Hardwood (Ipe) Deck
Hardwood deck is the tropical-hardwood construction path — Ipe (Brazilian Walnut), Cumaru, Garapa, or Tigerwood boards on a pressure-treated 2x joist frame, the densest commercial decking material available (Ipe has a Janka hardness of 3,510 — almost three times harder than oak), naturally Class A fire-rated, and structurally sound unfinished for 25 to 40 years in Pacific Northwest exposure. Boards arrive kiln-dried, sit on site under cover for 1 to 2 weeks to acclimate to PNW humidity before installation, every board gets pre-drilled at the fastener locations (Ipe is too dense to drive a stainless screw without pre-drilling — a
Service
What Hardwood Deck Construction Covers
A hardwood deck is the densest, longest-living decking-material category we install — tropical hardwoods (Ipe / Brazilian Walnut, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood) on a pressure-treated 2x frame, 25 to 40-year structural life in PNW exposure unfinished, Class A fire-rated, no manufacturer warranty in the consumer-product sense because the wood itself is the warranty. Trade-offs are upfront cost (Ipe runs roughly $14 to $18 per linear foot of 1x6 decking at current Seattle yard pricing — roughly 4 to 5 times what cedar costs), labor density (every fastener is pre-drilled because the wood is harder than a #10 stainless screw can drive into without snapping), and the sourcing-ethics question (Ipe is heavily harvested in Brazil; FSC-certified stock matters and is not always available). Handis owns the carpentry and the project schedule; the permit goes through us as general contractor; structural engineering subs to a licensed Washington PE when the deck triggers it; any line-voltage circuit routes to a licensed Washington L&I electrician.
Pre-Build Site Assessment + Demo + FSC Sourcing
First visit measures the footprint, photographs the ledger zone, hand-augers a soil probe at the new footing positions, and confirms whether the project triggers a Seattle DCI permit. On a rebuild we demolish the existing deck and expose the rim joist for the new ledger. Hardwood sourcing happens before footings are dug — Ipe and Cumaru in particular have variable supply at the Seattle yards (FSC-certified stock is the right choice for the supply-chain ethics, but it is not always on the shelf and may need to be ordered from the Pacific Northwest distributor with a 2 to 4-week lead time). We name the source on the quote and order at contract signing.
Acclimation: Boards Sit on Site Under Cover 1 to 2 Weeks Before Install
Tropical hardwoods arrive kiln-dried to a moisture content (typically 12 to 16 percent) that is drier than the PNW ambient moisture content (which runs 14 to 20 percent year-round). If boards install at delivery moisture and then absorb ambient moisture in place, every gap closes up and the deck cups within months. The discipline is to stage the boards on site under a tarp with stickers between rows for 1 to 2 weeks before installation so the moisture content equalizes; we measure with a pin moisture meter at delivery and at install, and we do not install until the meter reads within 2 percentage points of the ambient. The wait is real; we plan the schedule around it.
Footings, Ledger, and Frame in PT 2x
Footings go in as concrete piers (typical Seattle 4 to 6-foot dig below frost line) or helical piles (hillside or fill-soil lots) sized to the engineer's load schedule. Ipe at 1-inch thickness, 25 millimeter, is roughly twice the weight per square foot of cedar at 5/4 thickness, so the load schedule on a hardwood deck is genuinely heavier than the same-square-foot cedar deck — the engineer calculates accordingly. Ledger gets through-bolted with code-stamped LedgerLOK or FastenMaster bolts, full continuous metal flashing tied into siding above and peel-and-stick membrane below (the single most common failure point on PNW residential decks). Joists are pressure-treated 2x in the size and spacing the engineer specifies — typically 2x10 at 12-inch on center for hidden-fastener hardwood because the boards span less reliably than face-fastened dimensional lumber.
