Ipe
The 5 Most Beautiful Exteriors Made Of Silver Ipe
Undoubtedly, Ipe is one of the best woods in town for any decking project. This one-of-a-kind hardwood has some outstanding characteristics and even more unique natural properties, reaching a beautiful silver color when exposed to the sun without oils or varnish.
This Silver Ipe is as hard as it is beautiful, making it the number one choice for your project.
Introduction To Silver Ipe
You’ve probably heard of Ipe wood, but in case you haven’t, we will give you more insight about it in this blog.
Ipe is a type of hardwood that is native to Central and South America. It’s a highly dense wood, making it strong and durable.
Ipe is a beautiful wood that reaches its incredible natural silver color when exposed to the sun without oils. So if you’re looking for a durable, attractive, and low-maintenance decking material to complement any home, backyard, or deck, Ipe Silver is the best choice. And you can always find it at Brazilian Lumber.
How Can I Get A Silver Ipe?
Luckily, you don’t have to do much. Of course, people looking for low-maintenance decking often want to know just how little work they can get away with. Because let’s be honest: nobody builds a deck because they want to oil it yearly!
So what will happen to your brand-new Ipe deck if you never oil it?
An Ipe deck constantly exposed to the sun will change its natural color. If proper oil is not applied, your hardwood decking will take on a silvery tone, commonly known as silver patina.
The result of this contact with sun rays is the stunning Silver Ipe (also known as Ipe Silver-Gray Patina or Weathered Ipe). This can be a bonus for some people, as it also looks great with a platinum tone.
Most luxury resorts from the Maldives to the Turks and Caicos Islands take advantage of this color change to create unique, elegant spots, as we’ll show you later.
In addition, this silver color is lighter, so it is even less heat-absorbent.
You might think that a hardwood with such remarkable characteristics would require special care, but it is the opposite. Silver Ipe will stay in perfect condition with no maintenance.
Un-Oiled Ipe Turns Silver
Oil indeed increases the Ipe’s lifespan. But does letting Ipe turn gray makes it weaker?
Absolutely not! If you skip the maintenance, your Ipe deck will still last up to 50–75 years. So, you can relax knowing Silver Ipe isn’t weaker than an oiled wood.
For proof, you need only look at the many large-scale, public projects using Silver Ipe decking. For instance, the Coney Island boardwalk used Ipe for 90 years and was never oiled.
In conclusion, if you don’t oil your Ipe deck, it will turn gray, but it can always be sanded and oiled to get back to the original color. A weathered Silver Ipe deck will still give you decades of low-maintenance backyard fun!
(Coney Island Boardwalk made of Silver Ipe)
Here at Brazilian Lumber, we pride ourselves on having the best tropical hardwoods in the world, like Silver Ipe, which tops the list for its characteristics, quality, and beauty.
Why Ipe Is The Best Decking Material
Before pointing out a list of the most beautiful exteriors made of Silver Ipe, let us remind you of those extraordinary qualities that make it such a premium hardwood:
- Ipe Is Weather & Water-Resistant
Ipe comes from the rainforest of the Americas, where it is exposed to a lot of rain and harsh sun. Thanks to its natural environment, it can withstand bad weather or other threats that surround it.
Its origin has made it the hardest and most durable wood in the world. Its density and natural oils make it impenetrable to almost everything. It also does not splinter or scratch easily and has a high coefficient of friction for safe use.
- Ipe Does Not Heat Up In The Sun
Ipe’s surface will not burn your feet (or paw!) How great is that? With Ipe, you get a material that always retains the cool factor throughout its surface.
- The Longevity Of Ipe
Silver Ipe can last in perfect condition for more than 70 years! When it comes to longevity, this wood meets the highest and most exquisite expectations for any project you have in mind.
- Ipe Is Free Of Chemicals
Ipe wood is completely natural and requires no chemical treatment or corrosive sanding process. This means that this hardwood doesn’t emit harmful chemicals and doesn’t become plastic waste after its useful life.
Its natural oils make it resistant to fungus, mildew, and insect damage. This is the most remarkable grace of Silver Ipe: it turns that beautiful color without effort on your part; it is its purest natural state. How lovely is that?
- Silver Ipe Equals Luxury And Beauty
Many luxury resorts in the Caribbean take advantage of Ipe when it acquires a Silver Patina color when no oil is applied to preserve its natural color. Any world traveler instantly recognizes Silver Ipe, giving your home an immediate tone of wealth.
- Ipe Is A Low-Maintenance Material
Sometimes, the worst thing about high-quality products is complicated and costly maintenance. With Silver Ipe, this is not an issue.
One of the best things about it is that it does not require a time-absorbing cleaning routine with expensive products to keep it in top condition. Regular cleaning and primary care are enough.
Best Projects Made Of Silver Ipe
Now that you know about Ipe Silver-Gray Patina (as it’s also known), it’s time to discover some of the many beautiful ways to apply it.
Silver Ipe will be eye-catching wherever you want to place it, from the stairs to the floor surrounding the pool, and will add a touch of luxury and beauty to your spaces.
Here Are The 5 Most Beautiful Stages Made Of Silver Ipe:
- Pools
Ipe wood has natural slip resistance, which is why it is perfect for areas that constantly get wet, like pools. No slips or falls around Ipe.
Besides, Ipe decking is naturally beautiful with this beautiful silvery patina. This low-maintenance option works well and looks fantastic.
Can you imagine yourself by your pool having a drink and enjoying a beautiful sunny day or an unforgettable sunset? These examples of Silver Ipe applied to infinity pools might inspire you.
- Boardwalks
As we mentioned, a great example of stages made from Silver Ipe is the Atlantic City and Coney Island Boardwalk.
Now declared an official landmark, it used Ipe for 90 years and was never oiled. The results? This beautiful and unique silver space.
Another outstanding example of a boardwalk made of Silver Ipe is the Ipe Boardwalk in Disney World:
Disney Boardwalk is a recreation of Coney Island and Atlantic City boardwalks from the start of the twentieth century and emits a sense of timelessness.
It is not strange to imagine why Disney would choose Silver Ipe to build its boardwalk: any Ipe’s rigid and slip-resistant characteristics make it perfect for this type of use.
- Docks and Floats:
The natural slip resistance of Ipe is significant in an area that constantly gets wet, like an Ipe dock, float, marina, or pier.
As an Ipe dock or float weathers, and ages in place, it develops this beautiful silvery patina.
Ipe is one of the few natural building materials that can withstand saltwater corrosion. Therefore, it is the preferred choice for seaside construction and wet environments.
- Stairs and Multilevel Spaces
Here, you can see how a multilevel space can take on a completely different dimension, brighter and more luxurious, if you install Silver Ipe. If you don’t have a big budget, you can start only with the stairs, and you will see how the space changes!
- Floors For Balcony and Terraces
Last but not least, simple flooring for a balcony, terrace, or patio is fine if they are made with Silver Ipe. See how this weathered wood can change everything?
Add Luxury To Your Spaces With Silver Ipe – You Won’t Regret!
To conclude, Silver Ipe is a great way to benefit from the fantastic properties of any Ipe wood without spending time, energy, and money on special care and treatments.
The magic of an unoiled Ipe will give you beautiful wood, adding beauty, luxury, and warmth to any space.
Take advantage of Weathered Ipe and get a deck that is as beautiful as it is functional and safe.
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