Outdoor Living Space with a ipe hardwood timber deck
A hardwood ipe timber deck is a great way to add to your living space. That’s why the trend today is towards generously proportioned ipe decks that are as much an extra outside room as a deck. A well designed ipe deck can link your home to the garden, and provide extra shady seating beneath the trees. It can transform an ordinary backyard into an informal entertainment area and add a practical focal point to your landscape design.
Choose your Style
You can change levels, build extra wide stairs or even build seating around a feature tree through the ipe deck. The versatility of timber allows you to design a deck that is tailored to your home and your lifestyle. Make sure your deck is large enough, for example - your deck will need to be at least 3 meters wide to comfortably accommodate most sets of outdoor tables and chairs. A building consent is required where there is a possibility that a person could fall at least a meter from your deck, or your deck area exceeds 10 square meters. Contact your local authority about their regulations.
Choosing the Right Ipe Timber
Ipe outdoor timber is a certified hardwood, sustainable resource that is specially used for outdoor use. Decking timber, bearers and joists not in contact with the ground do not to have a treatment level of H3 and neither posts in contact with the ground should have a minimum of H4 treatment. Your merchant can help you with your final ipe deck selection.
Ongoing Maintenance
To retain the original look and to avoid the build-up of slippery mildew, periodic cleaning is recommended. Low pressure water blasting with chemical cleaners is effective. High-pressure water blasting is not recommended as it tends to fur the timber surface attracting more dirt and mildew build-up. Products like Thompson’s Deck Scrub can be used to restore old decks to a near new look. Periodically remove any dirt or potting mix from board gaps especially over joists. Remove any developing flakes or splinters where these will be a nuisance. More on deck cleaning, painting and maintenance
See here for many more ipe deck installation details and instructions or visit our website www.hardydeck.com
