Camping Deck

[dj1701]

My buddy owns an RV park. He sent me a pic of one of his camper decks from the prior owner that has rotted out.

He knows it has to be off the ground or it will rot again. Just curious, what are other ideas besides another wood deck?

 

[BleedingOrange]

Use deck blocks. They raise the frame off the ground by about 8-10 inches, to help keep the frame dry.

 

[JJT]

My vote - a stamped concrete or paver patio.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

Use ground contact green treated lumber

 

[EddieWalker]

A deck that low to the ground is going to hold moisture under it. I don't believe any wood product is going to last. Sometimes it's cheaper to just pour concrete.

 

[ponytug]

At a minimum, raise the height to have ventilation on four sides, not just one. I would also add a vapor barrier under the soil to reduce rising moisture.

If he goes the concrete pad route (prefab?), I would put a water barrier and a layer of foam under it. If it were me though, I would address the ventilation and go with wood.

I think that your buddy was lucky nobody got hurt. Deck failure injuries get pretty nasty, as the knee jerk reaction is to lift your leg, and drive the the splinters in really good.

All the best,

Peter

 

[bdhsfz6]

Block the treated lumber off the ground a few inches and cover with interlocking aluminum planks:

Craft-Bilt Aluminum Waterproof Decking. Best Decking (Canada) : Craft Bilt

Forget the composites, vinyl membrane and fibreglass, aluminum deck boards are the only decking that will last forever. 20% factory direct DIY special offer!

craft-bilt.com

Creates a waterproof surface so no moisture seeps through onto the support structure.

 

[ponytug]

Block the treated lumber off the ground a few inches and cover with interlocking aluminum planks:

View attachment 5606691

Craft-Bilt Aluminum Waterproof Decking. Best Decking (Canada) : Craft Bilt

Forget the composites, vinyl membrane and fibreglass, aluminum deck boards are the only decking that will last forever. 20% factory direct DIY special offer!

craft-bilt.com

Creates a waterproof surface so no moisture seeps through onto the support structure.

There is always the issue of moisture rising from the soil.

I'm curious, do you know what is the Canadian pricing like? When I priced it here in California ten years ago it was three to four times the cost of composite decking (Trex Timberloc, etc.), and basically the cost of a 100% concrete deck. ($60/sq.ft. at the time)

It has a reputation locally for being very hard on bare feet (hot), and icing up easily, but great for decks over occupied areas.

All the best,

Peter

 

[bdhsfz6]

There is always the issue of moisture rising from the soil.

I'm curious, do you know what is the Canadian pricing like? When I priced it here in California ten years ago it was three to four times the cost of composite decking (Trex Timberloc, etc.), and basically the cost of a 100% concrete deck. ($60/sq.ft. at the time)

It has a reputation locally for being very hard on bare feet (hot), and icing up easily, but great for decks over occupied areas.

All the best,

Peter

Not sure of the current pricing. I used the aluminum on my 14' x 22' deck back in 2006 and the price was 2.5 times Trex and 3 times that of treated wood. Pricey, yes but it still looks new today with absolutely zero maintenance. I'd be looking to replace or resurface the others by now.

I chose a light tan color and it isn't bad on the feet in summer. It does ice up easily, but it also thaws quickly making it easy to shovel off. The biggest advantage is, it keeps the area under the second story deck bone dry.