Ipe Threshold

[shaun.mcc]

Hi All,

You may have seen my post about my 10'+ tall double glass and steel doors...Link Here

This new post kinda belongs in finishing section as well as building materials...but I put it here.

Well, the included threshold for the doors didn't work well for the deep jamb of the doorway, nor did it look very good (alum extrusion). So, I ordered up a piece of 3"x8"x6' piece of Ipe. I chose Ipe due to it's good outdoor properties, density, etc. Yet, I have very little experience with it other than for deckboards.
The board was expensive...so I want to get it right and gain any insights I can.

The exterior porch is covered quite a bit (so it will be exposed more to changes in temp/humidity and blowing snow vs. rain. The concrete poured stoop/porch is level with the interior finished floor, so this Ipe will be spanning slightly over the concrete and into the house. I've flashed with bit of building tape/peel&stick. I plan to provide a bevel to the board to shed any of the elements, I may rabit it to help seal the bottom of the door.

So (question/comment #1), I intend to lay the board outside on the concrete to acclimate for several days or does anyone advise I acclimate it to the interior? RH indoors is 37% (according to my Nest, with a steam humidfier) at the moment. Exterior is about 43%.

(question/comment #2) I  intend to route a bit of the back side of the board to promote stability, any rules of thumb there? Needed/Not-needed? 

(question/comment #3) What sealant do you all recommend, first for cuts to prevent checking, second for protection of the wood from elements/uv?

(question/comment #4) What papers (type) do you recommend for finishing. I have my RO150 and and ETS 125. Looks like Rubin would be a good choice.

I will be wearing PPE for all, due to the hazards of Ipe.

Thanks for the help.

Shaun
 

 

[Birdhunter]

I am sure there are many with more Ipe experience than what I have, but I did build 9 outdoor benches with the stuff a year ago. It is amazingly dense hard stuff. I'd be amazed if the experts say you need to condition the wood or strengthen it. It does want to check almost as soon as you cut it. I bought some generic end grain sealer and it seems to have worked so far. I repaired the one check I had with super glue and a strong clamp. It didn't seem to matter which type of Festool sandpaper I used. I started with 100 and worked down to 150. The benches were finished with a UV resistant oil. They looked good for a few months and then, the wood took on a grayish look. So, can't help too much there. The Ipe dust is bad stuff. I showered after every cutting session and still had some skin irritation so beware.

 

[shaun.mcc]

Thanks Birdhunter.

 

[shaun.mcc]

Well, that was fun...NOT. I got the Ipe, put a bevel on it, routed out a rabbit to receive the door...and lots of tweaks to get it right. I think a lot of the challenges had to deal with the doors I was fitting to - being custom made require a bit more of adjustment. I used gorilla glue for end grain sealing. It's an incredibly dense wood...but brittle too. I learned chiseling requires that you make your initial outline then leave some margin from the edge your cutting as the cross grain will tear out if you start on your cut outline (kinda hard to put into words)...so remove the inner are you are chiseling to relieve the stress as you reach the outline of your cuts.

I wore PPE and the dust really wasn't a problem. I was very pleased how little dust my OF 1400 when connected to my CT36. More dust with my RO 150. I still have finish sand it and seal it. It took less time to hang the doors than make this threshold!

I cleaned up all my tools with cleaner when done. I have one chisel that needs to be sharpened now too.

Shaun

 

[jacko9]

Nice job Shaun.  I'm sure that was one heavy timber to lug around.  The one thing I found out about Ipe is that it's a generic term for a whole lot of different bunt similar trees.  It will check and turn grey after installation unless the homeowner treats it every 6 months or so.  Pre warn the homeowner so your not coming back to "fix" a problem that's just routine maintenance.

Jack

 

[shaun.mcc]

Thanks Jack! You bet that was heavy...I only had to lug it about 20x back and forth. What do you recommend for sealing? I like the Penofin products. I just want to richen the color that is already there - not stain. Just oil perhaps?

Thanks,
Shaun

 

[jacko9]

Thanks Jack! You bet that was heavy...I only had to lug it about 20x back and forth. What do you recommend for sealing? I like the Penofin products. I just want to richen the color that is already there - not stain. Just oil perhaps?

Thanks,
Shaun

The dealer that sold me the last batch of Ipe had a oil based product that I used for an Ipe gate that has help us and looks good after a year.

https://www.deckwise.com/ipe-oil-hardwood-finish.html

Jack

 

[shaun.mcc]

I ended up using Penofin Verde as I could buy just a quart ($25 yikes!)...my lumberyard called to check if Verde was good for my application vs. their normal hardwood rosewood oil product...and was told it was. UV protection built in.

Looks great!

 

[jacko9]

Nicely done, they will appreciate that threshold every time they go through.