Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Ipe vs Pressure Treated Pine: A Knock Out

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When you see these two materials side by side, it's obvious which one is superior.
When you see these two materials side by side, it’s obvious which one is superior.

Doing a full comparison between Ipe and Pressure Treated Pine for decking is like comparing Kobe beef and a McDonald’s beef patty. Pressure treated pine works well as the frame of your decking but not as the decking itself. Pressure treated pine lasts only for about 5-10 years and must be constantly stained and finished. Ipe on the other hand, is an all-natural wood, proven to last over 75 years without any chemical treatment. The Coney Island boardwalk was in service since the 1940s! Boards from that landmark boardwalk have been reclaimed and reused for many applications from patio furniture to indoor flooring.

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How to Maintain Your Hardwood Deck

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Every piece of lumber is unique. No one tree is the same. Every board in your deck is going to have different characteristics. Once installed, you want to give your deck the proper maintenance it needs to increase its lifetime and your overall enjoyment. Be rest assured, even though a deck made of Brazilian hardwoods is proven to outlast and outperform softer materials, giving it a little attention once in a while is a good thing (After all, even a Lamborghini needs its oil changed and tires rotated!) Here are some guidelines to follow to maintain the lifetime and beauty of your hardwood deck.

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Deck Inspection: Posts and Footings are the Foundation of Your Deck

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Inspecting deck posts and footings.
This is one of the most important elements of your deck. Make sure it’s installed correctly.

Deck posts are an extremely important part of your deck. So, it should be obvious that ensuring they stay in good condition and a part of any routine deck inspection is critical.

A deck is built for load to be evenly distributed throughout the entire surface area. This suggests the ledger board and posts will have an equal load. This assumption is wrong in most cases. If you plan to entertain on your deck, your guests will have a tendency to hang out at the end of the deck where the railings are; thereby increasing the load on the posts and not the ledger board.

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Exterior Applications for Brazilian Hardwood

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Give your home a face lift with the exotic and captivating look only natural wood can bring. Unlike any other material, wood brings both warmth and beauty to your project. Let your commercial location or home speak for itself by making the perfect first impression. The possibilities for exterior wood applications are endless, and Advantage Lumber can help you get the perfect materials for your designs.

Our Advantage Shiplap Siding™ will elevate your home in a way you never dreamed of.
Our Advantage Siding™ will elevate your home in ways you never dreamed of.

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Deck Builder Digest: How Hardscaping Can Help Your Business Grow!

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Decks with Firepits
Adding a fireplace to a deck can make the difference between and OK experience and an incredible one.

When working on a deck project, you always offer add-ons such as shade structures, planter boxes and benches, but have you considered including hardscaping? Most homeowners envision fire pits, pavers, walkways, etc. in their dream backyard because those materials help unify the deck with the outdoors.

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The DeckWise Drill & Drive™ – The Perfect Stocking Stuffer for Pros & DIYers!

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Looking for a great stocking stuffer for the handyman or woman in your life? Or do you just need a really good tool to save you time when installing hardwood decking? To properly install hardwoods you need to use screws, not nails. Thanks to today’s technology, you have the option of using tools that will …

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Deck Inspections: Facts

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deck inspection tips
Getting your deck inspected can prevent larger headaches in the future.

Did you know that roughly 40% of all the decks in America are deemed safe? When you add in the fact there are an estimated 40 million decks that are over 20 years old and you quickly realize becoming a statistic is a real possibility for many homes.

Just like every aspect of your home needs to be solidly and correctly built, so does your deck. Even though decks appear to be simple and straightforward structures, you should consider them to be a rooms without walls or a roof. It’s an outdoor space that needs to be planted in strong foundations.

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