Veranda brand composite decking
 

One of my to do projects is to replace the boards on our back deck . Currently they are 5/4 pressure treated that the previous owners didn't take care of and many are in poor shape . Option one is just replace with more PT decking and stain after it has weathered some . Option two is to replace with some brand of composite . Deck is aprox. 900 s.f. so it's quite a bit of product to purchase .

Received local Home Depot ad in the paper the other day and they are advertising Veranda brand composite decking @ $1.65 L.F. which is an attractive price . Went on the Veranda website and as expected they say they are leaders in the composite arena . Then checked reviews and they ranged from total garbage :( to greatest thing since sliced bread :D . I know there are many brands available and pricing is all over the board . Due to the amount I need and being retired price per foot is an important decision maker .

Around here Trex brand runs anywhere from $1.75 - $2.50 L.F. depending on where you buy and how much you purchase . Trex reviews online run the gamut just like Veranda . I believe every brand out there is made of recycled wood and plastic products so similar in overall design . So any of you guys used Veranda brand decking ? Or know anyone that has ? My plan is to redo the deck in the fall but if the Veranda is decent stuff I may move that project up . My concern with reusing wood is the upkeep every 5 years or so of pressure washing and then restaining . I'm not going to get any younger :D

I don't know veranda, but typically Home Depot pushes vendors so hard, the quality suffers. I know schlage & quickset locks, for example, are made differently.

For the small price difference, I would get Trex, from a lumberyard. Beat up the salesman.

If you want to extend life of the old deck, there are some heavy roll-on coverings that work well, but you are only prolonging the inevitable......

Other thing to know about home depot, if you are going to spend more than $1500 on a project, bring list to prodesk and they can usually send it to a 'bid room' for additional discount.

I am familiar with the heavy roll on goop but there are various class action law suits on that stuff :eek: Most complaints seem to be around the stuff not adhering or just looking like crap . But if you are rolling it onto wood that is crumbling what do you expect ? I am not interested in going this route .

On paper the composites seem to be a clear winner over wood , but then you look at all the complaints about composites like hot under foot , warping in the sun , color fading , easily scratched , easily gets mold but difficult to get rid of the mold and on and on it doesn't appear to be the majic elixir the vendors would have you believe . Our deck like all others gets used , we have grills and furniture on them ( imagine that ) :D We have grandchildren and dogs and the more research I do the less impressed I am with composites . I may have to bite the bullet and go with wood and keep vigilant with the cleaning and restaining :(

We did our deck last year, and I have to say composite is the way to go (over wood) we got super lucky as the Lowe’s had a 10% off sale and the vendor (It wasn’t trex but close, we used the Trex mounting hardware though) had a sale at the same time so we got about 30% off.

We did have supply issues though as some of them came scratched, so I think we did 3 returns in all. Lowe’s was fantastic to deal with.

Just have to finish the back steps, but really pleased with it.

Local builder has me specifying this for her.


AZEK Decking is Now Part of the TimberTech Family and Called TimberTech AZEK
https://www.timbertech.com/azek-decking

All I know about it is the PDF installation guide, it's very complete but if you only know timber you may have to re-learn a few things.

Who the heck came up with 10-inch on center spacing for stair and bench seating supports/runners?

That said, I am not a big fan of composites that wrap around a core requiring end-caps. I saw one of these, a first generation project (not mine) that just disintegrated.

I like the solid monolithic stuff for the reason it will not de-laminate, swell and burst as easily.

I've never head of Veranda.

Leave room for expansion and contraction per the installation manual, I've seen some poor installations.

I've built a lot of decks, wood and composite. Both have their pros and cons. As far as Veranda decking, ( which is HD's house brand), Ive never used it. My fave brand so far is Fiberon. All brands have there basic and high end products. Composites vary so much in quality, it is ridiculous.

I'm still a fan of wood over composites. I'd rather pay extra for a high quality wood over plastics.

If you plan to keep it awhile I wouldn't buy Home Cheapo.

Check out KDAT PT lumber. Very straight, limited knots, but is premium priced to normal PT lumber.

https://www.yellawood.com/resources/product-education/what-is-kdat/

The more I research composite decking the more my head wants to explode ! :eek: For you guys that still like wood material for decks , when you say pay for higher quality what do you mean ? Do you mean # 1 vs. # 2 grade of pine ? Or are you talking redwood or cedar vs. pine ? I'm heading to HD later to actually see and feel this Veranda product . I believe they also have another brand in house so I can compare . Then I'll hit some local lumber yards to see what they have to offer , either composite or wood . I'm in no rush I prefer to get educated first then shop around for best value . I appreciate all the feedback so far thanks .

Southern yellow pine has a good rep if you maintain it. I don't like decks for that reason, but they make sense at a lot of houses.

