Exterior Ipe Wood Porch Flooring

The Smart Choice: IPE Porch Exterior Wood Flooring

Choosing the right material for porch exterior flooring is quite a delicate procedure. Why? Because wood is the only material that truly works and yet wood is the most vulnerable to outside conditions. If you are going to use IPE Porch exterior wood flooring, however, it might just be the smartest choice you make.

Environmentally Sound

Not to sound like a tree hugger, but shouldn't we all be doing our part to protect the earth? Forests today are rapidly vanishing because of irresponsible logging practices of people. However, when you go with IPE, you actually go with a great environmentally sound choice. This is because IPE is harvested from sustainable forests only. This means that this type of material is gathered without danger of deforestation.

Resists Rot and Decay

Since a porch is exposed to moisture, people naturally worry about the wood rotting. However, with IPE this is not a problem. Why? It's because it naturally resists rot and decay. Is it done with chemicals? No! IPE actually does not need to make use of toxic chemicals in order to remain rot-proof. Just ask anyone who uses IPE as decking for their porch!

Resists Weathering

If you have ever been to the boardwalk in Atlantic City, you may have noticed that it still looks great after so many years. It is actually made out of IPE. If you make use of IPE porch exterior wood flooring, you can stop worrying about the effect of the sun and the rain to it. With IPE, the sun's action can actually transform the reddish-brown color of your porch flooring into distinguished silver.

Resists Pests

Another problem when it comes to wooden structures is the pest infestation. Termites are especially notorious for causing the early decay of exposed porch decks. With IPE, however, you have insect resistant wood without the need for injections or toxic insect repellants. This is just sounding better and better, right?

Why exactly does IPE resist all these things? Well, it is primarily because of its dense cell structure. IPE is made purely from heartwood. This also makes the next advantage possible.

Incredibly Strong and Durable

IPE is one of the strongest woods available out there. It is highly resistant to splintering or checking. It is also quite resistant to scratching which makes it the ideal wood for use if you have a pet. It is also highly durable. Actually, the material has been awarded the highest decay resistance rating: "High 25+". This means that it can last for more than 25 years without any sign of rot or decay.

There are people who ask regarding whether this material actually needs sealing. As said before, without sealing, it ages naturally to a silver patina color. However, a lot of people may not prefer this to happen. If this is the case, then you ought to seal it. There are a variety of sealants available to keep the brown color of the wood. You should reseal it yearly or as the climate requires.

You may also be wondering about the cost of using IPE porch exterior wood flooring. It is priced competitively among the other premium hardwoods today. However, when you consider the longevity of the wood, it is actually more cost-effective than most hardwood varieties out there. So is IPE the right choice? You bet it is.