IPE Technical Data - Everwood Decking Partners

Everwood Decking Partners, Ltd.

General Characteristics

Comparison Chart

Installation Guidelines

This incredibly beautiful natural material is reddish brown to dark red and is heavily figured with dark brown to black stripes. It is rated as very durable with high resistance to insects and dry-wood termites. It has a highly lustrous surface that is almost oily. With a Janka density of 1771 (Red Oak is 1260) it is very strong and stable in service.

Because of its incredible beauty, Tigerwood is highly sought after for both interior and exterior applications. From doors to millworks to musical instrument to decking, Tigerwood is a great choice for any project. It is available in both 4/4 and 5/4 x 6, S4S and E4E kiln dried to 12% moisture content. It accepts stain well and the color can be subtly changed.

Tigerwood's exotic beauty, durability, and moderate price make it a unique choice for a variety of projects.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Astronium, spp, Muiracatiara-Rajada, Astronium Fraxinifolium

Family: Anacardiaceae

Other Common Names: Bois de zebre, Bossona, Bototo, Coubaril, Gateado, Gomavel, Goncalo alves, Guarabu bata, Guarabu encirado, Guarabu rajado, Gusanero, Jejuira, Kingwood, Locustwood, Muira, Muiraquatiara, Mura, Rajado branco, Red astronium, Robel gateado, Sangue, Tigerwood, Urunday, Urunday-para, Yoke, Zebrawood, Zorrowood

Distribution: The area of natural distribution is from Mexico through Central America to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is found at altitudes ranging from 150 to 1000 m but is most common at 500-600 m. It grows in areas with annual rainfall of 1200-3000 mm and temperatures of 24-27.5°C in both dry and humid tropical forests. It does not tolerate waterlogging or heavy clay soils. Best growth is obtained on lighter soils with less than 40% clay, neutral pH and good drainage.

The Tree: May grow to 90 to 120 ft in height with trunk diameter of 5 ft. Frequently to heights of 75 ft and diameters of 2 to 3 ft. Boles are clear to 50 ft and more, with or without buttresses.

The Wood: Heartwood reddish brown to dark red, with irregularly spaced blackish brown streaks. Wood has alternating bands of hard and soft tissue, and a mottled figure similar to that of Rosewood is occasionally present.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (oven dry weight/green volume) 0.69 to 0.79; air-dry density 55 to 65 pcf.

Drying and Shrinkage: Generally reported to air-dry with only minor checking and warping. Shrinkage green to oven dry: radial 4%; tangential 7%; volumetric 11%. Movement after manufacture is rated as minimal.

Working Properties: Moderately difficult to work especially with hand tools; has a blunting Effect on cutting edges. Predrill the pilots and coutersinks when using screws.

Durability: Heartwood is resistant to attack by insects and dry-wood termites.

Uses: Outdoor furniture and decking, Boat building, Bows, Bridge construction, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Decorative veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture, Heavy construction, Jewelry box, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Paneling, Piling, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Shutters, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Wheel spokes, Wheels, and more.

Products, specifications, and techniques shown are meant as a guide to better understanding for the designer, builder, and/or homeowner.

Everwood Decking Partners, Ltd. assumes no liability for and makes no claim to the suitability of any products shown other than to report its history of usage.

It is the sole responsibility of the owner or installer to adequately test for product suitability for a particular application.

COMPARISON CHART:

Common Name	TIGERWOOD	IPÊ	CEDAR	RED WOOD
Grade	select grade, all heart, no sap, 60% figured, 40% non-figured	select grade, all heart, no sap	varies, common grade has knots & sap	varies, common grade has knots & sap
Appearance	smooth dense surface resists checks and splinters, weathers to silver, sealing recommended	smooth dense surface resists damage, minor surface checking with weathering, no sealer required	surface scratches, frays, and splinters easily. generally rough, weathers gray, sealing required	surface scratches, frays, and splinters easily. generally rough, weathers gray, sealing required
Decay Resistance	Moderate 10-15 years	High 25+ years	Low to Moderate 5-15 years	Low to Moderate 5-15 years
Fire Rating Class NFPA	A	A	B-C	B-C
Resistance to Termites	High	High	Low	Low
Resistance to Marine Borers	Moderate	High	Low	Low
Movement in Service	Low Stable	Low Very Stable	Medium	Medium
Weight per Board Foot	4.65 lbs	6.5 lbs	2.5 lbs	2.5 lbs
Bending Strength	20,673 psi	25,400 psi	6,800 psi	7,900 psi
Max Shear Strength	2,060	2,396	900	940
Janka Hardness	1771 lbs	3,680 lbs	580 lbs	480 lbs

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES:

TIGERWOOD IS AN EXTREMELY DENSE WOOD AND WHEN INSTALLED PROPERLY WILL PROVIDE A LIFETIME OF BEAUTY AND SERVICE.

HANDLING AND STORAGE - TIGERWOOD IS SUPPLIED PARTIALLY KILN DRIED AND IS FOR EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR USE. IT SHOULD BE STORED OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ACCLIMATE TO THE INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENT. ALLOW FOR GROUNDSIDE VENTILATION IN STORAGE, AS AIR CIRCULATION IS NECESSARY FOR ACCLIMATIZATION. DO NOT COVER WITH PLASTIC.

CUTTING AND DRILLING - DUE TO THE DENSITY OF TIGERWOOD, PREMIUM CARBIDE TIPPED BLADES AND HIGH QUALITY DRILL BITS ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE SMOOTH CUTS AND COUNTERSINKS. PRE-DRILL PILOTS AND COUNTERSINKS WHEN USING SCREWS.

END SEALING - SEAL ALL ENDS AFTER CUTTING WITH LATEX BASED END SEALER TO REDUCE END CHECKING

FASTENING - STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS WILL PROVIDE SUPERIOR SERVICE LIFE AND ELIMINATE CHEMICAL REACTION OR STAINING. COATED OR GALVANIZED FASTENERS MAY BE USED. HOWEVER, SHORTER LIFE AND STAINING MAY OCCUR.

SCREWS ARE CONSIDERED THE SUPERIOR METHOD OF FASTENING AND REQUIRE PRE-DRILLING AND COUNTERSINKING
HIDDEN FASTENERS GENERALLY HAVE LESS HOLDING POWER AND ARE MORE LABOR INTENSIVE THAN SCREWS. HOWEVER, SOME SYSTEMS DO PROVIDE AUTOMATIC SPACING.

FINISHING: IS NOT REQUIRED UPON INSTALLATION, BUT IS RECOMMENDED WITHIN 60 DAYS. A PENETRATING, PIGMENTED, UV INHIBITING SEALER IS RECOMMENDED. ALWAYS TEST FINISH IN AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA.