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Viroc is a cement bonded particle board composed of wood particles and Portland cement. It is light gray in color and is flat and smooth on both surfaces. Viroc was chosen as the exterior finishing material for the Mississippi Bluffs Townhomes for several reasons. Primarly it is a quality construction material which offers strength and stability. Viroc is water resistant and remains dimensionally stable during freezing and thawing.

Viroc is capable of resisting substantial impacts without incurring fractures and as a result of its mass Viroc offers excellent sound insulation. The uniting of wood fiber and Portland cement produces a building panel which is non-toxic. VIROC does not contain asbestos, silica or other carcinogenic agents.

Additionally, Viroc was chosen for aesthetic appeal. The architect and developer chose all materials relating to the project deliberately. The buildings are designed to be a part of the bluffs. The materials used were selected for their natural look as well as their durability. The Viroc is reminiscent of river stone. The Ipe decking blends with the natural environment. The buildings are designed to focus one’s attention on the bluffs, the river and the beauty of nature while simultaneously demonstrating the beauty of design with quality materials and cutting edge construction techniques.

The town homes at Mississippi Bluffs have five outdoor spaces. There are two balconies and one patio overlooking the river and two decks on the western elevation looking into the 6.2 acre private park. In choosing the best material for these spaces, the developer considered aesthetics and as well as durability.

Ipe Wood, or Brazilian Walnut, also known as Ironwood, is the superior choice for decking. Ipe Decking is naturally resistant to rot and decay, is eight times harder than California Redwood, and has the highest rating for termite resistance.

This imported hardwood is the finest quality wood available for building outdoor decks, furniture and fencing. Ipe’s beauty and durability is a result of its extreme density. The Ipe deck is installed with a hidden fastener called the Ipe Clip. In traditional deck building, nails or screws pierce the individual deck boards in order to attach to the joists below. The Ipe Clip, however allows the deck boards to be attached to each other and the joists without having to comprise the integrity of any of the boards. This contributes to the lifetime durability of the deck, because it prevents water from working its way into the interior of the deck boards.

Furthermore, Ipe has a class A fire rating, the same rating given to concrete & steel.