From our architectural-level products to our commercial grades, all Iron Woods® brand wood is hand-selected and under our control from point of origin until its final delivery. The grade you specify is the grade you'll receive.
“Valley Crest would like to thank you for your participation in the Queensway Bay Landing Project. We are pleased to confirm that the Iron Woods® brand Ipe was superior in grade , quality, color, and availability to the other brands of Ipe procured for this project.”
– Richard A. Sperber, President
Valley Crest Corporation
When you purchase generic “Ipe decking” you have no guarantee to quality and consistency in the product you receive. At Timber Holdings Intl. we control the wood products that carry the Iron Woods® brand from point of origin all the way to our customers to assure consistency of product quality and certify compliance with all international laws and regulations designed to promote sustainability.
Download our PDF about wood grades.
As with most wood products there is a range of colors and grain patterns that lovers of natural products appreciate and value. There are, however, in all lumber, various characteristics that develop naturally or through manufacturing that are considered defects. Some natural “defects” add unique character to the wood and are sought after and appreciated for their beauty. Some of these include: color variation, grain patterns, and tight knots. Other natural “defects” are usually less desirable. These include: heart cracks, splits, worm holes, sapwood, raised grain, loose knots, and staining. Manufacturing defects, usually the result of poor machining, like skip or hit and miss milling are not preferable.
Supreme Dry represents the highest appearance grade available for hardwood decking products sold under the Iron Woods® trademark. Under the Supreme Dry grade, all product is controlled through the drying process to have a moisture content of less than 18% and to be hand selected to minimally one face and two edges clean and bright, clear of any weathering, milling, structural or appearance defects including discoloration from water or sticker marks. Supreme Dry grade is valued by those customers that desire the highest level of finish on their deck or who live in extremely dry or arid climates. Supreme Dry is available in thicknesses up to 5/4. With Supreme Dry, you are purchasing improved product stability and the highest quality available in the market. It simply doesn’t get any better than this.
Premium AD means the grade shall be hand selected to be minimally one face and two edges clear of any milling, structural or appearance defects. Our premium grade is Air Dried and packaged on sticks to allow for ventilation during transport and storage. Air Dried decking may contain sticker marks or water stain, which typically blend in when a sealer is applied or left to weather away naturally.
These are all terms that refer to the highest standard industry grade available from producers without third party inspection. Typically controlled by the mill and not independent inspectors, there is a general understanding that product supplied under this grade will be a mix of approximately 70% first 30% second qualities. The question is how much of each. Generally, when you purchase FEQ quality you trade off product consistency for price. Sometimes it looks really good and sometimes it doesn’t. Consistency has always been the issue when mills are left to grade their own product. This grade may contain sticker marks or water stain. Not as good as our Premium or Supreme grades, this is what is typically offered to the market unless a higher grade specification is called for.
Our Difference.
At Timber Holdings Intl. we do random unit inspections of the FEQ we purchase prior to shipment to make sure it meets a minimum 80% Premium Grade criteria. This way, we protect our customers from receiving the really bad loads.
Under Com-Sel grading rules, minor defects including skip, tear out, knots, sapwood and wormholes are allowed on both faces. This grade may contain sticker marks or water stain. If the goal is durability and not beauty, this grade gets the job done on a very practical level. Generally the market perceives that second quality durable hardwoods provide a superior service life to pressure treated softwoods and are an excellent option for industrial applications.
Clear VG; #1 and better – timber stock
“A” and better VG; "A" and Better Mixed Grain; #2 and better; Architectural Knotty; #1 and better – timber stock
“D” and better; #1 and better
Contact Timber Holdings
Phone: 414-445-8989
Fax: 414-445-9155
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