Ipe

Comparing Jatoba and Ipe, Part 2

Last updated on October 9, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

In addition to hardness, stiffness, and weight (see Part 1), there are a few more categories useful in comparing Jatoba and Ipe. While both are excellent choices of tropical decking species, Ipe is, by far, the favored one. As Ipe becomes increasingly difficult to source, some builders and customers alike are finding Jatoba to be a suitable Ipe alternative. Others are even finding it preferable to the long-time favorite.

Stability

Building around the predictable, anisotropic movement of wood can go a long way toward alleviating the potential problems that can stem from this down side of utilizing natural building materials. Because wood fibers basically act like a bundle of straws that suck up moisture, the tangential movement (parallel to growth rings) is typically more significant than radial movement (perpendicular to growth rings).

Ipe’s tangential movement percentage is 8, while it’s radial movement is 7%; Jatoba’s percentage of tangential movement is 7.1, while it’s radial movement is only 3.8%. Since the ratio of Ipe’s tangential-to-radial movement is only 1.1, it’s nearly isotropic, meaning that it moves equally in all directions — the essence of stability. With a ratio of 1.9, Jatoba is certainly less stable than Ipe.

However, more significant than the movement ratios is the varying moisture contents on each face of a board: For instance, one face may be subject to rain and sun, while the opposite is continually shaded. This kind of inequality can cause cupping. Because of its lower density (and more empty space between cells), Jatoba actually tends to exhibit less cupping than Ipe. Either species will fare well, though, as long as installation is performed properly, allowing for adequate spacing between boards and ventilation beneath the deck.

Practical Considerations

jatoba decking Considering the relevant technical attributes of both species, we’ll call it a draw between Jatoba and Ipe. In an ideal world, things like availability and cost would be insignificant; however, we all know that this world is far from ideal. Jatoba usually costs only 2/3 as much as Ipe and is much more easily available than the long-time decking favorite. The shortage of Ipe promises to continue to escalate, making the prized species more and more difficult to secure.

Even though Jatoba is fairly new as a decking species, its popularity for interior flooring means that its supply pipelines are already in place. In addition, Jatoba offers the unique ability to blend inside and outside spaces with similar flooring. In Ipe’s favor, Jatoba is currently available in a small number of sizes, making building a deck in only that species an impossibility. (Currently, only 5/4×6 decking boards are available.)

At the end of the day, either Jatoba or Ipe is a great choice for your new deck. Whichever one you choose, we’re confident that you won’t be disappointed.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Comparing Jatoba and Ipe, Part 1

Last updated on October 9, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Jatoba is quickly rising to the top as an Ipe alternative for decking. While Ipe is still available, despite shortages, we think it’s important for customers to be able to make an informed decision about whether Jatoba would meet the needs of individual projects. Since the characteristics of Ipe are well known, we’d like to compare the two, side by side, to aid in your evaluation. We’ll start with technicalities.

Hardness

The hardness of a board is determined by the Janka test, when a steel ball that’s approximately 1/2″ in diameter is pushed into the face grain of the board, to the extent that approximately ½ its diameter is embedded in the wood. The rating you see listed in wood charts is the measurement of the force required. Ipe ranks at 3684 pounds-force (lbf), while Jatoba is at 2690. Clearly, Ipe is significantly harder than Jatoba.

The question we have to ask, then, is whether the relative hardness of Jatoba presents a practical problem for your deck. The answer is no. Jatoba is still much harder than other commonly used decking species, such as Pressure-Treated Pine, which rates 690 on the Janka scale, or Western Red Cedar, which rates only 330.

Stiffness

In some cases, you really want a material that demonstrates flexibility and elasticity — but your deck is not one of those situations. The MOE, or Modulus of Elasticity, is measured in pounds per square inch. It describes how much a board will flex under foot traffic between joists. As you might guess, the numbers help determine optimal spacing for the supporting structures. At 3129, Ipe again beats out Jatoba, which comes in at 2745.

