*
I’m looking for information on building a deck with pau lope. Here are some questions:
Can we use a 1×6 instead of a 2×6, since the wood is so strong? I’ve heard the wood is very hard – will we need to drill pilot holes for the deck screws? Does it need any special finishes?
Any other advice would be appreciated to help us decide whether to use this or redwood.
Replies
*
I'd check on your local code compliance for sizing. No matter what, the Code Enforcement folks will either need to see material specifications (loading, compressive strength, etc...) or will go with what they have on the books.
Pau Lope needs drilling. As to finish, I see it oiled, or it will go to a natural gray in time.
*Well, I just finishing up my 400 s.f. Ipe` deck so here goes.Get the table of structural strength specification and compare it to your code requirements for live load. In Maryland, you could use 1X on 24" centers. I used an angled decking pattern (67 1/2) so I used 5/4" X 6 on 16" centers, for a 38" span rated at 50 psf (I think).You should drill clearance holes in the Ipe`, pilot holes would be for the joist (where you shouldn't need them). Use square drive stainless steel screws. But this is a really beatiful wood, so we built with deckmaster brackets. The wood does splinter when cross cutting sometimes. I can't figure out a pattern to when.It grays very quickly, so if you want to maintain color, use a U.V. protectant finish (not a water repellant) such as Penofin. We were so slow getting ours done that the first boards we had put down had already started turning gray in just a few months. So we had to sand (but it was worth it). So if you are going to be slow like us, put the finish on (with a brush) at the end of the day. It only takes a few minutes.Don't forget the end sealent wax.Good luck!
*I second most of the above.Around here people are off Penofin on grounds that it has ferric compounds which build up over several applications and darken the ipe too much--mottled black.The last project I did with ipe, we used a Sikkens sealer with a tint, much to our clients' satisfaction. They wanted it to look red like antique mahogany. It held up well for a year--then they sold the place so I haven't seen it since.You do need to drill holes in the ipe for screws, whether you call them pilot or clearance (I suppose clearance is more correct). I've used stainless trim-head screws and a combination pilot-countersink bit with a big bit (ideally just bigger than the threads of the screw) and a small countersink (just the size of the trim head). You will find that you can not push into the ipe with the screw or even the head. And the ipe destroys cutting tools with startling speed--I got maybe fifty holes out of a countersink before the countersink part wouldn't cut at all. A friend of mine gets around the time consuming pilot drilling by gluing the ipe with construction adhesive and nailing with 15ga. stainless t-head trim nails. You still need to pilot drill for the end nails to prevent splitting and you end up using a nailset on one in twenty nails. But it's a million times easier than pilot drilling!Ipe is the best deck material I've ever seen by far. Once you get it down, I don't think you can beat it--but it's a lot of work to install. BTW, if you leave it to silver out, it looks fine in my opinion. One deck I know of was done three or four years ago and is in full sun and looks fine, but bleached out.Good luck!DougPS Has anyone seen a redwood deck they liked? Over here on the right coast, they rot to pieces in a few years. And they're so soft they get scuffed up right away. And they cut down trees older than our country. What's to like?
*
Pau Lope (Ipe) decking is beautiful,however, difficult to install. Fortunatly the density of Ipe you are able to span joist centers with 1x material that other woods require 2x thickness. As far as fasteners I wouldn't use anything other than the EB-TY Hidden Deck Fastening System. Undermount systems like Deckmaster or Shadow Track (same thing) require access under the deck and pre-drilling. EB-TY installation is done on top of the deck and doesn't require spacing. If anyone has any questions free to e-mail or call 1-800-get-EBTY (www.EBTY.com)
Hi Ge
Found you in the Archives. Did you go through a lot of cutting blades to make your biscuits when you installed the ebtys?
Handy Dan
Boston
*
I'm looking for information on building a deck with pau lope. Here are some questions:
Can we use a 1x6 instead of a 2x6, since the wood is so strong? I've heard the wood is very hard - will we need to drill pilot holes for the deck screws? Does it need any special finishes?
Any other advice would be appreciated to help us decide whether to use this or redwood.