and me.AitchKay
Edited 5/29/2009 10:13 pm ET by AitchKay
I'm asking, not answering, so please excuse me.
How does lyptus compare to ipe? My guess is that ipe is far superior as regards maintenance intervals, beauty when weathered, resistance to splitting and splintering, and hardness.
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"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
Lyptus is not rated for exterior use. I asked the reps selling it.
You are right about the rest of it but I would add that almost all woods will turn silver gray if left alone. Ipe will split and splinter less than anything else out there. One thing that will help ipe a lot is to seal the end grain with something like anchor seal.http://www.everlastinghardwoods.com/anchor-seal.html
I had enough with wood decks, upkeep, staining etc.
Build a freestanding structure, covered it with 24x24 colored concrete blocks
Now I can pressure wash it once a year without worries, it probably will outlast me
I know what you mean. But I've got a paying customer with what is probably a perfectly good frame, so wood it is.AitchKay
I used Tiger wood on a deck about four years ago, and I think that stuff is absolutely beautiful. It had a decent groove and groove hidden fastener system, and it was very straight and hard.
I just saw that deck a few months ago and it was still looking great, though I know the homeowner keeps it up.
I'll try to post some pictures, or you might be able to find them through a search from when I posted them a few years ago.
As far as the other woods, I can't really say too much, but I would personally take Tiger over the Ipe. I like the grain and color better.
Peace,
Casey http://www.streets.org
Built one about a year and a half ago out of Mangaris which was just about as hard as ipe but a bit more red in color and touted as an equal alternative to ipe. It seems to be doing just as well as any ipe deck I've ever built. I have also seen but have had very limited experience with another called Garapa which seems just as hard as ipe but the color is very blond, which might be kinda cool.
Search Tiger Deck here... some good reviews and more responsibly harvested than ipe.http://www.tvwsolar.com
Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after"
I spent 5 minutes or so searching that link you gave me before I realized you meant search BT. Doh!AitchKay
My local full-service supplier, Fingerle Lumber, doesn't carry any tropical hardwood decking.
LL Johnson's (that's LL Cool J to you!) has 1x4 Ipe at $1.97/LNFT for volume purchases, and Massaranduba for $1.34.
They've also got Garapa and Cumaru, but not in a 4" width, which I prefer.
In 5/4x6, the volume pricing goes:
Ipe -- $3.39/LNFT
Massaranduba -- $2.87
Garapa -- $2.42
Cumaru -- $2.77
I'm thinking of trying the Massaranduba, but I'd have to charge extra for writing out the name.
AitchKay
I've used Massaranduba on 2 decks so far. 1st one was mine when the company selling it to me did not have a clue what they were selling.
Sold me IPE and delivered Massranduba. I like it but both jobs (supplied by different companies) I needed to use clamps to bend the material strait prior to installing.
I used biscuited hidden clips for both installs.
Massaranduba is not as hard as IPE and therefore more forgiving of the drill bits and saw blades.
Needs a lot of regular oiling to keep the good look. I have been using Cabots Australian Timber Oil and it looks great when done but I am figuring that i would need to re-oil about every 4 months to keep the good look.
I culled about one out of every 20 pieces due to rough surface texture at an open grain
Everyone who sees it really likes it and it is about 5 years old.
The other job was for a client. (of the Pittsburg Steeler Rooney family, and great people!!) They loved the Massaranduba. Picked it over the IPE because they liked the redder color of it. I explained that it was softer and would require more maintenence but they were aok with it.
You might try Apitong. It is typically used in truck beds.
Apitong, sometimes known as Angelim Pedra.I'm still waiting for my dream lover, that poster who has used all of the woods I listed in the third post on this thread, and can realistically compare them.Yes, I'm still saving myself for him.AitchKay
And how could I have forgotten Sucupira?
I just found these folks on the Web:
http://www.bwdepot.com
Good info there. I'll do some more browsing of their site tomorrow...
AitchKay