Wood Prep
When you get your ipe lumber, you may be excited and eager to get started. Don’t. The wood still needs some preparation before construction begins.
Air Dried vs. Kiln Dried
The difference that you really need to be aware of is that air dried lumber is intended for outdoor use, so is ideal for deck building, while kiln dried lumber is best suited for indoor use. Kiln dried lumber will expand if left outdoors, while air dried lumber will shrink if used indoors.
Storage
Once you get your ipe lumber, store it in a dry, covered area elevated at least 4″ off the ground. Make sure all the ipe is exposed to good air flow.
Acclimation
Let the wood sit for a while. The purpose of acclimation is to allow the ipe to adjust to the air’s moisture content in your area. How long this takes can vary depending on the wood’s exact moisture content and your local climate. It can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to a couple months, so make sure you plan ahead. If you don’t give the wood a chance to adjust, it can shrink or expand after installation which can cause all sorts of problems down the road.
It is very important to let the wood acclimate in an environment similar to its final installation site. This means decking should be kept outside, and should not be covered in a tarp. Storing your decking in your garage is an example of poor acclimation, and will result in the deck boards cupping after installation.
if ipe wood decking was kiln dried can you let it acclimate outside before using it then for a outdoor wood deck