| Ipe Decking vs. Composite Decking | | | | Composites are a combination of two or more |
| Ipe decking and composite decking has been the | | | | materials, usually sawdust or wood fibers and plastic. |
| newest rage in decking material for different reasons. | | | | Some big companies decided to put waste sawdust |
| Ipe wood is now less expensive and less labor | | | | and recycled plastics together to create a product. |
| intensive with new technology and machinery. This | | | | The use of recycled products is great. We are all |
| hardwood is so dense and strong that previous to the | | | | looking to be green but for outdoor exposure where |
| advancement of some milling machinery, it was not | | | | plastic and sawdust will have direct contact with |
| cost effective to use Ipe. In the last 20 years, Ipe has | | | | moisture, UV rays, freeze and thaw environment as |
| come a long way and is now available as a | | | | well as standard wear and tear, the combination is |
| permanent fixture on your backyard. Composite | | | | most definitely not green nor is it durable. This in the |
| decking has also evolved due to demand for decks | | | | long run will cause more products to be used (due to |
| and companies that want to seize the opportunity for | | | | replacement), an unsatisfied consumer and more |
| a market share and to make some money. | | | | products in the landfills (not environmentally friendly). |