Common Uses for Ipe Lumber

You’ve probably seen ipe wood before. It’s a beautiful wood with a range of reddish hues that’s most often used for decking and outdoor spaces. The reason it’s so popular for decking is that it’s very dense and hard, and it lasts a very long time despite tough conditions. It even has the same fire rating as steel!

Ipe might be an obvious choice for decking, but there’s so much more that you can do with your ipe lumber in Franklin County, MA. Read on to learn more about the various ways in which ipe lumber can work in your space:

  • Siding: Another great outdoor application for ipe is in siding projects. Many people use the beautiful wood to provide a natural element within a piece of modern architecture, but you can also side your entire home or commercial space with ipe lumber. It works well for siding because its properties make it long-lasting, and you can recycle it if you ever decide to switch it out.
  • Outdoor furniture and structures: If you’re considering some type of landscape architecture in your yard, ipe lumber is a perfect choice. Its excellent technical properties will ensure your outdoor structures like pergolas, fences or decks look great and last a long time. You can even build things like benches or tables out of ipe as well. Again, it will weather the years and provide some design consistency for your outdoor space.
  • Hardwood flooring: Ipe does need some special treatment before you can use it inside. It does have special oils and tannins, and will need to be dried, but once treated, ipe flooring is a great choice because it is extremely hard and provides such a rich and beautiful color. If you choose ipe flooring for your home, its beauty makes it a decorative flourish in its own right.
  • Accent walls: If you have a fairly modern or sparse interior, you can again use properly dried ipe lumber to provide a warm accent within the space. Brighten up a family space or a bedroom by using ipe lumber right on the walls and you’ll barely need to add any other decorations.

If you want to bring gorgeous and high-quality ipe to your home or commercial space, you’ll need to work with the right ipe lumber supplier in Franklin County, MA. That supplier should be Forest Products Associates. With over 70 years in the wood industry, we guarantee we can provide you with the best wholesale pricing and volume discounts.

The staff at Forest Products Associates have a deep knowledge of the product, and can help you determine the best way to use ipe lumber in your space—or any other wood, for that matter. In fact, we offer over 50 different species of wood, from ipe to more traditional maple to more exotic options like purple heart. Call or visit today to find out how we can help you in your quest for beautiful wood products. We look forward to assisting you soon!