Another thought. Look for some used lumber. You have a sturdy truck so get a stout rack. Then buy a planer and go to work. Sure, you can buy reclaimed lumber but you pay as much or more than new. So, let's say you find enough SYP in 2 x 6 and you make your own 5/4. One side and dress the corners with a router and you'll have a great seasoned deck. Just needs some kind of renewable finish.

AFA planers go, they sell for around 200 here in good shape. I'm talking about Makita, Detla, DeWalt and the like. NO HF crap. 30 bucks for new blades and you're all set. Or, HSS blades and you sharpen them (which is recommended for old lumber). You'll need a decent magnet to locate nails, etc. These tools are good to have around anyway.

You could look at HD for a rental planer. IDK if your local has them. But if you can't run the lumber in a day, then cheaper to buy in the long run (no pun intended).

Edit: there is a disassembled cedar deck in Marietta on CL.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mat/d/marietta-cedar-lumber-boards-2x6-posts/6869016512.html

If you go with wood that needs treatment, I've recommended a treatment on here several times (so I won't take up space her about it again) that is great quality.

Marv I'm ok if you post it one more time :D Can you just give me the name and I'll research ? Thanks

Milt what you said has lots of value but for me too much work . I'm burning the candle on both ends with too many projects , at some point I have to start enjoying retirement :D The deck runs the entire length of the house so aprox. 60 ' in length . It is a nice space and adds value to the home in my opinion . But the deck boards are split/warped/cracked due to poor installation with nails way too close to edges/ends and negligence from previous owners on staining or sealing . Fortunately the structure is rock solid .

The mosy important question to research is the composite percentage.
Trex is 2/3 wood and 1/3 plastic.
Fiberon is the reverse, 1/3 wood and 2/3 plastic.
I did my deck in Fiberon and all clad with vinyl siding and railings (totally maintenance free)
Power wash twice a year and thats it.......
I also used the clip type fasteners so no visible screws or nails.
It's been about 20 years now and the products have stayed as good as new.
Not too hot to walk on, easy to care for, we love it. The finished look is outstanding!!
Notes: the lengths are heavy, they flex considerably and need good support, clips require stainless screws, labor is about 50% more than tradional wood construction.
BTW Fiberon used to be a HD product.

myself, been a wood butcher all my life, so use wood.

I have about 1400 sq ft of cedar deck that after 35 yrs, time to replace. Do I treat the wood, yes, first time on install and it will then turn gray. We keep the snow off, I snowblow the snow off. The wood of choice is western cedar 5/4, the joists underneath are 2 x 6 treated at 16'' center.

I have contemplated other wood but cedar wins on price.

How far apart are your joists?

Some composites won't span as far as wood without noticeable bending.

I think you nailed it ( pun intended ;) ) on the composite , the higher percentage of plastics vs. wood dust equals a better product . My research shows cheaper products tend to be plastic skinned on top and sides with the bottom not covered so exposed to moisture which can rot/mold . I also didn't realize your supposed to treat the ends with a waterproofer during installation . Or at least that's what some guys are saying . I will continue to try and get smart on this stuff .

16 " on center which is what composites require .

Good suggestion on the cedar , we want grey as a final color so natural greying and add a grey stain may be a good way to go . Thanks

We installed an upper deck out of TimberTech AZEK Kach suggested. Its ok, but not my cup of tea. I dislike plastic. They feel like P lam or Pergo floor to me. Its been OK so far.

For lumber, I really like Ipe. Absolutely bullet proof. Fire rated too. 5/4 would be my suggestion.

Did the deck for my neighbor a couple door from me out of Mangaris. Very similar to Ipe, but not as dark and dense. They are all pretty tough lumber and very decay resistant. Love those wood deck. You gotta maintain it once every couple of years. I have not done any maintenance to my own ipe deck in about 10 years. Its been fine, no issues. a little cleaning or oil, its good as new.

I did a very large Brazilian redwood deck on my last house. Lots of maintenance but loved it.

My current house I did a very large Azek deck. No maintenance but don't love it as much as the hardwood.

The hardwood is much more expensive now though that when I did it back in 2006.

I also went with a Brazilian hardwood but I wouldn't if I had the choice again. Too many quirks with wood for the price. It looks good but only with yearly maintenance, and I think calling it a "weathered" look is a realtor term, if you don't maintain it turns to an old grey look.

Obviously a personal preference but the low maintenance and ease of installation would make me choose composite of I had the chance to do it again.

Agree bio.

My ex still lives in the house and she does not maintain it like I did.

I installed a Tigerwood deck this past summer. After the installation I coated it with Ice Oil, which darkened it a bit. looks good after a really rainy Fall and damp winter. The gaps have not changed and the boards are still flat to the joists. The price was about $3.75 per board foot. the wood was pretty easy to work with and is about as hard as Brazilian Cherry.