Pre-Drilled Hidden Fastener Install on Stainless Hardware
Every board gets pre-drilled at every fastener location. A standard #10 stainless screw cannot be driven into Ipe without a pilot hole — the wood density (Janka 3,510 for Ipe; 3,540 for Cumaru) is high enough that the screw shank snaps off in the wood before the head seats. The hidden fastener system is the Ipe Clip Extreme, the Eb-Ty (biscuit-style), or the Deckmaster (sub-joist bracket) — all run with marine-grade stainless steel fasteners only, because galvanized or carbon-steel fasteners react with the natural tannins in tropical hardwoods and bleed black streaks down the board within months. The hidden-fastener gap (typically 1/4 inch) is set automatically by the clip geometry. End-cuts on every board get sealed with end-grain wax (Anchorseal, ProClear) before installation to prevent moisture checking at the cut.
Color-Matched Fascia, Stair Nosing, Custom Railing
Perimeter and stair risers wrap in matched hardwood fascia (typically 5/4 by 8-inch Ipe ripped from a wider board), bullnose-routed at every visible edge so there is no exposed end-grain at the perimeter. Custom Ipe railings are an option on premium builds (an Ipe top rail with cable infill, or full Ipe top-and-bottom rails with Ipe balusters at the spec'd 4-inch maximum sphere clearance). Built-in Ipe benches are framed inside the joist plane during framing so the bench tile uses the same waterproofing envelope as the deck and sits flush with the field boards.
Final Oil Application or Documented Silvering Decision
At hand-off the deck finishes one of two ways. Option A: a Penofin Hardwood Oil application that holds the golden-walnut tone for 12 to 18 months in PNW exposure before a re-application is needed (annual oil is the maintenance commitment for owners who want the deck to look the way it does at install for the next 20 years). Option B: no finish at all; the deck silvers naturally to a driftwood grey over 6 to 18 months and stays structurally identical to the oiled version (this is the lower-maintenance path and the choice most architecturally honest finish for a contemporary home). We document which option you chose on the project file so the maintenance plan matches your expectation.
How the Hardwood Deck Build Works
Six sequential phases from FSC sourcing and acclimation to oil-or-silver decision at hand-off — the actual working sequence we run on every Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, or Tigerwood deck.
Site Assessment, FSC Source Order, Permit Decision
Estimate visit measures the footprint and the elevation, photographs the ledger zone, hand-augers a soil probe at the new footing positions, and tells you whether Seattle DCI requires a permit. We confirm the species (Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood) and the source (FSC-certified is the right answer where supply allows; Ipe in particular benefits from FSC because the species is heavily harvested), order at contract signing because the lead time on FSC hardwood is 2 to 4 weeks from the PNW distributor. Permit is pulled by Handis as general contractor; engineering passes through.
Demo, Footings, Frame Up in PT 2x — Boards Arrive and Acclimate
Existing deck demoed, rim joist exposed and any rotted section replaced, helical piles or concrete piers installed per the engineer's drawings (hardwood is heavier per square foot than cedar so the load schedule is real). Ledger through-bolted with continuous metal flashing. Joists in PT 2x10 at 12-inch OC for the hidden-fastener hardwood span. Boards arrive during framing and stage on site under a tarp with stickers between rows; the moisture content equalizes to ambient PNW (14 to 20 percent) over 1 to 2 weeks before any board goes down.
Pre-Drill Every Fastener Location, Install on Stainless Hidden Clips
Pin moisture meter confirms the boards have equalized to within 2 points of ambient. Every board gets pre-drilled at every fastener location (a
Color-Matched Hardwood Fascia, Stair Nosing, Custom Railing if Specified
Perimeter and stair risers wrap in matched hardwood fascia (5/4 by 8-inch Ipe ripped to width), bullnose-routed at every visible edge so no end-grain shows at the perimeter. Stair nosing is a one-piece Ipe bullnose for every tread. Custom Ipe railings (top rail with cable infill, or full Ipe rails with Ipe balusters) install if specified. Built-in Ipe bench frames inside the joist plane during framing so the bench top sits flush with the field boards.
