decking material

[ottertailguy]

I'm going to build a deck soon but am a little puzzled on composite vs cedar. I will spend the extra money if it's worth it but it seems composites aren't perfect either. Has anyone use ultradeck from menards or is trex the only kind I should consider if I go with composite. Thanks for help.

[daydreamer]

Check out IPE wood if you're looking for real wood that lasts and looks good. Currently getting a quote right now on a deck and it was only slightly higher in cost per linear ft than Timbertech was. Only suggesting this as you seem to be willing to spend the extra money as I was, and I had little experience with IPE until doing some research. I was in the same boat as you thinking through Cedar vs Composite until I found out about IPE. Also keep in mind how long you want the deck to last.

[Bear55]

I've been looking into the Lock Dry aliminum decking, very expensive but it will last forever. It also locks together and everything under the decking stays dry.

[MuleShack]

We are just completing our deck made with the ultra deck from Menards. We went with the solid material not hollow and also the 3 rail railings. Looks pretty sharp. Dont know about durability yet but from what I read on line it was better than TREX or what ever it was called.

I did look at the timbertech at HD but was not impressed with that either being they didn't even carry it in the store.

I have to say that the railings take quite a while to put together, but they are very sturdy when complete being they have that metal channel that the spindles screw onto and then the rail slides over the channel.

Here is a picture from last weekend when we were starting the railings.

[ottertailguy]

I couldn't find anything searching on ultra deck so that's why I'm asking. I'm going to look at it on Monday and then compare it to trex. The picture looked great, thank you. I really like that your railing is a different color than the decking and spindles. Anybody else have experiences with the composite decking.

[BoxMN]

I am not pro, but helped neighbor put on some, looks sort of like Muleshacks, but I know my neighbor used the hollow stuff. I would NOT use hollow, it was pretty easy to dent, especially on edges. He also used "Tiger Claw" or something like that for fasteners, so you would not see any fasteners. Took a bit to get used to them, but the funky thing is even after "getting used to them" just the way you tapped them in put some waves in the boards spacing. I recommended starting in middle and moving to each end, but my neighbor wasn't up for that.... and I think that was a mistake - it ended up with a sort of "bow" to it. Anyway, it ended up looking real nice, but the type of stuff he got (special order from Memards, not sure of brand) gets scuffed pretty easy, or it seems to me. He is picky about not sliding furniture on it... Not my cup o tea So whatever you get, get a sample first nad see how it can handle furniture and see if the scuffs bug you.

Good luck!

[MuleShack]

The picture looked great, thank you. I really like that your railing is a different color than the decking and spindles.

It must be the lighting and the angle of the picture. The railing and the decking are the same color when laying side by side on the ground. It is redwood color. The spindles are grey, but the thing that bothered me the most was that the post sleeves are supposed to be grey as well, but the colors dont match even when laying side by side.

[FireballFab]

A lot of the contractors I build aluminum railing for use Lattitudes composite decking.

[solbes]

I did a Trex deck at our home almost 3 years ago. Looks and feels nice. I think this fall I will do a thorough cleaning and powerwash, but that'll be the first time. Make sure the composite decks get plenty of airflow beneath and are spaced apart correctly to prevent mold growth. Aluminum spindles/balusters are pretty snazzy and easy to add.

Two tips I have if you go that route. The first is to frame it 12" on center. Very solid feel, and I've heard some are disappointed with 16" on center. The second is to use an underdeck fastener system. You are spending all that extra money, so go the full 10 yards and make it a really smooth, clean surface. I went with a plexiglass connector that also serves as a spacer. Slick system IMO.

IPE sounded nice, but I hadn't actually seen it in person so I was a little leery. I did hear you could frame 24" on center which would be an advantage.

[ottertailguy]

Does Trex scratch easy, we have 2 dogs. I heard to put some kind of rubber under chairs/tables also so they don't scratch the decking. What color of Trex did you get because I was told some scratch less than others?

[solbes]

Yeah, it does scratch some. We have a neurotic boarder collie who likes to assure all joggers, bikers, and walkers on the path know who's boss. But it's not very noticeable.

I would be somewhat leary of putting down a rubber mat because there would be no airflow underneath (mold growth?). I would maybe add some of those soft furniture pads you get at home improvement stores instead. Our deck furtniture all have plastic feet, so that's not been an issue for us.

I got the saddle color I believe from HD. Haven't heard about some scratching more than others. Here's a couple of pics:

[ottertailguy]

Nice pictures and the information about the scratches. We have a boxer and a chow. When they spot rabbits in the yard they will be running at full speed.

