Recommended ipe board size for small deck

7 years ago

I’m building a smallish deck about 6’x20’, which primarily serves to transition from my house to the backyard where there is a ~2’ drop. The deck boards will run the 20’ length. I’ll probably put a bistro table and small lounge chairs up there and some potted plants to spruce it up a bit. I’m now trying to decide on the right board size and am thinking one of the following:
1. 4” because I think that may look better proportionally and would have more boards given the short deck.
2. 6” because that seems pretty standard...
3 Alternating 4” and 6” because that may look cool

Thoughts/advice?

Featured Answer

PRO

AdvantageLumber.com

7 years ago

One point in favor of 4" boards is that they are more stable, meaning they are less likely warp or cup. Of course, this may not even be an issue as long as you have enough ventilation under the deck. Honestly, I'd suggest going with whatever you think looks best.

Here's a photo of an ipe deck that mixed 6" and 4" boards:

Why Fit In When You Were Born to Stand Out? Advantage Ipe™ · More Info

And here are a couple quick renders of a 6x20 deck with 4" boards and 6" boards so you can get a rough idea of how each would look given your dimensions:

4":

6":

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Comments (6)

PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago
Alternating boards widths sounds a lot cooler than I think they will look.

The wider width will seem and BE sturdier ... why 6" is "standard."

The 6' projection from the house is not much. If you only EVERwant to use it for the bistro set, well OK. But something tells me you will eventually wish it was more flexible in its purpose, if there is ever more than two people present. With 120 SF total, for the same effort it could be 10' x 12'. We're at a disadvantage not know the site or the motivation driving the project, but it seems you might be setting out to build something with immediate shortcomings.
Daniel Miller
Original Author
7 years ago
Here’s a rough sketch. We wanted to save space for a larger patio after you step down from the deck, and have one continuous level that goes from dining patio to lawn to lounge patio. 20’ is because that runs the width of the house and there are two entries to the deck from two separate sliding doors at the back of the house, hence why we need it to run the full width.
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saccharum
7 years ago
I know this isn't responding to your question, but where are the sliding doors in relation to the proposed steps? A bistro table and chairs may block the flow of movement so you might not be able to put them on the deck at all, unless you relocate or widen the steps. Just something to consider.
PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago
The background information -- that you are collecting two sets of doors and making a patio -- makes a difference.

Still prefer 6" over 4" and definitely over mixed. It's best to imagine things without their new shine and being clean in order to know if the underlying design features still hold.
Daniel Miller
Original Author
7 years ago
Good point saccharin! See photo. Deck in the picture has already been removed and the cement slab is being shortened as well.