Ipe vs. Composite Decking
As rebuilding of so many miles of boardwalk started, so did the debate about whether to use composite decking or Ipe. The truth of the matter is that no material is perfect. In many instances, the debate was not based on science and research but rather on emotion and assumptions.
Many activists protested local municipalities who proposed rebuilding with Ipe, arguing that the use of this wood was causing deforestation in developing countries. This is just not so. Another popular argument was that composite decking is more environmentally friendly because it is from recycled materials. While this is in fact true, that statement does not tell the whole story.
Using Woods Like Ipe Helps Developing Nations
Imagine living off of the land in the area where you were born. You're a farmer but the soil can be fickle and often you have to clear trees from new tracts of land by burning them to plant crops in a new area. Thankfully, this is not the only choice for many now. With markets developed for wood species such as Ipe, these same lands can support sustainable forestry. These communities now have the choice to cut some of the trees on the land, but in a way that continues to keep forests intact while offering an alternative source of income. Strong markets for wood products have helped to preserve forests in developing nations, not take them down.
Non-Governmental Organizations have developed several certification schemes that allow producers to prove that harvesting is carried out in a sustainable manner.
Recycled Doesn't Mean No Environmental Impact
No life cycle analysis has ever been completed specifically comparing Ipe decking to composite decking. When an analysis was completed in 2012 looking at the environmental impacts of composite decking for the entire time of use, the picture was not as perfect as some would have you believe.
Yes, composite decking is made out of recycled materials. This makes it seem like an environmentally friendly product. This decking product is made out of recycled plastic shopping bags, wood mill waste and old pallets, which is pretty neat. The problem with composite decking is that all of the environmentally friendly aspects are concentrated in material-sourcing. Once you factor in the high environmental impacts of the fossil fuels required to manufacture composite decking, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, the overall impact of composite decking products is much higher than its supporters would have you to believe.
NOTE: The research cited can be viewed at: http://www.vhn.org/pdf/LCA-ACQ-terras.pdf
Each individual borough or municipality specified the type of material to be used in the reconstruction of its boardwalk and other seaside structures, according to Lotz. "The decision was usually based primarily on cost," he said. "But in some communities, there was heated debate about whether to rebuild with wood, some sort of synthetic material, or concrete where the platform would be considered a promenade and not a boardwalk."
"For most communities, the choice came down to Ipe," Lotz said. "Ipe is the best of the best. It is price-competitive, fire resistant, pest resistant, and it remains extremely stable from green to dry. What's not to love about Ipe?"
"The only drawback to Ipe is that it comes in random lengths," Lotz noted. "It is impossible to obtain large volumes of single length pieces of Ipe. It is up to designers to incorporate the random lengths into their boardwalk designs." For this reason, some communities chose to use other tropical hardwoods. For instance, Atlantic City specified single length boards and selected Cumaru for their rebuild.
Ravi Francis, from the Army Corps of Engineers explained in a memo why tropical hardwoods in general, and Ipe in particular, are ideal for boardwalks. Francis' memo stated, "Among the alternatives, none have the density of the Ipe/Bethabara/Cumaru tropical hardwoods from Latin America."
Frequently asked questions
Is using Ipe wood causing deforestation in developing countries?+
No. Strong markets for wood species like Ipe have actually helped preserve forests in developing nations by giving communities a sustainable forestry income alternative to clearing and burning land for crops. This allows selective harvesting while keeping forests intact.
Is composite decking more environmentally friendly than Ipe?+
Not necessarily. While composite decking is made from recycled plastic bags, wood mill waste, and old pallets, a 2012 analysis found that the fossil fuels required to manufacture it and its greenhouse gas emissions give it a much higher overall environmental impact than supporters claim.
Why is Ipe considered ideal for boardwalk construction?+
Ipe is price-competitive, fire resistant, pest resistant, and remains extremely stable from green to dry. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, no alternative matches the density of tropical hardwoods like Ipe, Bethabara, and Cumaru.
What is the main drawback of using Ipe for boardwalks?+
Ipe comes only in random lengths, and it is impossible to obtain large volumes of single-length pieces. Designers must incorporate these random lengths into their boardwalk designs.
Why did Atlantic City use Cumaru instead of Ipe for its boardwalk?+
Atlantic City specified single-length boards for their rebuild, which Ipe cannot provide in large volumes. They selected Cumaru, another tropical hardwood, to meet that requirement.
How do municipalities choose between Ipe, composite, and concrete for boardwalks?+
Each borough or municipality specifies its own material, and the decision is usually based primarily on cost. Some communities debated between wood, synthetic materials, or concrete promenades, but most ultimately chose Ipe.