OT: Deck Materials

[8893]

My niece's husband rebuilt our deck, and used copper post caps. Came out nice.

Sounds like a keeper.

 

[CL82]

My niece's husband rebuilt our deck, and used copper post caps. Came out nice.

That's what I did. It looked great bright and shiny and even better when it greened up.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

My wife is of course eyeballing the expensive wire instead of spindle railings. By code, at 24" I don't need a railing, but I want one anyway. Might go wood on the railing if it is cheaper.

I was in the same boat. Didn't need one by code, but with small kids and drunk friends I thought it for the best. My 2yr old actually took a dive this weekend off the small opening in the foreground of my pic (we'd been using a baby gate as a temporary door) when he charged through the gate and got his first bloody nose...so feeling good about the railing decision....and now a bit more of a rush on building the sliding barn style door for that opening

The wire railings look really nice but are definitely tougher to install. The stuff I got is just a contractor set of hollow aluminum spindles with the screw in caps on each side and the metal plates on the ends were like $0.98 stamped aluminum. They come out a little crooked since it's near impossible to get em perfect with warped lumber but for $0.98 who cares

 

[NJHusky]

I was in the same boat. Didn't need one by code, but with small kids and drunk friends I thought it for the best. My 2yr old actually took a dive this weekend off the small opening in the foreground of my pic (we'd been using a baby gate as a temporary door) when he charged through the gate and got his first bloody nose...so feeling good about the railing decision....and now a bit more of a rush on building the sliding barn style door for that opening

The wire railings look really nice but are definitely tougher to install. The stuff I got is just a contractor set of hollow aluminum spindles with the screw in caps on each side and the metal plates on the ends were like $0.98 stamped aluminum. They come out a little crooked since it's near impossible to get em perfect with warped lumber but for $0.98 who cares

Railings look great. So that wasn’t a kit? Did You get the pieces at lowes/depot?

 

[CTMike]

Timely.

Replacing a 15 year old deck with Trex Transcend. Rain collection system underneath so the patio underneath will remain dry.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I for one hate the look of trex and the composite stuff. I would much rather stain my wood deck every couple of years than have the ugly moldy pinkish orangey faded trex stuff.

 

[CL82]

Timely.

Replacing a 15 year old deck with Trex Transcend. Rain collection system underneath so the patio underneath will remain dry.

View attachment 55216

Why Trex Transcent?

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Railings look great. So that wasn’t a kit? Did You get the pieces at lowes/depot?

Thanks. Not a kit, but basically just bought the components separately that would've been in a kit. That way I could pick out my own lumber and not end up with the banana shaped stuff they put in the kits. Ended up being a little cheaper, too.

Timely.

Replacing a 15 year old deck with Trex Transcend. Rain collection system underneath so the patio underneath will remain dry.

View attachment 55216

I wish I'd done something like that in hindsight...probably won't need it since I kept the grade pretty steep away from the house but I ended up using an Australian product (adjustable joist support) to build out over a poured concrete patio so didn't have much clearance for anything else in the portion against the house (although it's covered so only gets wet in big storms)

 

[8893]

I for one hate the look of trex and the composite stuff. I would much rather stain my wood deck every couple of years than have the ugly moldy pinkish orangey faded trex stuff.

Anti-Trexite

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Anti-Trexite

I’m a raaaaabbbbid anti-trexite

 

[HuskyHawk]

I for one hate the look of trex and the composite stuff. I would much rather stain my wood deck every couple of years than have the ugly moldy pinkish orangey faded trex stuff.

This is the look we are going for. I think it works better in composite than the redwood looking ones do.

 

[NJHusky]

Thanks. Not a kit, but basically just bought the components separately that would've been in a kit. That way I could pick out my own lumber and not end up with the banana shaped stuff they put in the kits. Ended up being a little cheaper, too.

Did the balusters come with the top and bottom rail? Or all separate? Putting in a deck next month and trying to see the options...thx

 

[8893]

Why Trex Transcent?