But if you understand that most Ipe decks and boardwalks are overbuilt, anyway, you realize that while Ipe could safely be installed on 24” centers, with no fear of bounce, the 12-16” spacing that’s become standard will present no issues for Jatoba. So again, the fact that Jatoba is approximately 15% less stiff than Ipe falls short of making it a poor choice for your deck — unless you’re expecting an entire herd of elephants at your next backyard barbecue.

Weight

The weight difference between the two species is far from significant, with Ipe weighing 62 pounds per cubic foot and Jatoba, 57. The relative loads need to be taken into consideration during the installation process, but as long as the construction takes them into account, neither is a problem. It’s actually more of an issue to consider during shipping: Just imagine how much lighter an order of Jatoba will be compared to Ipe! Those 5 pounds can really make a difference, considering an entire project. Since shipment costs typically correspond to weight, you’ll save money by choosing Jatoba over Ipe.

In Part 2, we’ll look at a few more categories of comparison between these two excellent tropical decking species.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

The Price We Pay for High-Quality Ipe

Last updated on May 27, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

At J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of quality control (learn about our quality process). Over our more than two centuries as a lumber company, we’ve established a reputation for maintaining a scrupulous inventory of domestic and exotic species.

Particularly when it comes to tropical decking species such as Ipe, ensuring that the lumber we purchase meets our high standards takes a lot of effort on our part. In order to confirm that each board displays the kind of stability, consistency, and unblemished appearance which our customers expect, we inspect and grade each board multiple times.

In order to provide top-quality Ipe decking, our quality control process includes on-site visits as well as inspections by third-party independent agents.

Shipment of Ipe en route to J Gibson McIlvain

The Brazilian government has instituted a commendable forestry management program that allows easy access to each saw mill’s history. We appreciate this ease of information access as we research a prospective new mill’s sources and business history. We can easily determine land ownership, land concession history, and general track record of each new mill with which we’re considering working.

Land Concession & Saw Mill Viability Research

The first step in determining a new mill’s validity is to look into land concession issues. It’s important that we discover who owns the land, how long the mill has been working with the current land concession, and how long they have remaining under that agreement.

Each region has its own particular regulations, making our familiarity with local ordinances important. Such understanding requires us to visit the mill in person and to consult with local legal experts. Once we have ascertained the quality of the forest and the breadth of its supply, we can determine whether to make an initial purchase.

Typically, that first order consists of lumber personally viewed and graded by a member of our staff. The shipment is again assessed by us once it arrives at our lumber yard, and we carefully compare it to the initial evaluation, noting delays or other shipment hang-ups.

Coordination with Local Buying Agents for Inspections

If that initial purchase is completed satisfactorily, the second step we take is to coordinate with a local buying agent to periodically inspect future shipments. These third-party inspectors use our carefully devised criteria to evaluate thickness, width, length, and defects.

Along with providing us with thorough written evaluations, the agent also includes photographs of the shipment, further benefiting us by providing complete origin documentation, as required by the Lacey Act.

Lumber Evaluations upon Arrival to U.S.

In addition to the aforementioned research and inspections, we have species experts evaluate the lumber once it arrives in our lumber yard.

Most of the Ipe decking we sell is first run through our millworks (take a tour) to be grooved for hidden fastening systems, giving our professional lumber experts the opportunity to inspect every single board as it runs through our equipment. Between grading and milling, we’re sure to catch any damaged boards that somehow escaped earlier evaluations.

We go through great pains in order to provide our customers with high-quality Ipe. We constantly communicate with our suppliers to make sure each shipment meets our high expectations. The mills with which we work quickly realize what our many long-term customers know: J. Gibson McIlvain works with nothing but the best.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like . . . Time To Buy Ipe Decking?

Last updated on November 30, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

As we North Americans start seeing the white stuff fly and get ready to celebrate the winter holidays, building decks is probably the last thing on our minds. As the temperatures steadily decrease, the “wintery mix” has long since buried our memories of last summer’s BBQs. However, lumber suppliers like J. Gibson McIlvain are gearing up to purchase all the Ipe Decking materials our customers will need for the summer. Due to environmental and legal factors, we need to purchase most of the Ipe we’ll have for the entire year between January and March. As our lumber yard fills up with high-quality Ipe, we can offer the best selection and pricing to those who place their orders earlier in the year.

