I’m remodeling a deck, keeping the old frame, but removing the old CCA 5/4″ decking and handrails. I’m running new 5/4″ mahogany decking, and new mahogany railings. It’s on the second story.
The existing 6×6 posts run all the way to the ground, and are notched for the rim joist. The railing posts are very solid, and I’d prefer to use them, rather than bolting 4×4’s to the outside of the rim joist. I really don’t want to cut them off at the frame, but if I have to I will. The question is how the reface the existing posts.
I thought about ripping 1 1/4″ off all four sides of the existing posts, and covering it with decking. My concerns are 1) That doesn’t leave much of a post for a solid railing. 2) It will expose the untreated center section of the 6×6, which may lead to problems down the road.
My other thought was resawing some of the decking to 1/8″, and basically laminating it to the posts. My concern here is the durability of an 1/8″ skin exposed to the elements.
The posts will eventually be capped with a copper top to cover the end grain.
The sky is the limit as far as ideas. Full wood shop to use, and money is no concern.
Thoughts?
Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Edited 4/27/2006 2:26 pm ET by dustinf
Edited 4/27/2006 2:26 pm ET by dustinf
Edited 4/27/2006 2:27 pm ET by dustinf
Replies
put a nice looking copper cap on that and call it rustic..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Sand them lightly (wear dust mask) and then paint them. Any sort of veneer you put on them will attract rot.
Cap the sides and top with copper.
I'm using 4x4 cca posts around some mahogany porches I'm doing here and the railings I've made out of red cedar which will be stained white.
Being that 6x6 red cedar is cost prohibitive I'm wrapping 1x6 around the 4x4's and using a capping on top. Why not do the same? MAke a sleeve of 1x with a capping.
I should be up to that point next week...this weeks been nuttin' but makin' railings railings and more railings...and oh yeh, makin' tops and bottoms too.
Have fun bro
a...
If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Yeah, I'm thinking the sleeve is the only way to go. Probably cut the existing 6x6 down, and wrap it with the 1x. Cap with copper, and call it a day.
I cheated, and bought all my rail parts pre milled.Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
whatcha pay for the mahogany? I just paid for 1x4 $1.09 + .30 to have it T&G'd.
Stuff looks awesome...when I saw the new delivary of mahog in the yard being unloaded I immediatly scored me 500+ sq ft....looked like too nice a batch to pass up this time. I could have gotten Ipe for $1.45 for 1x4 but I really loved the look of the mahog a lot more.
You goin' with the Penofin on all four sides before you install it?
I most definatly will unless someone tells me of a better product.If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
for 5/4 x 6 decking it was $2.19 a linear foot. Which is the same price as Trex.
For the lower deck I did, we used Cabot's timber oil, but I have to say it hasn't held up very well. It's starting to fade pretty bad.
Penofin is probably going to be the next coat, but I might go back to Waterlox. Which I've had luck with in the past.
Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Edited 4/27/2006 10:35 pm ET by dustinf
Hiya Dustin, if you want to make a good sized job out of it you could rout a rabbet on the corners and put a copper skin with trex or cedar corners screwed on.
Cross section something like this:
View Image
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
What about using an electric hand plane to remove about a 1/16 9maybe less) of material around the posts, then stain to match new wood being installed?
Semper Fi
You might be on to something there.Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
If you do not have an electric hand planer then it is a matter of buying one because you need a TOOL not just because you want a tool . This is justifiable.