Timberline Lumber Company stocks premium Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) decking and delivers it on our own flatbeds to jobsites across Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and East Tennessee. From our Black Mountain warehouse we supply mill-direct tropical hardwood in full lengths for luxury decks, docks, and commercial walkways.
Ipe (pronounced "EE-pay"), also known as Brazilian Walnut, is the premier decking and exterior wood in the world. With a Janka hardness of 3,680 lbf — harder than concrete — Ipe delivers extraordinary durability, natural beauty, and a lifespan measured in decades, not years. It's the wood you'll find on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Coney Island, and luxury residential projects across the country.
View 31 current product options
- Ipe 1x10 Premium S4S
- Ipe 1x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 1x14 Premium S4S
- Ipe 1x4 Premium Pre-Grooved
- Ipe 1x4 Premium S4S
- Ipe 1x4 Premium Smooth Face T&G
- Ipe 1x6 Premium Pre-Grooved
- Ipe 1x6 Premium S4S
- Ipe 1x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 2x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 2x2 Premium S4S
- Ipe 2x4 Premium S4S
- Ipe 2x6 Premium S4S
- Ipe 2x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 3x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 3x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 4x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 4x4 Premium S4S
- Ipe 4x6 Premium S4S
- Ipe 4x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 5/4x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 5/4x4 Premium Pre-Grooved
- Ipe 5/4x4 Premium S4S
- Ipe 5/4x4 Premium Smooth Face T&G
- Ipe 5/4x6 Premium Pre-Grooved
- Ipe 5/4x6 Premium S4S
- Ipe 5/4x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 6x12 Premium S4S
- Ipe 6x6 Premium S4S
- Ipe 6x8 Premium S4S
- Ipe 8x8 Premium S4S
Color & Appearance
Freshly milled Ipe ranges from olive-brown to rich chocolate-brown with occasional darker veining. The grain is tight, interlocked, and produces a smooth, almost polished surface when properly sanded. Over time, unfinished Ipe weathers to a distinguished silver-gray patina. Annual application of UV-blocking oil preserves the original warm tones.
Nominal Sizes and Milling Styles
| Nominal | Milling | Actual Width | Exposed Face | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x6 | S4S / Pre-Grooved | 5.5" | 5.5" S4S / 5.0" pre-grooved | Exterior open-air decking |
| 1x6 | Tongue & Groove | 5.5" | 5.0" | Covered porches / ceilings |
| 1x4 | S4S | 3.5" | 3.0" | Decking / trim |
| 1x4 | Tongue & Groove | 3.5" | 3.0" | Covered porch flooring |
| 5/4x6 | Pre-Grooved | 5.5" | 5.0" | Heavy-duty / commercial decking |
| 5/4x6 | S4S (Square Edge) | 5.5" | 5.5" | Docks / commercial walkways |
- 1x6 Pre-Grooved Decking: Our standard residential Ipe profile. Pre-milled grooves on both edges accept hidden deck clips for a fastener-free surface. 5.0-inch approved coverage face. Standard lengths 8'–20'.
- 1x6 S4S (Square Edge): Traditional face-screw decking. 5.5-inch exposed face. Ideal for stair treads, perimeter boards, and any area where hidden clips cannot be used.
- 1x6 Tongue & Groove: Precision-milled T&G for covered porches and interior use only — not for exposed decks. Water trapped in the groove will freeze, swell, and buckle. 5.0-inch exposed face.
- 1x4 S4S Decking: The classic Northeastern architectural profile, providing a refined, linear aesthetic highly sought after in custom home building. 3.0-inch approved coverage face.
- 1x4 Tongue & Groove: Precision-milled for covered porch flooring. 3.0-inch exposed face.
- 5/4x6 Pre-Grooved: Heavy-duty commercial and extreme-load profile; many builders and homeowners also choose it for residential decks. Pre-milled grooves for hidden clip installation. 5.0-inch approved coverage face. Standard lengths 8'–20'.
- 5/4x6 S4S (Square Edge): Heavy-duty face-screw profile for dock planking and high-traffic commercial walkways. 5.5-inch exposed face.
We can source additional Ipe dimensions and profiles beyond those listed — contact us for availability.
