ᐅ Experiences with Ipe Decking Boards

Hello everyone,

We are currently planning our terrace flooring. Now we are wondering which material would be best to use. Originally, we planned to use WPC, but after some research, we decided against this option. At the moment, we are considering installing hardwood decking boards (IPE). Does anyone have experience—preferably long-term—with IPE? We would appreciate any information or advice on this topic.

Best regards,
AMNE3IA

AMNE3IA schrieb:

We are currently considering whether to install hardwood decking boards (IPE). Does anyone have experience—ideally long-term experience—with IPE? We would appreciate any information or advice on this.

Great wood with a beautiful color. Extremely hard and durable. Almost splinter-free. However, it needs to be oiled to maintain its color. Good tools are recommended for installation, as well as pre-drilling. Bongossi is a suitable substructure for it. No long-term experience here. I only had the terrace for 2 summers before selling the house.

Thank you,
it looks great! Good and suitable tools are available.
If you regularly oil the decking boards, does the color stay the same, or does the wood just gray more slowly?
How can you tell if Ipe wood is of good quality? The price range per linear meter is quite large, between 10–30 Euro per linear meter.

Our terrace is 10 x 4 m (33 x 13 ft). I planned to lay the boards perpendicular to the house wall, using 4 m (13 ft) long boards.

AMNE3IA schrieb:

If you oil the decking regularly, does the color stay or does the wood just gray more slowly?

The color will stay.

AMNE3IA schrieb:

How can you tell if Ipe is good quality?

No idea ;-)

AMNE3IA schrieb:

The price range per linear meter is quite large. Between 10-30 Euro per linear meter.

I bought mine back then from Holzwurm Obersayn. They were still under 10€ – but those were short boards for continuous laying. However, you don’t need to pay more than 12€ for at least 20mm (0.8 inch) thick and 140mm (5.5 inches) wide boards.

I am considering whether it makes sense to use long floorboards. The downside is that the longer they are, the more likely they might warp over time. The advantage would be that there are no joints.

AMNE3IA schrieb:

The disadvantage would be that the longer they are, the more they might warp over time.

I don’t think this wood will shrink or expand.