1st IPE Deck

[cby1001]

Looking for opinions on the BEST method for installing ipe regarding appearence and weathering as well as fastening method.

What's the best finish to preserve the color? I've seen Australian Timber Oil mentioned in a forum post. Should it be finished on all 6 sides? How often will it need refinishing on average? How long will it last if it's not finished/maintained assuming the engrain is sealed?

I'm assuming a standard head SS screw is the best fastening method. What's the best material for plugging the screw holes? I've also read that I should expect to sand the entire surface or the plugs will stand out.

Appreciate any comments. Anything I haven't mentioned here or experiences that you've had particular to ipe, and the extra time that it takes to install, would also be appreciated.

[Hoover]

This comes up a lot on this site and others, so I don't know if you'll get much of a response. I've posted on it a bunch and kind of get tired of typing the same thing time after time. So your best info will come from a search through the old posts in this forum.

Here is a good site for some info. www.ironwoods.com and www.coastalforestproducts.com

Also, for a finish, most use Penofin or messmers UV. I use penofin marine oil finish which is clear, the hardwoods formula will darken the Ipe some.

A few other links.

www.headcote.com
www.grkfasteners.com

[cby1001]

Thanks for taking the time Hoover,

I'll check out those sites. BTW, I did a search for ipe and even ipe deck and got some deck stuff with just a thread of two on ipe. I must not be searching right. As I'm typing, I'm wondering if I need to indicate "search archived threads" or something like that. I'll check it out.

[Greg Di]

If you haven't worked with ipe before, here are some tips.

1) Bid it high...everything takes 3X as long because EVERYTHING has to be predrilled and the bits tend to clog, so drilling a simple pilot hole can take a lot of "ins" and "outs" to constantly clear the bit.

2) Bid extra to include bits and blades. You will snap bits or wear them out quicky regardless of how careful you are

3) Bid extra so you can seal your cuts with Anchor Seal

4) Bid extra. Period. Ipe is a pain in the neck.

[Greg Di]

Also, see my thread below about "Fastenmaster IQ clips" for fastening.

[smtitmas]

www.ipedepot.com

[cby1001]

Thanks Guys,

Greg, I'll go with the 3x factor, good advice. I read your thread and am considering the IQ option. Are those squeaks gone? How did you end up fastening the railings?

SM, can you comment on ipedepot's quality compared to others? They beat my local ironwoods price by a buck/lf, though I'll have to check on shipping cost for this small deck.

Anybody know why the plugs are so big - 3/8"? Why not 1/4"?

[smtitmas]

Thanks Guys,

SM, can you comment on ipedepot's quality compared to others? They beat my local ironwoods price by a buck/lf, though I'll have to check on shipping cost for this small deck.

I have yet to order their product for one of my own upcomming job but have seen their 3/4" TnG installed on another job and was impressed with the quality and the look of it. Nice consistant look to it.

[Greg Di]

I got that Ipe from ipedepot.

Overall, the quality of the boards and lumber was exceptionally good. Out of a $6,000 order, maybe 4 or 5 boards were a little beat up. Everything was very straight and milled smoothly.

Best part. I placed my order on a Thursday at 3PM and the lumber arrived at the site THE NEXT morning at 11AM!!! Buffalo, NY to Northern NJ. That's FAST!

The deck is still sqeaking albeit not as badly. I'm going to do a wait and see on it. The Fastenmaster rep called me today to follow up. I am going to have him swing by to check it out.

I ended up pocket screwing the rails to the posts. Solid as a rock and you can't see one screw hole.

I will take some better pics on Monday. I was beat today.

[butcher]

Greg, I like the pocket screw idea. What type of screws did you use ?

[Greg Di]

Greg, I like the pocket screw idea. What type of screws did you use ?

I could not get true pan-head pocket screws in SS locally, so I used #10 SS 3" bulge head screws in the pocket. Ipe is so hard, there is no pull through. McFeelys sells stainless pockets screws. Ironically, Kreg, does not sell them for some reason.

These pics show the top rails pocketed to the posts prior to puttin the top decorative rail over the top of the posts and rails.

I didn't take a photo of the finished deck yet to show the actual finished rail system.

[Rollie Peschon]

Heres a deck we did out of Ipe, and the materials came from Ipe Depot.

Penofin finish.



http://photos.imageevent.com/okoboji...7-05%20_5_.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/okoboji...2-05%20_2_.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/okoboji...4-05%20_9_.JPG

[Dustin Thompson]

Hey Ron,
In regards to the Aussie Timber Oil, here in Maine you'll probably want to recoat every 2 years. There's a little flex there, based on exposure, etc.

I just built a house for my family here, decked the front covered porch with ipe, and finished with a single coat of the mahogany flame timber oil. It really looks beautiful. The decking has been down for about a year, and I plan on finishing it again this summer. It took a beating from all of the gravel in the yard.

I would try to finish all 6 sides. Are you familiar with anchorseal? It is a wax emulsion used to seal the end grain of the deck boards. Also, if you come across boards with any hairline checking in the middle of the plank, do not use them. These boards do some crazy stuff, I don't know if they have been dried improperly or what, but they end up becoming riddled with cracks. If you are going to pay the money, be selective with your stock.

Dustin

[Dustin Thompson]

Nice Rollie-those are some sweet pics!

Dustin

[JonathanHue]

Here what advantagelumber had to say about IPE deck installation. I'm only quoting the fastening method:

There are three typical methods of fastening Ipe decking to other structural members:

Ipe Clip ® Method: The Ipe Clip ® system uses high strength plastic clips that insert into slots cut into the edge of the deck board which then rests on top of a joist. A stainless steel screw (supplied with each Ipe Clip ® fastener) is then screwed down into the joist. We recommend the Ipe Clip ® system as many other fastener systems install from the bottom side of the deck, requiring screwing into the bottom of the deck board. With the Ipe Clip ® system no screws or holes show from the surface. Unlike other systems the fiberglass reinforced Ipe Clip ® fastener system can be used with 3/4" and thicker decking material.

Face Screw / Plug Method: Countersink 3/8" holes into face of deck boards. Predrill 1/8" pilot holes completely through the deck boards. Screw the deck boards down ith stainless screws. 3/8" Ipe plugs are then glued into the holes with waterproof glue (i.e. Gorilla brand glue, Epoxy, etc.) Plugs are then knocked off with a chisel and sanded smooth with 80 grit sandpaper ( a round orbit sander works great). We manufacture Ipe plugs in 3/8" diameter with a small taper.


Finish Screw Method: Stainless steel #7 or #8 trim head screws are screwed into the face of the decking. Recommended two per joist. The trim head screw is very small and only slightly noticeable. Torx drive screws will strip out less than square drive.