To piss off @Dream Jobbed 2.0 , obviously.

 

[CL82]

To piss off @Dream Jobbed 2.0 , obviously.

I don't know the backstory here, but this made laugh anyway.

 

[8893]

I don't know he backstory here, but this made laugh anyway.

I for one hate the look of trex and the composite stuff. I would much rather stain my wood deck every couple of years than have the ugly moldy pinkish orangey faded trex stuff.

Anti-Trexite

I’m a raaaaabbbbid anti-trexite

 

[CL82]

This is the look we are going for. I think it works better in composite than the redwood looking ones do.

If I do a deck this is the way I would go. It is attractive and easy to maintain. I am not sure about metal on the railing. It does look nice.

 

[uconnfan68]

Sounds like a keeper.

The deck will be standing long after the house falls into the run-off creek.

 

[Drumguy]

Yeah. I take the pictures for Untappd. Outside when the weather permits. I'm assuming patio is cheaper than deck. Not positive. I like the multi-level aspect of it.

Contractor came by and will bring samples of deck material.

1st - we have an azek deck and other than washing the winter grime off looks the same as when we installed it 6 years ago.

2nd - I'm a big untappd fan. Currently at 708 unique beers (only drink good stuff). My son is at 4438 unique beers! Went to Portland OR a few years ago and I love how all the bars are set up for interacting with Untappd. Who's in the bar, reviews etc. They are much more advanced then we are in the east.

 

[Drumguy]

If I do a deck this is the way I would go. It is attractive and easy to maintain. I am not sure about metal on the railing. It does look nice.

My azek deck looks like that, except white bars on the sides. We do spray the deck every year with a mold remover or diluted clorox mix but still looks great.

 

[CTMike]

Why Trex Transcent?

Mostly it was the color, supposedly it’s their highest quality product (not sure I’d be able to tell from an A/B comparison with one of their other boards).

 

[Drumguy]

If you are on Untappd, I have the same user name as here.

Just sent you a friend request! During the last 3 months we haven't been to any breweries so we've been hitting wine more, so not as many beers recently! (We had a lot of win leftover from 2 weddings we threw last year. Funny most of the beer is gone, just a few bottles of Arthur left!

 

[CL82]

My azek deck looks like that, except white bars on the sides. We do spray the deck every year with a mold remover or diluted clorox mix but still looks great.

What do the end cuts look like? Does the outside edge have a slot in it?

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Did the balusters come with the top and bottom rail? Or all separate? Putting in a deck next month and trying to see the options...thx

All separate

Round Level Baluster Connectors by Deckorators - Bulk

<p>Straight Baluster Connectors from <a href="https://www.decksdirect.com/decking-framing/decking-brands/deckorators-decking">Deckorators</a> secure their <a href=deckorators-classic-aluminum-baluster.html>Classic Round Balusters</a> to <a href="https://www.decksdirect.com/deck-railing">deck...

www.decksdirect.com

Classic Round Aluminum Balusters by Deckorators

<h3>Key Features</h3> <ul class="list-disc list-inside"> <li>Elegant upgrade from worn wood balusters</li> <li>Made from sleek powder-coated aluminum</li> <li>Incredibly low-maintenance and long-lasting</li> <li>Round balusters improve your deck view</li> <li>7 finish options to fit...

www.decksdirect.com

Then stamped deck rail brackets from home Depot are $0.98/each vs $2-5 for the metal/plastic brackets that cradle it. I've seen the full kits for around $100-150 for a 6' or 8' length but it's usually a soft pine where I preferred to just grab some KDAT redwood lumber.

