| Species | IPE WOOD |
| Scientific Name | Tabebuia Spp of a family Bignoniaceae |
| Wood description | Heartwood color is yellowish brown to dark olive brown. Canals contain a greenish yellow deposit (lapachol) and sapwood is clearly demarketed. It has fine texture and interlocked gtains. |
| Weight | 950-1060 kg/m3 |
| Machining Properties | Blunting effect is fairly high and TCT blades are recommended for sawing. Pre boring necessary for nailing and screwing. |
| Finishing | Ipe hardwood is a somewhat difficult wood to finish. Its chemical makeup interferes with the drying, adhesion and absorption of wood stains and top coats. Thus we’d never suggest buying it unfinished and attempting to finish it in your home. Ipe’s extreme density prevents most finishes from penetrating below the surface, thus it takes a bit of experience to gain the knowledge for effective coating. |
| Drying & treatment | Drying is very slow. Air dried to aprox 12% for use on exterior projects. Kiln dried material for interior use, do not use kiln dried for exterior use as it will expand. Air dried inside will shrink. Movement after manufacture is rated as small. |
| Common uses | IPE hardwood decking and exterior cladding is next to perfect. It can be used for highclass furniture, ship & boat building, sleepers, heavy carpentry, construction posts, structure, musical instrument, adirondack chairs, play equipments & other wood patio furniture. |
| Additional Information | Preferably the best timber for exterior cladding & decking. It is very durable and may last for over 100 yrs. |