Composite Decking or Real wood

[5495bb]

I'm in the process of rebuilding the deck on my cabin in Idaho and need some advice regarding the surface.
I've always used 2 x 6 cedar on my decks and have gotten plenty of years out of it. This deck is 22 yo. and has done well in a very wet climate. Now however the price of cedar is exorbitant so I'm thinking of using a composite. The deck is built with 16" centers, is 450 sq ft. in size and is 4' off the ground.
My main concerns are warpage and the surface getting slick. I also have to consider all the extra costs associated with composite trim/finishing pieces and the fasteners.
Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[dad911]

All we do now is composite. Hidden fasteners. I like these, as you can remove a middle board if necessary.



Border and stairs I use boards w/o the slot, and put slots in where needed with a biscuit jointer tool.

We also use the rubber joist tape on the top of the old joists, it really extends their life.

[Brian 162]

We have a composite deck that came with the house. We like it, no maintenance required. After 3 winters of heavy snow it still looks good. The only negative is when the sun hits the deck in the summer the deck gets hot. You can’t walk on it barefoot.

[DWBOX2000]

Yup, burn hot.

[rfuerst911sc]

Dad911 how does the composite hold up to outdoor furniture being dragged across it ? Like chairs at a table , you have to drag the chair out , sit in it and then drag yourself forward to be at the table . The reason I haven't gone composite is the horror stories of scratching the surface , water getting in and then it swells and looks like crap .

[Bugsinrugs]

I’m re doing my large deck and I’m staying with redwood. Southern exposure makes a composite way too hot. Existing deck has lasted 28 years and that’s without any joist taping. With pressure treated joists and posts, joist tape this deck will outlive me. Also, no tariffs on redwood products. Comes from California.

[gregpark]

Composite doesn't scratch as easily as wood and will not dent like real wood does. The new versions look and perform better than the predecessors. It does get hot in full sun. I always frame joists12" on center for composite because in full sun it will sag a bit with 16" on center support. You could double up the joists on existing framing and the deck would stay flat and also feel super strong. And like Dad911 does, taping the tops of the joists will give you a deck that will last. You can also just staple 2" strips of 30lb. tar paper if you happen to have a roll. I built a redwood awning with 2x2 spaced 2" over a deck I built for my daughter and you can walk barefoot on it on a hot day but still let's plenty of light in. I used long 4x4 posts to support both the awning and the railing. I prefer the look of the redwood composite with some dark streaking best. It's looks real.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Dad911 how does the composite hold up to outdoor furniture being dragged across it ? Like chairs at a table , you have to drag the chair out , sit in it and then drag yourself forward to be at the table . The reason I haven't gone composite is the horror stories of scratching the surface , water getting in and then it swells and looks like crap .

I haven't noticed a problem. I'm also anal about making sure the plastic feet on furniture are all good. I have not seen swell at the cuts, and the color coat is probably close to 1/16". I don't see many long term, but mine is 5 years old and my sister's deck is 16 years old. On her stairs and drink rails I mitered the corners and ends and sealed with matching caulk. I thought that might have been an issue at the time, but it's been fine.

[Googam]

Our pressure treated 16x 30 was 15 yrs old. I got tired of resealing & pressure washing. Years of ocean climate was rotting out edges & steps. Priced a composite, no real maintenance. Yikes. Contractor suggested concrete. Thicker than my driveway, never going anywhere, easy to clean & about 25% less.

[recycled sixtie]

I have heard that composite does not last that long. I have had a cedar deck that lasted thirty years. We replaced that deck with pressure treated and it has been good. I made the mistake of staining the pressure treated deck too soon. It is peeling now so have to decide what to do with it.

[pksystems]

We have had our composite deck for about 20 years. It's starting to show some wear on the main area where you walk. I hose it down every couple years with some mild soap and water.
Other that that, zero maintenance.

I did manage to break one of the solid steps last year, when I was running up the stairs and put my entire weight on one of the boards (2 boards per step)

Our neighbour seems to be sanding and trying to seal his wood deck every 2-3 years. I think it's pressure treated.

If it ever needs replacing, I will be using composite again.

[stealthn]

Definitely do composite, did ours about 5 years ago and It’s perfect.

[gregpark]

Composite is longer lasting and will keep the house cleaner as well. Wood dust from redwood baking in the sun gets tracked in.

[berettafan]

Did ours a few years back. Very expensive and well worth it. Tips: use minimum spacing for joists, buy good quality boards and consider lighter colors if you’re worried about hot surface. Ours is a mid tone brown and gets super hot mid day in summer.

[gregpark]

The lighter colors (gray) get hot too. Umbrellas or awnings are a necessity on hot days with composite

[berettafan]

well so much for light colors to control heat! We put one of those water hog mats on the outside part of the back door so the dogs have a place to stand off the decking.

edit: it also gets very slippery for dogs. my boys chase each other all the time and occasionally come flying up onto the deck and aren't able to stop before they encounter furniture.

[gregpark]

Dogs hate the stuff. You just have to keep most of the sun off it. It's the only complaint I have of composite

[p911dad]

We have a large covered front porch (60 X 12 overall) and a 16' square deck out back, all Georgia yellow pine (treated) Original to 25 year old house, I have replaced a few boards here and there but not many. Hot summers and wet periods, but boards don't get hot in the sun, no problem for dog or walking in bare feet. I keep them painted with deck paint. Boards (16 X 6) got quite pricey back a while ago ($60. per!!) but have since gone back down to reasonable territory. I have no experience with composites, just what I know of the neighbor's decks-I think it is critical that the composites are installed correctly, otherwise they can warp.

[Por_sha911]

what would 20x20 composite deck materials cost?

[gregpark]

I've built several composite decks and there are many clip systems. They have improved greatly over the years. If you're attaching a fascia board to a perimeter face, clips won't work. Use matching colored screws and not finish nails as they will only hold so long due to expansion and contraction. Don't ask me how I discovered this fact :^)