IPE Hardwood Flooring

Brazilian walnut, also known as Ipe, is a tropical hardwood grown primarily in Brazil but is also harvested in Bolivia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Peru. Typically found in rainforests, the trees can grow to heights of 120 feet to 160 feet. The diameter of the tree ranges between three and six feet. Ipe is a popular choice for hardwood flooring because of its extreme durability and unique grain.

Botanical Name: Tabebuia serratifolia

Color: ranges in color from a light tan with greenish tinges to a brownish black.

Grain: The grain on the Brazilian walnut can be either fine and straight or very irregular.

Variations within Species and Grades: There is a large variation in color found in the Brazilian walnut,
however most pieces used for flooring tend to be of the darker variety.

Hardness/Janka: The Janka scale rating for Brazilian black walnut is 3,680.

Dimensional Stability: Brazilian black walnut has an average stability rating of 8.0.

Sawing/Machining: This lumber is very difficult to saw, especially if using hand tools.

Sanding: Sanding is very difficult and care must be given to minimize scratches and sanding marks.

Nailing: Because of the hardness of the lumber, Brazilian walnut can be very difficult to nail.

Finishing: Care should be given when finishing Brazilian walnut flooring.

Availability: Brazilian walnut is moderately available with some regional limitations