On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 02:07:23 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>>> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not
>>> happy? Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> I've looked at it but I'm not overly excited. The concept is good, but in
> practice, it seems lacking. Just not the same as real wood as it flexes a
> lot.
I used the Monarch product as sold at Home Depot. Comes grey, gets greyer
a bit in the past year. Good strength, not much sag, subtle grain look,
feels good on the feet, and machines well. I'd use it again.
Dave Hinz
I am redoing my ceder decking now. It was grungy greyish brown. I power
planed each plank down ( top and both sides) to new wood then rolled a
thick coat of Minwax Helmsman spar urathane. The deck looks better then
new now. It has brightened up conciderably. It almost has a redwood
color to it. The dark knots of the ceder give it a rustic look. I
lightly sprinkled some silica granuals on the wet sealer for traction.
To heck with buying new decking!!! I got a new deck for the price of a
few gallons of sealer and a few paint rollers...
Therasa wrote:
> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>
> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not happy?
> Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> Thanks
>
>
On 10/12/04 7:00 PM, in article
e%%[email protected], "Therasa"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>
> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not happy?
> Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> Thanks
>
>
I installed a Trex deck a little over a year ago. I replaced the old deck
and enlarged it. It was the first deck I have ever built. The material was
easy to work with. It's not prone to splintering, cuts pretty easily, and is
somewhat flexible. You should use carbide blades though because there is a
gritty substance in the Trex boards that dulls saw blades pretty fast.
At the time Trex had only four colors to choose from. We chose the grey
color that fades to a very light grey. Most of the deck boards have faded by
now except for those that don't get much sun. However my neighbor used the
tan colored boards and is not happy with how they have faded. They kind of
look like wet cardboard.
We paid 1.39 per linear foot for the 2X6 decking boards and 1.80 per foot
for the 1X8 trim/fascia pieces. I had seen the boards going for as high as
1.64 per foot, but this store had a "sale."
I am happy with the 2X6 boards. They are smooth to walk on with bare feet,
are kinda "grippy" when wet, and are easy to clean. However when there is a
light frost it gets really slippery, much more so than the old wood deck
boards. Also, Trex decking doesn't like grease or animal fat (I'm thinking
outdoor grill here). I you drop your burger on it you need to get the grease
before it soaks in.
I am NOT happy with the 1X8 boards and I'll chalk it up to my inexperience.
I built benches with pressure treated lumber. Over the past year the frame
has shrunk (especially along the length) and bowed the fascia boards. This
has also happened on the deck frame. The fascia isn't very thick so it bends
easily. If I had to do it over again - which I have - I'd wait a year or so
before installing the fascia.
One last thing. I used composite deck screws for the deck boards and fascia.
They don't require pre-drilling and will pull the material back into the
hole for a nice smooth finish with the screw head showing. Trex says you can
use standard deck screws but you get a little mushroom that needs to pounded
down. I just didn't like the way it looked.
Oh yeah, I got a framing nailer and composite miter saw out of this project.
"Clear Cut" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article >
> At my old house, I had a redwood deck. It lasted about 18 years (I owned
> it for 8) and needed to be completely replaced due to rot when I sold
> the house. The structure was also redwood and not pressure treated
> (stupid). By the time I bought it, the surface was gray and weathered.
> At least one coating of pigmented stain had worn off most of the
> surface. I pressure washed it several times, tried several deck
> cleaners, and used Penofin, Duck's Back, and a couple of other sealers,
> none of which lasted more than a few months. It looked old and weathered
> for the 8 years that I owned it.
>
> My current house has a Trex deck installed by the previous owner. It
> gets grungy over time but a scrub with detergent and a bit of bleach
> cleans it right up. A light power washing and it looks - well not brand
> new - it fades significantly in the first year - but like Trex. It is
> what it is. You either like how it looks or not.
>
> I built a bench and railing to match and the new Trex faded in about a
> year to the same color as the 10 year old material. Some of the deck is
> in ground contact and no rot. The Trex came from the local lumber yard.
>
> It sits in full sun all day. During our 100+ degree days the surface is
> hot to bare feet but a quick rinse with the hose cools it down. No
> splinters and easy upkeep.
>
> Trex is heavy to work with, it bends easily, and needs more support than
> solid wood decking. I had no trouble working with the material using
> standard tools. I did get to buy a power miter saw - I needed it.
>
> I am generally happy with Trex and would use it again.
Good info, thanks!
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> FWIW, I did look at mahogany and Ipe. They would be my first choice. I
> figured the cost of just the flooring on my 12 x 16 deck will be about
> $700. Mahogany was $1.90 a lineal foot, Ipe $2.10. For supports, a 4 x 4
> x 8' was about $45. That was priced this past June. I made a garden bench
> from the mahogany.
> Ed
I have a deck that is going on 21 years old. PT all the way and the posts
are starting to rot. Ipe would be my choice as the life expentancy is 50
years out doors. I am thinking chain link fence galvanized posts as
replacements.
I have not used it personally, but we spec Choicedeck on all of our "green"
projects.
