plastic decking vs. wood

[Gadgetman]

I am going to have to replace my cedar deck soon and am wondering what kind of experience people have had with the various plasic materials. I am a bit leary as I have heard some unpleasant things and some positive things. what do you guys think? I built my dogs kennel out of some stuff that Menards used to carry and it is looking good after 8 years, but they no longer carry that brand. Thoughts please

[RobertELee]

Was the stuff made out of solid recycled plastic no wood fiber? If so, I know of a place where you can get it.

[Ufatz]

I would never go back to wooden decks! Have had our Trex deck for five years. We restained part of it once. It will flex in very hot weather and there are days when you CAN'T walk on it barefooted, but otherwise there is just no comparison. Why mess around staining and cleaning decks. That eats into fishin' time.

I'd sure never go back.

[Gadgetman]

I think the stuff was wood/plastic. Brown and molded with a bit of a crown in it. Not sure I like it enough to use it for something on my home. The products that have come out since then are much nicer looking. Just wondering about how they stand up. Have seen pictures on various web sites of mushrooms growing on Trex and other brands...wondering if this is an anomolay or a reality.

[bigdog]

I bought the least expensive material that Menards had last year, about $1.00 a foot. Used it for seats on some stools and some outdoor table tops. Would never put it down as decking, it scratches very easily. I do expect the more expensive stuff, Trex, etc. would hold up better. Just beware of the inexpensive stuff.

[sparcebag]

People are finding out the new composit material isnt all it was to be.Look at previous post it warps?? too hot to walk on?? Well i'd say right there its questionable.Treated is warrenteed for 20 yrs.It needs no stain or up keep,It turns a natural warm brown after a year or so,or could be stained,watersealed,painted and costs a lot less than manmade products!And you need a treated wood frame to support it any way!

[Ufatz]

I meant it will "move" and soften a bit in HOT weather. It doesn't really warp. And yes, it CAN get hotter'n hell on really blazing days. And so does wood, but probably not quie as hot. BUT....I do NOT, pressure wash, treat, watch for rot and weakness. Until you have spent a few DAYS every other summer stripping, treating and repairing your WOODEN deck you won't and can't really appreciate the Trex desk stuff. I am pleased. When its too hot to walk barefoot on it I sit in the shade with my Beefeaters and olives and ice.

[sparcebag]

Treated is warrenteed for 20 yrs.It needs no stain or up keep

[burl]

Better check on local codes.Some areas do not allow certain types of decking,not an expert on this but was told the composite could not be used in some the northern suburbs.I have had cedar on all of my decks.One deck is about twenty years old and is now starting to show some rot.Have converted all of my lower level areas to paver patios.Burl.

[sparcebag]

Burl; I think thats for asthetic values! vinyl siding,vinyl windows,doors, trim,it all looks good in the store but when applied its a different story!!Also the hand rail systems on most composits is a weak system very little support

[Gadgetman]

My cedar deck that is 16 feet in the air and facing west is rotting that is why I am replacing it. Have been cutting off the ends and flipping the over which will work for a while but when I have to finally bite the bullet I think that I will prefer to not have to be out there sealing it every year. The rest of my home is maintenance free seamless steel with metal clad window. I would be very happy to never see a paint brush again. I dont care if it gets hot, I have sandals... I just dont want to trade one maintenance problem for a different one. Who else has the stuff and do you like it or not? Keep the feed back coming please

[slotlimit]

I have a patio so I don't know all the details but price would have a factor for me. Lets say the price of a plastic deck has $2000 in materials. How much would that same deck cost using treated?

[RobertELee]

The one problem with retro fitting an existing wood deck with solid plastic or composite is that you WILL need to add joists. Most decks have joists that are 16" on center or more, you will either need to put extra joists between the existing, which will make it 8" on center or rip them all out and at a recommended maximum put them 12" OC.

[RobertELee]

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Lets say the price of a plastic deck has $2000 in materials. How much would that same deck cost using treated?

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I worked for a local company that sold recycled plastic decking and built lawn furniture out of the same material. Our material was approx. 2x the price of green treated. There are materials out there that are much less expensive than that and also more expensive. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

[Scoot]

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Most decks have joists that are 16" on center or more, you will either need to put extra joists between the existing, which will make it 8" on center or rip them all out and at a recommended maximum put them 12" OC.

