Replies

1. 
   DonK | Jul 04, 2007 06:17pm | #1

   No way would I risk my life with PT lumber on an 8' span. The stuff they sell for PT around here would warp, twist and sag so much in a week that you wouldn't be able to walk from one side to another. I bought some 4x4's last week and I swear I could have built a round gazebo with them after one week.

   Others may have different feelings. Good luck with your quest.

   Don K.

   EJG Homes    Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

1. 
   djh | Jul 05, 2007 05:34pm | #6

   DonK,

   Thanks for the response. The original material was 3x6 doug fir. I have the same warping concerns with the pt. We have a plan "B": spanning the girders with 2x6's @ 16oc and using 5/4 decking. We are limited by door swings as to how deep (thick?) we can make this.

   Thanks,

   Don

2. 
   Geoffrey | Jul 05, 2007 07:11am | #2

   DJH

   Got any pics?    Where's your Deck House located?

   Ditto what the previous poster said regarding PT, not a good option.

                                                                                      Geoff

3. 
   Piffin | Jul 05, 2007 07:56am | #3

   Cosmeticly and practicaly it is not a good option, but the question you ask is structurally.

   To have any idea, you have to start with what the required live loid ie. snow load is for your area. You can click on your name and fill in your profile, or you can tell us that here in this thread.

   IMO, it is better to reframe and use some nice dceking

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   djh | Jul 05, 2007 05:40pm | #7

   Piffin,

   Thanks for the input. The existing material was 3x6 doug fir and after 30+ years about 30% is rotted. There has never been an issue with the existing as far as bounce/deflection etc. If we go with the 4x6pt I'll need a bunch of 6" piffin screws.

   Thanks,

   Don

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Jul 05, 2007 06:46pm | #8

   Is the decking square edged, or T&G?

   Bear Creek Lumber, Winthrop, WA, will ship you some nice 3x6 in WRC, and you would probably be good for another thirty to forty years.

   Another choice from them would be Alaskan yellow cedar, smelly to work with, beautiful to behold.  Here is what they say about durability:

   "Durability: Resists weather, rot, termites and corrosion from acid solutions. Has 2 1/2 times the life expectancy of Douglas Fir in vats and flumes."

   Edited 7/5/2007 11:49 am ET by Gene_Davis

1. 
   djh | Jul 07, 2007 02:54pm | #11

   Gene,

   Thanks for the info. The bro-in-law has decided to go with 4x6 pt and wants to get it done by Sunday (Good luck!)

   Don

2. 
   Piffin | Jul 05, 2007 09:38pm | #10

   "I'll need a bunch of 6" piffin screws."Don't forget to send mucho dinero with your order 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   Gene_Davis | Jul 05, 2007 03:33pm | #4

   We lived in a Deck House in St. Charles, MO.  Had it for three years.  Set in a woodland lot, most of the entire back of the house was glass and faced a scene of shade from huge oaks, with a miraculous understory of dogwood and redbud.

   The view from inside, in the spring, was like a Monet painting.

1. 
   IdahoDon | Jul 05, 2007 04:59pm | #5

   You could easily use ipe to span the distance and end up with a flat surface.  There is a government website somewhere with the load ratings for it if the inspector needs some info on the stuf.

     

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

5. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 05, 2007 07:34pm | #9

   DJH,

   I am wondering if it is possible for you to header off between the existing beams and add joist to the structure using more hangers .

   If this is possible then you can reduce the span of your decking to 4' fairly easily.

   There also used to be a "Super Deck" a laminated T&G decking that was made up of 3 plys of 3/4" material with the center ply offset to make the T&G. I used it on 8' spans with no problem but it was not weather exposed.

   "Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca

1. 
   djh | Jul 07, 2007 02:56pm | #12

   Dovetail,

   That was quickly ruled out as an option because it interfers with the view of the lake from the windows below.   Ah well, they never said it would be easly.

   Don