Decking Installation Archives

8 Things to Consider when Planning a Ground-Level Deck

February 18, 2026January 15, 2020 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Ground-level decks are a popular option when designing backyard landscapes. But if you don’t take certain precautions, your dream outdoor living space can quickly become a maintenance nightmare. To ensure you get the most out of your ground-level deck, here are several things to keep in mind during the planning stage. 1. Ground-Level Decks Lack …

Best Wood Decking for Extreme Climates and Projects

February 18, 2026June 14, 2019 by theipeguy

Building a deck in a climate that sees extreme weather such as extreme heat, extreme cold, hurricanes, lots of rain, ice and snow requires some extra planning. This will ensure your deck will last and resist unwanted movement such as warping, cupping, bowing and twisting. Dry Climates In dry climates like Arizona, wood decking materials …

Are Metal Deck Joists A Good Idea For Brazilian Decking?

May 12, 2026November 30, 2016 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Brazilian Decking like Ipe, Cumaru, or Tigerwood is some of the longest-lasting wood around. Not only do these woods make your deck look absolutely stunning, they also last decades longer than other alternatives. Many customers ask if we recommend an alternative framing material, since they want their framing to last as long as their deck. …

What’s the Correct Gap Space Between Boards?!

October 19, 2016October 13, 2016 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

You’re planning to build your deck, you ask your buddies and read the thousands of deck blogs and everyone seems to give you VERY different answers about what is the proper gap spacing you should be using for all your boards. The reason there’s so many answers is because there are many variables that dictate what gap spacing to use. In short, there’s no one answer that fits all but here are a few things to take into consideration.

What Can Happen If I Don’t Predrill My Decking?

February 8, 2016 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Predrilling is an important step in the installation process of your Brazilian hardwood deck. Unfortunately, it tends to be glossed over, and the results aren’t pretty.

Did You End Seal Your Entire Deck?

September 3, 2015September 1, 2015 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Something terribly wrong happened during the decking installation. Your deck looks shiny and is almost too slippery to walk on. Yes, end sealer was used instead of Ipe Oil.

We’ve actually seen this happen before. I’m going to help you resolve the issue so you can enjoy your deck the way it should.

This is not going to be an easy process, but your deck can be saved! Here’s what you need to do if you spilled end sealer onto your deck:

Why is Deck Ventilation Important?

March 25, 2015March 24, 2015 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

A lot of people ask how much space they need under their deck, or if extra ground clearance is even necessary. At AdvantageLumber.com, we recommend at least 18 inches of open air under the joists. Anything less is risky. But why?