A friend wants this furniture and cabinet maker to help her replace a wooden deck here in San Diego. I’m OK with the work, but unfamiliar with manmade decking (the structural elements are all intact and appear to be properly constructed).
I need your help with the selection of decking materials. Here are the ones she’s considering:
Rhino Deck
Evergrain
Weatherbest
TimberTech
Trex Deck
Correct Deck
Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
IMO any of the brands you've named are all exellent choices. Trex is the biggest and most popular brand choosen overall. They all go on fast and easy. However, follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines. These products expand and contract quite a bit more than wood. If improperly install you can get some disasterous results come summer.
Thanks, Lou.
Good points, well worth paying attention to.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I'm also considering (or was) doing the same but the more I read the more I think I'll stay with wood. One consideration I've seen listed by many who post here is the hot surface in thesun and affects of that; bare feet, sagging if not supported properly (smaller than normal spans). Especially San Diego, you do get a tad more than most of us.
...keep smiling...makes 'em wonder what you're up to !!
The previous deck boards were eaten by insects (though the pressure-treated sub-structure was unaffected), thus, her desire for decking that's "critterproof."
She's also concerned with the potential health risks PT decking may pose to kids, pets, and adults walking barefoot.
What have the rest of you got to say about the effects of heat, both under foot and with respect to expansion and contraction?
Thanks,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Ipe` with hidden fastners. No pests, won't burn, cuts like wood since it is wood, and you can use a thinner wood. I used 5/4" on an angle and spanned 34" no problem.But if you do go with man-made, one of the difference is apperance. For example, Trex does not have a grain pattern. Be sure to show your friend samples.
Hi Bryan,
Ipe' would be my choice if it were my deck. I plan on taking her shopping so she can see firsthand what the various choices look like - and cost.
The most recent review of decking materials I was able to find in FHB was in the June/July 2000 issue. I'd swear one was publiched more recently, but I'll be darned if I can find it!
Thanks for the heads up,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
There is definitely a more current review. I remember reading it since we moved, and that was August of 2003. We were still in the apartment, which we moved out of in January 2005. so it should be in that 17 month span. I thought there was some sort of article search mechanism on the web site?
I've used the Timberteck tongue and groove and it's nice. All the fasteners are hidden except the final row. It can be installed on 24" centers because of it's profile and it is quite expensive, so it must be good.
I'd use it on my own deck.
Grunge on. http://grungefm.com
Edited 5/9/2006 10:00 pm ET by RRooster
Wow! If it's grungy enough for you, it's gotta be good! <g>
Thanks for the insight,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
"One consideration I've seen listed by many who post here is the hot surface in thesun and affects of that; bare feet, sagging if not supported properly (smaller than normal spans). "
Yes, there are some issues to consider but these are all superficial and minor! When installed properly, you will have a maintenance free deck for the rest of your life.
I build quite a few decks a year and my first suggestion to my customers is to go with manmade decking. Cedar and Redwood are fine, they look great, but high traffic will take their toll on these softwoods as will nature in a few years. Wood products mean maintenance, yearly, generally not a desirous activity. Treated decking is the cheapest but you get what you pay for and thus is not on my recommendation list but it is what most people choose. 100% of the time, I tell my customers that you will not be happy with the deck within a years time and 100% of the time I'm right! Treated decking, in general, is very poor and twists, bows , pulls in unpredicable ways that make it undesireable.
Thanks Lou,
I don't know if you can name names but are there particular brands you prefer for a marine environment? Washington coast, mild temps, the usual amount of precip. Practically no COLD weather. Or maybe your top 3 rankings.
bum
...keep smiling...makes 'em wonder what you're up to !!
There was a good article in FHB about 6-8 months ago comparing several different brands.
As noted, the composit decking does not tolerate long spans. 16" is max, and 12" is better. 24" will result in noticable sagging of the decking, and I think most manufacturers require 16" or less. If you have joists at 16" and then try to lay the decking on a diagonal, it won't work.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks for the input, Fast Eddie.
I'll make sure to add to the structure to prevent sagging.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
JLC Live is in Anaheim next week. If it's anything like the one in RI a few weeks ago there'll be more than plenty of deck materials and demo's going on. If you can get there for a day you should have all of questions answered.
-Norm