How Ipe Became the Wood of Choice for Naples, Florida Clam Pass Boardwalk
How Ipe Became the Wood of Choice for Naples, Florida Clam Pass Boardwalk
In the serene surroundings of Naples, Florida, the Clam Pass Park Boardwalk stands as a testament to both aesthetic allure and enduring construction. This blog post explores the journey of Ipe wood, a material synonymous with durability and beauty, and how it became the material of choice for this iconic walkway.
Renowned for its resilience and minimal maintenance requirements, Ipe wood is ideal for coastal environments, which makes it perfect for Clam Pass Park Boardwalk. Join us as we delve into the reasons behind its popularity and its significant impact on the boardwalk’s design and functionality.
Ipe Wood in The Clam Pass Park Boardwalk
Children love walking barefoot at the mile-long boardwalk of Clam Pass Beach Park, the access point to the beautiful white sand beach in Naples, Florida. About 25 to 35 feet in, though, it’s a common sight to see them jumping into the arms of their parents, according to field superintendent Tim Dieterle.
Dieterle has come back to revive the boardwalk 32 years later after he built it, this time for One-Source Construction, the top commercial builder that won the bidding of this big project — a mile-long renourishment of the boardwalk leading to the family-friendly 3,200-foot beach.
Judith Leslie, who was interviewed by the CBS-affiliated Wink, loves Clam Pass Beach Park. She told the media outlet that she drives two hours from Deerfield Beach just to visit the beach. “It is the most beautiful pristine beach I’ve ever seen in my life,” she said. “I’m an older person but it’s very nostalgic for us to have that walk.”
Yes, there’s an option to ride the free tram but that’s nothing compared to having that walk. People enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of the mangrove forest, with the fluttering of coastal birds and butterflies around it.
For the project, One-Source Construction is replacing the composite material used for the boardwalk for the past 30 years with Brazilian Lumber’s ipe, a heat-resistant wood that will make it possible for kids, Leslie, and everyone else to walk on it with bare feet both safely and comfortably. Ipe is similar to the premium-grade ipe wood used in many U.S. landmarks, including the 151-year-old Brooklyn Bridge in New York and the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey.
Brazilian Lumber’s abundant supply of ipe wood allowed Dieterle to stage the wood in different parts of the boardwalk ahead of time. “I have guys coming and going, lining and cutting. A crew of 12 is working both ways and meeting in the middle. We’ve got this down to a science.”
He gives Brazilian Lumber’s ipe credit for making it easier for him. “It is a superior product compared to the composite material we had here previously,” Dieterle said. “It’s by far the best lumber that I have worked with in 30 years of construction.”
Ipe wood, known for its durability and aesthetic appeal, is an excellent material for outdoor construction. This dense hardwood has a fine-to-medium texture and a rich brown color with reddish or olive hues that can enhance any setting.
Naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack, ipe also has the unique advantage of being exceptionally resistant to fire, comparable to concrete and steel. Its low maintenance and longevity make it a favored choice for projects that require a high-quality, robust material that can withstand harsh environmental conditions.
“Without a doubt, this is the finest material you can use for any type of decking, boat docks, any type of construction where you would use it to walk on (outdoors), even for a structural application,” he added.
The Advantages of Ipe Wood
Dieterle listed three things that also compelled the county to choose ipe. The first one was aesthetics; second, the weather conditions, and lastly, the durability of the hardwood. “It’s really hard to burn ipe compared to composite decking which will catch fire fairly easily. It will outlast (me).”
If you think about its lasting results, Dieterle said it’s more economical to use ipe. As someone who has been in the construction business for more than 30 years and who worked on the same boardwalk almost fresh out of college in 1988, it’s been a project worth undertaking.
There’s the eco-friendly aspect to using ipe wood as well. Composite decking is not biodegradable. Even just to remove it is a major problem because it’s not recyclable. It has fiberglass and inconsistent fire-retardant claims.
“This (composite material) will need to be put on a landfill and, as you can see, it’s a lot of stuff to put in a landfill, unlike ipe. Many years later, this (pointing to ipe), will become earth again,” Dieterle said.
Building the boardwalk for the first time
Dieterle recalls the “jungle” he first worked on in 1988. Clam Pass had no boardwalk, no high-rise buildings nearby, and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) rules were not “the rules” today.
An engineering company provided the route for the materials and heavy-duty equipment such as bulldozers and cranes that his team needed to bring in to work on such a gargantuan task.
“We ran into some problems to find a good spot for piling (the composite materials and the ton-heavy 4 x 14 joists), but we plowed our way through [the jungle]. It took us 14 months to do the original job,” he said.
Dieterle leans again on the boardwalk to show the bridge-quality joists which have seen 35 feet of maintenance over the years, citing the 2,000-pound capacity of the boardwalk. We’ve had a helicopter, truck and crane sitting on top of the boardwalk.
“We’re very happy with the product. It’s very stable and very easy to work with, to a point. It’s definitely a hardwood. What you get in quality is well worth what we’re spending.
I highly recommend Brazilian Lumber’s ipe. It’s a superior product.”
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, Ipe wood’s remarkable characteristics make it an unmatched choice for projects requiring durability, aesthetic beauty, and longevity, such as the Clam Pass Park Boardwalk. If you’re inspired by the enduring beauty of Ipe and are considering it for your own construction or renovation projects, look no further than Brazilian Lumber.
We offer a wide selection of Ipe wood and other tropical hardwoods that promise quality and sustainability. Whether you’re building a deck, a boardwalk, or any other outdoor structure, Brazilian Lumber has all the materials you need to bring your vision to life. Visit our website today and take the first step towards creating something truly exceptional with our premier hardwood solutions.
