The 8 Greatest Ideas To Prepare Your Deck For Summer

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Having a pleasant and comfortable backyard where you can kick off summer sounds like the perfect plan to enjoy your free time. In addition, being able to make the most of the new outdoor area by getting together with friends is an extra benefit of having a patio or deck. You can even play sports in a natural and open space. Cool, right?

The first step in renovating your outdoor area is choosing the right materials. Of course, at Brazilian Lumber, we have no doubt that the most suitable choice will always be Ipe wood. This extraordinary tropical hardwood is the best in the world. 

Ipe is a remarkable hardwood with a gorgeous appearance and incredible characteristics that surpass all other types of wood and materials on the market.

Let’s review some features that make Ipe such a great option and the perfect material for building a deck around the pool area or for the afternoon barbecue. 

Ipe is known for its hardness, resistance to weathering, insect damage, rot, and mildew. It won’t get hot underfoot and is also resistant to saline water. In addition, it has an A1 fire rating and can last more than 70 years with minimal maintenance. 

We offer other extraordinary hardwoods suitable for exterior construction, such as Cumaru, Garapa, Jatoba, and Tigerwood. These hardwoods are also premium alternatives for your building projects, but Ipe will always be the best choice for a deck as far as stability and longevity. 

Besides Ipe’s amazing properties, the wood itself provides all you need to enjoy your outdoor space. It will not splinter or heat up in the sun, making it perfect for walking on with bare feet. It also does not scratch very easily, making it safe for furniture.  

Additionally, it does not let mildew, mold, or insect penetrate it, so it keeps its integrity for many years. It also gives the area a touch of stylish sophistication and comfortable warmth. Its coloring, durability, and how it can fit with all kinds of design preferences make it the best option to improve your home. 

We want to help you get ready for summer by building the coolest backyard ever to enjoy with friends and family. So here are the 8 most incredible ideas for a renovation that will leave everyone breathless.

1. Improve Your Deck With A Pergola

Building a pergola is a perfect idea if you want to have a sort of oasis in the middle of your backyard. Besides being an element that brings good decorative taste to the area, it is a bright place to start your mornings.

A pergola can have multiple uses. The most common reason for installing a pergola is to provide shade. The lattices allow for air to flow and can serve as trellises for vines.  The best part of the pergola is that it can go directly over your deck, protecting it from UV rays. 

This element will give you the feeling of having a private open-air place in the middle of your backyard. It will be like having a small island where you can escape stress and hustle.

2. Garden Beds And Benches For The Deck

Having an outdoor area is getting a spot to enjoy nature and being surrounded by flowers and greenery. Make the most beautiful garden beds and benches with Ipe wood. Let your creativity go wild and build some hybrids that are seating and planters at the same time. 

You can make some incredible planters using Ipe shorts. These short lengths of Ipe have all the same properties as the larger board lengths, but are easier to handle, very adaptable, versatile, and have a lower price point.

Here at Brazilian Lumber, we carry this material in more dimensions than most lumberyards. We have ipe boards for decking, ipe beams, and much more. Also, we offer Ipe shorts in the following measurements: 1X6 – 2X4 – 2X2 – 2X6.

3. Turn The Deck Into A Beautiful Harbor

Using Ipe for a harborside deck and dock is ideal for a variety of reasons. It is a natural material that has not been treated with chemicals, which means there is no risk of contaminating the ocean or lake. It is not likely to splinter, check, or warp, despite being exposed to constant moisture.  Likewise, it is not a heat-absorbing material, which means stepping off of your boat barefoot will cause no discomfort. 

Of course, we recommend Ipe for the decking, as it is a low-maintenance material capable of withstanding external hazards. We recommend you check your local code to see what railing requirements are for your specific area to make your deck safer for your children and pets.

Expand the living room of your house by creating a backyard that is this beautiful and useful. The key is always to build with a purpose. 

4. A Hardwood Deck For The Pool In The Backyard

Ipe decking is a must if you have a pool area in your backyard. Why? Because for an area prone to get wet, you need a strong material. A deck around the pool will constantly be exposed to water and sunlight, so you need a very resistant material that is also slip-resistant. The last thing you want is a slippery surface, which means hardwood is the choice for you! In fact, we can even mill special slip-proof profiles.

It is because of these features that we stand behind our Barefoot Promise. Zero foot damage on a surface that will provide years of enjoyment for you and your loved ones.

Enjoy the summer without worrying about burning or injuring your feet while tanning or taking a dip in the water. You won’t have to deal with rot, either, as Ipe is also resistant to it. 

Also, consider using Ipe wood around the hot tub. In addition to its amazing features, which are very useful around a place prone to getting wet, you provide sophistication and style to the area. 

6. Provide Wood Accents To The Deck

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Sometimes small changes are enough to transform any space completely. Especially if you use a versatile material such as wood, which goes with everything.

Suppose the deck in your backyard is already built with another material besides hardwood. Don’t worry. You can still use Ipe to make it even more impressive and elegant. 

Build a mini island around the pool area to place beach chairs for tanning. Also, use Ipe as cladding or on the ceiling. These elements combine perfectly with concrete, glass, or porcelain structures.

7. More Traditional Elements For Your Deck

If you are more conservative and don’t want to make a big change in your backyard, you can start with traditional elements. Ipe wood is a strong material that will last for decades. How about using Ipe to build some long-lasting pieces of furniture, such as tables, chairs, or little walkways, perhaps made with Ipe shorts. 

8. Use Ipe Deck Tiles In Your Backyard

If you are looking for a quick and easy installation system to improve some areas of your backyard, using deck tiles is a good way to go. As simple as putting a puzzle together, you have a completely renovated area in a short time.

Deck tiles are a consumer-friendly option that comes in a convenient interlocking format. Here at Brazilian Lumber, we have pre-assembled tiles made of attractive and durable Brazilian hardwood, mainly Ipe.

Our Ipe tiles are available with a smooth finish or anti-slip surface, well suited for applications near swimming pools or outdoor showers. You will be able to create stunning pathways that will enhance your backyard in a creative, useful, and quick way.

There you have it. With these recommendations, you are ready to do a fabulous makeover in your backyard to enjoy summer. Choose Ipe wood in any of its formats and go nuts with its workability, versatility, and extraordinary natural properties that make it the best material in the world.