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Ipe decking tiles can only be used for steps or stairs if they are screwed securely to the base of the stairway or if you glue them with “Concrete Glue”.  Additionally, end capping should be fixed to the edge of the tile to hide the plastic base. For the vertical edges transitioning down to the next step or to ground level, we recommend detaching the wood from the plastic base and affixing it to the surface with a quality adhesive designed for wood, and also designed for the surface you are attaching it to. You can also cover the edge of the carriage on the step above with this piece of wood. If you have a radius or curved edge that you need to cover, we recommend using bender board (available at hardware or lumber stores) that closely matches the color of the wood tile.  A contractor should fix any extremely hard installations.  

The Diamond Essence Ipe decking tiles can be purchased at Canadian Retail Stores or online at www.myocstore.com

Since you can install the Diamond Essence products yourself, the difference in installation cost is huge. Installation cost can vary from region to region but it would not be unlikely that the homeowner could pay between $3.00 and $4.00 per sqft for installation on a standard deck that installs the traditional way. The average sqft of a deck would be around 400sqft so there is a cost savings of between $1200 and $1600 for installation costs if done by the homeowner and approx. 1/2 this cost if done by a qualified contractor as the time required to install this type of system is much, much less than standard deck boards. Also, if you compare the cost of building a hardwood deck the traditional way, the materials costs alone would be far higher. Typically, you can expect that a Diamond Essence deck tile installation will be less than half the cost of building a conventional hardwood deck. Diamond Essence Outdoor Flooring also offers more possibilities in terms of design, and can easily be taken up and reinstalled in another location if needed. If you are installing the tiles over an existing concrete patio or balcony consider the massive savings in time, cost and the backbreaking work of digging up and re-laying the concrete pad

The Diamond Essence Ipe decking tile can be purchased at Canadian Retail Stores or online at www.myocstore.com

Any hardwood deck will eventually fade and turn grey if not treated with preservative oil at regular intervals. Although the Ipe tiles are pre-finished with preservative oil containing UV absorbing properties, the oil will not provide a permanent protection against fading or graying of the timber. To assist in preserving the original wood color as long as possible, we recommended that a good quality decking oil such as Cutek Green (Clear) or Woodrich  (in the Amaretto color) be applied every six to 12 months depending on the climatic conditions. Ipe is a dense exotic hardwood and it does take longer for the UV light from the sun to turn the surface grey but this does not effect the structural integrity of Ipe. If left untreated Ipe will turn a silvery patina grey color which some homeowners like. This product can be purchased at Canadian Retail Stores or online at www.myocstore.com

Light debris or dirt that may collect between the Ipe slats can be removed with a stiff broom, leaf blower, vacuum cleaner, or you can use a garden hose or pressure washer.  There is no need to take up the tiles to clean beneath them. The Diamond Essence Ipe decking tiles can be purchased through Canadian Retail Stores or online at www.myocstore.com

In normal conditions, the gaps between the wood slats and the special mesh carriage ensure good airflow and quick drying which inhibits mold and mildew growth on the wood. If installed in exterior areas, which remain, damp and out of direct sunlight, then some growth of mold or mildew may occur as with any conventional exterior wood surface. Otter Creek offers a mild stripper called EFC-38 which can be applied to the wood to clean the surface of the mold and mildew if it becomes a problem. The Diamond Essence Ipe decking tile can be purchased at Canadian Retail Stores or online at www.myocstore.com