If you’re considering building a deck or having a deck built with tropical hardwood, be honest with yourself: This project isn’t a necessity. Rather, it’s about treating yourself to a leisurely, relaxing retreat.
If you want to find the quickest, cheapest way to accomplish this goal, then simply head down to your nearest discount lumber store. However, if you desire the kind of lasting quality and premium luxury afforded by high-caliber tropical hardwood, you’ll be glad you spent the extra time, effort, and money to attain the best possible materials.
Of course, you don’t want to overspend, either, so it’s important to find the right lumber supplier. As a direct importer who individually and painstakingly researches and examines each lumber source, we at McIlvain Company can guarantee that we carry lumber only from ethically managed sources that provide sustainably grown and legally harvested premium lumber.
By far the top two tropical hardwood decking species that we keep in our vast inventory are Teak and Ipe.
Teak Lumber
Lauded for its remarkable water resistance and unique slip-resistant surface, this primarily Asian species is a popular choice for boat builders and other marine applications. This exotic hardwood species can also be found in parts of Africa and the Caribbean. As a result of old-growth Teak’s rising prices, plantation-grown Teak is becoming more common and is gaining industry-wide acceptance.
However, while plantation teak is suitable for many interior applications and the furniture industry, it still does not equal the workability, beauty, and durability of old-growth teak. For that reason, J. Gibson McIlvain is committed to carrying only old-growth teak, the same First European Quality (FEQ) heartwood for which boat builders have prized our selection for more than a century.
Ipe Lumber
Ipe LumberAs popular as Teak may be, Ipe is even more sought-after for today’s high-end hardwood decks. With a density so extreme that it garners the lumber a class A fire rating, this amazingly durable species is celebrated for its lifespan topping 40 years, even without weatherproofing or any other maintenance. Of course, with clear timber oil treatments, your deck will retain its rich reddish brown hue and will last even longer. Ipe’s rich coloring and tight grain pattern make it as attractive as it is resilient.
Sourced from Brazilian rain forests, the forestry practices of Ipe deserve consideration. At J. Gibson McIlvain, our field agents make personal visits to each mill and observe the harvest process from start to finish to ensure that the lumber that we sell meets not only high standards of quality but also those of environmental and social responsibility.
McIlvain Lumber Company
When it comes to tropical hardwoods, you can join the many other woodworkers and contractors who have come to trust the premium selection at McIlvain Company. For over 200 years, McIlvain has been in industry leader, a competitor without rival in the quality lumber industry. Their dedicated order specialists, who assist customers with their orders from start to finish, and their unparalleled expertise make McIlvain the go-to source for top-notch domestic and exotic hardwoods and softwoods. And with their vast inventory and nationwide shipping, you’ll never have a reason to shop anywhere else. For more information and to see McIlvain’s full line of products and services, visit their website today, or check out these selections from the McIlvain Lumber Blog:
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