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I was interested in using ipe decking to build a simple vanity for my bathroom. i was calling around for pricing, and one lady told me not to use it inside. she said it would warp and bow. i've also read that it warps less than most woods. i could really use some opinions on this before i go buying it. the vanity is only going to have 4x4's for legs and a shelf on the bottom. no doors or sides. the top is going to be plywood with granite tile.
TRY BOILED LINSEED OIL? I USE THAT ON ALL THE THINGS I MAKE AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PIECE WARP. GO GET A SAMPLE OR BUY A LENGHT ONE OFF AND TREAT IT WITH BOILED LINSEED OIL. FIRST COAT LET IT SOAK IN SECOND COAT LEAVE A FEW DAYS THEN WIPE OFF EXCESS. YOU WILL FIND MINIMAL, SHRINKAGE OR WARPNESS. I USED IT ON PINE, OAK ,CHERRY,IROKO,MAHOGANY,WALNUT,MAPLE. TEST A SAMPLE PIECE FIRST?BUT I ASSURE YOU IT WILL NOT WARP,AND EVERY SO OFTEN JUST TREAT WITH THE LINSEED.
Ipe decking is air dried for outdoor use so you should not use it indoors, if you do use it indoors it will shrink and possibly cup. You need to purchase kiln dried ipe lumber, I typically buy it from Advantage Trim & Lumber.
Frank--
That is some strange information. I've never heard of wood warping because it is being used indoors instead of outdoors.
Wood warps because of the stresses inside of a board. After a board has dried, the stresses are primarily caused by water exchange with the environment and temperature fluctuations. So, generally, indoors is a better place because the humidity and temperature vary less.
Outdoors is a much more harsh environment. Decks in the summer can reach 140F and in the winter, -10F. They can be bone dry during the summer and then be drenched for days by rain. Bathrooms and kitchens are of course the toughest places for wood but obviously wood cabinets have been used successfully in both places for a very long time.
While I've not used ipe indoors or for cabinets, I think the salesperson who gave you that advice was smoking dope. It is contrary to everything I've learned about wood as a material (and I am an engineer).
Ipe is difficult wood to work with. It is very, very hard and the dust is very inflammatory (use a respirator if you rout or sand it). My advice would be to use something else--it's not worth the hassle. But, if you decide to use ipe, it will likely survive as a vanity for many decades.
you should not use it indoors
This is not for indoors.