Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionIpe Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ipe is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameHandroanthus serratifolius, along with H.
Janka hardness3,490 lbf
Average dried weight65.5 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Ipe?
Ipe is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Tropical Central and South America (Brazil accounts for over 90% of exports by volume) [1] CITES.. It is useful when the project calls for flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameHandroanthus serratifolius, along with H.
DistributionTropical Central and South America (Brazil accounts for over 90% of exports by volume) [1] CITES.
ShrinkageRadial: 5.5%, Tangential: 7.1%, Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.3 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as very durable; with excellent insect resistance, though H.
Ipe colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood can vary in color from reddish brown, to a more yellowish olive brown or darker blackish brown; sometimes with contrasting darker brown/black stripes. Ipe’s appearance can be very similar to cumaru (Dipteryx odorata) .
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: has a fine to medium texture, with the grain varying from straight to irregular or interlocked. Moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall, ipe is a difficult wood to work, being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance during sawing. Ipe also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges.
Ipe contains lapachol (and related substances like lapachenole and deoxylapachol), which have been observed to produce pronounced irritant responses on skin.
Ipe should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ipe
Best projects
Flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Ipe from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Ipe FAQ
What is Ipe best used for?
Ipe is best considered for flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ipe beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Ipe?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.