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I finished my IPE deck on the very last day of summer, September 22, 2009. I remember digging the footing holes with the post hole digger in March and it was snowing on me. Six months and $5,000.00 later, we are drinking our morning coffee on the completed IPE deck. My wife loves it and that is most important. I liked working with the IPE and it looks great with the Penofin hardwood stain (brasillian rosewood). I sealed all the cut ends with ancorseal as directed by the guys at the lumberyard. Handrail is Fiberon Composite material and I used Azek for the facia and trim. All material is maintenance free, except for annual staining of IPE for color only. Without stain/protectant, the IPE is supposed to last 50 years (beyond my life). Hope you all enjoy the photos.

- HITMAN

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Comments

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What a nice looking deck! Other fellow lumberjocks, Mike, David & Marty have recommended me to use this on some outdoor projects I want to start this winter. Looks like this stuff will last forever. Looks great!
 

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Thanks. IPE is pricey, but I think you'll like it.
 

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This is a gorgeous deck that should last you forever. I love the contrast between the IPE and the Fiberon. And having a deck that is nearly maintenance free is a bonus as well.
 

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Thanks Scott - I looked at your projects just now and I like the cherry center piece very much. Nice job.

- HITMAN, Connecticut
 

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Beautiful job! Great project. I've built several IPE decks and other project as well. Love the finish. It will silver grey if left natural. How many drill bits did you break?
 

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Thats lovely Hitman stunning colour and i bet it's great to sit on with a nice cup of coffee

Great job well done
 

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Beautiful

I am still working on a project that used the same material for the deck so I have to commend you

Nice job
 

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And a nice bottle of Samuel Adams Octoberfest beer too. Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate sharing my hard work with everyone here at Lumberjocks.

- HITMAN.
 

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Marty - I only broke a few drill bits. A few years ago my wife bought me a ridiculously expensive FESTOOL drill with a limited edition bit set (drill and bits were $800.00 +), and I only used three of the FESTOOL bits for the entire project. I used the FESTOOL countersink bit for the entire job and never had to change it. I guess the FESTOOL tools are worth the high price tag.

- HITMAN
 

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I'm a "Festool" junkie and as much as they are rediculas in thier price tags…...........they sure are nice tools, powerful, accurate, dustless…......perfect.

Did you screw the decking from the bottom up?...............or the top down?...........what kind of screws?

Regardless…...........Nice deck
 

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I used very small stainless steel screws with T-10 hex finish heads from top of deck. The heads on these screws are only like 3/16 dia. They go in nicely and although they are about $100 for 550 screws (I went through about 1,200 screws on the project) you save the cost of the Eb-tye or other kind of invisible fasteners and all the work associated with biscuit joining the edges of the deck boards that would be necessary to receive the hidden fasteners. Of course, every hole has to be pre-drilled and counter sunk.
 

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Very inviting, the color of the wood and house are truly in harmony, I can see why the wife gives it the thumbs up. Great project and nice work…Blkcherry
 

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Fantastic deck job!
 

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Built beautifully. Built to last.

Truly elegant. The contrast with the fence is just perfect.

Well done!
 

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To anyone else that might do one I would recommend going with hidden deck fasteners. I don't use this stuff but a buddy of mine installs them and he says all the guys are using the fasteners. I do build cedar decks and use metal hidden fasteners on those. They give a real clean look.
There is a more than good chance the frost is going to wreck havoc on your steps. There should be at least a couple on inches clearance between the dirt and the step box.
 

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The perfect addition to the house. Ipe is bulletproof, and if you can stand the yellow sawdust everywhere, great for deck furniture too.
 

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EzJack - Steps aren't sitting on the dirt. I have two concrete piers underneath the steps that go down 30 inches (well below frost line), hence there will be no movement on those steps. The trim is touching the mulch, and that is what you see.
 

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That deck just screams quality,it looks fantastic.
 

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Thanks Jim. I worked hard on it for six months after work each night and on weekends. We had so much rain here in the northeast this summer that it took much longer than it should have. Your comments are very much appreciated and makes all the hard work that much more worth it.

- HIT
 
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