Guidelines & Helpful Hints

About iDECK
iDECK is our name for Ipe decking that is not only procured from Brazil but is machined there as well.  All extraction of Ipe is regulated by Federal Law #4771 (Forest Code) of 1965 and by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environmental and Renewable Resources) registered #48 of 1995.  Ipe is one of the hardest and most dense species known.  With a weight of approximately 6 lbs per board foot (net), it offers superior durability and resistance against rot/decay that even pressure treated products cannot surpass.  Typically Ipe has a natural medium brown color and a smooth texture that is less likely to splinter and peel up like some other woods, thus reducing splinters and unsightly raised grain seen commonly on weathered decks after a few years.

Let the Wood Climatize
Ipe decking is produced in Brazil, where it is naturally humid.  From there it arrives at a port in the southeast USA.  Needless to say, once you receive your decking, you should allow the material time to equalize to the environment of your location.  This will generally take a week or two, perhaps longer, if you are in some of the dryer areas of the country.  In doing so, you will reduce the spacing between boards due to shrinkage after installation.  If the wood has not been allowed to pre-shrink prior to installation, gaps between boards may develop that are wider than the original desired spacing.

The Substructure/Joist System
 Along with decking, we can supply you with all of the visually appealing parts for your project such as posts, pickets, and handrails.  But as for the load bearing substructure, a high quality pressure treated product works fine.  The Ipe decking boards and other Ipe parts will shelter the substructure and therefore bear most of the burden of weathering.  For these reasons, using treated products for the substructure of your Ipe deck makes the most sense from both a cost and practical standpoint.

Joist Spacing
 In order to ensure a long and safe service life for your deck we recommend a joist spacing of 16” on centers for our 1x4, 1x6 and 1x8 stock.  For 5/4 stock 24” spacing can be used and 32” can be used for 2” thick stock.  Depending on the design, shorter joist spacing may be required for installing decks with a diagonal pattern.

End Checking
During installation, exposed end grain after sawing can quickly produce end checking/ end cracks.  To help reduce end checks a wax based emulsion, such as a product similar to Anchor Seal is recommended.

iDECK Spacing
When installing the decking boards, a 1/16” spacing between boards is generally recommended.  This will allow for proper air circulation between boards will also minimize the gap width after the natural seasoning of the deck takes place.

Tools
Ipe can be worked with conventional carbide tipped blades and drill bits.  The tool life of high speed steel will be greatly shortened when cutting or drilling Ipe.

Fasteners and Fastening Systems
The use of stainless steel screws and stainless steel ring shank nails are recommended because of their strength and resistance to corrosion.  Also, due to the high density of Ipe pre-drilling will be required before installing screws.  We offer an easy-to-install hidden fastener system called iCLIP.  iClip eliminates the hassle of pre-drilling and saves you even more time by automatically spacing your decking boards.  Since iCLIP is designed to be virtually invisible compared to nails and screws, you can now give your project a nice finished look without extra work

To Stain or Not to Stain
We recommend that you initially put a protective coating of pigmented stain on all sides of the decking before or after installation. If you want to maintain the stained look you will need to recoat as needed. If you want to avoid further maintenance you can let the wood just turn a natural grey.

*The product mentioned above is for suggestive purposes only.  DLH Nordisk will not assume responsibility for dissatisfaction in these products in any way.