More new house stuff - decking material

[Jester B]

Man, this home ownership thing is expensive....

Our deck (the MAIN reason we bought the house) is in need of TLC. It's big (about 200 sqft) and runs the width of the house. Right now it has spruce boards treated on top (not in between) and needs to be updated. We have a carpenter selected to do a structural review and replace the material.

Options are:
1) Vinyl on plywood
2) Cedar
3) Tigerwood (hardwood)

Thoughts on the best for low maintenance and longevity?

(ya, I know that with this cost and the A/C I could have upgraded my B5 S4 to a B6 S4 Avant)

[R_Ethug]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

haha i just bought a deck tonight

i just went with the rounded edged pressure treated boards

that composite crap heats up like a mofo in the summer my neighbours have it and it's $$$ and stupid..

that tigerwood i've seen at timbertown it looks pretty good actually

[Khyron]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

I did cedar for the actual deck surface, pressure treated for all the supports/joists. And then I painted the cedar (!!!) to the horror of my inlaws.

[R_Ethug]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

OUCH geoff!!! i love red cedar it smells so nice i just wanted something a little cheaper as i need some monies for the car haha

[Stonewall]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

He said cedar, not red cedar. A red cedar deck would be crazy expensive. I can see why you inlaws where in horror Geoff lol At least you can always sand it off later.

[Ur0Drivr]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

Yeah, painted cedar...big no no, ugh that hurts. As for pressure treated...now that has to be painted!

[Khyron]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

Yah it was awesome - bright blue, the dad inlaw almost cried.

I actually use semi-trans stain so it's done correctly, and I've only had to reapply once in the last 6 years, even with shoveling snow off it. White metal railings, red cedar hot tub, green house - yah I am nuts with color.

I don't like pressure treated for the surface cause the chemical leeches for years and year. You can get decent cedar for not much difference and stain it right away, with PT you have to wait at least a year. I also don't like the texture of PT either. And spruce, please, blech.

[RobG]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

Dura deck is ideal, but comes at a cost. Other than that, treated is fine, it's good for at least 10 years, and 1/5 the cost.

[nismodrifter]

Re: More new house stuff - decking material

Dura deck is ideal, but comes at a cost. Other than that, treated is fine, it's good for at least 10 years, and 1/5 the cost.

+1 for Dura-dek.