Ipé Lapacho
[I-pe La-pa-cho]; [Tabebuia serratifolia]; pau d’arco (BR); groenhart (SR, NL); guayacán polvillo (CO); ébène verte (GF, F); arcwood (US)
|
Origin |
Northern to Central South America |
|
Raw density |
1.2 g/cm³ |
|
Durability class |
1 |
|
Radial shrinkage |
0,25 % |
|
Tangential shrinkage |
0,41 % |
|
Wood color |
brown to olive |
|
Wood structure |
Fine-pored and dense |
|
Use |
Terrace wood |
Ipe is the name for the wood of several South American tree species. The trees of the Lapacho subgenus in this family produce a very hard and heavy wood of high quality. It has a very high resistance to wood-destroying fungi and very good technical properties. In terms of dimensional stability and risk of splintering, Ipe Lapacho is the only wood that can come close to the excellent values of teak.
Good but at risk
Due to its high quality, Ipe was heavily cultivated in the past. The deciduous tree, known as the “tree of life” by the indigenous population, has already completely disappeared from the primeval forests in many regions. The massive felling has prompted some Latin American countries to place the tree under special protection. However, the majority of countries deny the lapacho tree this special protection, which is why it is still available on the European market.
No reforestation of Ipe Lapacho
So far, no Ipe wood is available that comes from sustainable reforestation projects. The high demand therefore has a direct impact on the stocks in the primary forests. An alternative to Ipe is the wood species cumaru.
More than just wood
The inner bark of the lapacho tree has been used to make tea since the Incas. It is said to have numerous healing effects.
Sources: Holz-ABC GD Wood, Tropix, Wikipedia
from 6,60 €
Cumaru decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 70 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant
Disadvantages: ✗ Partly rough surface ✗ High force development
Tip: Sand the boards after the first weathering.
from 9,10 €
Cumaru decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 70 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant
Disadvantages: ✗ Partly rough surface ✗ High force development
Tip: Sand the boards after the first weathering.
from 11,85 €
Cumaru decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 70 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant
Disadvantages: ✗ Partly rough surface ✗ High force development
Tip: Sand the boards after the first weathering.
from 9,10 €
Garapa decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2
Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ homogeneous, light color
Disadvantages: ✗ Ferrous materials lead to discoloration ✗ Tendency to warp if not screwed down
Tip: patio cleaning removes discoloration and
professional interim storage prevents warping.
from 9,80 €
Garapa decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2
Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ homogeneous, light color
Disadvantages: ✗ Ferrous materials lead to discoloration ✗ Tendency to warp if not screwed down
Tip: patio cleaning removes discoloration and
professional interim storage prevents warping.
from 9,10 €
Jatoba decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2
Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ strong color and grain
Disadvantages:✗Unoiled tends to crack ✗ Colored ingredients wash out
Tip: Clean and oil decking boards after installation.
from 2,95 €
Teak decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 130 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ Best durability and dimensional stability ✓ Lowest risk of cracking and splintering
Disadvantages: ✗ Relatively expensive ✗ Not very long planks
Tip: Lay decking boards together.
Teak decking planks finger-jointed 95mm
from 13,25 €
Teak decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 130 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ long teak planks up to 390cm long ✓ best durability and dimensional stability ✓ lowest risk of cracking and splintering
Disadvantages: ✗ Changing grain due to finger-jointing
Tip: Optical transitions of the finger-jointing fade when exposed to weathering.
from 5,45 €
Teak decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: € 130 per m2, resistance class: 1
Advantages: ✓ Best durability and dimensional stability ✓ Lowest risk of cracking and splintering
Disadvantages: ✗ Relatively expensive ✗ Not very long planks
Tip: Lay decking boards together.
