Deck flooring

[ED21]

I need to replace the worn out splintery pressure treated deck boards at my house.<br />The composite decking material like Trex looks interesting.<br />Does anyboby have any experience with it. What do you think of the way it looks, how it holds up & feels on your feet.<br />I know it's a bit expensive, but I haven't priced it against 5/4 deck boards.<br />If I don't have to stain & seal yearly, that would be worth something.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Deck flooring

Be prepared for sticker shock when you price it out. I am not sure it has been out long enough to see how it actually lasts against the weather and fading.<br /><br />Bob

 

[JRJ]

Re: Deck flooring

My decks have all been wood and I'll go trex if I build another. I don't think trex looks as good as wood but I like the no maintenance Looks like it holds up very well.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Deck flooring

Agree with JRJ.. It cuts and holds screws just like wood, but no maintenance. <br /><br />Around here, some people just use it for the horizontal surfaces to save money. Of course, when you do that, your deck is two different colors, so if you do that, you might want to pick two colors that contrast a lot so it looks artistic instead of two different kinds of wood..

 

[Barlow]

Re: Deck flooring

Trex is a good product but, it WILL weather (fade) but, its' composite properties (wood and 'plastic') allow for it to accept slight stain if the coloration fades beyond a persons liking. <br /><br />is it worth it to you ?? you need to be the judge of that.<br /><br />I've got personal ties to the owners of Strandex here in Madison Wi and Terry has done some pretty good things (technically) for the industry concerning composites. <br /><br />I'm biased to composites for maintainance reasons but, its situational to design and a personal like/dislike matter.<br /><br />Heres a good read on the basis of composites from a USDA Foresrty Research Engineer.. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2000/clemo00b.pdf <br /><br />.. tons of good products out there! get some samples and literature from a 'Pro-Build' lumber yard and take some time looking 'em over especially the 'specs' and warranty.<br /><br />note: do a structural analysis before hand to see if you're framing is in GOOD condition.. no sense in buying premium decking if your structure is poor. <br /><br /><br />also-- look at Iron Wood decking .. this stuff is handsome and tough as nails! ya pay for it tho.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Deck flooring

Originally posted by jsfinn:<br /> Agree with JRJ.. It cuts and holds screws just like wood... <br /><br />

actually.. better than wood

 

[ED21]

Re: Deck flooring

I could cover the band board with the composite, so it looks the same.<br />The railings are another story.<br />I'm actually adding a 8'x16' addition too that will need some rails. I could reuse the old rails along with some new. The rails aren't in the best shape, but are reusable.<br />If I replace the rails & go all composite it should look nice. Maybe to much money though.<br />Want to be sure I'll be happy w/ product if I think it's worth the extra money.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Deck flooring

my neighbor built a huge deck with the "wood plastic" solid lumber. Might have been trex, but I can't remember. The only problem he had was that the deck rail top plate was made from a 2x6 vertical with a 2x6 horizontal on top ("T" shapped) and it still sagged over time. He ended up building these slat fan looking decorative inserts that went between the 4x4 posts to support the rail between 4x4's. Looks great, no rot, no painting, and the floor is strong enough to span 16" o/c without sagging.<br /><br />One thing I didn't like was that the screws were run down until they sunk into the boards. You can't see the tops of the screws, but it left little "volcano" looking blemishes where ever a screw was. <br /><br />I would use it on my next deck.