Alternative decking

[JohnnyM]

I have a small deck (about 10x20) that needs to be redone. Haven't decided yet whether to just stick with wood or try one of these synthetic/composite decking materials?

Has anyone tried them, what has been your experience? Thanks in advance.

 

[Baboso]

I'll throw the composite decking a plug. I helped my neighbor replace his pressure treated decking with composite about 4 years ago. Still looks great, no splinters, never needs staining. I still have pressure treated wood on our deck. Pressure washing twice a year and annual staining gets old. I'm going composite when it's time to replace.

 

[JohnnyM]

do you remember what kind of composite decking it was? i know that's awhile back, just wondering.

from what i've found it looks like the composite is tougher to install and of course more expensive, but then less work down the road, no splinters, etc.

 

[LazyEngineer]

What is the difference in cost?

 

[jimmyjazz]

I think costs range from $10/sf at the low end (pressure treated pine) to $25/sf at the high end (composite).

I've also read articles that indicate certain composite decks may not have "infinite" life due to the fact that some types use wood or other organic material as a matrix of sorts. Also, some folks say the composite decking gets a lot hotter than natural wood decking.

I'm looking into cast concrete decks for my new house. I haven't found any cost data yet, though.

 

[Baboso]

Since I didn't buy it, I can't speak as to cost and I've drank waaaaayyyy too much in the interim to remember the brand name. It wasn't too bad to work with, but we did have to use screws (which I would use anyway for any type of deck that I was building). I'll ask him what the brand was the next time I see him. He got the decking at Lowe's, if that helps any.

 

[jimmyjazz]

I just spoke with an estimator at a local concrete shop. He thought he could probably pour a typical residential deck for $15/sf or so. His assumptions were that the deck was already framed out and that a waterproofing membrane had been put in place.

If that's a solid number, I think a concrete deck would be hard to beat.

 

[JohnnyM]

no kidding, that seems like a great price. of course some just won't want a concrete deck, but for that $ it would be hard to beat.

 

[7Titles]

A poured concrete patio will barely cost more then a typical wood deck, and will be easier to maintain. Obviously there is a much different look to concrete vs wood deck though.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

A friend of mine owns a decking business here in Austin and i've seen him do some nice stuff with Evergreen product.

 

[jimmyjazz]

In reply to:

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[LazyEngineer]

Would the concrete be stained and scored - or just left like a driveway?

 

[jimmyjazz]

He said you could stain it. I presume you could score it, or perhaps stamp it like they do driveways to create a paver effect. The cost would obviously be higher for both of those options. Still, I think it would be hard to beat the longevity and overall aesthetic appeal.

I don't know how you would support it, or build stairs. I suppose either concrete or steel columns would make the most sense, along with steel or aluminum stairs. Wood would look odd (in my opinion).

 

[Horn9497]

Have you thought about using ipe? I've done a couple of decks with ipe and they turn out great. Slightly more maintenance than composite but it is very dense and doesn't splinter. I'd guess it is a bit under $20/s.f. I also did a stained concrete patio recently that turned out well. Also around $20/sf. Concrete prices were pretty high when I did mine and I'm not sure what has happened to them recently.

 

[Kahuna]

I'm about to start a new house next month and am considering decking materials. I had decided on going with one of the composites (either Trex or PermaDeck), but now am leaning towards concrete pavers like Pavestone. I prefer the solid feel of concrete pavers, they are low maintanence, they are non-skid, are available in a wide range of colors and shapes, can easily incorporate design details like colored borders, is a much nicer look than bare concrete, and is a good do-it-yourself project if you are somewhat a handyman and can drink beer to ease the pain of a sore back.

I advise staying away from most wood products, especially treated pine. The one exception would be epai(sp?).

If you are in Austin, the Home Depot in the Arboretum has a free Pavestone class every Friday evening, or so I am told. You can probably get installation information from any other Home Depot, however, since they sell the product. There are some good web sites also. Good luck.