Replies

1. 
   MarkH | Jul 14, 2006 04:34pm | #1

   I go for less friction.

   Pick what the wife wants.

2. 
   DDay | Jul 14, 2006 07:53pm | #2

   Make sure the joist are fine, if the decking is that bad.  The best would be Ipe (Ironwood), and it would also fit with the age of the house.  Heres a link to some info from a distributor in new england, I know their largest customer is down near westport.  Call them up and they'll give you the info on the retailers in your area.  Do a search for Ipe on this site, its what most like the best.

   http://www.coastalforestproducts.com/product/product.htm

    

3. 
   grandchat27 | Jul 15, 2006 12:06am | #3

   Just to pass on a few words of advice re: synthetic decking.  I built (actually replaced and made it much larger) a 10 x 10 balcony last summer using Trex and although I knew the Trex was much heavier, until you start putting the deck together it's hard to appreciate how much heavier it is.  That being said, I would look into your local codes re: the joists b/c I had to go to 12" on center to make sure there was sufficient strength for the decking material I chose. 

   I agree with DDay's comments for the look of the deck corresponding to the age or your house.

1. 
   gdcarpenter | Jul 15, 2006 12:51am | #4

   Looking at about 600-700 sq. ft. of decking, with not much room underneath. Having read many BT threads on Ipe I'm not enjoying the thought of installing it. Will price it out though, thanks for the lead for a supplier, anything close to Westport is an advantage. Espceially since I'm new here and don't know the suppliers. Have heard that 12" oc is 'de-rigeur' for 'synthetics'.Just don't know if this old farmhouse is worth a fancy dan deck, given the fact that the 'dirt' is worth over 5 time the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

1. 
   DDay | Jul 15, 2006 03:45am | #5

   Yeah, thats pretty pricey down there.  Martha Stewart had a farm house there, I think she may have sold last year.

   1x6 Ipe in my area (you don't need 5/4 since it is so so strong) of MA is $2.10/linear foot.  If you want a lower cost deck that is nice and would fit the house, check out 1x4 Mahogany decking, 1x4 is more period than 1x6.  All the lumber yards in Ma just call it 1x4 mahogany, I think it is Meranti, a type of mahogany.  I think the mahogany is about the same as pressure treated which is about $1 per foot for 5/4x6.  The synthetics are in the $2 to $3  range.

   Check out penofin for the finish if you want to keep it that color and not let it gray.

2. 
   MikeSmith | Jul 15, 2006 04:16am | #6

   we build whatever the customer selects , after we give our advice:

   Ipe', Meranti, Alaskan Cedar, Fir... and any of the composites

   for my own i prefer TrexMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

4. 
   peteshlagor | Jul 15, 2006 04:19am | #7

   I've got some synthetic on my 10 year old deck.  It gets unusably hot to walk on in the summer sun.

   But I'm using this for the boy's deck now:

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=75285.3

    

5. 
   BruceCM | Jul 15, 2006 06:04am | #8

   I third (fourth?) the IPE idea. I put down 1X6 3/4", and it finished out with superdeck beautifully. Cost about 30-40% less than Trex or most other sythetics, and its bare-foot walkable in the direct sun.  I found a neighbor who put IPE down about 4 years ago and hasn't done a thing to it since. Silvered out nicely. No warping or twishing...I though at first it was one of the silver colored synthetics. And unlike the synthetics, you can easily span 16" with IPE.

   BruceM

6. 
   WayneL5 | Jul 19, 2006 04:49am | #9

   Is your deck low enough that a patio would be possible?  They are a lot more long lasting and take no care.