IPE VS. DINIZIA: Battle of the tropical hardwood heavyweights in Decking & Siding
Tropical hardwoods are prized for durability in outdoor environments, and architects and designers have been seeking a sustainable, durable natural wood alternative to Ipe. The alternative is here, and it is 100% FSC recycled: Reclaimed Dinizia for decking & siding. Here, a direct comparison between Ipe & Dinizia:
"Sustainable + durable wood alternative to Ipe: 100% FSC recycled reclaimed Dinizia decking & siding." - Click to Tweet This!
IPE VS. DINIZIA: General Stats
Common Name: Ipe (or Ironwood)
Botanical Name: Tabebuia serratifolia
Common Uses: Bridge Joists, Flooring, Siding, Marine Construction, Docks, etc.
Region: Central & Latin America
Weight: 62 lbs. / cu. Ft.
Color: Olive-brown with lighter or darker streaks.
Grain: Straight to very irregular
Durability: Very resistant to decay & attack by termites. Resists attack by dry-wood insects.
Botanical Name: Dinizia excelsa
Common Uses: Boat building, Bridge beams, Docks, flooring, Marine construction, etc.,
Region: Central & Latin America
Weight: 65 lbs. / cu. Ft.
Color: Reddish-brown, occasionally faint streaks.
Grain: Straight to interlocked
Durability: Very durable; Very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites. Resists attack by dry-wood insects.
While Ipe and Reclaimed Dinizia exhibit similarities in appearance, hardness, and durability, they are wildly different in terms of sustainability:
IPE VS. DINIZA: Sustainability & Sourcing
Ipe is logged from the rainforest. Ipe occurs just once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet, and many other trees are typically cut to clear a path to the valuable Ipe.
FSC certified Ipe has become scarce, pulling into question whether any kind of sustainable management is possible for this species.
Ipe is not readily available as a recycled material. The Ipe currently on the market is from newly-cut trees, and sustainable management/harvest cannot be guaranteed. It is estimated that 80% of Ipe is harvested illegally
Reclaimed Dinizia is 100% FSC post-consumer recycled. You can see the nail holes and rich color patina from previous use, and our reclaiming process is well-documented with photographs from the original structures.
There is absolutely no question regarding the genuine sustainable nature of reclaimed Dinizia.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RECLAIMED DINIZIA:
Available milled to order in siding, decking & more.
Average length is approximately seven feet -- much longer than most reclaimed inventories.
Custom millwork and lengths for herringbone or checkerboard decking layouts is available.
Price is comparable to FSC Ipe, and the cost to our planet is infinitely lower.
Please contact Anthology Woods for your reclaimed tropical hardwood project needs in decking, siding and landscape applications. Anthology Woods also custom sources the finest reclaimed Teak flooring, siding, decking and wall paneling, too.
If you wish to better understand the concerns regarding the harvest and sustainability concerns of Ipe trees, here are a few links to explore:
Ipe rejected from the Highline project in New York
Ipe Shortage & Illegal logging
