This is a tough match up for any wood. Throwing a domestic wood in the shark tank with Ipe flooring is definitely cruel and unusual. However, much like watching a predator consume its prey in the wild on a nature program, perhaps we can at least learn something from it.
So let’s get to the tech specs!
Janka Hardness: 3,840
Moduls of Rupture: 25,400 PSI
Modulus of Elasticity: 3,140 1000PSI
Density: 1,025 kg/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 8%
Radial Shrinkage: 6.6%
Janka Hardness: 1,450
Moduls of Rupture: 10,700 PSI
Modulus of Elasticity: 1,450 1000PSI
Density: 755 kg/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 9.9%
Radial Shrinkage: 4.8%
Whoa, hey, Ipe, let Maple get up for a second! So it’s obvious that Ipe is a much burlier wood than Maple in terms of hardness and density, there’ s no question. Ipe is also a beautiful wood, and so is Maple. Here is the only downside for Ipe where Maple might be able to break out of its wicked grapple: Maple flooring is a much more color consistent wood than Ipe. Some people like the “all over the place” color spectrum of Ipe, and if that’s what you’re going for, then there’s no beating it. However, Maple is a steady and consistent golden tan that’s always going to be pleasing to the eye and make any room seem more expansive.
But what’s this? Ipe has a secret weapon? Out of no where, Ipe brings a sneak-in left hook: Lapacho Ipe.
Lapacho Ipe is a more color consistent type of Ipe that tends to stick a little closer to the dark to light coffee tones rather than straying into the oranges and greens like standard Ipe.
It’s ugly for Maple in this match up, but it still has its old world charm (what dance floor is complete without it?) and beautiful light blond color to keep it from being completely pummeled by the South American powerhouse, Ipe.

























