Installing A Patio Or Deck In Autumn With Ipe Decking
Now that summer is finally over, many people are starting to take advantage of the cooler weather by getting their long-awaited home improvement projects started. A great DIY home improvement project to start is to install a deck made of ipe decking. However, because ipe, like many other hardwoods behaves differently in different climates it’s important to know how to install ipe decking in the middle of the Fall Season.
The following tips are very important to know and will make your ipe wood decking installation straightforward and trouble-free. This guide to installing a deck in the fall will help you save both money and time. The end result will be that when you're done building an ipe deck, you will have peace of mind with the knowledge that a new deck will be durable and amazing looking for many seasons to come.
1) Allow the ipe decking bundles to settle/acclimate to your specific climate’s humidity levels. It is recommended to let 3-5 days pass prior to sawing and end sealing the ipe wood. Having appropriate moisture content before you start cutting will decrease the chances of your deck boards bowing, splitting, and warping.
2) Although ipe features extreme mold resistance, if you worry about wet leaves and/or excess moisture ruining your ipe decking, we advise putting together a canopy above the wood bundles. While you may be tempted to cover up the wood with a tarp, this is the wrong approach to take. Merely wrapping ipe in this fashion will slow down and diminish the acclimation process. However, allowing proper air circulation with a simple canopy is both a huge time-saver and sensible solution.
3) Use a deck oil finish only AFTER:
3a) The ipe hardwood has fully acclimated and has the appropriate moisture content and…
3b) After your ipe decking has been installed. Application of a deck oil before installation will bring about more labor because, as you build your deck, the finished ipe can get nicked up. If you end up with minor scratches, you will end up having to completely redo your finish. Do yourself a favor and save yourself some time and money.
4) Immediately after you saw ipe, you must apply an end sealing solution. This vital step will help make sure that the ipe deck boards are as healthy as possible and will also prevent the boards from checking/getting split. Waiting longer than an hour to apply sealer to the ends of the ipe deck boards can be a huge oversight.
5) The final tip is all about foresight. Because we all know that the fall season is usually wet, and occasionally snow building a deck with ipe means that you will be working with decking that has moisture content levels that are elevated. So, when you’re actually installing the ipe decking, making the fit to the joist as tight and as stiff as possible is highly suggested. Why? Well, during the warmer months of spring and leading into the summer, the deck boards will dry and begin to contract. If decking was installed in a rush and therefore not as durable as it needs to be the result could be loose, or worse warped deck boards. The best way to make sure you have a tight fit is to pre-drill the decking.
5a) When you take the time to pre-drill ipe decking with premium 305 or 316 stainless steel deck screws, you’ll have a much tighter fit to the joist and will take the natural push and pull that wood decking goes through throughout the course of the year.
5b) If you’re buying ipe decking that is pre grooved, you can have an even stronger deck when you buy deck fasteners that are installed at a 45 degree angle. A recent scientific study conducted by a German University shows that installing at an angle will greatly increase the holding power of the board to the joist. Installing ipe decking means that the complete surface moves as one, whole, solid structure since every board won’t act separately from the others.
To conclude, if you build an ipe deck in Autumn, you are sure to have a beautiful place to rest easy when warmer weather rolls around. If anything, once your deck is finished, you’ll be able to enjoy a cool Autumn night before the colder weather rolls in.