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That's simply not true. For example, I used Geodeck in my recently finished deck, and the manufacturer recommends no more than 24" gaps between floor joists. So... compared to your 16" on center joists, you could get by just fine with FEWER joists.

[bigdog]

If cost was not an issue you could look into coated metal decking. It's terribly expensive but a fellow at work installed it a few years ago and it's in like new condition and no Maint.

[slotlimit]

Thanks Robert,

So I could build twice the deck out of treated? I won't have to do anything for 20 years? SO out of the plastic stuff I could build one deck. Out of treated I could build a "Tim the Tool Man Deck" with every extra imagineable for the same price or I could take the extra money I saved and go on a fishing trip. Seems like an easy choice for me.

[sparcebag]

Scoot I saw your deck on the other post,looks good!I wondered why no hand rail though,accident waiting to happen,the benches look great and provide some warning of deck edge.But the price knocked my socks off $4400.00.A wood deck about the same size around $1200.00 -1500.00 of course thats no labor costs.Isnt your 4400 no labor??

[slotlimit]

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Scoot I saw your deck on the other post,looks good!I wondered why no hand rail though,accident waiting to happen,the benches look great and provide some warning of deck edge.But the price knocked my socks off $4400.00.A wood deck about the same size around $1200.00 -1500.00 of course thats no labor costs.Isnt your 4400 no labor??

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I just took a look at that deck...$4400 WOW It does look nice. But there is no way I would be able to sit on those benches for more then about 10 minutes. Can you add a Back rest on the things? IF that same deck could have been built for $1500.00 then my "Tim the Tool Man" deck example is right. You could have built that same deck. With a big Stainless Steel Grill, Leather Lazyboys to sit in, A Bar, Big Screen TV, one of those awnings that come out from the house, and probably still had money left over for the fishing trip. Plus had no maintenance for 20 years. Most people don't even live in the same home for 20 years these days.

[Scoot]

The no railings/no seat side will have a grill and a large storage container made out of Geodeck on it. That way, no railings will be needed. Honestly, I hate the railings- blocks the view and aren't very eye appealing to me. The bench seating was a way to get around the railings. I intentionally built the deck low enough to not need a hand rail on the steps too.

Yes, the composite decking is expensive. I shopped around a lot to find the lowest price I could for Geodeck. I also looked at a ton of other composite decking materials and feel really solid about the Geodeck choice. Geodeck is guarenteed to fade less than 5% over 10 years. So, basically it doesn't fade, and is rock solid when installed. I know several people in the deck building world who 1) weren't trying to sell me anything and, 2) assured me that Geodeck is the best available on the market today. Also, one of them doesn't even carry Geodeck at his shop.

As far as the previous statement about the decision looking like a no-brainer because of money, I think it all depends on where you're at. If you don't plan on living in that house in 10 years, that should factor in. If there's no way you can afford $4400 for materials to build a deck, that obviously factors in. But if you want a deck that won't fade, will last a looong time, and requires virtually no maintenance, I agree the choice is a no-brainer. However, it's a spendy choice.

Good luck in your decision and deck building.

[bottomdweller]

I went the trex route, love the geo deck also. Spent extra than treated or cedar but I am so glad i went this route. No maintenance at all. My deck is high so I went with ornamental iron for railings and I think it dressed it up real nice. If you stay in your house a long time plastic is the way to go in my opinion. As far as scratches wood does too. Hotness, my deck is on the south side and I think it has to be 90 or better before my feet cant take it. Which is just to hot to be on the deck for me anyway.

gl

[slotlimit]

I think your deck looks nice don't get me wrong. The bench seats are nice if they are the railing. But to sit on them for any period of time whitout a backrest/cushion. Is like t_ts on a boar....worthless. You are still going to need some type of chairs out there to sit on. I would also bet it cost more for the bench seating then it would have cost for the railing....maybe not. But the railing would also give you that much more sq. footage.

[Scoot]

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I would also bet it cost more for the bench seating then it would have cost for the railing....maybe not. But the railing would also give you that much more sq. footage.

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I'm sure it did cost more than railing. But like I already said, I think (and so does my wife) that the railing is ugly- we didn't want it. We built out deck the way WE wanted it... not the way you wanted it. As far as the bench seating not being comfortable, good news for you: 1) the deck's 16' x 20'- we've got plenty of room for an outdoor table and chairs.

[slotlimit]

Post deleted by slotlimit

[sparcebag]

Now Now Now slot remember a few months ago???