Cedar Deck Vs Ipe How To Choose?

When it comes to choosing decking, you’re likely to end up spinning round in circles if you don’t know exactly what you want and what your preferences are.  There’s teak, there’s balau, cumaru, iroko, ipe and composite; the list goes on.  So, unless you’re a decking expert, how on earth do you begin to choose which would work best for you?  This is an issue that our clients tell us they’re facing every time they invest in a deck for the first time.  And this is part of the reason why we make a point of blogging helpful articles that won’t necessarily make the decision for you, but will certainly assist.  We’ve already blogged about the pros and cons of composite decking and today we’re going to look at the choice between cedar and ipe decking and how to choose.

Cedar as a wood is beautiful wood and is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, but does require ongoing maintenance to remain that way, an important feature that shouldn’t be underestimated for any outdoor project such as decking.  A highly versatile wood, it can be darkened down or lightened up, but has a naturally reddish tone in it’s untreated state.  When it comes to the environment, so long as you choose a cedar that has been sourced from a sustainably managed forest then it is no less environmentally friendly than any other similar option.  All of that said, there’s no getting away from the fact that cedar is a softwood and not a hardwood.

Ipe is a hardwood that comes typically from the South American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.  Like cedar, it is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, but more than this, it is particularly tough and is naturally fire resistant.  To illustrate how tough this wood is, you just need to know that it’s often called ironwood!  One of the other natural features of ipe that makes it an attractive decking option is the fact that it matures particularly well.  Ipe starts off a yellowy to dark olive colour and over time, takes on a very dark olive tone.  Add to this, the fact that ipe is particularly resistant to the negative effects of ultraviolet light, and you start to see the real benefits of this option.

So, both woods have their advantages, but how on earth do you choose?  In our opinion it’s grain, strength and maintenance that are the things that’ll help you decide.

Grain

The grain of cedar decking is regular and somewhat unremarkable, whereas the grain of ipe decking is exotic, interesting and adds a real charm to your deck.

Strength

As we’ve already mentioned, the fact that ipe is often referred to as ironwood is proof in itself of the major strength of this wood.  When it comes to decking, strength is a really important issue.  Ipe will allow you to have long boards that will withstand pretty much whatever you throw at them.

Maintenance

Softwood decking, like cedar requires staining, painting and sealing, at least on an annual basis if you want your deck to stand the test of time.  Ipe however, will stand up to the challenges of weather and outdoor living with little or no maintenance.  While at Wood and Beyond we’re advocates that you should be kind to any wood and treat it from time to time, if you’re someone who prefers the pretty much maintenance free options, then there’s no getting away from the fact that ipe will prove a better investment.

Here’s an ‘at a glance’ guide to the differences:

So, if you’re looking at a toss-up between cedar and ipe, how will you decide?  The likelihood is that you’ll initially be drawn by the lower cost of cedar, but what you need to ask yourself is whether the final look will tick your boxes; if you’re prepared to put the effort in when it comes to maintenance and finally whether or not you’re investing in a product that’ll need to be replaced after a few years?  If you’re on a seriously tight budget or if you’re doing a renovation for resale, then cutting quality corners to cater for your budget might be the answer, but if you’re seeking a deck for the long-haul, there’s no getting away from the fact that ipe will prove a much better investment.