We have specialized in the production of High
Quaility Deckings out of Brazilian species.
Brazil has to offer several species which are highly adequate for deckings,
due to their high resistability and natural beauty.
We are currently producing deckings in the sepcies
: Ipe, Cumaru, Massaranduba and Muiracatiara.
One of our best selling deckings is produced in
IPE. IPE deckings are known throughout the world
for their durability and for their beauty. An IPE decking will outlast any
other decking, due to its high density and natural resistance against the
attack of foreign organisms.
We can offer IPE deckings in any size
which suots better our clients needs. As we produce large quantities, we have
formed a stock of decking ready to be shipped to our clients upon receival
of an order.
Expanding our operations, we now have our material
ready for delivery, stocked in warehouses in the United States and in Israel.
Follows detailed recomendations of how an Ipe decking should be installed
and mainatined :
For best results, we suggest the following basic guidelines:
Handling & Cutting :
• Because Ipe g is supplied as “green/air dried” it is necessary to allow
the decking to acclimate and stabilize itself to the local temperature and
humidity environment prior to installation. Air drying is an acceptable method
to do this. Decking should be kept out of direct sunlight until ready to be
installed to prevent premature bleaching of the boards’ surfaces. A tarp will
suffice allowing air to circulate through the wood.
• Although the decking can easily be cut and machined with standard wood working
tools, carbide tipped saw blades, power tool bits and cutters are recommended
when machining this wood. Never push a tool beyond its capacity and do not
allow cutting surfaces to overheat. Slow down, and allow the tool to do the
work. Overheating causes dulling of saw blades, bits and cutters.
• After cross-cutting, all fresh cross-cut surfaces should be properly end
sealed. We recommend a good paraffin or water based wax emulsion end sealer
applied with a foam brush. End sealing helps reduce most end checking before
it begins. The sooner the cross cuts are sealed after cutting and/or end trimmed,
the more effective it will be.
INSTALLATION & Fastening :
• The design of the installation must allow for adequate ground-side ventilation.
Proper air circulation beneath the deck is critical to insure dimensional
and mechanical stability of any decking boards.
• We recommend 16” o.c. joist spacing when installation 3/4 x 3-1/2 and 3/4
x 5-1/2 Ipe decking. 1” Ipe decking may be installed on 16” o.c. or 24” o.c.
joist systems. Consult your local building codes for sub-structure framing
requirements in your area.
• Deck boards may be installed without spacing (butt installation) for a snug
fit. However, DO NOT CLAMP THE DECK BOARDS TIGHTLY TOGETHER. Some shrinkage
will occur as the wood seasons and dries. The typical rate of shrinkage can
be approximately 1/16” on 3/4 x 3-1/2” deck boards and 1/8” on 3/4 x 5-1/2
and 1 x 5-1/2 deck boards. (Please note: In hot, dry regions, shrinkage may
exceed the averages). When installing Ipe deck boards during the winter season,
when temperatures are below 40º, we suggest the boards be spaced with a 1/16”
gap. Deck boards requiring straightening should be secured in the desired
position until properly fastened. Screws may break if used to force boards
into position. Again, do not clamp deck boards tightly together.
• Acceptable fastening methods include conventional surface screw attachment
and pneumatic T-nailing.
Note: T-nail fastening is acceptable for 3/4x 3-1/2 decking only but may cause
splits in the wood!
• Boards must be pre-drilled to help prevent splitting of the wood by the
fasteners and we recommend only the use of stainless steel fasteners (screws
and T-nails) for your Ipe decking installation.
• For residential and light duty commercial installations, we recommend the
use of stainless steel Trim-Head screws, 2-1/4” minimum length. The head of
the trim-head screw is much smaller than the typical bugle-head screws required
for softwood deck boards, and will be much less noticeable. The larger stainless
steel bugle head screws are recommended for high traffic commercial applications,
2-1/2” minimum length.
• When using the surface screw method, pre-drill pilot holes close to the
actual diameter of the screw. Use a drill bit designed to extract stock during
the drilling. When using trim-head screws, a slightly over sized hole is suggested
to allow the head of the screw to counter-sink itself at or just below the
surface of the deck board (i.e. 5/32” drill bit for #7 T.H. Screw).
• We recommend two (2) screws per joist when installing the deck boards. Consult
your local building codes for deck board fastening requirements.
• When using the pneumatic T-nail method of fastening, the T-nails should
be shot at a 10 - 15º angle towards the center of the board with the nail
heads oriented parallel to the wood grain. Nail holes must be pre-drilled
at the ends of the boards (approximately 1” in from the end) to reduce the
potential of splitting the wood. If the T-nails do not completely drive into
the surface of the board, manually hammer and counter sink the heads. We recommend
three (3) T-nails per joist, 2-1/4” minimum length.
• Exterior decking adhesive is recommended for deck boards fastened with T-nails.
Finishing & Maintenance :
• If a natural weathered look is desired, Ipe decking will normally season
in 6 to 12 months. At this stage, the wood will continue to weather to a silvery
gray color and no further maintenance will be required except for normal cleaning.
We do suggest that if you intend to allow your deck to weather naturally,
a wood stabilizing agent (such as “Seasonite” by the Flood Co.) be applied,
one time, immediately after installation. This stabilizing agent may help
prevent minor surface checking that has the potential of occurring on some
of the deck boards during the natural drying and seasoning process of the
wood.
• For installations where a “finished wood” appearance is desired, apply a
premium penetrating oil finish with a high U.V. inhibitor rating (such as
“Penofin” by Performance Coatings). The finish should be reapplied periodically
to maintain the desired color, depending upon the exposure to the sun and
surface wear.
• Should you wish to restore Ipe deckings original color, we suggest power-washing
with a commercial grade machine capable of 2500-3000 psi pressure. In some
severe cases, a deck wood stripper can be used in conjunction with the power
washing. This should remove most of the gray colored surface film and expose
most of the original wood coloration. To maintain this appearance, follow
the “finished wood” appearance recommendations. Ipe decking will enhance your
outdoor living for decades to come. You should consider installing your Ipe
decking in a random length pattern. It adds unique character to your deck,
has the appearance of fine interior hardwood flooring – outdoors, and is absolutely
beautiful.
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