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Installation Guidelines for Solid IPE Decking, Piers & Boardwalks
More Information and Ipe Decking Applications and Pricing
IPÊ DECKING Handling and Pre-Installation Storage: For optimum outdoor performance,
IPÊ decking is air dried between 15% and 18% average moisture content.
Deck boards should be acclimated and stabilized to your climate
before installing. IPÊ should be kept dry, covered and stored
out of direct sunlight until installed.
Adequate ventilation of the deck is essential for long-term stability and to minimize cupping. Proper air ventilation allows air to flow in from outside the deck area, under the joists and up through the gaps between the deck boards. Carefully plan your deck.
Installation Guidelines: Pressure treated wood is recommended for joists and any other unseen structural parts of your project. Ipe contains a naturally occurring alkali, which gives IPÊ its long lasting durability. Care should be taken when working with Ipe, The fine yellow dust produced in most operations may cause dermatitis in some indivduals. Avoid prolonged inhalation of sawdust, wear eye protection and wash up thoroughly after handling. The use of carbide saw blades and premium drill bits along with, pre-drilling and countersinking before screwing or nailing is recommended due to high density of IPÊ. To avoid pre-drilling and the visual appearance of the nails, we highly recommend the use of a hidden deck fastener system. IPÊ is so dense that it's virtually impossible to drive nails or screws without pre-drilling holes to avoid splitting, even when using “self-drilling” screws. If you will not be using a hidden fastener system, you may find it easier to pre-drill all screw holes (to the screw shank diameter) before attaching decking to the joists. High quality stainless steel screws are recommended with IPÊ. Galvanized/coated or steel/iron products generally cause black staining and have a much shorter service life than the IPÊ. Proper fastener length is typically the wood thickness times a minimum factor of 2.5. For example, use a 2" long screw with 3/4" decking. Use two screws to attach decking to each joist. A gap of 1/16” between deck boards is recommended to aid in air circulation and drainage; End to end butt joints are installed without a gap. After installation, when the wood is fully seasoned, shrinkage of 1/8” on 6” wide boards can be expected. However, in hot or dry climates you may experience additional shrinkage. In these instances, a kiln dried product and appropriate fastener should be considered. Screw and Plug alternative method: Pre-drill and counter bore the deck board no more than 1/4" deep. Drive the screw and lightly tap and glue a 3/8" diameter plug with marine grade epoxy in each hole; sand flush. Finishing: Due to the manufacturing process and shipping methods, the deck boards may arrive with a somewhat "dirty" appearance. Water stains or marks from sticker or breather strips may be visible. Simply install the decking as received, then power-wash the surface after installation is complete. Generally, these marks will blend in with the deck surface. Any remaining marks will gradually dissipate as the deck gently ages over the next few months. IPÊ can be sealed to maintain its natural color and beauty, or allowed to weather to a beautiful silver gray color. This very dense wood requires no sealers or treatments for durability. To refresh the beautiful rich natural walnut color, simply power-wash the deck as the natural color fades - typically, only once or twice a year. Organic debris from normal foot traffic will actually polish the deck, creating a slight natural sheen as the deck ages. To maintain a rich walnut color, use a transparent penetrating oil based sealer with UV inhibitors in a trans-oxide pigmented “cedar tone” and reapply annually or as needed.
To the best of our knowledge this information is accurate; however, due to the variance of products grown in nature, TinyTIMBERS cannot assume any liability for the use of these products. It is the sole responsibility of the installer to adequately test and determine the final applications. Follow all manufacturers recommended application instructions when using proprietary products. |
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