Building a deck- What kind of wood to use

elkstopper · 06-30-2005, 02:18 PM

I'm getting ready to build a new deck, I'm thinking about the composite decking, less upkeep from what I've read.

Any opinions on Trex, Veranda, eon or others. Which one would you choose.

pros and cons

Thanks

flapbreaker · 06-30-2005, 02:34 PM

I beat myself up over this one for a while. I decided on trex. I used their newer product that has a slight woodgrain. I like it so far. It's been up about a year. It will need washed because you can still get mold growth but at least you don't need to stain. I mainly decided on trex because the railing system was cheaper. I used playground 4x4 posts since they are WAY cheaper than any composite 4x4 and then trex sells a 2x4 and 2x2 pickets. I caped the rail with the same boards I used for decking. Maybe if I get time I'll post a picture.

El-Kabong · 06-30-2005, 02:49 PM

Hi,

I have used Trex and would use it again. it is very heavy to handle but. No complaints. There is a pretty good info piece in the latest (maybe last months) Fine Homebuilding comparing a lot of alternative to wood products. Might be worth checking out.

They are more expensive then wood, but it is nice to not have to spend time cleaning, sealing etc...

EK

garyk · 06-30-2005, 02:55 PM

I think this makes the fourth summer for our fairly large Trex deck which replaced a traditional wood deck. Although the initial cost is significantly higher, there is like zero maintainance. Pressure wash it once a year and that's it.

No cracking, splinters, dents, you'd have to drop something very heavy and sharp to damage it. No dog toenail scratches.

I'd never go back to traditional wood

chummer · 06-30-2005, 02:57 PM

I built a 20'x20' deck onto my house in Hermiston, and used the composite decking, don't recall who made it. It was a tongue and groove decking with drainage cut outs every 2' on the tongues. It was a great looking deck with no exposed screw heads and zero maintenance.

chummer · 06-30-2005, 02:57 PM

I built a 20'x20' deck onto my house in Hermiston, and used the composite decking, don't recall who made it. It was a tongue and groove decking with drainage cut outs every 2' on the tongues. It was a great looking deck with no exposed screw heads and zero maintenance.

baltz526 · 06-30-2005, 05:40 PM

whatever surface decking you decide on, only use pressure treated lumber and heavy gavanized nails for the framing.also wherever you have earth or concrete contact treat all fresh cuts with jasco wood preservative

ampersat · 06-30-2005, 06:11 PM

A friend of mine built a wood deck a few years ago and the last time I saw it, it really looked in bad shape. Maybe he just hadn't cleaned it for a while but when I saw that, I knew I didn't want real wood.

The buddy across the street put together a cedar (I think) deck last year and just did the clean/stain/seal thing and it looks great, but he's also got a fair amount of time invested in cleaning it each year. He's also in the cabinet biz and got his wood at cost somewhere.

I looked at the Trex stuff they had put in at Street of Dreams last year and I thought it looked fine, although very plasticy because it was new. I'd be interested to see how it weathers in.

Bottom line: wouldn't you rather spend your time fishing than taking care of your deck?

SeaSparrow · 06-30-2005, 06:39 PM

We had a new deck built 3 yrs ago and used a composite decking called "Choice". The colors of that particular brand were limited, but it was cheaper than trex, so we went with it. I will never go back to wood! In fact, we are thinking of replacing the front decking with composite (winning the lottery will help speed it up!). I know trex has many more color choices availible now and it holds its color well over time. Our choice decking lightened to a gray color over the first year which works just fine with us. No algae growth, has good traction and best of all, is practically maintenance free. Go for it!

flapbreaker · 06-30-2005, 07:24 PM

Here is a couple pictures of the deck I built last year. It's the newer trex that doesn't look so much like plastic.

Jennie@ifish · 06-30-2005, 07:33 PM

Flapbreaker, I'm impressed with the color of your lawn! :smile:

10 more minutes · 06-30-2005, 07:55 PM

I used Trex on this deck, it's 3 years old now and we do need to clean off the mold every spring but it's just a spray on and hose off hour long job....no big deal. Trex is VERY heavy and you may need to use more and/or larger material underneath. I went to Parr with a rough drawing and they used a computer to draw it and figure out the material list down to the last nail all in about 20 minutes. Trex is SOOOOOOOOO easy to work with but heavy like I said. It planes,sands and nails better than wood. Screwing it down left a little mound of material that I used a ball peen hammer on to knock it back into the screw hole...no more screw heads! Did I say it was heavy? Holding one 2" x 6" x 20" held waist high bowed so much that both ends touched the ground....kinda awkward to move around. I'll never use wood on a deck again though...the composite is the way to go. And it feels great barefoot too :smile: The drawback?? The price for one 2" x 6" x 20" was around $45 :shocked:

Mike

10 more minutes · 06-30-2005, 07:59 PM

Flapbreaker, What kind of fasteners did you use along the front?

Mike

10 more minutes · 06-30-2005, 08:02 PM

one more pic....

flapbreaker · 06-30-2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Flapbreaker, What kind of fasteners did you use along the front?

Mike

Not sure what fasteners your refering to. Basically I sunk some type of metal 4x4 supports into concrete and bolted the 4x4 to them. Then along the front kick board area I used more large galvanized hex screw/bolts to fasten to the 4x4 posts. I hope you didn't spot a problem.

What do you use to wash the deck with in the spring. Do you just use a pressure washer or some product?

flapbreaker · 06-30-2005, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Flapbreaker, I'm impressed with the color of your lawn! :smile:

Ya that was last year. It's not quite the same shade this year.

10 more minutes · 06-30-2005, 09:41 PM

I sure dont see any problems...it's beautiful!
The fasteners I see are along the bottom fascia board...they look like some kind of screw cover.
I get the deck wash from Costco, I think it's an Armor All product. It really smells like bleach..... Anyway, I spray it on with a pump sprayer and let soak for a few then just hose off, It works great! I do wish I used a darker color decking though.
I pressure washed a nice line in a few deck boards so be VERY careful if you use one, don't get it too close.
I'll check on the cleaner brand and price and PM you.
Nice deck...
Mike

garyk · 06-30-2005, 10:15 PM

And if you want a really cool feature, don't nail down the Trex from the top side.

Instead, use the fasteners that attach to the stringers and then screw into the Trex from beneath.

Takes longer, but no nail shows at at, no nail heads to tarnish or holes to collect dirt! Perfectly smooth.

10 more minutes · 06-30-2005, 10:42 PM

I figured that out about a week after I was done...it is a cool look.

Mike

elkstopper · 07-01-2005, 05:49 AM

Thanks for all the reply's

Some nice looking decks out there

PapaHog · 07-01-2005, 06:03 PM

I have seen the trex put down with a biscut joiner. No nails or screws on the surface of the deck.

Also if you screw the deck down from the top be sure and not go to deep. If you do each screw becomes a little lake and water is the death of a deck.