If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a deck in the middle of July, you already know one thing:
Not all decking materials handle heat the same way.
At AdvantageLumber.com, one of the questions we hear every summer is:
“Does composite decking really get hotter than Ipe?”
The short answer is yes, in most cases it does.
While no decking material remains cool in direct sunlight on a 95°F day, Ipe hardwood consistently stays more comfortable underfoot than most composite decking products, especially darker colors.
In fact, we recently tested this ourselves with an infrared thermometer.
Our Real World Summer Heat Test
During one of Florida’s hottest summer afternoons, we tested several popular decking materials in direct sunlight, including:
- Ipe
- Cumaru
- Plantation Teak
- Trex
- TimberTech
The results were eye-opening.
One of the coolest-performing materials in our test was Plantation Teak, while Ipe also stayed significantly cooler than many composite decking boards. Darker composite boards absorbed the most heat.
The reason comes down to physics.
Why Composite Decking Gets So Hot
Composite decking is primarily made from:
- Wood fibers
- Plastic
- Color pigments
Plastic naturally absorbs and retains heat longer than natural wood.
Think about it this way:
- Black asphalt
- A dark plastic playground slide
- A dark composite deck
They’re all exposed to the same sun.
They’re all going to become extremely hot.
Natural hardwoods like Ipe still heat up, but wood is naturally less conductive than plastic, making it feel noticeably cooler under bare feet.
Reddit Agrees…
One of the best places to find brutally honest homeowner opinions is Reddit.
And when it comes to composite decking in the summer, homeowners don’t hold back.
Those comments are pretty representative of what you’ll find throughout Reddit’s Decks community.
Many homeowners absolutely love composite decking for its low maintenance—but nearly everyone agrees that heat is one of its biggest drawbacks. (Reddit)
Some of the Funniest Reddit Comments
Homeowners have found plenty of humor in just how hot composite decking can become.
One commenter joked:
“Keep a hose nearby and hose it down before you walk on it barefoot.”
Perhaps our favorite came from a homeowner replacing a wood deck who simply asked for a material that wouldn’t burn their dog’s feet.
The very first response?
“Heat resistant? Definitely Not.”
Even another commenter chimed in saying PVC decking was much cooler because:
“Trex is almost too hot to touch with bare skin in mid summer.” (Reddit)
Homeowners Choosing Ipe Specifically Because of Heat
Interestingly, there are also Reddit discussions where homeowners specifically chose Ipe because they had heard composite became too hot.
One future deck builder wrote they were selecting Ipe because they:
- wanted something durable for dogs
- loved the appearance
- didn’t want their feet or dogs’ paws getting burned on sunny days
That sentiment comes up surprisingly often whenever homeowners compare hardwood decking against composite. (Reddit)
Why Ipe Performs Better
Ipe has several characteristics working in its favor.
Dense Natural Hardwood
Ipe is incredibly dense but remains a natural wood rather than plastic.
That means it doesn’t retain radiant heat the same way composite decking typically does.
Lighter Surface Feel
Even when infrared temperatures appear somewhat similar, many homeowners report that Ipe simply feels more comfortable underfoot because wood transfers heat differently than plastic.
Natural Ventilation
Wood also tends to dissipate heat faster once clouds roll in or evening arrives.
Composite often stays warm much longer after sunset.
Does Deck Color Matter?
Absolutely.
Whether you choose composite or hardwood:
- Dark brown gets hotter.
- Dark gray gets hotter.
- Black gets hottest.
Lighter colors reflect more sunlight and remain noticeably cooler.
This is true for:
- Composite
- PVC
- Hardwood
- Concrete
- Stone
Color is equally as important as the decking material.
What About PVC Decking?
PVC decking generally performs a little better than traditional wood plastic composite because it contains no wood fiber.
Some manufacturers have also introduced heat reducing technologies.
Examples include:
- TimberTech Advanced PVC
- Trex SunComfortable™ Technology (available on select products)
PVC decking products can reduce surface temperatures compared to cheaper composite formulations but they still become hot in direct summer sun.
If You Already Have Composite Decking
Don’t panic.
There are several ways to make any deck more comfortable during heat waves.
Consider adding:
- Pergolas
- Shade sails
- Large umbrellas
- Outdoor rugs
- Misting systems
- Trees or landscaping
Adding a little shade can reduce deck temperatures significantly.
Maintenance vs. Comfort
Composite decking has real advantages:
- No staining
- No sealing
- Very low maintenance
- Excellent color consistency
Ipe offers different advantages:
- Cooler underfoot
- Natural beauty
- 50–75+ year lifespan
- Can be refinished if scratched
- Ages gracefully to a silver gray patina if left untreated
The choice often comes down to what matters most to you.
If your deck gets full afternoon sun and you spend a lot of time barefoot—or have children or pets—surface temperature should absolutely be part of your buying decision.
Final Verdict
If your primary concern is summer heat, Ipe is one of the best performing decking materials available.
Composite decking has come a long way over the past decade, and many premium products are cooler than earlier generations. However, countless homeowner experiences—and our own testing—continue to show that most composite decking absorbs and retains more heat than Ipe hardwood, particularly in darker colors. (Reddit)
If you want the beauty of natural wood and a deck that’s more comfortable to enjoy during the hottest months of the year, Ipe remains one of the best investments you can make.
Ready to compare your options? Browse our selection of premium Ipe decking, Trex decking, TimberTech decking, and other top-performing outdoor materials at AdvantageLumber.com, or contact our decking specialists for help selecting the right material for your climate and lifestyle.