The Places You’ll Go The Ipe You’ll See

You may think you’ve never heard of ipe tropical hardwood, but you encounter it all over. We’ll show you all the places ipe has been used and explain why it is a wonderful building material.

Psst… I’ll let you in on a little secret…. South Pointe Park 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 walkway that overlook the exclusive Fisher Island and the Port of Miami, a sunbathing deck, and even a splash pad and playground for kids.   So, if you’ve ever walked along the pier, you have seen ipe my friend!  So why did the county choose to build the 450-foot pier out of premium ipe hardwood?

1. It is on the ocean

Ipe is one of the only natural building materials that can withstand saltwater corrosion.  The density of the wood protects it from rot and decay.  In fact, ipe is the wood of choice at most marinas.

2. It has to resist high foot traffic

With all the amenities that South Pointe Park offers and the attractive panoramic views, this Florida landmark has millions of visitors each year.  Ipe is perfect for such high foot traffic.  It does not scuff or scratch easily and lasts for decades.  Another plus?  It does not become slippery when wet, which means it is safe to walk, run, and skate on.

3. It is exposed to the sun all day

This is the Sunshine State after all, so you can expect lots of sun.  The good thing about ipe is, the sun does not damage or weather the wood.  After the first few months it will gray and then stay a light silver color for many years to come.

4. It is exposed to a lot of rain

I know what you’re thinking…. Florida is the Sunshine State, but since Miami is in the Caribbean, it also gets tropical storms, hurricanes, and over 62 inches of rain per year.  Ipe withstands rain – in fact ipe is the hardest, heaviest, and most durable wood in the Americas.  It is originally from the rainforest where it is exposed to a lot of rain, so it has evolved to deal with its surroundings.

5. It does not crack or splinter

When you build a structure right next to a beach, you can count on having lots of barefoot visitors, so it’s a good thing that ipe doesn’t crack or splinter like regular wood.   

So if you have not visited this picturesque site, make a point of going and enjoying all that the park has to offer and take a stroll on the magnificent ipe pier or if you like fishing, try your luck with a pole.

Interested in knowing more about ipe wood or any other tropical hardwood that we carry?  Give us a call and we would be happy to answer any questions and to give you a quote! Send us an email at sales@brazilianlumber.com or call our office 1- (877) 559-5925.

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