Ipe
Handroanthus spp.
Ipe is the premium choice for exterior decking, cladding and high-traffic outdoor surfaces. Its extraordinary density gives outstanding resistance to wear, rot, insects and fire, at the cost of being demanding to machine.
In short — What is Ipe?
Ipe (Handroanthus spp.) is an extremely dense, hard and durable South American hardwood — one of the toughest decking timbers in the world, with a Class A fire rating and a service life of 25+ years outdoors even without preservatives.
Best uses for Ipe
- Exterior decking
- Cladding and façades
- Boardwalks and high-traffic outdoor surfaces
- Outdoor furniture
Less suited to: Fine furniture needing easy machining, Glue-intensive joinery.
Working & performance
Workability
Difficult — very hard on tools, blunts edges quickly, hard to glue due to density and oils. Pre-drilling is essential. Carbide tooling required.
Drying
Dries slowly with a tendency to surface-check; very stable once dry.
Decay resistance
Exceptionally durable — highly resistant to rot, termites and marine borers; 25+ year outdoor life.
Treatability
Extremely resistant to preservative treatment (not needed).
Allergies / safety
Dust may cause irritation and dermatitis; use extraction and PPE.
Sustainability
Source responsibly — wild-harvested — TODO: confirm legal/certified Ipe sourcing.
How Ipe compares
Side-by-side with similar species we supply.
| Property | Ipe | Burma Teak | African Teak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Handroanthus spp. | Tectona grandis | Milicia excelsa |
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood | Hardwood |
| Janka hardness | 3,510 lbf | 1,070 lbf | 1,260 lbf |
| Dried weight | 1,050 kg/m³ | 655 kg/m³ | 660 kg/m³ |
| Natural durability | Very high | Very high | High |
| Origin | South America | Myanmar (Burma) | Cameroon, West & Central Africa |
| Best uses | Exterior decking, Cladding and façades, Boardwalks and high-traffic outdoor surfaces | Superyacht and boat decking, Premium exterior doors and windows, Luxury flooring | Exterior doors and window frames, Outdoor furniture, Commercial joinery |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium | Mid-range |
Ipe — FAQ
How hard is Ipe wood?
Ipe is one of the hardest commercial timbers, with a Janka hardness around 3,510 lbf — over three times harder than teak and roughly as dense as some metals, which is why it lasts decades outdoors.
Does Ipe decking need sealing?
Ipe does not require sealing to survive — it will last 25+ years untreated, weathering to silver-grey. A UV oil is only needed if you want to retain its original brown colour.
Source Ipe from India's timber pioneers
Tell us your grade, dimensions and quantity — we'll get back to you with availability and pricing.