In order to save money on Ipe, you can strategically plan your purchasing as well as opt for short or odd-length boards. However, for those who simply cannot afford this premium species, there are many viable alternatives.

At the same time, Ipe is really the only hardwood decking product that has a lifespan topping 40 years. Its remarkable density and hardness contribute to its high fire rating and nickname of “Ironwood.” Its strength is matched only by its beauty, with its reddish brown coloring typical of tropical hardwoods.

The Grade A Ipe we carry at J.Gibson McIlvain Lumber is clear of defects on either 3 or4 sides. Its consistent color and clarity mean that it will resist tearout when planing and will boast cathedral grain patterns. (Of course, quartersawn Ipe does include some raised grain areas, as typical for all quartersawn boards.)

In order to provide our customers with the Grade A Ipe they seek, we take quality control seriously and work closely with only the most reputable Brazilian mills.

When you understand the buying seasons of Ipe, along with some basic supply-and-demand principles, you’ll be better able to understand the way pricing works. While our desire isn’t to price-gouge anyone, the earlier you place your Ipe order and the larger the order is, the better the price we’ll be able to offer you. So many factors come into play, when it comes to pricing, and the Brazilian rainy season is a huge piece of the puzzle.

Because we’ll be getting in all the Ipe we’ll be able to get for the decking season before spring hits, we’re placing our orders before the end of the year. If you’re able to plan ahead enough to place your order by early spring, you’ll save over those who purchase the same exact amount and quality of Ipe decking later in the summer, or in several different shipments. While we aren’t out to frustrate any of our customers, we simply must cover our overhead and submit to the buying seasons of this precious species.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Ipe Decking – FAQs & Wholesale Supplier Information

Last updated on October 6, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Ipe is a famous and prized Brazilian tropical hardwood that is used most often in outdoor applications, especially for decking projects. Ipe decking is world renowned for its attractiveness, durability, and overall toughness, and this outstanding reputation is well-earned because it’s known for being one of the only hardwoods that will last for as long as you own your house. Not only is Ipe strong and durable, but the wood is also quite beautiful. If it is properly kiln dried, its warm rich brown color and tight grain pattern make the wood very well-suited for indoor flooring projects. Its durability makes Ipe especially practical for high traffic areas of the home.

Ipe lumber is also known as “ironwood” as a result of its remarkable density and hardness, and because of these characteristics, the wood boasts a lifespan of over forty years. In addition to being popular for decking projects, Ipe is also used in other outdoor applications, including bridge building, boardwalks, outdoor furniture, marinas, and siding. Even if left untreated, the lumber is known to last for a great many years. Although non-treatment often causes the wood to fade to a silvery gray patina, many homeowners feel that this color is just as preferable as the brown color of the freshly installed lumber.

Ipe is truly a remarkable wood. The lumber is so durable that it has a class A fire rating, meaning that it is approximately as fire resistant as metal and concrete. Even if left untreated, Ipe lumber will outlast most other types of lumber. Its high density and extreme hardness allow the wood to resist absorbing moisture extremely well, and because of this, the amount of movement it exhibits after installation is very minimal. Ipe’s density also allows it to resist insect attacks, mold, decay, and other types of damage to which other decking woods are often susceptible.

Ipe is an exceptional lumber choice for both outdoor and indoor applications. While it’s popular as a durable indoor wood, its hardness and density make it a world famous decking material. Ipe decking will outlast nearly every other decking material, and it will do so while remaining both stable and beautiful.

J. Gibson McIlvain, located near Baltimore, Maryland, offers wholesale Ipe decking to contractors and installers throughout the United States. Contact McIlvain today at 800-638-9100 to request a price quote for your next Ipe project.

Learn more about Ipe decking: