thinking if getting Trex deck

Excuse me for posting something on topic but I've got a project guy from Lowes coming over tomorrow to give me an estimate on getting existing deck replaced by a Trex one.

Know these things are pricey but have talked to friends and have good ball park idea.

Just wondered what important questions I should ask and what is it like dealing with Lowes on a project like this.

Also know that Trex comes in three grades and early decks did not weather as well and heard they are now vinyl clad for good sun resistance. Wonder if cheapest grade holds up as well as best.

Reply to
Frank
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Both Lowes and Home Depot are a crap shoot with contractors. Some good, some much less so. I'd rather find a good local guy with recommendations from neighbors. You can ask at the local lumberyard.

My neighbor put down Trex and he likes it. I used good wood and prefer it.

Reply to
Ed Pawlowski

I suspect you are right about the contractors. It is not rocket science and I might be able to do it myself if I were 20 years younger. Wondered if doing it through Lowes might mitigate any problem with contractor they use. We have a fundamental distrust of contractors. Two friends with new Trex decks like them but both had reservations about the their contractors.

A building permit will be required and inspection by the county. They have updated the code and my current deck while perfectly stable would not comply. I had basically replaced it a board at a time and added twice the supports needed so I feel safe but appearance and staining upkeep is getting to be a chore.

I just want something maintenance free for the next 10 years which could be a lifetime warranty for me.

Reply to
Frank

On Tue 25 Apr 2017 12:32:08p, Ed Pawlowski told us...

I love the look of a beautiful wood deck, but I wouldn't want the maintenance. Our solic redwood deck back in Ohio required annual maintenance to look it's best.

Reply to
Wayne Boatwright

Definitely go for the "clad" trex. It's awsome. I have my front porch/deck done with it and am seriously considering doing my 12X12 rear deck. The current PT SYP deck boards are deteriorating badly. On my front porch I used Blue-Seal over the joists to protect them from trapped water causing rot - did it 6 or 7 years ago. The only thing is you need your joists a bit closer together than with 2X lumber - more like with 5/4 cedar. The unclad Trex is a bit harder to keep looking nice - can be stained - but why bother with the hassle - just spend the extra and enjoy it. Mine is TREX Transcend if I remember correctly.

Reply to
clare

Use the "slotted" trex for everything except the outer perimeter and use their screw-down hidden clips. The perimeter uses some sunken screws and (I didn't but would the next time) a few tubes of PL Glue.

Reply to
clare

Transcend is the highest grade and Select the lowest. I do not know if all today are cladded. I did see a Select board at Lowes but had no other there to compare with and there was nobody there to talk to. That is the reason I went there. Friend had told me I could see example of their different products. I just made arrangement with sales clerk for their man to come out tomorrow afternoon.

Reply to
Frank

What is the lifetime of the "cladding"? Your future needs/wants may affect your decision.

I won't offer an opinion on the contractor because it is a crap shoot. Remember gets a spiff off the contractor for the referral so that affects the price. Does that give you peace of mind in job quality or problems? IDK

Reply to
Tekkie?

I believe he said 20 year warranty flat to 10 years and then prorated. In our late 70's that makes it a lifetime warranty.

We still have some kinks to work out but I like what he said. They use only one decking contractor to do all their work but I will only have to deal with Lowes and they will guarantee the work. The two friends that had new Trex decks installed were happy with the result but could not recommend the contractors. There are dozens of contractors in this area recommended by the Trex site but I'd be working through them and some you look up do not even have a business location and work out of their house. It would be a crap shoot to deal with them.

Just as expensive as the Trex the new county code requires construction to survive a nuclear blast. Support posts cannot rest on patio as they do now but concrete footers must be put in. To secure to the house would require breaking through drywall ceiling of my family room to bolt. Longer stair steps require complete redesign. Need for building permit and inspection at stages stretch a 2-3 day job to over 2 weeks.

Wife was not home during visit and he will have to return to see if we can work something out. I tried to ditch the stairs because there was a problem with stairs detaching but wife wants them.

Reply to
Frank

They have a 25 year waranty, and the way the "cladding" is applied I can't see it coming off. It's molded on.

I wouldn't waste my money on the unclad trex as it has had flaking and mold issues - which the transcend does not have. It DOES need to be properly installed. (like any other decking)

Reply to
clare

Beware! The residential construction business has more drunken half-assed jack-leg hacks than any other industry.

The American Wood Council has a free guide on the proper way to build a deck:

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Make sure the McLowesDepot drunks you hire follow the guide and don't pay them unless they do.

Reply to
Jack Legg

I think it is all clad. Exposed to elements it should be OK in sunlight but like other plastics can suffer erosion or wearing away by things that abraid it. Think of plastic automobile lenses.

I was unsure of the full warranty but told all grades have the same and all appear to be cladded.

Reply to
Frank

When I bought mine there was Transcend with cladding and the basic without. It does appear all 3, Transcend, Enhance, and Select have the sealed surface today, but without actually seeing it I cannot say foe sure. If so, the spotting and spalling problems should be ancient history

Reply to
clare

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