Code-Compliant Railing + Low-Voltage Lighting if Specified
Code-compliant railing at the 36-inch minimum height with no spheres greater than 4 inches through balusters — stainless cable rail on aluminum posts is the most common pairing with Ipe, the cleanest sight lines, and the longest-lived (no painted finish to redo). Powder-coated aluminum panel rail is the second choice. Low-voltage post-cap and stair-riser lights run from a transformer at a switched outdoor outlet — Handis carpentry; the licensed Washington L&I electrician handles any new line-voltage circuit.
Oil-or-Silver Decision, Final Walk + Permit Sign-Off
At hand-off the deck finishes one of two documented ways — a Penofin Hardwood Oil application to hold the golden tone (annual re-application required), or no finish at all and the deck silvers to driftwood grey over 6 to 18 months (lower maintenance, architecturally cleaner on a contemporary home). We document your decision on the project file so the maintenance plan matches. Final Seattle DCI inspection scheduled by Handis as permit holder; we walk the deck with you and hand off the permit copy and the FSC source documentation.
Hardwood (Ipe) Deck Pricing
Final pricing depends on species (Ipe is the most expensive; Cumaru and Garapa run 10 to 20 percent less per board), square footage, elevation above grade (which triggers permit and engineering), FSC sourcing premium (typically 10 to 15 percent over non-certified stock), railing system, and integrated lighting scope. Building permit fee and structural engineering pass through as named line items on the quote, not as surprise add-ons. The licensed Washington L&I electrician's portion (for any new line-voltage circuit) is also named line by line. Request a free in-home estimate for an accurate quote.
Tell us the species you are considering (Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood), the rough square footage, and whether you want the oil-and-hold-the-tone path or the silver-naturally path — we will quote the build including FSC sourcing, permit, and engineering pass-through.
Why Seattle Homeowners Book Handis for Hardwood Decks
A hardwood deck is the longest-lived decking material we install and the one that punishes shortcuts the most. The shortcuts we see on failed hardwood decks all share the same root cause — the builder treated Ipe like cedar. Cedar tolerates a
FSC-sourced where the supply chain allows, source named on the quote
Tropical hardwoods (Ipe especially) are heavily harvested in Brazil, and unverified supply chains have legitimate sustainability and legality concerns. We source FSC-certified stock where the PNW distributor has it (the certification verifies the source forest is managed sustainably and the supply chain is traceable end-to-end), and we name the source on the quote so you see exactly where your deck came from. If FSC stock is unavailable in the species and dimensional run you need, we tell you on the estimate visit and let you decide whether to wait for FSC stock to arrive or substitute a different species (Cumaru and Garapa have more reliable FSC stock).
1 to 2-week acclimation under cover before any board goes down
Tropical hardwoods arrive kiln-dried to roughly 12 to 16 percent moisture content; PNW ambient moisture content runs 14 to 20 percent year-round. If boards install at delivery moisture and then absorb ambient moisture in place, every gap closes up and the deck cups within months. We stage the boards on site under a tarp with stickers between rows for 1 to 2 weeks before installation, measure with a pin moisture meter at delivery and at install, and do not install until the reading is within 2 percentage points of ambient. The wait is non-negotiable. We plan the project schedule around it from day one.
Every fastener pre-drilled, stainless only — never galvanized on hardwood
A standard #10 stainless screw cannot be driven into Ipe without a pilot hole — the wood density (Janka 3,510 for Ipe, 3,540 for Cumaru, 1,540 for Garapa, 2,150 for Tigerwood) is high enough that the screw shank snaps off in the wood before the head seats. We pre-drill every fastener location on every board, every time. All fasteners on a hardwood deck are marine-grade stainless steel only because the natural tannins in tropical hardwoods react with galvanized and carbon-steel fasteners and bleed black streaks down the boards within months of installation. There is no acceptable substitute and there is no exception.
End-grain wax on every cut end before installation
Tropical hardwoods check (split parallel to the grain) at exposed end-grain when the wood gives off moisture too quickly through the cut. End-grain wax (Anchorseal, ProClear) seals the cut, slows the moisture release, and prevents checking. We seal every cut end on every board before the board goes into the deck. The little 30-second step per board is the reason a hardwood deck looks the same at the 5-year mark as it did at install.
