Replies

1. 
   calvin | Mar 12, 2010 05:28am | #1

   Why do you consider a wood deck unacceptible for a gas grill?  The chance of a fire is pretty limited.  More chance of melting your vinyl siding (if that is the case).

   The biggest complaint I would have is the poor grease containment on many grills.

   There is (was) aluminum decking, I've seen this used in commercial applications.  Pavers on a deck add weight so your frame should be built accordingly if the added wt. comes into play.  Add to that the need to waterproof the frame underneath-trapped moisture is no friend to framing (treated or not).

2. 
   DanH | Mar 12, 2010 08:05am | #2

   Yeah, your bigger danger with a gas grill is melting vinyl siding.  Deck fires only occur when someone does something stupid, like trying to deep-fry a turkey.

   The simplest thing I can think of, if you're paranoid about it, is to lay down a sheet of plastic lattice (as a spacer) with a sheet of cement board over it.  (But be sure to keep the grill at least 3 feet beyond the eave overhang.)

3. 
   Homewright | Mar 21, 2010 09:57am | #3

   Rather than changing an entire deck's surface to accomodate your grill, what about setting up a specific grill area with stone or tile beneath it just off the deck footprint.  It would be a dedicated area which you could transform into an outdoor kitchen.  The change from decking material to kitchen area would be both functional and aesthetically a nice touch.  Just a heads up...  If you chose to deck with metal, are you in an area where it would fry your feet in mid summer?  This is one of the lesser discussed drawbacks to composite decking but believe me, you won't be walking barefoot across it on a sunny summer day.

4. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 21, 2010 11:16am | #4

   You could use ipe' decking. It would be very hard to burn it with the grill or otherwise...