Calisson,

I'm wood bias, so this will mostly be about which wood to choose. Ipe is the King of all Hardwoods and has proven to last 20-30 + years no problem. It's also a "no need for maintenance" wood which means you do not HAVE to clean / treat it annually or at all. It will grey out over time but it's original color can always be brought back. I always tell my Customers if your feeling energetic (or financial secure) one year have it cleaned. If not, no biggie, just let it grey...

Now Ipe is expensive but has some close competitors like Massaranduba and Garapa, both will also last you 20+ years. Massaranduba is a redish brown and Garapa is Blonde in color.

Ask your Contractor if he can get you some samples or look for some retailers that offer them. I pretty sure Eastteak.com or efloor.com sends free samples.

Good luck with your choice!

Thanks! I am glad to hear that it's fine to let Ipe weather, because I definitely do not mind the silver color, I just don't want splintering, splitting, etc. If color is the only issue I would be happy to just let it age. My contractor used Ipe on his own deck--I'd never heard of it before that. His is silver already, but he said he plans to lightly sand it and treat it every year or two--that's what warned me off of it, because he implied it would "need" that for the wood itself not to deteriorate.