Performance Specifications
| Janka Hardness | 3,680 lbf (hardest commercial decking species) |
|---|---|
| Density | ~69 lbs/cu. ft. (Ipe will sink in water) |
| Durability Class | Class 1 — naturally resistant to rot, decay, termites, and marine borers |
| Fire Rating | ASTM E84 documentation is available for qualifying products/orders when retrievable; confirm project-specific code requirements before purchase |
| Expected Lifespan | 40–75 years in ground contact; indefinite above-grade |
| Grading | Premium / FEQ — virtually free of knots and sapwood |
Grading Standards (Tropical Decking Grades)
Unlike domestic species graded under NELMA or NHLA rules, tropical decking is sold to export quality standards. We stock to the top tier so the boards you receive install clean and consistent.
- Premium / FEQ (First European Quality): Our standard Ipe grade. Clear, defect-free heartwood with no sapwood, milled to tight tolerances. The vast majority of every board is usable — ideal for visible decking, dock surfaces, and architectural projects.
- Color Variation: Ipe ranges naturally from olive-brown to deep chocolate within a single bundle. This is an inherent characteristic of the species, not a defect. Mixing boards across bundles during installation produces the most balanced finished appearance.
- Custom & Clear Specifications: For projects requiring uniform color or specific clear lengths, we can quote select-and-better material. Contact us with your spec.
Fastening Ecosystem
Ipe's density requires specialized fasteners — pre-drilling is mandatory, and only stainless steel hardware should touch the wood. We supply everything you need; just tell us the profile.
- Hidden Clips (Pre-Grooved profiles): Ipe Clip 175-count Complete Kit covers 100 sq. ft. at 16" o.c. — 5/32" gap, brown finish.
- Face Screws (S4S / Square Edge): #7 × 2-1/4" trim-head stainless. One 350-count box per 100 sq. ft.
- Smart-Bit Pre-Drill & Countersink: #7 (flush) or #8 (countersunk). One per box of screws.
- Pro Plug System (optional, for hidden face screws): 5/16" species-matched plugs with Pro Plug tool.
- End Seal: Wax-based sealer applied immediately to every cut end to prevent checking.
Not sure what you need? Give us a call — we'll spec the hardware to match your deck.
Project Documentation by Request
For qualifying Ipe orders, we can request available species, origin, import, and technical documentation from the supplying mill or distributor.
- Confirm before purchase — documentation varies by species, profile, shipment, and supplier.
- Submittal support — ask us to verify what is retrievable for your architect, GC, or procurement team.
- No blanket certification claim — certification applies only when the specific order and its supporting documents are confirmed.
Contact us early so we can confirm the available documentation before you rely on it in a specification or submittal.
Ipe Decking FAQ
Who delivers Ipe decking in Western North Carolina?
Timberline Lumber Company delivers premium Ipe decking from our Black Mountain warehouse on specialized flatbeds across Western NC, Upstate SC, and East Tennessee. We stock full lengths and profiles for luxury residential and commercial jobsites.
Is Ipe harder than concrete?
Ipe rates about 3,680 lbf on the Janka scale — denser than many concretes under foot traffic. That hardness is why it shows up on boardwalks and high-end decks that need decades of wear resistance without composite look.
Do you stock Ipe for Greenville and Knoxville delivery?
Yes. Greenville is about 75 minutes down I-26 and Knoxville about two hours on I-40 from Black Mountain. We schedule flatbed drops of Ipe decking and matched fasteners for Upstate SC and East Tennessee builders.
What Ipe profiles do you carry?
We stock S4S, pre-grooved, and tongue-and-groove Ipe in common decking sizes (1x4, 1x6, 5/4x4, 5/4x6) plus larger boards and timbers by quote. Hidden-clip and face-screw hardware ship with the material.
Delivery, unloading, and documentation
Core-region fleet delivery is priced separately at $75 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Staff confirms the exact date after an eligible stocked order is placed. The customer is responsible for a safe unloading location and access suitable for long hardwood boards. Report visible shipping damage promptly and retain packaging and photos while the claim is reviewed.
Equivalent written quote review: for core-region projects, send us a current written quote with the same species, grade, profile, exact length mix, quantity, and delivery destination. We will match or modestly beat a credible equivalent delivered offer when our protected contribution rules permit; otherwise we will explain which commercial detail must change.
Species, origin, import, and available technical documentation can be supplied for qualifying orders when it is retrievable. Timberline does not make a blanket certification claim across every Ipe item.
Configured-project response: during business hours, our goal is a meaningful human response within one hour when a configuration needs verification.