Insured, background-checked, 30-day workmanship + lifetime species warranty
Every Handis carpenter carries liability insurance and has cleared a background screening before the first job. The 30-day workmanship guarantee covers any fastener that loosens, any fascia miter that opens, any railing post that moves, and any cosmetic finish at hand-off. The structural framing (footings, beams, joists, ledger) carries our 2-year workmanship warranty on installation, separate from the lumber. The hardwood itself does not carry a manufacturer warranty in the consumer-product sense because tropical hardwoods are a natural material — but Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, and Tigerwood all have demonstrated 25 to 40-year structural life unfinished in PNW exposure, which is the practical equivalent of a lifetime warranty for a residential deck. The licensed Washington L&I electrician warrants their portion under their own license terms. All warranties in writing at project close.
Estimate
Tell us the back-yard layout (single level or multi-level, attached to the house or freestanding), the rough square footage, the elevation above grade at the highest point, the hardwood species you are leaning toward (Ipe / Brazilian Walnut, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood), whether you want FSC-sourced stock (we recommend yes), and whether you plan to oil the deck annually for the golden tone or let it silver naturally. We send back a clear estimate with the permit and engineering pass-through named line by line and a project timeline that includes the 1 to 2-week board acclimation period.
Customer Reviews
Hardwood deck construction reviews from real Seattle-area Handis customers.
1962 Mercer Island contemporary, the original cedar deck off the kitchen had silvered to driftwood grey and rotted at the ledger over 60 years. We wanted Ipe to last us our second 30 years in the house. Handis sourced FSC-certified Ipe from the PNW distributor (the source was named on the quote with the certificate number), staged the boards under a tarp in the garage for 12 days while the framing went up, and pre-drilled every single fastener location across 380 square feet. Six working weeks of build, exactly as quoted. The annual oil takes one Saturday a year and the deck has stayed golden through three summers.
We chose Cumaru over Ipe because the supply chain was more reliable on FSC stock and Cumaru runs about 15 percent less per board. 420 square feet over a Capitol Hill view lot with stainless cable rail on aluminum posts. Handis pre-drilled every fastener (I watched them do a half-dozen boards — every single hole, no shortcuts), end-grain wax on every cut. We chose to let it silver naturally for the lower maintenance; 14 months later it is the most beautiful driftwood grey, no maintenance ever required. Seven working weeks.
Top-end custom Ipe build on a 1928 Washington Park colonial. Two levels, 540 square feet total, full custom Ipe railing on both levels with stainless cable infill, a built-in Ipe bench around the lower-level perimeter that doubled as the railing transition to the upper level. The engineering took 4 weeks before construction started (the licensed PE was specific about the higher dead load on hardwood vs cedar and re-sized two beams). Eight working weeks on site once we broke ground. Annual Penofin oil. Three years in and it looks identical to install day.
Garapa deck on the south-facing yard of a Wallingford bungalow. We wanted the warm-honey tone Garapa starts with and were OK with it silvering. Handis was upfront on the estimate visit that Garapa is slightly less dense than Ipe (Janka 1,540 vs Ipe 3,510) but still 4 to 5 times harder than oak and structurally equivalent for residential use. 320 square feet. Five working weeks. The cost came in 20 percent below the Ipe quote we got from another contractor and we got an FSC-sourced hardwood deck for $42,000 instead of $52,000.
Tigerwood deck for the visual variation (the stripe figure that gives the species its name). 380 square feet on a Madrona view lot. Handis named the source (FSC-certified from the Pacific Northwest distributor) on the quote. They did the 1.5-week acclimation under cover before any board went down. Pre-drilled and stainless throughout. The visual figure on Tigerwood is the reason we chose it — every board has a slightly different stripe pattern and Handis sorted the boards before install so the most-figured pieces landed at the most visible positions. Six working weeks. Worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about tropical hardwood deck construction — pricing, species, FSC sourcing, acclimation, fasteners, and what to expect on a Handis Ipe build.