I’m sure it has been discussed here before, but I will ask anyway.
Looking to put in about 900 sq. ft. of Cumara outside decking, it is a peruvian hardwood similar to ipe.
I have been warned that cutting it at fastening it can be a big pain.
The deck will be a second story deck with a six foot wide staircase going down about 7 feet to a landing on the ground.
I plan on having doug fir joists 24″ o.c. which will cantilever the girder 18″ or so.
access to a small part of the deck from underneath will not be available so alot of the hidden fastener ideas won’t work. please let me know about the ones that will though. although i’m not too concerned about hiding the fastners.
so any suggestions, stories, gripes, warnings, and opinions are greatly appreciated.
by the way if i could figure out how to post pics i would but neither the attach files or copy and paste functions never seem to work for me.
Replies
Greetings cannon,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
every court needs a jester
Have a few good carbide blades around, Ipe is dense and tough on blades. I built a deck several years ago with "Ironwood," which I think is another name for Ipe. They also had a sealer (also called Ironwood somethign or other) for all your cut ends. For fastening, I had 2 drills set up, one to predrill, one for screws. Predrilling is necessary.
I'm sure someone can be of more use to you, but this should at least bump it.
A good sealant for the cut ends is necessary- I've used anchorseal before.
Buy extra drill bits for predrilling- countersinks like the ones headcote sells are nice- they're set at a certain depth, so the screws come out consistent. Spend the money for stainless fasteners- if your deck is going to last that long, you might as well have good fasteners holding it down.
Wear a dust mask when cutting the stuff.
Don't skimp on the number of screws- it will want to move.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Buy a bunch of Smart Bits and trimhead ss screws and take your time tuff stuff