Dock decking options
 

Anyone have experience using Ipe tropical wood as your seasonal dock decking material? Or Black Locust? I have heard these wood compare in price to Azek but hold up better and look nicer. Azek can her pretty heavy too but Ipe is a very dense and not exactly light weight wood.
Interested if you have experience with these woods for dock decks. Thanks

We have ipe pilings and cedar decking on our crank up dock, now 2 seasons old. They look great, though as you say, ipe is really heavy. It's almost comical to pick up a piece, I am not sure you'd want to do removable decking unless you have a very beefy team. We chose it because it's life expectancy was similar or maybe better than pressure treated, but with no chemicals. We'd definitely do it again

Hold up better in what way?

The Azek is a PVC. It will last many lifetimes.
The maintenance is twice a year to hose it down - no pressure washer.

The downside is that it is soft. It requires enough support not to warp or sag. For wide spans they over the MAX, but the color is limited.

Ipe is currently out of cycle, but could be ordered - not sure what the lead is.

Dark Red Balau is currently in cycle.
It would last several decades.
In a 5/4x6 dimension, about the same price as the Slate Azek.
It is stable, and relatively hard... it can cover the spans.
The downside is that it requires seasonal maintenance or will grey. The color would slowly move toward the Azek Coastline if left unfinished. (Ends should be coated to prevent grain check).

Both options have the screw and plug system available... or can be applied with Stainless Steel fasteners.

Grooved hidden fastener systems are available, but not highly recommended. Azek tend to expand/contract... DRB has to be special ordered. The Camo system was available for both... but not sure what Meredith may have left as Azek purchased that system and was intending for a relaunch under the SideLocker moniker before Covid.

If you are looking at the higher end to the Azek, Zuri would be a better option as it is more realistic in appearance and has a hard coating that resist damage.

The Zuri hidden fastener system forces the screw in at an angle securing the deck board much like the Camo did for the other systems.

The Cedar due to shortages of the Western Red would currently be the Alaskan Yellow.
AYC doesn't have the dark reddish brown color, so a colored stain may be the option for protecting it.

Sort of like the Azek, but requiring the annual maintenance not to silver and splinter. Ends should be coated to prevent grain checking. And though soft, it can be sanded during refinishing. It doesn't have a screw and plug system for hidden fasteners. It should with proper maintenance outlast us.