Replies

1. 
   woody1777 | Dec 16, 2006 06:58am | #1

   Trex rocks! Expensive as hell though.

   If you have good supplier it works better, we have to buy it through H.D. I dont need to tell you that sucks.....

    

    

    

1. 
   joewood | Dec 16, 2006 08:20am | #2

   I've been researching composites (trying to get away from using ipe all the time) and it seems like Trex still hasn't solved the mildew/mold issue that alot of the composites still have.here's some Brasilia .. I don't like it for another reason, and that is it's thin outer coating 'skin' can get scratched pretty easily from what I hear.EDIT: had to add, I got those Brasilia images off of a Deck Forum.

   Edited 12/16/2006 9:53 pm by JoeWood

   
1. 
   woody1777 | Dec 17, 2006 07:50am | #7

   It might depend on the climate. We have been using Trex and Eon for about 8 years in the midwest with zero issues. Maybe we are lucky. Maybe we are good. Maybe alot of the former and a little of the latter. =)

   We always use the best quality treated lumber for the frame,pay attention to the house connection, and install the decking BY THE BOOK! There is a reason they say to do it that way.

   I hav not researched the different types of decking that much so I cant speak to the common issues.

   Just my .02

2. 
   woodroe | Dec 16, 2006 08:22am | #3

   Used it earlier this summer. Too early to tell how it's going to weather. Have you checked out Ipe wood decking? Often sold under other names like Ironwood.

3. 
   user-246028 | Dec 16, 2006 08:04pm | #4

   Well let me tell you. I have been in the building supply business for twenty years. One facet of my job was to sell composite decking materials. I must admit that I feel a little guilty because I had to push products on customers that were not as good as we were told. Here is the truth. There are a lot of different composite decks on the market. Trex, LifeLong, Eon, Vinyls etc. Now think about all the decks that you have seen rot out. Where does it rot? Between the deck and the joist, or anywhere two pieces of wood meet that can't be dried out when it gets wet. Well guess what. No matter what you put on your deck, your joists are still wood and water will still sit between the decking and the joist and the joists will still rock. Furthermore, composite and vinyl deck expands and contracts a lot more than wood and cause a lot of problems down the road if not installed exactly right. Composites are also very heavy. Make sure you have sufficient support footing to carry the weight (more than a standard deck) DO NOT use TREX composite railings. These railings aren't nearly strong enough and can result in accident or injury. And of course the mold and mildew issue has not been resolved yet. Stay away from fiberglass decking products, they are very brittle. They don't take impact well.

   There is only one product that I have seen comes close. It is called Millennium Decking. It is wood powder encapsulated in some kind of a pvc/plastic mix. It is very hard, resists scratching, doesn't breakdown in the sun or by exposure to water, and will not mold or mildew. It has minimal expansion and contraction properties. It only comes in two colours Light grey and tan. What makes this one different from the rest is that it completely seals the wood joists from the elements keeping them dry and free of rot. This product is a little modern looking meaning that it doesn't look like wood but it will do what you want it to. Unfortunately, this stuff is more expensive than Trex. It is worth checking out if you are willing to make the investment.

   Good Luck

4. 
   woodguy99 | Dec 16, 2006 08:24pm | #5

   I haven't used any of the composites yet, but on the project I'm starting now we'll be making extensive use of this product:  http://www.correctdeck.com/

   They have a coating that's supposed to prevent mold and mildew stains, and their railing system looks better than any others out there.

1. 
   user-246028 | Dec 17, 2006 08:05am | #8

   Looks like a decent product. Keep in mind, the darker the colour, the more the material will expand and contract.

   Also, I have heard of a little trick to protect your joists in areas with alot of rain. Use either #15 roof felt or Ice and Water Shield Membrane. Cut into stips about 4" wide and place along the top of the joist. The theory being, if the water can't sit on top of the joist, it can't rot it out. I have never seen it done, but I think the idea may have some merrit.

   Does anyone care to comment on that one?

1. 
   woodlady | Dec 17, 2006 09:59am | #9

   I used strips of 30 felt on a deck 20 years ago, cut the felt a couple of inches wide and a few staples to hold it in place on top of the joist. so far so good, and I live in N. California.I also use it on the bottom of the posts where they meet the cement and/ or metal bracket in a sonotube. An old timer(my uncle)told me he used to put a copper penny at the bottom of posts to create an air space.

1. 
   MikeSmith | Dec 17, 2006 02:16pm | #10

    in wood: we've used PT SYP, mahogany ,  fir, Ipe', Alaskan Cedar,  & redwood. In all those we always gap our decking so they will drain well... now with the new ACQ, capping  the tops of our joists with 2" strips of Grace has become part of our SOP.... with the Ipe', we will probably not cap the joists

    

   in composites we've used Trex since they came out... we use their gapping guages to make sure we get side and end gaps....we haven't had any of the mildew complaints , but i have seen a lot of badly stained decks  especially in areas where they have an outdoor grill on the deck....

   we don't cap our joists when we're using composites..

   our experience with the Trex rail system was excellent , and we had no strength issues whatsoever

   we were favorably impressed with WeatherBest Rails...

   and we've had a lot of good experince with HD's New England  rails system

   TimberTech decking & rails was a good experience

   and we're about to try HD's composite decking for the first time..

   we use only  face fastened SS screws, i don't have any confidence in the EbTy system nor any of the other below deck systems.. too many alignment issues and holding issues relying on the screw holding power in one inch of decking material

   our wet /dry cycle is not  too bad.. we get about 40 inches of rain a year.. so if we pay attention to splash zones, drainage and gapping.. our decks get a good chance to dry out..

   for formal looking decks  our 1st choice would be Ipe' 5/4 x4  and a WeatherBest rail

   on my own deck i would choose Trex deck & railMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   user-246028 | Dec 17, 2006 06:20pm | #12

   Great response Mike,

   I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. Rott issues are a huge deal around here. From Decking to fences to exterior trim to landscape materials etc. We get a fair bit of rain in the spring and fall. Summer is typically high humidity.

   As far as Trex goes (in this environment) I have come across a lot of negative issues, the molding be the worst one. As far as the railing systems go, they won't even allow it in Ontario because it won't meet building code due to strength issues. The last time I heard anyway.

2. 
   user-246028 | Dec 17, 2006 06:31pm | #13

   As far as composite railings go, Premier Railings are the nicest that I have seen around here. Elegant design, available in several colours, and STRONG.

2. 
   Dave45 | Dec 17, 2006 05:12pm | #11

   I've used that trick (roofing paper) on a couple of decks and it seems to work well - although it just extends the life of the deck since the paper will eventually disintegrate.

   Northern CA is a bit unique since we get virtually all of our annual rainfall between December and May.  A deck will be damp for most of the winter, but stay bone dry all summer long.

   Another thing that I think helps preserve a deck is to keep the leaves and dirt cleaned out of the spaces between the deck boards.  I blast my deck with the hose a couple of times a year and make sure that the gaps are thoroughly cleaned out.  It seems to be working after six years.

1. 
   woodlady | Dec 17, 2006 09:49pm | #14

   thanks dave.the material for the deck was redwood, merch grade. And I think even perhaps some recycled redwood.I too clean out the spaces between the boards with a hose and /or flat metal bar about once a year or so.

5. 
   spikeit | Dec 16, 2006 08:51pm | #6

   The perfect deck material does not exist.Pavers might be a good alternative-little to maintain and durable.

6. 
   EricGunnerson | Dec 18, 2006 08:37am | #15

   I considered Brasilia, but I didn't like the fact that it's only a surface film. If you break through it, you're SOL.