Iron Woods

Iron Woods hardwood decking, deck tiles, and siding give homeowners and contractors wood surfaces for decks and exterior walls. Boards suit a framed deck, tiles and pedestals address uneven surfaces, and Vanish siding eliminates face fastening. Start with how the surface will be supported.

Iron Woods is a hardwood products brand based in Bow, New Hampshire. It supplies residential and commercial projects, including backyard decks and town boardwalks. Its range also includes hardwood railing components, lumber, and timbers.

Hardwood decking for framed decks

Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa are the decking choices. Iron Woods describes its Ipe as resistant to decay, termites, and borers. That decay resistance is a specific reason to consider Ipe for an exposed deck, where moisture is part of the job.

Airflow deserves as much attention as the species. Iron Woods calls adequate ventilation essential for long-term stability and minimizing cupping. Plan that space before closing in the underside: air needs a path from outside the deck, beneath the joists, and up through the board gaps.

Before fastening, store the wood out of direct sunlight and let it stabilize to the installation area’s humidity. Seal cut ends immediately with Anchorseal clear wax end sealer to reduce end checking.

Cumaru deserves a close look for commercial work needing large quantities of matching dimensions and lengths. Iron Woods says it can supply Cumaru for that requirement, while large quantities of fixed Ipe dimensions and lengths present a sourcing challenge, especially in longer lengths. For commercial boardwalk applications, Iron Woods recommends face screwing as the only installation method.

Choose the color you’re willing to maintain

Garapa starts pale yellow to honey golden brown and changes toward a teak-like color under sunlight. It’s a useful choice when that warmer appearance suits the project, but the color you choose comes with an upkeep decision.

Keeping wood brown takes periodic cleaning and refinishing. Decide on that work before choosing by color. Unfinished Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa can all weather to silver gray; Iron Woods describes naturally weathered Ipe as requiring occasional cleaning.

Deck tiles and pedestals for uneven surfaces

Iron Woods offers its tile and pedestal system for layouts with uneven surfaces or ventilation challenges. The deck tiles are intended for on-grade and roof-deck applications. For those jobs, the supporting surface and required finished elevation determine the pedestal choice.

Iron Woods describes its pedestals as self-leveling, with elevation adjustment after installation. That adjustment helps when you’re dialing in the finished surface. Work out the required elevation before selecting the pedestals.

You can lay the tiles in a mosaic or straight-board pattern. Iron Woods also says the system can be reconfigured or expanded, giving you room to change the layout later. Choose the laying pattern around the shape of the space and the direction you want the boards to run.

Vanish siding for exterior walls

Vanish eliminates face fastening for a wood surface without exposed face fasteners. Iron Woods says the siding profile and rainscreen clips provide horizontal and vertical ventilation, and that back-ventilated cladding allows moisture to evaporate faster than closed systems.

That drying path matters on an exterior wall. Give the space behind the siding the same attention as the visible face, and preserve the ventilation paths when detailing the installation.

Decking dimensions and spacing

Detail	Listed specification
Decking thicknesses	1 inch and 5/4 inch
Decking widths	4 to 12 inches
Gap between deck boards for drainage and airflow	⅛ inch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Iron Woods Ipe decking used for?

Iron Woods Ipe decking is Brazilian hardwood for residential and commercial decks. The manufacturer says it can be used in ground contact without preservatives, but that doesn’t make ventilation optional. You still need airflow beneath the deck and through the board gaps to help keep the boards stable and minimize cupping.