[KG243]

I have built many decks in my day and would suggest not using composite decking, I think I would go with cedar and get a stain called sikkens, it is spendy but well worth the money. Or there is a wood out there from Africa I believe that is called iron wood I think, it is good stuff but spendy!

[alwaysonthemove]

I'm a contractor and I would steer clear of any composites. They are all junk.

IPA from brazil or brazalian iron wood is the best out there. It will last forever if if untreated.

Tiger wood from brazil is number 2 in my book alot cheaper than IPE lasts just as long and is very good looking wood.

Both woods are extremely hard. I think IPE is like 70 times more dense than oak.

[Mike Wallace]

Get the composite if you don't want to work on your deck every year. Nothing is maintenance free, but composites are very low maintenance.

I choose this the composite because I didn't want to stain/treat/finish my deck (550 sq. feet) every year. I power wash it in the spring and whenever I feel like it.

I used the HD brand "Veranda" solid composite decking, hidden fasteners, and white PVC pre-assembled railings.

I spent about 1.5 times what I would have if I went with a treated wood.

It has worn wonderfully and I intentionally sit on my deck, drinking a beer when both my neighbors behind me restain/treat their deck. I don't think they appreciate the "help" that I give them.

[KG243]

Iron wood dosent need any type of treatment, composite will fade over time. I can not tell you of how many call backs I have gotten for faded decks. It is bad, the only good thing composite is that it uses some recycled material.

[solbes]

The fading is fine. They are all very up front about how it will fade and provide color samples of before and after fading. IMO, this is a small price to pay for an almost maintenance free deck. I will spend about 60 minutes every three years washing/powerwashing my trex.

Cedar looks great with up keep. I'm sure IPE and some of these exotics are fine too. I don't see the big negatives with composites, with the exception of extra framing support and added cost.

[Walleye Guy]

I built a Trex deck last year at our lake home in WI. Looks great and has very little maintenance. I would also highly recommend the hidden/underneath fastening system. At deck with no screw holes looks amazing.

Don't believe the all composites are junk rhetoric you hear from some. Some of the first composite decking materials had problems. Most of them have been corrected on that company isn't in the business any more. Do your homework/research and talk to others who have used it. You will be glad you did.

[BoxMN]

I did cedar, and love the look. Easy to stain the floor, but those darn ballasters are a pita... I used sikkens and will see about the time before next stain. But for the look, cedar and stain is very nice, upkeep I am not sure. Only maintenance on my place, so maybe not too bad, but maintenance free would be nice if there truly is such a thing...

[ottertailguy]

Too bad composite isn't liked by everyone. That would make the decision pretty easy. I'm all about saving time if it's worth it. Sounds like there is a risk with composite. Is there anybody that have a composite deck for at least 5 or 10 years that could chime in because I really would be interested in that. Thanks for everyone who has helped so far.

[KG243]

BoxMN did you use the sikkens 1 and 23? THat stuff will last for a long time, it is what the pro's use on log homes.

[alwaysonthemove]

sikkens 1 23plus are not meant for decks

If you use sikkens it should be a dek 1 I believe

[BoxMN]

I used the SRD semi-transparent, that one is for decks. I used the lightest finish they had, I think "Natural". It is almost clear, just makes the cedar look a bit more like it was "fresh".

Went on really easy, but it soaked up more than the estimate called for. I think the 8x8 posts I have really soaked up a lot.

I like the look, I just hope it holds up for a couple years. Don't need it to last forever, just don't want to do it every year... we shall see

[KG243]

you should be good with the srd, nothing beats the naturallook of cedar!

[crothmeier]

Ottertail guy: I've built about 50 decks in the past few years of all different shapes and sizes and materials. There are 4,000+ composite deck companies. I dont know about ultradeck, I'm NOT a menards guy. I've used Trex with great results, Monarch with great results, and TimberTech with great results. As with any composite clean it as often and with what they reccommend to keep it looking its best. Just remember, NO decking is maintenance free. Ironwood or IPE is a great option also, the stuff is amazingly dense, but requires care if you want to keep it looking new. Aluminum Rail is a great option and isnt too much more than vinyl, MN Vinyl & Aluminum Systems in shakopee puts out a great product, and they deliver (and install if wanted.)

solbes: trex does not recommend pressure washing decking. most composites dont, as it will dent the decking if too high of pressure is used. Most reccommend a quality composite deck cleaner (superdeck is a good brand) and a deck bush, then hose off with garden hose.

KG243: right on! cedar with a sikkens stain is what i would do along with an aluminum railing, but if you're looking for low maintenance then this isnt the way to go.