Applying a deck finish with Ipe Oil™ is fast, easy, and very rewarding.

Every day I field calls from new proud owners of Ipe decks; or other decks built with exotic hardwood decking materials. They are always filled with excitement and ready to unveil it at there next barbecue. However the last step to finishing off your newly built masterpiece is applying a hardwood deck finish. An oil based hardwood deck finish not only protects your investment; but also gives it that beautiful finished look.

We recommend Ipe Oil™ which was specially formulated for Exotic Hardwoods. Some people think that your average decking oil will penetrate these extremely dense materials; but think again. It takes a very special formula to penetrate these hardwood materials; that not every brand is designed to do.

We recommend 6 steps in applying the Ipe Oil™ hardwood decking finish to ensure a perfect look:

1. Clean the deck surface thoroughly to make sure it is completely free of debris or foreign residues of any kind. Also make sure that if you have stained or painted your deck in the past that it is completely removed.
2. Stir well initially and during use. Intermix all containers of the same color to ensure uniform appearance.
3. Apply a small amount to test area to ensure complete penetration and color satisfaction before proceeding with the entire project.
4. Recommended Method: Roll on decking with a 3/8” nap paint roller. Alternative Method: Apply with quality bristle brush, or airless sprayer. Back brush or back roll if applied by spray.
5. Apply a uniform even coat. Stain the full length of the boards, keeping a wet edge. One coat is sufficient for most applications. On decks wipe up any excess product that is not absorbed within 5 minutes to prevent tackiness and surface sheen.
6. Finally clean application equipment with mineral spirits (paint thinner).

Once you have completed the following steps we recommend that you allow the deck to dry for 24 to 48 hours depending on your climate. This method should be followed for the first 2 years, and then from there you can skip every other year depending on UV exposure and weather.

Now you are ready to send out the BBQ invites and dazzle everyone with your beautiful new deck!

Learn more about Ipe Oil™.

Face screwing a hardwood deck is not all it's cracked up to be.

One of the misconceptions about using deck fasteners that they are not as strong as conventional face nailing or screwing of deck boards. When one stops to think about this statement, it can easily be seen as false.

One of the thoughts behind this misconception is that when face securing deck boards, you have more strength because the screw or nail is going straight into the board and into the joist. What most people do not realize is that studies have proven that a screw ran at an angle has more holding strength when compared to one ran straight down. So when using a hidden fastener like the Ipe Clip^® Extreme™ where the screws are run at a 45˚ angle through the deck board and into the joist, you will have more holding strength from that screw.

Also think about this, when running screws and you want more holding strength or area, you can simply add a washer to achieve this. When installing an edge mount hidden fastening system like Ipe Clip^® the same principles can be applied, the more area you are holding down, the stronger it will be. An edge mount hidden fastener like Ipe Clip^® has much more hold down area than the head of a screw or nail so again the hidden fastener should win in a head-to-head competition.

Now that we know that the initial installation using hidden deck fasteners is more than strong enough to hold your deck boards, let’s think about what happens a few years down the line…you guessed it, when face securing your boards you get those cracks, or checks, everywhere a screw or nail penetrated the surface. This happened because water seeps into the holes made by the screw or nail when face securing. Now that there are cracks, even more water can soak into the boards causing mold, mildew, and even rot. Obviously everyone realizes that having rotten boards will weaken your deck dramatically.

An easy solution to prevent this problem? Use an edge mount hidden deck fastening system. Since there are no screws in the surface of the decking, the water cannot penetrate them and won’t cause you those problems in the future.

There you have it, with just a little thought and reasoning, you can come to the conclusion that the ideal way to fasten your next decking project is by using an edge mount hidden deck fastener such as Ipe Clip^® brand fasteners. They will give you the strength and durability you want so you can enjoy your beautiful deck year after year.

Learn how to install deck fasteners using regular deck boards.

As in previous posts, I will be explaining some simple ways to make installing a deck with hidden deck fasteners easier.

One of the common misconceptions that people have is that hidden deck fasteners are best used with pre-grooved decking. While pre-grooved decking was made for deck fastening systems, you can have an immaculate looking deck surface with standard Eased 4 Edges / Standard 4 Sides (E4E/S4S) deck boards.

How?

By cutting a slot in the edge of the decking using a standard router or biscuit joiner. Of course, you’ll have to use a 5/32” slot cutting bit with your router to make sure that the slot is just the right size (a standard biscuit joiner cuts a 5/32” slot already). This process may take some time depending on the size and scope of your deck. However, you can save a boat load of time if you follow these simple guidelines:

• Mark each deck board with a pencil prior to installation.
  • Just make sure your marks are aligned properly with your joist spacing. Knowing the precise location where each slot will be cut ahead of time will save both time and energy.
• Make sure your tools are charged and sharpened.
  • Also have multiple bits handy for denser woods like ipe.
• If possible, rent a couple of routers or biscuit jointers and get someone competent with tools to help you. (I’m sure you can bribe your neighbor who you lend your tools to help out for an hour or two!)
• Use deck fasteners, and screws that are best suited for hardwood or composite decking.

At the Ipe Clip® Fastener Company, we manufacture deck fasteners that will work perfectly with practically every kind of decking available (except for pressure-treated or other unstable materials).

If you follow this advice, you’ll have a smooth deck surface that will also be much safer and require less maintenance in no time. Happy deck building!