Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 18, 2007 11:53pm | #1

   I'm real happy with TREX. It's been on my front porch and my rear deck for two years now and it is hold up well. It's not cheap but if it continues to hold up and doesn't need coating, it's worth it.

   Just be sure your installer has a set of installation instructions from the manufacturer--and be sure he follows them.

   Howie.........
2. 
   Troy | Jan 18, 2007 11:57pm | #2

   I would also give a thumbs up to trex, just make sure you space the joists close enough because it will sag. You might also look at ipe the cost is simmilar and it is very durable.

   Troy

3. 
   Quickstep | Jan 19, 2007 12:37am | #3

   I have a screen porch with IPE decking. I like it a lot.

1. 
   vertis | Jan 19, 2007 07:33am | #7

   I agree, tough as nails and somewhat hard on your tools I can get 4/4 6"w board $4.00/ft at the lumber yard.

4. 
   tms97730 | Jan 19, 2007 03:48am | #4

   I've noticed some pretty severe mold spots on trex after 4-5 years.

1. 
   stewie | Jan 19, 2007 05:06am | #5

   Thanks for the warning. What kind of climate are you in??Stewie
   The Sawdust Shop

1. 
   Troy | Jan 19, 2007 06:19am | #6

   Just thought I should mention that I have pressure washed a trex deck and they do clean up nicely. I do think they are more durable than a softwood deck.Troy

5. 
   BruceCM | Jan 19, 2007 11:08am | #8

   I'll second IPE. Costs less than synthetics, looks a lot better, incredibly strong....but....tough on tools and everything has to be predrilled.

   It's in its second year, and all looks well so far.

   
6. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 19, 2007 05:26pm | #9

   I live in SE Michigan and have a love-hate relationship with my Trex deck. Mostly hate.

   It quickly grows mold - summer or winter. I tried deck cleaners - they work but are expensive and time consuming. I just power washed it for the first time. Did a pretty good job but the surface is still spotty.

   On the plus side, it has stood up very well. I have not problems with slipping.

   On installation - plan on two people in the summer time. The stuff is so limber it will break if you try to hande 12' by yourself.

   Frosty

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 19, 2007 06:01pm | #10

   Well this is interesting to here. I am working on a house (Cross your fingers I should have my Occupancy Permit today if everything goes well) and I will need to put a small deck and stairs on the back to get down to the the patio, and I was thinking of trex but maybe I will look at Ipe instead.  I don't plane to finish this so the going grey look will work for me.  And I also live in SE Mich

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 19, 2007 11:24pm | #13

   DougI think you are the one who said earlier that you might want to come see my shop (with your Father). If so, you could check the deck at that time.Frosty

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 20, 2007 12:05am | #14

   Yes Yes I am and I still do. Being as I just got My occupancy permit for the place today I may even have time for it. What with the holidays and both my folks getting sick and then trying to get the d@#$ permit out of the way things have been nuts.

   So give me a bit and maybe we can set something up in Feb.

   Doug Meyer

2. 
   stewie | Jan 19, 2007 08:58pm | #11

   Thanks for the heads up. Two hours north of Toronto could create the same problem for us.Stewie
   The Sawdust Shop

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 19, 2007 11:21pm | #12

   Unfortunately I don't know what to recommend. Maybe Ipe; I hear it mentioned so much.Frosty

1. 
   stewie | Jan 20, 2007 06:24pm | #16

   Thanks, I'll check it outStewie
   The Sawdust Shop

7. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 20, 2007 12:37am | #15

   Ipe.

   John

8. 
   frenchy | Jan 21, 2007 01:09am | #17

   stewie,

    black walnut!

    decay resistant and matches the rest of the exterior wood on my place..

    

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 21, 2007 02:33am | #18

   Dear Frenchy,
   Black Walnut???!!! Are you serious?John

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 21, 2007 03:06am | #19

   Jmartinsky,

    absolutely!

     the archieves over at fine home building should have some photo of the black walnut timbers and trim on the outside of my house.. If I could just figure out how to post photos I'd be glad to show you..

     Now before you decide that I'm some rich millionaire with more money than brains I should admit that I boughtmost of  the black  walnut at a time when the sawmill didn't have any customers for it and would send it to the pallet mills for 17 cents a bd.ft. 

    Since even sheetrock costs more than 17cents a bd.ft it starts to make a little more sense doesn't it? 

    Even now though I pay about a dollar a bd.ft.

    You people really should start going to sawmills for your wood rather than lumberyards!

     

     

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 21, 2007 06:17am | #20

   Dear Frenchy,
   Wow, that's pretty amazing. I get my lumber from lumberyards and a local hardwood distributer that stocks rough sawn materials. I have bought some green lumber from a local mill, but I don't have the capacity to sticker and dry and all that. Will the sawmills that you deal with, sell you dried stock?John

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 21, 2007 10:33pm | #21

   Jmrtinsky

     No, when you buy from sawmills you buy rough and green. The cheapest price is for what is called mill run or wood as it comes off a log..  It's also the best value by far. Mill run wood has the neat stuff in it.. flame wood, figured wood, and other high value woods are mixed right in..

        As to green wood,  Unless you live in an apartment or travel trailer, I suspect that you do have the ability to dry your own wood..(Actually I could have sticked well over  a 1000 bd.ft under my 16 foot travel trailer when I lived in one)..  It takes extremly little to sticker up wood and strap it together.  If kept indoors over the winter it will be ready to use by spring,  if kept outside it might take a bit longer depending on factors such as wood type and weather but worst case a year later it should be ready..

     When you buy at a lumberyard or hardwood store there may be 5 to 7 people who handle it from the sawmill to you.. Each needs to get paid and adds costs to wood.  I buy my black walnut at a sawmill and pay about a $1.00 a bd.ft.  The same wood sold by the big box stores costs $9.90 a bd.ft. but it's dry, the great stuff has been seperated out (as has the lower grade stuff) and surfaced for you. If that's worth the added cost then you will need to continue to pay the high prices..  Just know that you have choices..

    

    

    

9. 
   lamadriver | Jan 21, 2007 11:53pm | #22

   I've had a 12' x 23' deck here in Alaska for over 3 years with no problems. I do agree on a shorter span between joists. I used 16" on center but wished I had used 12" just for more stability. Ice and snow hasn't been a problem (24" so far this winter) but I do keep it shoveled off to minimize the melt water up next to the foundation as we have a seepage problem in the crawlspace if you let it sit up against the foundation. Biggest problem with ground level decks (18") is making sure you have a good support system as you have to tear off the decking to get to the underside once its laid. IPE is also fantastic but as with TREX you have to predrill everything and use new blades. Good Luck