Ipe, also called Brazilian walnut or lapacho, is a dense and resilient wood that comes from the forests of Central and South America. Like other tropical woods, ipe bears some unique characteristics. It’s a particularly durable wood that weathers fantastically and looks beautiful.

Is ipe more expensive than Trex?

Your initial cost for ipe decking materials will most likely be higher than those of Trex products. This is in part because it is imported from Central and South America. Also there is only so much ipe in the world.

How strong is ipe wood?

Hardness- Ipe is among the 10 hardest woods in the world with a Janka Hardness rating of 3,680; compare that to Oak, at about 1,200. Many compare Ipe’s hardness and density to concrete. This extreme hardness lends to its dimensional stability, long lifespan, and natural weatherproof properties.