Side by Side Comparison Ipe vs X-treme®

Considering Ipê hardwood or MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® for your next decking or siding project? Despite appearing similar, and sharing some similar qualities (rot, insect, and resistance to name a few), there are some major differences between the two which you need to be aware of. Let’s take a look…

Attribute
Ipê
Thermal Density Bamboo
Botany
Tree Wood Fiber
Grass Woody Fiber
Growth Rate
0.3 meter/yr
10 meters/yr
Sourcing
Old Growth Rain forest Harvested Trees
Bamboo Farms
Close Up Cross Section
Ipê across the grain cross section at magnification thumbnail
Thermal Densified Bamboo across the grain cross section at magnification thumbnail
Close Up Board View
Ipê longitudinal view of grain cross section at magnification thumbnail
Thermal Densified Bamboo longitudinal view of grain cross section at magnification thumbnail
Manufacturing
Saw Mill
Engineered
Density
65.55 lbs/ft3
71.79 lbs/ft3
Breaking Strength
175.1 MPa
50.3 MPa
Janka Hardness
3,510 lbs
3,820 lbs
Modulus of Elasticity
21,650 MPa
10,373 MPa
Form Factors
Irregular subject to humidity
Dimensionally Stable 6'planks in 12 nominal configurations
Fires Resistance
It's Wood
Class A
Aesthetics
Light Brown to Dark Brown Hardwood
Dark Brown Wood-like
Aging Color
Silver Brown w/o treatment
Silver Brown w/o treatment
Cost
Premium $$$$$ & increasing with scarcity
Hight Quality $$$$
Delivered Carbon Foot Print
Positive
Neutral to Negative
Distribution
South America ships via container
East Asia, any tropical / sub-tropical climate across the globe
Durability
Ipê supply has a small chance of receiving sap wood with Ipe which degrades durability.
Ipê is susceptible to marine borers.
Life is expected greate than 30 Years
X-treme® is only Bamboo based decking with Class 1 (EU350) durability rating and Class 0 (EU152) Fungal Rating (Ipe is only Class 1).
Rot Resistance Moso has slight edge.
25 Year Warranty
Insect & Decay Resistance
High
High
Product Care
Sealing ends before install & Routine UV Protective Oiling
Routine UV Protective Oils
Supply Lead Time
6 Months
1-2 Weeks
Sustainabiltiy
Finite supply 80 -100 year growth cycles
Difficult to Harvest, must kill to use.
Continuous Production
Harvest Never kills parent plant