Ipe is a beautiful hardwood from Brazil. It will outlast redwood and resists dry rot and insects just as well as redwood. On the 1000 sq ft 5/4″ x 6″ Ipe deck below we installed flashing onto the deck joists before the deck boards were install. The deck boards were predrilled and screwed down with 3″ stainless steel. The bench is also 5/4″ x 6″