The 5 Most Important Facts That Make Ipe The Preferred Choice For Luxury Hotels In Jamaica

Photo 1  – Sandals

There are two things The Caribbean is known for: its paradises and its intense heat. This last fact is the reason why some luxury hotels on these tropical islands are looking for ways to control high temperatures to provide comfortable surfaces to their guests. With Ipe they have found the solution. 

Ipe wood  is your best bet, not only because of its superior strength, high durability, and natural beauty, but also because it doesn’t get hot underfoot. That makes it the best choice.

There is no doubt that there’s nothing worse than stepping out onto your patio in mid-July only to find a scorching surface. With Ipe that is not an issue. Here at Brazilian Lumber, we have it in all dimensions and board lengths to meet your needs. 

Therefore, it is important to choose a decking material that will stay cool in the summer months, especially if you live in a warmer climate or if your deck is exposed to full sunlight. The following explains how high temperatures affect wooden elements. 

Under the sun, the surface of your deck will heat up more due to the amount of solar or thermal energy absorbed versus the amount reflected. The darker the color of the surface, the more heat is absorbed and the warmer it gets.

Having a decking that is uncomfortable for your feet can be quite annoying. Nobody wants to walk on hot decking while using the pool.  So do not take this recommendation for granted.

Obviously, with Ipe wood there is no need to worry about that. In fact, many issues are solved with this remarkable hardwood. We are glad to share with you a list with its most important features.

• Salt water-resistant
• Free of chemical pollution
• Heat absorbing power
• Luxurious material
• Long-lasting wood

1. Ipe Is Salt Water-Resistant

The Cove Eleuthera Bahamas Resort

One of the things that most affects wood is salt water, so finding a high quality wood resistance to it is wonderful. Ipe is naturally resistant to salt water and moisture, so pretty much nothing can damage it. 

No other species of wood can withstand the constant exposure to the sea like Ipe does without deteriorating. This is because it is a type of lumber that grows in the rainforest, where it already deals with harsh weather conditions and insect attacks.

2. Ipe Is Free Of Chemical Pollution

Warwick Paradise

The Caribbean Islands must protect their most valuable resources. Their beautiful and natural paradises attract tourists from all over the world. So, in order to preserve them, it is important to build with ecological materials.

Ipe wood is completely natural and does not require any chemical treatment or corrosive process of sanding. This means that Ipe does not emit harmful chemicals into the air or ocean, and does not become plastic waste after its useful life. 

In addition, this hardwood does not intoxicate animals that are part of the natural habitat. The only animals that will not like this wood are termites and fungus, as Ipe is impermeable to those insects.

3. Ipe Does Not Get Hot Underfoot

The Modern Honolulu in Honolulu

One of the reasons why Ipe wood is so popular in the Caribbean is that it does not heat up in the sun. The Caribbean is synonymous with hot and sunny weather. If you are not careful, you can end up burning your feet when picking the wrong material to build your new deck.

Ipe wood keeps its surface cool due to its characteristic of absorbing less heat than other materials. Other decking choices cannot claim this feature, as they contain plastic or metal.

4. Ipe Is A Luxurious Wood

SLS Baha Mar 3

The Caribbean Islands are the preferred choice for vacation. Their natural environment is not the only thing that attracts tourists, but the stunning resorts that enhance their luxury and beauty with wooden elements. 

In addition to the beautiful views and  secluded locations, guests are looking for five-star places when visiting the Caribbean. Due to its prestige and its exclusivity, Ipe hardwood offers the perfect building material for a luxury resort.

Ipe wood is a premium product not only because of its high quality, but also because of its beautiful color. It has a rich chocolate  brown  when it is first installed or it can turn silver overtime.

When it comes about guests, safety and comfort are also important. This is a big deal for all resorts, but mostly for luxurious hotels that have demanding guests. Only ipe can offer the required level of safety, such as accidents when walking barefoot. Its surface is always intact. 

Another fact that makes Ipe so irresistible is its hardness, key for heavily traveled vacation destinations. There are many high traffic places where Ipe is the protagonist, such as  the Atlantic City Boardwalk and also at Disney World. Still doubts about its toughness?

5. Ipe Is A Long Term Investment

Sandals Royal Caribbean

Ipe is a long-lasting material that requires almost no maintenance. These two factors make it a good investment  that you will enjoy for more than 50 years.  

This does not mean that you have to leave your deck unattended. We recommend regular cleaning as well as occasional oiling if you are looking to preserve its color. 

Now, for a proper maintenance, we share with you three simple recommendations:

• Sweep it daily to remove dirt, pollen, and leaves 
• Wash it and let it dry well for at least 24 hours
• Then oil it with proper products like the ones we sell here at Brazilian Lumber

Ipe is guaranteed to last due to its resistance to mold, mildew, and insect damage. Also, it has an A-1 fire rating, making it as strong as concrete.

As it does not splinter, it is not a risky material to install in places where many bare feet pass through. In addition, its coefficient of friction makes it extremely non-slip even when it gets wet.

These features make Ipe be the preferred choice of many Caribbean hotels such as Sandals, The cove Eleuthera – Bahamas Resort, Warwick-Paradise, The Modern Honolulu in Honolulu, SLS Baha Mar 3, and Sandals Royal Caribbean. 

Because having such durable, high-quality, saltwater-resistant hardwood is practically everything a hotel near the ocean needs.

To conclude, if you are looking for a durable, high quality wood, that does not get hot underfoot, and is naturally resistant to mold, weathering, and insect damage, Ipe is the one. Don’t waste your time with different options.