Spotlight On: Ipé
A leading decking wood from South America
SPOTLIGHT ON: IPÉ
Species: Handroanthus spp. (formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus).
Origin: Central and South America; also farmed commercially.
Characteristics / Appearance: Heartwood typically olive-brown, with variations in color from a reddish-brown to a dark blackish brown. Sapwood is yellowish-white and easily distinguished. Grain varies from straight to irregular and sometimes interlocked. Ipé is a difficult wood to work with high cutting resistance during sawing and machining. It planes smoothly with tearout in interlocked areas. Can be difficult to glue properly and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. All of the same qualities that make Ipé a challenging wood to work with make it so desired – it is extremely hard and dense with high durability and shock resistance.
Janka Hardness Scale: 3,510 lb_f (see chart on page 57)
Comments: Ipé is a wood of extremes – extremely dense and durable but as a result difficult to work. Its incredible hardness and strength make it well suited to exterior decking and siding. If left unfinished, graying of the wood will occur, but can last over 20 years outside without preservatives or additional treatments.
Ipé grows in South America, primarily Brazil, and is a leading decking wood. Other end uses include exterior siding and interior flooring and stairs. Ipé business tends to peak just before and during outdoor construction season, though its niche in flooring and stair markets results in meaningful year-round business. Its limited growing range and expanding popularity in decking sometimes strain supplies. However, U.S. imports of Ipé lumber reached a 10-year high during the first half of 2018.
Frequently asked questions
What did U.S. Ipé lumber imports look like in the first half of 2018?+
U.S. imports of Ipé lumber reached a 10-year high during the first half of 2018, reflecting the wood's expanding popularity despite its limited growing range.
Why was Ipé reclassified from the Tabebuia genus?+
The article notes that Ipé species, formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus, are now classified under Handroanthus. The reclassification itself is noted but not explained in detail in the article.
When does demand for Ipé typically peak in the market?+
Ipé business tends to peak just before and during outdoor construction season because of its dominant use in decking. However, its niche in flooring and stair markets provides meaningful year-round business.
What gluing challenges does Ipé present for woodworkers?+
Ipé can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. These challenges stem from the wood's extreme density and hardness.
How does Ipé weather when left unfinished outdoors?+
If left unfinished, Ipé will gray over time, but it can last over 20 years outside without preservatives or additional treatments thanks to its high durability.
Why is Ipé considered a 'wood of extremes'?+
Ipé is extremely dense, hard, and durable with high shock resistance, but those same qualities make it difficult to saw, machine, and plane—especially in interlocked grain areas where tearout can occur.