-
deck building
I'm looking at building a deck (16X24 - 6-11' off the ground) this year. All the marketing sure says that Composite is the way to go, but not much of a track record to proove it. What do you all say? [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
I'm concerned about sagging, stains from a late night spilled glass of wine, curling, etc. But the new treated stuff may not hold up huh. Cedar deck in Ohio? What about Cedar vs composite?
I'm also wanting to go with vinyl railing & spindles like the front porch on my house.
-
Re: deck building
Shade; I've seen and heard good things about the composite except for the price. The new ACQ, myself, I'm not sure of it yet. Why not the cedar, I've used it in Michigan, but then the price on it also. If you choose cedar or ACQ, be sure to use stainless fasteners with both, and also stainless hardware.
I think the biggest concern would be the vinyl railings. I think you need a 200# rated sideload requirement with the height of your deck. Also no openings greater than 4" and railings will have to be 36" high per code. But since your in that other country of Ohio, check with your local building dept. I've said it before, and will again, the building dept. is paid to HELP you and local codes vary. Good luck, and keep us posted, with photos too ofcourse. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
The first time I 'met' a real composite deck in 'person', I noticed two things right away.
1. It was hot. That stuff seems to really hold the heat.
2. It had a big grease stain from last year's barbeque accident.
As the composite was that light gray stuff, the grease spot was REALLY noticeable, and NOT pretty. The owner said they had not been able to clean it up.
I really like all the pluses of the composite as far as the maintenance goes, but that big grease spot scares me every time I think of using the stuff. OTOH, I was at some rich person's house a couple of weeks ago, and they had a deck of the stuff that had more square feet than my house (no exaggeration!) and it looked great.
Dunno what I'll do when I have the money for a deck, but I know I'll think about the low maintenance and I'll think about that grease spot. [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
I wonder if anyone tried detergent solution sprayed from a pressure washer? Maybe a detergent with enzymes to eat the grease...
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
Or a beagle, beagles love to lick up grease spots.
-
Re: deck building
I don't know what all they tried (they said they'd tried 'everything'), but I'm quite sure a dog wasn't going to clean it up. That stuff is porous, and the grease had made itself right at home DOWN IN the material. I felt it to get an idea of how cleanable it might be, and it felt barely greasy. But it sure was noticeable.
-
Re: deck building
I was kidding, I figured from what you said the grease had penetrated and stained the deck material.
I considered using the composite decking boards, but as I was adding on to an existing deck and wanted it to match somewhat I just used pressure treated southern yellow pine.
The composite stuff is also quite a bit more expensive.
Regarding maintenance, my wife promised to do the yearly wood treatment on the deck now in exchange for having a nicer, bigger deck.
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
Oh. Duh. [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]
Your wife is going to do the maintenance? Can I talk to you about land in Florida? I've got this bridge, here, too...
[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
Ahh, well I don't really figure she will do the deck washing and treating routine.
I kind of knew I was being sold some swampland on that deal, but what the heck, the deck is nice to sit on...
-
Re: deck building
Yeah, sometimes the best thing to do is walk into one of these swindles with our eyes wide shut.
[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
I have been kicking around composite for a new deck we may put in. I saw a light brown deck the other day with a grease stain near the bbq and I agree......not so pretty. The owner was pretty frustrated because they too had not been able to get it out.
The other thing that seemed odd was that, where their Shephard would lay down there seemed to be this general smudge. I wonder if the oils from his fur were getting on the deck. You sure could see it on the wall at that same spot.
I might have to rethink the composite thing if there is no good way to clean it.
Mark
-
Re: deck building
<font color="red">WOW</font color>
Have I found the answer! THIS is what the Doctor ordered for decking!
No, I have no idea what it costs. I'm sure I can't afford it! [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]
Ohhh, but is it purty! [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
-
Re: deck building
BlueRidge,
Holy cow!!! Here is the price list for that stuff.
A 2x6 of that stuff costs $4.59 a foot. That's $36.72 for a single 8' board. [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
It is pretty though...
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: deck building
Shade,
Attached is a pic of the deck we built for the neighbor. He had thought of composite but it was cost prohibitive. Using PT, it came out nice. It's since been stained.
Brian
-
Re: deck building
Holy moly thats a big and nice deck. If you painted a circle on that one part, a helicopter might land by accident.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: deck building
Thanks.
Shade2u2
What are your plans for below the deck? Since the one we built is similar, I'm going to post a couple more pics to see if they provide any ideas.
Here's an older picture of the lower level. On the left side a room is going in that goes from the chimney to the back of the house for a small workshop/storage area. From the chimney towards the front of the house, it's only about 3' high. In this area, he put in a wood floor and is using for storage of misc. outdoor "stuff" (off season kids toys and such).
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: deck building
This pic shows the ceiling we put in the lower level.
Keeps it nice and dry on bad weather days. It's got a pitch of about 2" to let the rain come out.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: deck building
Last pic.
Shows concrete floor, ceiling, gutters and such.
-
Re: deck building
Good looking deck! I like the ceiling. Is it that underdeck aluminum stuff?
What do you do with the run off? Gutter?
-
Re: deck building
The ceiling is 28 gauge tin (pre-painted) that was intended to be roof panels.
On the run-off, yes, there are gutters. (Can be seen on the left side of the last picture).