I put down about 2000 sf of Ipe on the decks of my Vermont house using hidden fasteners three years ago... deck looks great...

Was a bit time consuming since the hidden fasteners I used were like biscuits.. so there was the extra step of using the biscuit cutter on each plank. I really do like the no fastener look...

I've done the Ipe thing twice, using the Eb-Ty biscuits and 5/4x6x20 boards. After the first time, about 10 years ago and literally within days of finishing, I learned that you can buy Ipe with a precut kerf along the entire length of the board...but it costs about $.60 more per board foot. A price I would have happily paid to not have to biscuit cut each board at the joist.

I prefer cargo strap with a come-along v. a bowwrench. There is no manual way to straighten bowed Ipe. And it is essential to seal all cuts or you will have checking.

Ipe is amazing wood. It's very difficult to light on fire and I'm not even sure it would float.

I did a project near Santa Monica where all the inspectors are from hell. I was fighting with them about fire rating of Ipe. I have shown them many proofs of its fire rating, finally they accepted. Its great stuff.

Jeff

There are many, many decking made out of Redwood and they stood the test of time. I don't see a problem. If you think about it, many of the homes have a pine finish floor or Oak, which is a little harder. Still it will dent and people still using them.

I knew about the Ipe with kerf cut for the biscuits...but being a CSOB didn't want to spring for the extra coin/board foot..

I ripped the kerf on a few planks when I got out to some areas of the deck where production was key.... found that working with my bro.. one of us using the biscuit cutter.... we closed that deck quickly...

In hindsight it I should have sprang for the pre-kerfed Ipe..

The deck I built will outlast me...so I wont lose any sleep over the extra few hours of labor I invested

i was working alongside a deck builder on the back bays of atlantic city, he mentioned that ipe is so dense that it doesn't float, i didn't believe him so i placed a scrap piece in the water, it sunk.

What about the different composites? Anyone with opinions on Timbertech or other options?

Fake Presto Log is Fake Presto log. 'Guess if you want to split the fake hairs, rice husk is better than ground up wood pulp for for thermal expansions and wear patterns holding up to pre-impregnated stains...

but, still, gross..........uckin aye

composites suck IMHO. everyone who comes over and looks at your deck will think the same thing.

plus check their expansion rate under heat..........+.25 on a 20 foot board due to the glue and recycled milk jug heating up and expanding.

after several cedar decks, I went hardwood. Tigerwood. similar to IPE, but much better coloring. hidden side T fasteners, not a screw showing.

Tigerwood Decking | Tiger Decking | Tiger Deck®

Dave,
I saw your other thread about you deck. It looks awesome. I will take a look at the tiger products but leaning toward composite for now. Milk jugs and all :) I havent had a chance to go actually look at the timbettech yet. I may hate it when I see it. Probably not going to do anythinkg till late fall. Also, the hardwoods look to be more expensive at a quick glance. Thanks for the heads up. I will def give it a look see....

you'd be surprises at the cost/cost comparisons.........I'd say it's pretty even for hardwood/plastic.

hidden fasteners and T-clips, that'll cost you.

see what you have local, or PM an address and I'll ship you a sample of the tigerwood, as I have several buckets of scraps from doing a 45 degree herringbone deck.

do it once, do it right.

Thanks Dave. I really need to look into this closer it looks like. I def want hidden fasteners whichever way I go. My deck is much simpler than yours. Pretty straightforward. If I cant find a rep for tiger local Ill shoot you a PM. It is appreciated!

Hi dear glad to read you informative topics it's really nice and i want to say i want good decking material for my home decking's its totally spoiled and i want to repair it if anyone know about it than contact here back i will wait ???

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