My pressure treated deck is in need of stain and possibly a couple of boards replaced. I'm thinking of putting on new boards instead.
The Trex looks OK, but are there other brands better? Other materials better, such as mahogany or cedar?
The boards are 16' so no cutting, just replacing board for board. I want to keep it simple as the frame and rails are still in perfect shape. Joists are 16" OC.
try to locate some Ipe, it's what they build docks and boardwalks with
Forgot about that. I think a local lumber yard may have it. \Thanks.
Cedar is too soft IMHO. IPE is great if you hit the lotto. Somewhere between that and Trex is the solid plastic product that does not have the fuzz problem. It is going to make the trex look bad tho.
Fuzz problem? That sounds wonderful.
Just replacing the top decking. I need 25 boards, 16' long. Trex is $40 each. I've not priced other stuff yet, but I will this week.
I want either maintenance free or something that just needs a quick coat of Penofin oil every year.
My Trex deck turns 12 this year and so far it has been maintenance with a garden hose and a broom. It is still very much like it was when new.
I went with Timbertech Earthwood evolutions. It's composite inside with a layer of PVC extruded over it. Supposed to merge the best of Composite and PVC. It has a wood grain surface texture that makes it less slippery when wet. Probably closer to $55 for a 16 footer. (I used the grooved planks with hidden fasteners, plain planks may be cheaper.)
I really wanted to go with wood; but in the end the near zero maintenance of composite won out. I've got close to 600 sq ft of deck plus railing and having to put any treatment on it every year or two is a lot of work I'd rather use for something more fun.
It's a beautiful deck and so far has only required a quick pressure wash in the spring and occasional hosing off to make it look like new.
One disadvantage of composite vs. wood, especially in darker colors: it gets *hot*! On an 80 degree day with full sun it's very uncomfortable to walk on barefoot. (I have dark brown color). The old wood deck got hot, but not nearly this hot.
The hidden fasteners are nice by the way, and go down quick as long as your framing is nice and even.
HTH,
Paul F.
The price is not a deal breaker. Turns out, I was going to a local lumberyard this week to see what they have and they carry Timbertech, as well as eight other choices.
The "finished" trex is great. The "raw" will support mildew growth, like wood. Use the "slotted" boards for all but the outer edge, and use the special screw clips so no holes in the boards.
The Trex "transcend" product is wrapped, the same as the Timbertech.
I used it for my front porch. Twice the cost of crappy cedar, 3 times the cost of questionable pressure treated. Original cedar was 20 years old - good clear cedar- and was in definite need of replacement. Good cedar, when available here, is now VERY expensive - pretty well the only place to get it is the sauna shops.
I did look at the wrapped and if I go with Trex, that is the choice. It was late and the lumberyard was closing. I want to take a look at the meranti mahogany too. Same price, very little care aside from a coat of Penofin every year.
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