How hard & expensive is it to use steel framing for a Trex deck in fire country?
I live in fire country in Northern California. I would like to make the 8′ x 30′ wooden deck next to my house as fireproof as possible. I’m planning on replacing the decking with fire-proof Trex (or possibly DreamDex, a polymer-infused pine decking lumber that is Class A fire rated and looks more natural than Trex).
I’m concerned that in the ember storms that can accompany large fires, the current deck framing (beams & diagonal braces) could also catch embers on it’s top surfaces and catch on fire. So, I’ve just begun looking into steel deck framing as an alternative. The websites I’ve found seem to all be for suppliers in Colorado, though it seems like a useful product for California, too.
Does anyone have experience with steel framing who can comment on the relative cost & difficulty of using steel over wood?
Replies
Your idea would sound nutty to a squirrel in a peanut butter factory.
Trex .... Trex is made of plastic scrap and sawdust. I can't think of a better way to ensure that your home burns down; I doubt the 'factory logs' you buy for your fireplace burn as well as Trex does.
Instead, you should be thinking in terms of decking made of steel, or a cement-based product.