Ipe Wood vs. Teak Wood

If you’re considering building a new deck or patio furniture for your Southern California home, two strong choices are teak or ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood. Both these tropical woods have been used for centuries for outdoor use, including for boat building and boat decks, due to their denseness and durability. In addition, they’re beautiful woods, with harvested and lumbered teak starting out as golden brown and aging to a silvery hue.

Ipe, sometimes known as Brazilian hardwood, has a warm reddish color that can change to blackish-brown with age. While both ipe and teak are ideal for decks, patios, gazebos, or furniture, which one is right for you? Explore this comprehensive guide by our team at Teak Master to gain an understanding of the ipe vs. teak debate.

Understanding Ipe Wood and Teak Wood

Ipe wood comes from the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and is known for its strength and durability, which is perfect for outdoor applications. This exotic hardwood is extremely resistant to rot and insects, and people around the world use it for decks, cladding, and furniture.

Teak, also known as Burmese teak, has been used for centuries for shipbuilding and outdoor applications. It’s extremely tough and dense, like ipe, and resistant to rot and insects. So, how do you choose between these two tropical hardwoods for your outdoor patios, decks, and furniture? Let’s look closely at the unique characteristics of each wood and do a cost comparison.

Characteristics and Properties of Ipe Wood vs. Teak Wood

First, let’s learn more about the characteristics of these two types of wood.

Ipe

Ipe, Handroanthus serratifolius, grows in Central and South America, with nearly 90% of exports coming from Brazil. The trees grow between 100 and 130 feet tall, with a trunk size of about 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Ipe hardwood is usually reddish brown to dark brown in color and often has dark brown or black stripes, which gives it an attractive appearance.

The grain of ipe is medium textured with a moderate natural luster and an exotic mild wood scent. Because of the extreme density of this type of wood, many users find it difficult to work with and shape. However, the main attraction to using ipe wood for decks and furniture is its density and resistance to moisture and boring insects. It’s important to note that ipe wood may irritate those with skin sensitivities or allergies, especially during the milling process or when refinishing.

Teak

Teak, Tectona grandis, is native to southern Asia and is often referred to as Burmese teak. The trees grow about 100 to 130 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of about 3 to 5 feet. This beautiful hardwood is golden brown and then begins to turn silver with age. Mostly, the grain of teak is straight with occasional wavy lines.

Raw, unfinished teak wood has natural oils that make it feel almost greasy when handled. For centuries, teak has been the gold standard of rot-resistant wood and is naturally resistant to marine insects and powderpost beetles. Even though teak is dense, it’s fairly easy to work with and has an attractive leather-like scent when milled.

Cost Analysis: Choosing Between Ipe and Teak

Ipe tropical hardwood decking can cost between $7.25 and $14 per square foot, while teak decking material starts at $14 per square foot and can go up for ultra-premium wood. When considering choosing between ipe and teak, look at your budget and consult with our team to determine how much wood you need for your project. The high costs of these two tropical hardwoods are due to the heavy regulations and scarcity of them. However, because of their durability, life expectancy, and beauty of both ipe and teak, the wood makes for a handsome deck or outdoor furniture.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

Ipe and teak are both exotic woods that have come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Old-growth teak from Central and South America is scarce, and in many countries, it’s illegal to harvest it. However, some wood growers are now planting teak in plantation-style settings. In addition, geopolitical concerns and sanctions can limit teak exports, causing scarcity and increased prices. When choosing teak wood, consider the environmental and ethical benefits of plantation teak over old-growth, wild-harvested teak.

Ipe is listed as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (better known as CITES). Some exotic wood suppliers have stopped importing ipe due to the ethical and environmental concerns surrounding the over-harvesting of this rare tropical wood. However, as for teak, some tropical wood growers have shifted to environmentally sustainable plantation methods for growing ipe.

For an even more environmentally friendly option, consider looking for recycled or upcycled sources of ipe and teak for your next outdoor wood project.

Deciding the Best Fit: Ipe vs. Teak for Various Applications

Depending on where you live in Southern California, ipe may be a better choice, as it has high water- and mold-resistant qualities. In addition, because of the density of ipe wood, it’s a solid choice for high-traffic areas. If you live in the deserts of Southern California, teak is a fabulous choice. It will last for years with proper care in dry conditions. Ultimately, both ipe and teak are suitable for the temperate climate of Southern California, and they provide durability and beauty to any deck, patio, or piece of outdoor furniture.

Learn More About Ipe Wood vs. Teak Wood

Both ipe and teak are exceptional woods to use for your Southern California outdoor living space. Contact our team  at Teak Master to learn more about these two exotic woods and their pros and cons. We’re experts in restoring teak and ipe decks and furniture using environmentally friendly products to help bring luster back to your deck, patio, or furniture. Learn more about our wood deck restoration process, teak furniture cleaning, and ipe deck restoration and refinishing.

(brown wooden framed blue padded armchair by Cameron Smith is licensed with Unsplash License)