Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 23, 1999 11:04am | #1

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   David;

   288 ft is a cakewalk.... try 1300 ft!

   The cost for deckmaster is around 160 pieces times $1.75 a piece; around $300 plus screws, maybe an additional 100. (around 2000 screws, 1000 for the deckmaster-to-Trex and the same for deckmaster-to-joist)

   What are bronze nails running? As you point out, you need to use a power nailer...can't hammer 'em in unless you predrill. Plus, you'll still have nice neat lines of nail heads.

   You'll also deal with nail heads/pops (but not as bad as wood).

   I like deckmasters. They are a ROYAL pain to install, not nearly as easy as the pictures BUT; when you're done the crack stay clean, nothing squeaks, you can replace boards at will. (actually, you can probably replace the joists at will....hopefully in 20 years if you use presssure treated.)

   Lots 'o luck.

   Adam

2. 
   David_M._Burke | Feb 24, 1999 04:35am | #2

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   Adam, Thanks for the info. The only source I have found in my part of South Carolina for Deckmasters is McFeeley, a mail-order firm doing business in Lynchburg, Va. Their price for galvanized Deckmasters is $190.00/100 and their no-corrode screws add 37.00/m. When I got done adding all up, the bill was in the neighborhood of 390.00, including shipping. These folks offer collated bronze nails, full round head, 3 1/4" x .120" (12d) for $109.00/m. I would have to buy about 2,000 to do my job. Another contact just received is Swan Secure Products. They are in Baltimore and offer a very broad line of stainless products, including nails (collated) typically $93.00/m (12d) and bronze not collated at 6.85/lb. These are 3 1/4"x10 gauge. I don't have a dealer for those folks and they didn't give me a name. I am trying to obtain that information.

   Can you provide me with the name of a dealer that will beat my best offer so far on Deckmasters? Purchase must take into consideration the cost of tranportation.

   Thanks

3. 
   David_M._Burke | Feb 24, 1999 08:26am | #3

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   I like the look of decking secured with DECKMASTERS with the screws inserted from the bottom. That is a lot of screws for a 288 sq. ft. deck w/ joists on 12" centers. But worse is the cost! And I don't want a line of stainless screws showing up on the top. I am considering using bronze full head nails put down with a nailer. Decking materials is 5/4 x 6" TREX. Would appreciate your comments, please

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 08:26am | #4

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   One of our lumberyards (Alexandria VA) sells the Deckmasters for a bit less (I'm never sure what the exact discount is) and also sells the galvanized individually. There must be a building supply down your way that does the same. The yard also sells Swan screws & nails; I know the self-drilling screws are of very good quality as I used them on our Trex deck for the spots where the clips wouldn't work. the clips are a pain, consider stainless nails (at least that's what I wish I'd done in retrospect).

   A tip: Trex sawdust and PVC cement makes a fairly good filler for the screw heads. I'm still experimenting and have gotten the fills to be all but invisible. It keeps the rain out, too. Wouldn't want to do too many this way, though.