Architect Marc McCollom has come up with a really nice detail to screen in the elevated IPE at the front of the house without blocking too much of the ventilation. In the detail drawing to the right you can see that we built a support structure with treated lumber and then attached paint grip metal louvers to the support structure. Perforated stainless steel panels were fabricated to hook into the louver system. In the picture below you can see a mockup of the finished structure.
This system looked a lot easier on paper than it was to produce. We actually made 3 different mockups until everybody involved was satisfied with the outcome. Please go to our flickr page for more detail photographs. Btw – if you are thinking about installing an IPE deck and are looking for a qualified contractor in your area, make sure they have worked with this material before or your construction project might end up in disaster. IPE is extremely durable and beautiful but it is also a lot harder to work with than other deck materials, and certain procedures should be followed to achieve a great final product.
Do you have the name of anyone who has worked with IPE, in the dallas, area? Thanks… I want to do siding and flooring.
Yes – we have installed numerous IPE facades and decks. Please contact me at m.kleinmann@EGCDallas.com for more information.