The builders love working with it and the oldest residence I have used it on
(4 years old)
still looks great.
were I building a deck it would be my first choice.
Good luck!
jojo
"Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:e%%[email protected]...
> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>
> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not happy?
> Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> Thanks
>
>
Clear Cut <[email protected]> wrote:
> Trex is heavy to work with, it bends easily, and needs more support than
> solid wood decking. I had no trouble working with the material using
> standard tools. I did get to buy a power miter saw - I needed it.
>
> I am generally happy with Trex and would use it again.
>
>
Even if you didn't have to buy a new tool? :o)
In article
<e%%[email protected]>,
"Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>
> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not happy?
> Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> Thanks
At my old house, I had a redwood deck. It lasted about 18 years (I owned
it for 8) and needed to be completely replaced due to rot when I sold
the house. The structure was also redwood and not pressure treated
(stupid). By the time I bought it, the surface was gray and weathered.
At least one coating of pigmented stain had worn off most of the
surface. I pressure washed it several times, tried several deck
cleaners, and used Penofin, Duck's Back, and a couple of other sealers,
none of which lasted more than a few months. It looked old and weathered
for the 8 years that I owned it.
My current house has a Trex deck installed by the previous owner. It
gets grungy over time but a scrub with detergent and a bit of bleach
cleans it right up. A light power washing and it looks - well not brand
new - it fades significantly in the first year - but like Trex. It is
what it is. You either like how it looks or not.
I built a bench and railing to match and the new Trex faded in about a
year to the same color as the 10 year old material. Some of the deck is
in ground contact and no rot. The Trex came from the local lumber yard.
It sits in full sun all day. During our 100+ degree days the surface is
hot to bare feet but a quick rinse with the hose cools it down. No
splinters and easy upkeep.
Trex is heavy to work with, it bends easily, and needs more support than
solid wood decking. I had no trouble working with the material using
standard tools. I did get to buy a power miter saw - I needed it.
I am generally happy with Trex and would use it again.
--
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In article <cO4bd.5070$y77.5005@trnddc05>,
Lobby Dosser <[email protected]> wrote:
> Clear Cut <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Trex is heavy to work with, it bends easily, and needs more support than
> > solid wood decking. I had no trouble working with the material using
> > standard tools. I did get to buy a power miter saw - I needed it.
> >
> > I am generally happy with Trex and would use it again.
> >
> >
>
> Even if you didn't have to buy a new tool? :o)
Any project the wife requests REQUIRES at least one new tool - I thought
you knew that by now.
--
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to email subject to improve your chances
of an actual reply.
I replaced my pressure treated SYP deck after 12 years.
I now believe that the "vast" majority of failure in that
deck was the fastners used in the installation. They were
16p hot dipped nails and "every single one" failed. After
talking to a number of friends, they all have the exact
same problem.
When I replaced the decking(supports were all fine), I used
a system called "Deck Master" which is nothing but a series
of galvanized strips that allow you to screw the decking
from below.
The finish on the deck is great and I really like
not having nail heads that are sitting there waiting to rust
by the puddling water in the nail heads.
I believe this method will greatly increase the life of the
deck.
IMHO the biggest draw back to them is that they are not structural. You
have to use a structural material to support them. My experience is that
the structural material is going to deteriorate before that which you walk
on.
"Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:e%%[email protected]...
> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>
> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not happy?
> Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking materials
>> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
>>
>> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not
>> happy? Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
I've looked at it but I'm not overly excited. The concept is good, but in
practice, it seems lacking. Just not the same as real wood as it flexes a
lot.
FWIW, I did look at mahogany and Ipe. They would be my first choice. I
figured the cost of just the flooring on my 12 x 16 deck will be about $700.
Mahogany was $1.90 a lineal foot, Ipe $2.10. For supports, a 4 x 4 x 8' was
about $45. That was priced this past June. I made a garden bench from the
mahogany.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
I used trex decking on a 20 by 20 gazebo built 2 1/2 years ago. It looks
great and as long as you stick to the recommended joist spacing, flexing is
not a problem. I used regular deck screws and sunk them in, but it left a
little roughness around each hole. There is a special deck screw for this
material which cuts the hole smooth around the head and if I had it to do
again I would use these.
John
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > "Therasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> >> Just wondering if anyone has looked into the composite decking
materials
> >> like Trex, Veranda, Eon, ChoiceDeck, Evergrain, or CertainTeed.
> >>
> >> Which do you think is best? Have you used one and been happy or not
> >> happy? Any lessons learned? Where did you get the material?
>
> I've looked at it but I'm not overly excited. The concept is good, but in
> practice, it seems lacking. Just not the same as real wood as it flexes a
> lot.
>
> FWIW, I did look at mahogany and Ipe. They would be my first choice. I
> figured the cost of just the flooring on my 12 x 16 deck will be about
$700.
> Mahogany was $1.90 a lineal foot, Ipe $2.10. For supports, a 4 x 4 x 8'
was
> about $45. That was priced this past June. I made a garden bench from the
> mahogany.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>
>