Ipe Lapacho VS Lignum Vitae
- Stronger in bending (MOR 177.0 vs 130.0 MPa)
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Tie |
| Strength (MOR) | Ipe Lapacho |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Ipe Lapacho |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Ipe Lapacho |
Engineering data
| Property | Ipe Lapacho | Lignum Vitae |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 3680WD lbf | 4390WD lbf |
| Density | 0.92FPL g/cm³ | 1.05FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 22.0FPL GPa | 19.0FPL GPa |
| MOR | 177.0FPL MPa | 130.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fire (E84) | Class A indicative | Class A indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 6.6WD % | 4WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 8WD % | 6.5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.21 | 1.62 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Ipe Lapacho | ★★★★★ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Ipe Lapacho | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Lignum Vitae | ★★★★★ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Ipe Lapacho | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Ipe Lapacho | ★★★★★ |
Advantages & limitations
Ipe Lapacho
Advantages relative to Lignum Vitae
- MOR is 177 MPa vs 130 MPa, about 36% higher
- MOE is 22.0 GPa vs 19.0 GPa, about 16% higher
Limitations relative to Lignum Vitae
- Janka is 3,680 lbf vs 4,390 lbf, about 16% lower
Lignum Vitae
Advantages relative to Ipe Lapacho
- Janka is 4,390 lbf vs 3,680 lbf, about 19% harder
Limitations relative to Ipe Lapacho
- MOR is 130 MPa vs 177 MPa, about 27% lower
- MOE is 19.0 GPa vs 22.0 GPa, about 14% lower
Recommendation
Choose Ipe Lapacho if…
- Decking, boardwalks, marine structures and heavy exterior joinery where the higher bending strength and stiffness are what the piece must deliver and the shared Class 1 durability and Class A fire class are the baseline
- Structural components subject to bending loads where the top-tier stiffness advantage matters in specification
Choose Lignum Vitae if…
- Water-lubricated shaft and stern-tube bearings for ships (a documented signature engineering use), hydroelectric turbine bearings, propeller-shaft and face seals where the extreme hardness is what the piece must deliver
- Pulley sheaves and blocks, and specialty bearings and gears where the documented self-lubricating dense hardwood role is what the project is specifying
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Ipe Lapacho or Lignum Vitae?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Lignum Vitae moves 6.5% tangentially against 8.0%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 1, and tangential movement runs 8.0% for Ipe Lapacho against 6.5% for Lignum Vitae — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Lignum Vitae holds its dimension marginally better. Lignum Vitae gives the harder wearing surface at 4,390 lbf; Ipe Lapacho is the lighter section at 0.92 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is Ipe Lapacho harder than Lignum Vitae?
No — Lignum Vitae is harder (Janka 4390 vs 3680 lbf).