| Property |
Ipe
Lumber |
W.Red
Cedar |
Pressure
Treated |
Bending Strength
(psi) |
22,560 |
7,500 |
14,500 |
Hardness
(lbs) |
3,600 |
580 |
690 |
| specific gravity |
1.06 |
.32 |
|
| Durability of Wear Surface |
Extremely hard & dense |
Very soft surface that scratches &
dents easily |
Soft surface. Typical knots &
imperfections result in poor surface condition and
appearance. |
| Decay & Insect Resistance |
highest natural rating for rot &
insect resistance with NO treatment -rated by the
US Forest Lab for 25+ years |
Only the highest grade of Heartwood
is rated “acceptable”, sapwood & second growth
is significantly less decay/insect resistant. |
Impregnated with toxic chemicals.
Knots may not be thoroughly treated and may be more
likely to rot or be destroyed by insects. |
| Preser-vatives |
does not accept preservative well |
application of chemical preservative
recommended |
treated chemically, usually warrantied
for 20-30 years |
| Looks |
Solid hardwood look with little or
no knots, long lengths, very refined look. Resistant
to shrinking, splintering, twisting, cupping, and
checking. |
Rustic softwood appearance. Lesser
grades contain knots Resistant to splintering, twisting,
cupping and checking |
Very rustic appearance Pressure treating
increases brittleness and makes pine more susceptible
to splintering, shrinking, and checking. |
| Weathering |
Turns to a soft silver patina with
time. Little/no maintenace. |
Difficult to maintain original color.
If left natural, blackens and grays. |
Weathers to a pale green, with knots
showing strongly |
| Fastening |
Superior fastening with stainless
steel screws or nails. Will not pull loose or pop-up. |
Galvanized nails often split wood,
starting decay from water penetration. Tannic acid
may react with galvanized nails, corroding fasteners
& causing black stains. Nails can pop up |
Galvanized nails often split wood,
causing decay from water penetration. Chemical treatment
may react with nails, corroding fasteners and causing
black stains. Nails can pop up. |
| Other |
Extremely strong. Natural fire resistance:
Class A-1 NFPA and UBC |
Limited strength. Burns easily |
Copper chromated arsenate treatment
is toxic and banned in many areas. Splinters and
saw dust should be avoided. Not for use around pools,
except as substracture. Burning produces toxic fumes. |
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