| When people are considering building an outdoor | | | | harvested from the forests of Brazil. Ipe is hard, |
| wood bridge, the choice of wood is often paramount | | | | tough, resilient, strong, and resists weather wear, |
| as the single most important decision of the entire | | | | abrasion, and naturally occurring wood rot. Ipe is |
| process. The wood used will influence not only the | | | | incredibly dense and hard. Because of this, it is also |
| design of the bridge, but also its aesthetic value and | | | | naturally resistant to fire and mold damage. In fact, |
| its reliability and durability over time. Luckily, the | | | | ipe is so resilient that its fire rating is equivalent to |
| choice is easier than one would imagine, as ipe wood | | | | that of concrete. Compare this to a more common |
| is the clear choice when it comes to bridge building | | | | cedar or walnut deck that, in the case of fire, will act |
| material. Why is this? | | | | as kindling. An ipe bridge will just about last forever. |
| Ipe is a South American wood, most commonly | | | | |