ORDERING DECKING

FROM AN INTERNET SUPPLIER

Tips to ensure that you're getting what you pay for:

> How long has the company

   been in business?

> Who owns/runs/manages the

   company?

> Is the lumber grade listed on

   any documentation?

> Does the company ship

   product from their physical

   location or do they rely on a

   third party entity to drop ship

   for them?

Ipe Decking Bundles

The BannerElk Trading Company is a legitimate stocking direct importer of Brazilian lumber & decking. We DO NOT broker lumber that is drop shipped from another supplier. Use caution when making inquiries and purchases from businesses that broker decking which is drop shipped from a remote location as issues can arise from quality and packaging.

Use caution when

obtaining quotations from 

sources that do not publish

lumber grade/quality as you

could be getting common grade,

seconds, or worse!

Our mills follow strict guidelines

for sustainable and responsible

forestry management governed

by IBAMA.   Our Ipe Decking is harvested from the Northern region of Brasil which produces the dark and extremely dense lumber that is sought after in the market.  Ipe originating from Mato Grosso and Rondonia states in Brasil tend to be much lighter in colour and less dense. If you're seeking top grade, deep rich coloured, and dense Ipe decking, we're your source!

IPE (aka. Ironwood) is one of many commercial names used for the the imposing Lapacho group of trees from the various species of Tabebuia.The trees generally grow from 140 to 150 feet, but some can reach heights of 200 feet. Some other common names for the trees from this group include Bethbara and Lapacho, and a host of names used in the countries where the trees grow. The trees are mostly

found in Brazil as well as throughout Central and South America and some of the Lesser Antilles.

IPE'S strong, tough resilient properties make it an excellent material and increasingly popular choice for commercial/residential decking and outdoor furniture. It is prized for its stability, durability, strength and natural resistance to decay, wet conditions, and infestation by termites and borers. It is available in long lengths and relatively easy to season. Ipe has a Class A fire rating, the same rating given to concrete and steel.

IPE's heartwood is olive brown to black and usually features striping. The sapwood is much lighter, usually white or yellow. It's extreme density makes it difficult to cut and plane. High quality Carbide tipped blades are recommended when cutting. Pre-drilling is highly recommended when surface fastening to minimize checking.

Logs for Ipe Decking

D

Unlike other importers, we do not source Ipe Decking from the open market.  Our North Brasil office located in Belem, Para ensures the highest quality of lumber grading from only a handful of select mills. In addition, we require our mills to separate by grade at the factory level; a practice unheard of in this industry. Most other importers mix the entire production into one grade without any separation from first grade to off grade.

GRADING:

Ultra Premium Grade

Little to no natural defects such as worm holes or reverse fiber on either face. Little to no machine defects such as planer chatter or hit and miss. Some pin knots allowed with no dead knots.

Importer Grade

This grade is the standard of what most importers are offering in Ipe Decking.  Typically regarded as character grade or good one face. Expect natural defects such as worm holes, reverse fiber, and more pin knots with no dead knots. Machine defects are often limited to one face.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

No twisting or cull. Expect slight crook in both grades and some slight end check. Water marks from mill provided stacking sticks between layers can be expected, but will eventually disappear without sanding. Decking in both grades is often dirty and will require cleaning upon project completion and before U.V. treatement.

Our mills follow strict guidelines

for sustainable and responsible

forestry management governed

by IBAMA.  Use caution when

obtaining quotations from 

sources that do not publish

lumber grade/quality as you

could be getting SELECT grade,

seconds, or liquidation material. 

Our Ipe Decking is harvested from the Northern region of Brasil which produces the dark and extremely dense lumber that is sought after in the market.  Ipe originating from Mato Grosso and Rondonia states in Brasil tend to be much lighter in colour and less dense. If you're seeking top grade, deep rich coloured, and dense Ipe decking, we're your source!