The 8 Facts That Make Ipe The Preferred Choice For Popular Tourist Places

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For extraordinary constructions, you can count on the best wood in town, and that is Ipe.  This one-of-a-kind hardwood has some outstanding characteristics and even more amazing natural properties. It is as hard as it is beautiful, making it the number one choice for luxury tourist resorts. 

Its characteristics are hardness, resistance to weathering, insect damage, rot, and non-thermal conducting (stays cool in the sun). As well as its A1 fire rating and the fact that it can last more than 70 years, make it the preferred choice for some of the world’s most popular tourist places.

You may find us saying that no wood compares to Ipe time and time again, but seriously, there are not enough words to describe all that this wood has to offer.  

Here at Brazilian Lumber we pride ourselves on having the best tropical hardwoods in the world, with Ipe being the species that tops the list for its characteristics, quality, and beauty.

Before pointing out a list of some popular touristic places that use this wood, let us remind you of those extraordinary qualities that make it such a premium hardwood:

1. 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. 

In addition, Ipe is one of the few natural building materials that can withstand saltwater corrosion. Therefore, it is the preferred choice for seaside constructions.

2. Ipe Does Not Heat Up In The Sun

This is quite an awesome feature. Ipe’s surface will not burn your feet, so choosing it for pool decking sounds like a good idea. 

First, it is important to understand that under the sun, the surface of your deck will heat up more depending on how thermally conductive a material is.  Plastics and metals or their combination with wood become very hot in the sun.  

Wood on the other hand is not a thermally conductive material.  Another thing to keep in mind is that the darker the color of the surface, the more heat is absorbed and the hotter it gets. 

Therefore, it is important to select the right type of material for areas constantly exposed to sunlight. With this wood, you get a material that always retains the cool factor throughout its surface. 

3. Ipe Has An A1 Fire Rating

This characteristic makes Ipe similar to concrete and steel, as it also resists fire and heat. 

This makes this wood a good surface to place a grill on. It’s also a great choice for drought- and fire-prone areas, as it creates some insulation for the house.

4. The Longevity Of Ipe 

Can you imagine buying a material that can last in perfect condition for more than 70 years? Ipe is that kind of material. When it comes to longevity, this wood meets the highest and most exquisite expectations for any project you have in mind.  

This wood is known as “tough as nails” because it is one of the densest types of wood in the world. The surface of this wood is naturally resistant to the elements, mold, mildew, and insect damage. 

5. Ipe Is A Safe Material 

This is an important characteristic when choosing a material for your constructions. Most people don’t follow this recommendation until an accident happens, and as we always say: ‘It is better to be safe than sorry’.

Ipe is one of the safest decking materials on the market. Its high coefficient of friction makes it super slip-resistant even when the surface is wet. 

6. Ipe Is Free Of Chemicals

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

Its natural oils make it resistant to fungus, mildew, and insect damage without the need to add any chemicals to preserve it or increase its durability.

7. Ipe Equals Luxury And Beauty

SLS Baha Mar

Nothing beats the warm and elegant touch that wood provides to your spaces. Besides its beauty, Ipe is also a practical, safe material, with a very long lifespan. What else could you ask for?

You can take advantage of its gorgeous color that goes from reddish brown to a more yellowish olive brown or darker blackish brown. It can also acquire a color known as silver patina, when no oil is applied to preserve its natural color. Either way, its appearance is very attractive.

8. Ipe Is A Low Maintenance Material 

Sometimes, the worst thing about high-quality products is complicated and costly maintenance. With Ipe this is not a problem. 

One of the best things about Ipe is that it does not require a time-absorbing cleaning routine with expensive products to keep it in top condition. Regular cleaning and the application of a proper oil (if you want to preserve its color) is enough. 

Here is our 3 tips guide for proper maintenance: 

• 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

Atlantic City Boardwalk

Thanks to these extraordinary features, Ipe wood is considered the most effective choice for decking. It is often used on boardwalks and high-traffic decks, such as those at some popular tourist sites.

This premium material can be found in every major luxury resort, from the Maldives to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Did we mention that Ipe was used in the construction of the Panama Canal? This is quite a big testimony to its durability and strength, don’t you think?

Here is a list of some popular tourist places that use Ipe for their constructions.

• Walt Disney World Boardwalk Resort

The Disney Boardwalk Resort goes for a quarter-mile, 90,000 square feet. It is home to several restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. 

This resort is highly visited by thousands of people. For that, Disney knew it needed something that would withstand heavy-duty abuse and harsh weather. Of course, Ipe was the solution.

In addition to all Ipe’s features, its density and low maintenance make it the perfect choice for this type of world-class resort destination.  

• South Point Park

It is the place to be while visiting Miami Beach.  This urban park is a 17-acre gem that is known mostly to locals.  While tourists go to Ocean Drive, residents prefer these quieter beaches.  

At the park, you can fish from the pier, walk along a boardwalk overlooking the exclusive Fisher Island and the Port of Miami. There is a sunbathing deck and even a splash pad and playground for kids. 

All of this could not be possible without premium tropical hardwood such as Ipe, which is strong, and weather & water-resistant. 

• Many California marinas

The Coney Island Boardwalk

There are many marinas that use Ipe in their construction, and here are some examples: Shelter Island Marina in San Diego and San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. The Coney Island Boardwalk even chose Ipe as its deck material.

• The Ritz Carlton in Naples Florida

Resorts such as The Ritz Carlton need to have premium wood as it is located by the sea. Permanent exposure to seawater can damage some structures. Only a few materials are capable of resisting corrosion damage, Ipe being one of them. 

Many resorts rely on Ipe to provide guests with safe, beautiful, and durable surfaces on which they can relax without worrying about splinters or burned feet after a hot day.

• Secrets Resort & Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica

There are two things the Caribbean is known for: its paradises and its intense heat. The latter fact is the reason why some luxury hotels seek to offer cool and comfortable surfaces to minimize the heat. With Ipe, they have found the solution.

In short, there are many places in the world that use Ipe for their constructions. It could not be otherwise, given its natural properties and its great characteristics. 

Among its most important characteristics are its resistance to weathering, rotting, insect damage, and seawater. In addition, it can withstand high foot traffic due to its durability and hardness.  

Not to mention that when you buy it, you get a material that will last at least 50  years. So if you want to make an investment when it comes to building something, go for Ipe without any hesitation.