Another good item is this water based sealer when using any cut lumber

Cut-N-Seal | The Deck Store

Cut-N-Seal End Grain Sealer The original formula Cut-N-Seal is discontinued & no longer available. Use the Northern KDAT Deck Sealer for a replacement.

www.thedeckstoreonline.com

My thought doing it this way with the 4x4 posts mounted on the inside of the deck skirt was if it turns to crap down the road and I decide to go composite you just slip the composite sleeve over the posts anyways and voila.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I promise I won’t rail (pun intended) on trex anymore. But I’ll say absolutely make sure you get the spacing right. My brother in-law just bought a half a million dollar house in Tolland with a giant trex pool deck. There’s no spacing at all in between the boards and they get so slippery it makes me so nervous when the kids get going on it

 

[NJHusky]

All separate

Round Level Baluster Connectors by Deckorators - Bulk

<p>Straight Baluster Connectors from <a href="https://www.decksdirect.com/decking-framing/decking-brands/deckorators-decking">Deckorators</a> secure their <a href=deckorators-classic-aluminum-baluster.html>Classic Round Balusters</a> to <a href="https://www.decksdirect.com/deck-railing">deck...

www.decksdirect.com

Classic Round Aluminum Balusters by Deckorators

<h3>Key Features</h3> <ul class="list-disc list-inside"> <li>Elegant upgrade from worn wood balusters</li> <li>Made from sleek powder-coated aluminum</li> <li>Incredibly low-maintenance and long-lasting</li> <li>Round balusters improve your deck view</li> <li>7 finish options to fit...

www.decksdirect.com

Then stamped deck rail brackets from home Depot are $0.98/each vs $2-5 for the metal/plastic brackets that cradle it. I've seen the full kits for around $100-150 for a 6' or 8' length but it's usually a soft pine where I preferred to just grab some KDAT redwood lumber.

Another good item is this water based sealer when using any cut lumber

Cut-N-Seal | The Deck Store

Cut-N-Seal End Grain Sealer The original formula Cut-N-Seal is discontinued & no longer available. Use the Northern KDAT Deck Sealer for a replacement.

www.thedeckstoreonline.com

My thought doing it this way with the 4x4 posts mounted on the inside of the deck skirt was if it turns to crap down the road and I decide to go composite you just slip the composite sleeve over the posts anyways and voila.

Thanks for the detailed info...will def use this approach when I do my deck..Well done!

 

[8893]

I promise I won’t rail (pun intended) on trex anymore. But I’ll say absolutely make sure you get the spacing right. My brother in-law just bought a half a million dollar house in Tolland with a giant trex pool deck. There’s no spacing at all in between the boards and they get so slippery it makes me so nervous when the kids get going on it

Let me know if someone gets hurt.

 

[SixRings]

I think you have to strongly consider the surroundings. If your deck is surrounded by green grass, straight lined house, clean railings (like the pic a few posts above) than a composite will look clean and nice. If your deck is surrounded by a lot of stone, gardens or plants, more antique of a house than a natural wood deck tends to enhance.
I built a composite deck on our first house but acquired an Ipe deck on our new house. Both have advantages, most already spoken about. Ipe is no picnic. I have to chemically clean, brighten and stain every year and sand and stain every 3 or 4 years. But it’s rich color is exceptional and worth it.

 

[Excalibur]

I promise I won’t rail (pun intended) on trex anymore. But I’ll say absolutely make sure you get the spacing right. My brother in-law just bought a half a million dollar house in Tolland with a giant trex pool deck. There’s no spacing at all in between the boards and they get so slippery it makes me so nervous when the kids get going on it

Does composite have a reputation for being slippery? Ours is not at all. (Not sure why it insists on formatting incorrectly)

 

[Drumguy]

What do the end cuts look like? Does the outside edge have a slot in it?

No, it’s just a solid straight edge like wood! It’s a great product - they also sell little hole fillers so your deck has no nail holes. If you want some closeups I can take them tomorrow! We also went for the post top lights!

 

[CL82]

No, it’s just a solid straight edge like wood! It’s a great product - they also sell little hole fillers so your deck has no nail holes. If you want some closeups I can take them tomorrow! We also went for the post top lights!View attachment 55234

Yeah, I would definitely like to see more pictures. It came out terrific. How old did you say it was again? Did you do it yourself? Can you take some of the end grain in of the side of a board?