Deck material

[collegepaul]

Hi all,

I'm looking into building a deck this summer and I'm trying to figure out which product to buy. I'm looking at composite brands (Azek style vs. GeoDeck/Ultradeck style) for their low maintenance.

I've been told PVC retains heat. I want to know what's your experience with how hot some of these decks can get in summer or is it not that big of a deal?

Any other likes or dislikes?

Thanks for any feedback. Paul

[CJH]

I have the Gossen brand, not sure of the model, but its solid PVC all the way through. We just got it last year, and like it so far. It does get warm/hot, but its also a medium/darker color, so we expected that.

We were either going to go with the Gossen or TimberTech, Gossen just happened to be having a deal at the time.

Good Luck!!

[collegepaul]

Does it get to the point where you couldn't walk bare foot on it?

Any reason why you went with the solid PVC?

[CJH]

I don't remember it ever getting that hot, maybe on the hottest days of the year. It does get hot though.

We went with the solid PVC for its durability. If its scratched, you aren't really going to notice, whereas with the stuff that is "wrapped" can scratch and is noticeable. We have young children, and so that influenced our decision. Plus it will fade a little, but other than that its pretty impervious to weather. Now this stuff is expensive and requires more structure to support it, since its not as rigid, so that is the trade off.

If we didn't go with the solid PVC, we probably would have gone with the GeoDeck.

Good Luck!

[upnorth]

We did the solid Ultra Deck with the hidden fasteners. We chose that cuz it just seemed to be a better product than hollow.

[collegepaul]

We did the solid Ultra Deck with the hidden fasteners. We chose that cuz it just seemed to be a better product than hollow.

Does the solid Ultradeck feel pretty steady, or does it flex at all, when you walk on it?

[upnorth]

Once you lay it down and get the clamping screwed down it is as sturdy as our other deck which is 5/4 treated. My stringers are 15" on center so there is little room for them to flex. The building inspector liked it so much he said he is going to build a deck his wife wants him to build out if.

[bgmny]

The hidden fasteners will allow the decking to move slightly when you walk on it. The deck looks really clean when you're done, but it's alot of screwing under the deck. Make sure you don't get a screw a 1/4" longer mixed in the box like I did and end up with one all the way through the top!

[upnorth]

These setup use a t clip type fastener. I was pretty leery about it but turned out to very sturdy.

[crothmeier]

Trex Transcend is a really good product. And most of the hidden fastener systems now can be screwed from the top, not underneath.

[amateurfishing]

i used trex 5 years ago for kids sandbox with intention of doing matching deck later. never got to deck yet but hate trex, lots of color fading, not rigid, & local retailer told me "lifetime warranty" is very misguiding. very slippery on frost & not maintenance free like they "claim". When its deck time for me, will be natual cedar all the way for look, durability, and "natural" insect detractor that cedar is. i can handle once a year waterproofing & changing occasional bad board if necessary. enginereered is much costlier & do not think the benefits are justified.

[crothmeier]

You're retailer misguided you then. As long as I've been selling it they've never had a lifetime warranty, and any composite decking is termed "low maintenance". The product lines have come a long ways in the past 5 years, but the thing with composites is after a certain time they just look worn. Cedar can almost always be brought back to that "new" look with proper maintenance. To each his own.

[amateurfishing]

i could have been misinfomed, im sure the products have gotten better, will do more research when that time comes for me, also been told that it can be very slick if wet or overnight frost & mold/mildew/moss can grow inside. personally i like the perk of natural insect detractant in cedar. good luck and im sure all will find a product right for them

[solbes]

We put up a Trex deck in '07, so I've got 5 years on it now. First, you need to go 12 inches on center with this stuff. Disregard the 16" OC that they tell you, it'll be too spongy. 12" is firm and solid.

We also did a hidden fastener system and I love that aspect of it. Don't spend all that money on the higher materials and then have screw holes on top. It was a plexiglass fastener that also provided the board spacing. More labor, nice look. Also did the painted aluminum ballusters, I recommend that too.

Fading, yes of course (and its well advertised). It doesn't really bother me at all though. Just know that its going to get visibly lighter over 3 years or so. The vertical surfaces will likely be darker than the horizontal ones (at least the shaded ones).

Mold, yes. After 2-3 seasons you will start to get some dark spots. I kind of let mine get out of hand and it wasn't looking that great anymore this spring. I brushed on a composite cleaner and rinsed 2 minutes later. Then took my neighbors power washer to it and it looks brand new again. About 3 hours labor in 5 years as opposed to 2-3 coats of stain if I had gone cedar.

Its not that hot in the summer, I've never noticed it being slippery either. I actually love walking on this deck with bare feet. No slivers, no fasteners to feel. Cost and fading are the main concerns. Mold if you don't keep up on it every 2 - 3 seasons. Still a nice product.

[Eckie]

I put a new deck on last summer -- and chose Trex Transcend - I did all the same research (even have a post on here about it) and agree with Croth -- everyone last year said that Trex has come a long ways in the last several years. The Transcend series has received great reviews. Here's that thread, including a picture:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2672840/1

[Eckie]

Here's the pic...

[collegepaul]

Eckie, thanks for the feedback and the thread.

Looks like I'm going to make a trip to the Ugly Deck Store in Burnsville to look at the Timbertech and Trex Transcend. Any other places to look?