Skool Me on Deck / Materials

[asphaltgambler]

Our new (to us) home has a @16' X16' deck built from pressure treated lumber. It has seen better days; specifically the deck (flooring) where the previous owners were oblivious to any maintenance of any kind.

After inspection, the framing, posts and structure are very good overall. I'd like to replace the flooring and top railing with something that looks nice. I've looked into composite decking but there seems to be an issue with staining and sun fading over the years.

I then came across 'Tiger-wood' deck material where I like the look but don't know about the long haul wear-ability.

Of course money may be an issue, It would be a fairly simple DIY I think.

Anyone have experience with these products?

[Paul K]

We had a deck built from ipe, pronounced eepay. Hard as all get up, looks great. Spendy but I'd do it again.

[afterburn 549]

Some information-
The formula for wood rot - 50% wet 50 % of the time. It is a fungus that sucks the sugar and good stuff out of real wood.
Cedar has a natural tendency to not rot so fast.
Treated stuff will last a small forever .
From here you go to artificial stuff.

[williecoyote]

Nothing lasts forever.

Treated wood decking is about 1/3 the cost of the synthetic stuff.
It will probably last a good 20 years.

I have just finished installing 5000 square feet of Trex decking. You have to allow for expansion and contraction with it. It looks great now, but I honestly don't know how long that will last.

That said, if you really love the Tiger Wood, then go for it.
16 x 16 isn't so huge that it makes much difference.

Congrats on your new home!

[afterburn 549]

Purple heart . I do not think there is anything is tougher (or perhaps pricier )

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Some information-
The formula for wood rot - 50% wet 50 % of the time. It is a fungus that sucks the sugar and good stuff out of real wood.
Cedar has a natural tendency to not rot so fast.
Treated stuff will last a small forever .
From here you go to artificial stuff.

I used PT 8 years ago on mine. It's in the sun all day and it's already rotting.

[afterburn 549]

WOW!
They make crappy everything now.
We used to call this stuff green death , but even with the weaker version(s) this stuff used regularly will kill the rot.
It used to be mostly a mixture of copper . Not sure now
https://www.cuprinol.co.uk/products/5_star_complete_wood_treatment_(wb).jsp

[Noah930]

My parents have a poolside deck made of Trex that gets sun almost all day long here in LA. They've had it for about 10 years and it looks like crap. The surface of some planks looks like it's bubbling--almost as if it was rusting.

My boss had a deck made of another synthetic material (looks more plasticky than Trex) and it dis colored so badly (dark patches that looked like mold) that he had them re-do it.

I'd look into the ipe suggestion above. Have only heard good things about its durability.

[look 171]

My number 1 choice is Ipe, Mangarias, or Red Balau. In that order and pricing too.

Milk jug material or Trex, all have different grades. The original Trex had issues but later ones are much better. There are new companies out there that are making them look so much like lumber if you are looking from 4 feet away. Then there's the no name imports imports. I wouldn't put those thing in my worst enemy's home. its a waste of time and money. Personally, I dislike Trex. I don't use or build too many decks with milk jug deckings so I can't really suggest anything. This is just by talking with my suppliers and they give me tips on this stuff.

We just finished a deck for my neighbor a few housed away. Its a Mangarias deck with huge timber as support down below. We over built it for a none flex deck. Its up pretty high.


No, that ain't me. I am much uglier then that.

[911boost]

I built my last one out of Brazilian redwood, was a lot of work due to its density, but it's easy to refinish.

Was pissed to leave the deck when I got divorced.

[afterburn 549]

Peace bro. Peace is worth all the deck you could have.
Plus, you can at some point build another one.

[VincentVega]

I just installed some synthetic decking that looks like ipe. I love the look but wasnt interested in the maintenance/refinishing required of actual ipe. For large areas I prefer wood. You can usually order a better quality from a lumber yard. You can stain it whatever color/shade you like. No special fasteners or tools required. Not the look everyone is going for but if you go with a good material and give it a little love it wont break and will be good for years.

[berettafan]

so what are the maintenance requirements of Ipe, etc?

our deck is PT and just looks tired and gray after about 9 years.

[VincentVega]

I'm sure its dependant on sun exposure but a friend in our area skipped his yearly oiling and it looks like chit. He was going for the dark as installed look, now its weathered like untreated teak or cedar.

[Evans, Marv]

I built a 12x12 deck years ago out of "prime" redwood. It was screwed down with deck screws. I tried a couple of stains/finishes & finally found one that lasted, which I have recommended on here a couple of times. It was a lot of work but after about five or six years, I took the decking up & turned it over and lightly belt sanded it & treated it. Years later I did the same to the original side I had turned down. Seemed like a normal way to do it & keep the wood looking good.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by berettafan

so what are the maintenance requirements of Ipe, etc?

our deck is PT and just looks tired and gray after about 9 years.

Oil it right before winter. if you really want, oil it in the spring.

You really should pressure wash it, but I of it to my own Ipe deck. I don't take care of my own deck and it get a coat of oil and pressure washed one time in 10 years that I have had it. Its still in very god shape. I use a deck wash to get rid of some of the darker color. Pi gets deep dark brown over the years. I don't know how it holds up in other climates aroudn the country, but in Sunny Socal, there's really not to much that can do much damage.

[Deschodt]

Don't use Trex. That's all the advice I have. I chose it once (hard to clean if clear color), inherited it second time. In both cases, after a few years it sags between the support beams, even if they are spaced very close, and you have a wavy deck... it's insane, like it's made of rubber!!! Real wood is more maintenance, but it's real and stays decent if treated...
Also Trex is super heavy ad requires overbuilding under the deck..

[Evans, Marv]

I found (at least with decks I've had) it helps to wash them down once in a while. I used a mist spray followed with something like car washing soap (gentle) with a soft brush, finished with a gentle wash off of water. Particulate matter settles on the planks and adheres to them degrading the finish. If left long enough a black, sort of sooty looking layer will form which gets harder to remove the longer it's left on. Keeping them clean seems to add life to any type of decking material.

[911boost]

Oh, I am peaceful about it now....

My new house has a large deck with some composite material that is chalky, if you touch it, you get dirty, and it is wavy.

Summer of 2017 the plan is to completely rebuild and reshape the deck, using a quality wood. Yes there is maintenance, but I prefer the look and feel of it.

Bill

[Hugh R]

Marv

True, just like car finishes, the "grit" in SoCal is mostly silica and is like little magnifying glasses. Best you can do is hose it off once a week.

I only have slate-type stuff on the patio exteriors of my current house.