Replies

1. 
   JLazaro317 | Feb 18, 2005 12:33am | #1

   Looks nice!.....I built my deck last summer with hidden fasteners also...but I've waited on the post caps. I wanted copper but DW vetoed that idea. Anyway I like your caps. How did you build them?

   Thanks,

    

   John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

   http://www.lazarobuilders.com

1. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 12:49am | #2

   Thanks john,I did the caps with a table saw and router.

2. 
   JohnT8 | Feb 18, 2005 01:02am | #3

   Nice looking deck, Mike.  Deck, pool, gazebo, and mature trees make for a really fantastic area. 

   I've shrunk the pics down so that the dial-up folks can have a look.

    

   jt8

   The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.    -- Walter Percy Chrysler

1. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 05:30am | #4

   thanks that was my first attempt posting pics

1. 
   JohnT8 | Feb 18, 2005 08:03am | #5

   Big pics are better than no pics.  And besides, big pics show better detail (just have to listen to the dial-up folks whine).

    jt8

   The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.    -- Walter Percy Chrysler

1. 
   DustinThomps | Feb 18, 2005 03:30pm | #6

   Are those pics of the deck after 2 years of exposure, or taken two years ago when the deck was new?  The reason I ask, a customer of my brother and I is thinking about going with ipe, and I am trying to get the verdict on its useful exterior life.  Does it grey with exposure?  I know it is hard and oily, like a lot of other South American hardwoods, but would like to hear from some info from folks who actually have used it and are "in the know."  Any insight would be greatly appreciated,

   Thanks,

   Dustin

1. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 18, 2005 05:05pm | #7

   Dustin, my experience with ipe is that it cuts cleanly and easily with sharp tools, although it does dull them more quickly than normal, and the grain seems to 'reverse' quite a bit along any given piece, so trimming edges with a handplane is difficult. It gums up sandpaper quite a bit too.

   Mike, what glue did you use and did you put a finish on the ipe?

2. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 05:31pm | #9

   David,I used ebty fasteners with pre slotted 5/4 deck boards, ss screws ipe plugs for railings. I used polyurethane glue; the caulk gun type on the deck floor.I dont think it sticks that well to ipe but restricts movement and acts as a shim.

3. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 05:21pm | #8

   Dustin,I think the pics were taken before the deck was treatedwith Messmers uv.It was an extremly wet spring here and the deck surface lost much of its color before project completion.

      Ipe will grey just like other woods. two products are most often mentioned to prevent that: Messmers and penofin.These need to be applied no less than once every 2 years and more often for better results. these are fairly transpareent products. Ipe is too dense to absorb much pigment.

   many folks dont mind the grey and decide not to battle mother nature.Ipe really dosent need any weather protection. Although I imagine sealing it probably makes cleaning a little easier.

4. 
   DustinThomps | Feb 18, 2005 05:55pm | #10

   Yeah, the customer said she liked the greying it goes through.  I am still curious about your thoughts in terms of its exterior longevity.  I have heard it holds up well, what's your take on that?

   Dustin

5. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 06:13pm | #11

   Ive read that it has the best longevity compared to all other untreated woods.Isuspect its almost comparable to treated lumber.Dont forget to seal the end grain

   Go ahead and use a sealer every 2 years if your concerned.It probably will have to be cleaned that often anyway; especially if theres trees around.

6. 
   JohnT8 | Feb 18, 2005 06:25pm | #12

   If you're sealing it every couple years, what is its advantage over real wood?

    jt8

   The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.    -- Walter Percy Chrysler

7. 
   fartherhome | Feb 18, 2005 06:48pm | #13

   Im not dictating sealing ipe.Im suggesting it as an option to those who want to put forth the effort to maximize the life and appearance of their investment.Frankly, Im on the fence about the issue.

   The benefit of ipe is that its real wood first of all (more pleasing to me than composites). Its stable, dosent check or warp like pt.Has a uniform, attractive appearance(looks better than pt);and has better longevity than any untreated wood that im aware of.