Mike

Just got back from HD after looking at the Veranda and Fiberon composite they stock . Both are only coated on the top and sides with an uncoated ridged bottom . I asked the " lumber expert " that was there about the two brands and he stated he wouldn't buy either one ! Specifically for the reason that it's not coated/sealed on all four sides . My research will continue .

^this.

Family used to have a cheap white composite deck I would take care of.
The unsealed ends would turn dark green/brown from the mildew prevalent in the area.

Every year I would power wash for a couple of days...high power and slow moving and a very big water bill...and at the very edge of cutting through the harder plastic surface.
(I should have been spraying everything down with Wet-N-Forget during those dry spells.)
(I should have also been thinking about sealers.)

It also got rained on by a neighbor's sappy pine in one spot which left major divot scars.

If there are environmental factors around which require cleaning often, consider the bigger picture and what product will work best.
My covered pine porch with Cabots australian oil stain looks pretty dang good but outside in the direct sun and snow the same product doesn't seem to do as well.

Update: On Saturday my wife and I stopped by our local lumber yard and it turns out they do not stock any composite decking . However they sell and can order Trex brand . So I gave the guy my name and number to get back with me . He just called me , the middle of the road Trex is 50.00 per 20 ' board and the top of the line is 80.00 per 20 ' board ............. and NEITHER one is coated on all four sides ! Not sure who the lumber yard salesman spoke to ( local rep or factory or ? ) but that person stated that no Trex products are coated on all four sides . Also stated that the un-coated bottom side will NOT absorb moisture , supposedly their glues and processing during manufacturing = a non absorbent sub structure . The coating per them is for looks and UV protection .

I am going to assume ( uh-oh :D ) that this person knew what they were talking about . If that's the case then I should shop around for the best price which so far is $1.75 L.F. for Trex . I know there are brands out there that are coated on all four sides , but the pricing takes them out of my league . So my plan for now is to shop local lumber processing plant which makes their own pressure treated products to see what their conventional 5/4 PT decking costs . I will compare to the Trex and then make a decision .

Right now I'm at the stage of " paralysis by analysis " :( and I need to make a decision . Thanks for letting me rant :D

Everytime I see Trex mentioned I wonder if I am the unluckiest guy or how on earth some of you get a totally different experience...

I had trex twice, Once in FL voluntarily ( bought it) - that stuff is heavy as hell BTW. After a couple years it started making waves and drooping between supports (built to spec, not too spaced out).

Then I moved back to Cal, and inherited more trex on my upper deck. Looked fine at first. Couple years later, same deal, it looks like waves on the ocean, it bends/drops between support beams... As far as I am concerned it's total *$hite* - there's about one 1ft between supports and it's still sagging in between. Real wood for me going forward, maintenance and all - the downstairs deck is redwood and the same age, and it's still straight !

Depending on the material, 5/4 is too thin for decking unless its Ipe or some type of dense tropical hardwood. Domestic lumber needs to be 1 1/2" thick to prevent bounce

My current wood deck is 5/4 pressure treated decking there is no bounce . After all 5/4 decking is made for ............. decks ! If the previous owners would have slathered on some preservative or stain every 5 years we wouldn't be having this conversation at all .

I just did weardeck on my dock and it's exceptional

Fiberglass reinforced decking

https://www.decks-docks.com/weardeckhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1555959550.jpg

So today I went to HD again to chat one more time , they stated ALL Trex is only coated on 3 sides and Trex's view point is they don't do the bottom because the boards have to off gas when they get hot . Yeah OK that's possible . Then we talked a product called Moisture Shield Vantage which is some super duper encased on all four sides composite . Per the guy behind the " pro desk " it is the only product certified for salt water exposure on docks . OK that's great but I'm not building a dock :D

Anyway for 80 boards 20 ' long it would be $4400.00 and then have to purchase the hidden screws/clips ! Then I drove to a local lumber liquidator I have used in the past . They sell Trex and their price on the 80 boards 20 ' long of the Trex Select with the install screws/clips is $5259.05 including tax .


So I'm tapping out on composite , my research shows there are too many negatives to offset the cost . I will go with # 1 grade PT pine and be done with it .

Last summer I replaced some of the original yellow pine decking on the front porch after 20 years. The only bad ones were those with knots, so I got nice clear yellow pine (not cheap) and the decking looks like new. The back deck is the same clear yellow pine material and still looks great. We just slap some heavy stain on every 5 years or so. My neighbor put in a new, huge deck with Trex and it is already wavy in spots, but he wanted the no maintanence ever feature.

I have bought 2 x 6 Trex in the past and it was the same on all 4 sides. The top is grained.

I have used Trex a few times to replace door sills that were buried in brick. People don't understand that you don't build a brick patio that captures the door sill. But Trex saved the situation at least for some years. I give it 10 to 20 depending. I used the smooth bottom side up as door sills aren't typically textured. Same coating.