Ipe balcony decking review: 21 x 140 mm boards with clips
- Ipe, durability class 1, lifespan 25+ years
- Fixed size 21 x 140 mm, in 120, 150 and 180 cm lengths
- Clips and black coated stainless steel screws included
- From £14.65 per 120 cm board, about £82 per m² (price on 28 October 2026)
Our verdict point by point
| Point | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Durability | Strong. Ipe is durability class 1. We count on 25+ years, even without maintenance. |
| Appearance | Yellow brown to dark olive brown, planed smooth and splinter free. No screw heads in the surface. |
| Installation | Quick thanks to the clips and the end click joint. Cutting needs a carbide tipped blade. |
| Weight | Ipe weighs around 1,050 kg per m³. At 21 mm thick that is roughly 22 kg per m², joists not included. |
| Maintenance | Basically maintenance free. We do recommend oiling. |
| Price | £14.65 (120 cm), £18.10 (150 cm) or £21.72 (180 cm) per board. That works out at about £82 per m², clips and screws included. |
| Delivery | From stock, delivered in 7 to 14 days. |
See the Ipe balcony decking boards
What convinces us
- Short boards, straight timber. Lengths of 120 to 180 cm are dead straight and need no straightening. They are also far easier to carry up a stairwell than 4 metre boards.
- No screws on show. The clip slides into the groove along the long edge. The surface stays intact and comfortable underfoot.
- The gap sets itself. The clip doubles as a spacer, so the gap is 8 mm everywhere. Rain drains away and the underside can dry.
- End click joint with a double V. The short ends lock together with a tongue and groove. Where two boards meet you get a neat double V. On an awkwardly sized balcony that saves cutting.
- One complete kit. Boards, clips and screws arrive together.
- Very little movement. Ipe has the lowest tangential shrinkage of all the outdoor timbers we compare.
The downsides
- Weight. Allow for around 22 kg per m² for the boards, plus the joists. Check what your balcony can carry before you order. In a flat, speak to the freeholder or building management as well.
- Cutting needs good tools. Ipe blunts blades quickly. Use carbide and dust extraction, as the sawdust can irritate the skin.
- Turns grey without oil. Left untreated, Ipe weathers to grey. That does not affect durability, but to keep the warm colour you need to oil it.
- Can bleed. Ipe contains a dye that dissolves in water. Rainwater running off a new balcony can be discoloured at first.
- Not a budget board. Ipe is a very durable tropical hardwood, and the price reflects that.
Not sure whether your balcony is suitable? Call us on +49 2821 7483051.
Who it suits, and who it suits less
A good fit for
- A balcony or roof terrace that should look clean, with no visible screws.
- DIYers who want to work with short, manageable boards.
- Anyone after a floor that lasts 25+ years without required maintenance.
Less suitable for
- A balcony that may not take the extra weight of timber decking.
- Anyone who wants loose deck tiles to lay and lift without tools.
- Buyers who decide mainly on the lowest price.
Comparison: balcony board or our standard clip board
We also sell the same 21 x 140 mm size with clips as Ipe decking boards with fixing clips. The system is the same. The difference is in the lengths and the price per board.
| Balcony board (this review) | Standard clip board | |
|---|---|---|
| Lengths | 120, 150 and 180 cm | 150 and 180 cm |
| Price 150 cm | £18.10 | £22.40 |
| Price 180 cm | £21.72 | £27.58 |
| When to choose | Balconies and roof terraces, or if you want 120 cm | A garden deck laid in one fixed length |
Our advice: stick to one length and let the end joints land on a joist where you can. Space the joists 40 to 45 cm apart, ideally in Ipe as well, so different timbers do not work against each other. On the ground, always lay weed membrane underneath. Prices on 28 October 2026.
How to build up a balcony deck is explained in making balcony decking. A real project: Ipe decking on a 10th floor balcony. The full pros and cons of the timber are in Ipe wood pros and cons.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is Ipe decking on a balcony?
The boards weigh about 22 kg per m², because Ipe weighs around 1,050 kg per m³. Add the joists on top of that. Have the load capacity of your balcony checked first.
Which length is best for a balcony?
Most people choose 120 cm for a balcony: easy to handle and to carry upstairs. Stick to one length if you can, it keeps the pattern calm.
Do I need to oil Ipe balcony decking?
No, Ipe is basically maintenance free and lasts 25+ years. We do recommend oil. Think of it as wax on a car: dirt and water stay off, and the timber stays more stable in very hot or wet weather.
Work out your balcony deck in the calculator
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