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Will my decking shrink? Will my decking expand?
All wood, if it remains long enough in an environment, will assume the moisture content of the environment.
This is true of all wood - no matter whether it has been air-dried, kiln-dried, or pressure-treated.
If the environment is MORE moist than the wood when it is installed, the wood will EXPAND.
If the environment is LESS moist than the wood when it is installed, the wood will SHRINK.
The moisture of an environment is determined by general temperature and humidity, including rainfall.
It is sometimes said that ipe does not pick up moisture and expand.
That is because most areas in the US have climates that are drier than ipe.
The USDA Forest Products Laboratory has an excellent article
"Equilibrium Moisture Content of Wood in Outdoor Locations in the United States and Worldwide". This article shows the monthly moisture content for cities around the US, and it will help you determine how to best install your decking or porch flooring in your environment.
Why do I care if my decking shrinks or expands?
If your wood shrinks, the spacing between your decking boards will increase.
If your wood expands, the spacing between your decking boards will decrease; if you initially installed your boards too close together, the deck will buckle.
How do I know how much my decking will shrink or expand?
The amount of shrinkage or expansion depends on the difference in moisture content between your environment and the moisture content of the wood and the species of wood.
If your deck is installed properly, you should experience no problems due to shrinkage or expansion.
Take a look at our installation tips:
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Installing Brazilian Walnut | Ipe 
