Composite decking??? worth it

[bucktaker]

In the planning stages for a floating boat dock @ my place on Norris Lake. PT wood framing over encapsulated floats.
10x26 single slip with a 12x32 sun deck all told about 575 sq feet decking.

I have run the numbers for either #1 grade PT 2x6's or Premium Grade 5/4 decking vs the cheapest composite decking.

Composite is still at least $2 a running ft . I have read lots a negatives about the low end composites with mold and such. Any one have any experience or care to cast a opinion?

composite @ lowes $26 per 12 ft piece
#1 grade PT 2x6 8.35 each 12 ft
premium 5/4 9.75 each 12

Will need 115 boards.

 

[ovrszd]

First, isn't it horrible what it costs to build anything anymore!!!!

I offer no experience with composites. Other than my buddies deck,,, which is slicker than an ice skating rink when covered with the slightest bit of moisture.

 

[sweettractors]

In the planning stages for a floating boat dock @ my place on Norris Lake. PT wood framing over encapsulated floats.
10x26 single slip with a 12x32 sun deck all told about 575 sq feet decking.

I have run the numbers for either #1 grade PT 2x6's or Premium Grade 5/4 decking vs the cheapest composite decking.

Composite is still at least $2 a running ft . I have read lots a negatives about the low end composites with mold and such. Any one have any experience or care to cast a opinion?

composite @ lowes $26 per 12 ft piece
#1 grade PT 2x6 8.35 each 12 ft
premium 5/4 9.75 each 12

Will need 115 boards.

Mold, however, pressure washer will take care of that. Ken Sweet

 

[kenmac]

I considered using composite material when I built my deck. I just couldn't justify the higher cost of composite .

 

[newbury]

I've used composite for 1 small project about 8 to 10 years ago, a deck about 8x12. It seems to have held up well. This was when the composite was first being sold at Lowes. They had priced them wrong and were about the same price as 2x6 PT. In addition I have one 8' long piece left out in the sun and rain, no splitting but it does get hot in the summer.

When I redid my larger patio deck a few years later and saw the REAL price I went with PT.

Try and checkwith locals on how hot the decking gets in your area. It would be a shame to put it in and not be able to walk on it with bare feet.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sorry, but I think all this stuff is highly suspect at best and pure JUNK at worst. I was at a customers and asked why all the holes in his deck. It was from ice falling off the second story roof!

When I grew up, plywood was seen as the new junk material.

 

[rekees4300]

composite @ lowes $26 per 12 ft piece

Been thinking about replacing my wood deck with composite but at that price, I will continue to paint it. Thanks for the info.

 

[deepNdirt]

I'm not a big fan of trex decking, especially the first generation of it's design, yes it was hot to the touch and slippery when wet, Although the market has re-designed the composite decking, They offer it with textured surfaces and V-grooves texture that helps to provide a none slippery surface, But I'm not sure that anything has been changed as far as it heating up goes,

Have you explored the Ipe wood? it's a beautiful material to use on decks and is almost comparable to cost of trex, perhaps 10% more,

3rd option would be to use a good grade of P/T materials, being sure to keep it sealed at least every other year, if the decking boards ever were to become in rough condition, There is a product now on the market that's call Restore,
Though actually I haven't found anyone who has tried it to provide feedback, so I couldn't be sure of how long it will last or if it's just another gimmick,
I may have to try it out on my own deck to see how it does,

 

[bucktaker]

I'm not a big fan of trex decking, especially the first generation of it's design, yes it was hot to the touch and slippery when wet, Although the market has re-designed the composite decking, They offer it with textured surfaces and V-grooves texture that helps to provide a none slippery surface, But I'm not sure that anything has been changed as far as it heating up goes,

Have you explored the Ipe wood? it's a beautiful material to use on decks and is almost comparable to cost of trex, perhaps 10% more,







3rd option would be to use a good grade of P/T materials, being sure to keep it sealed at least every other year, if the decking boards ever were to become in rough condition, There is a product now on the market that's call Restore,
Though actually I haven't found anyone who has tried it to provide feedback, so I couldn't be sure of how long it will last or if it's just another gimmick,
I may have to try it out on my own deck to see how it does,

I have looked @ IPE and it is more cost than the low end composite more inline with the high end pvc coated composite which is around $45 dollars per 12 ft bd. Which is out of my reach ( or desire to spend)

 

[ttriff]

Really depends on how much time and labor you want to invest in a wood deck preservation and necessary replacement due to rot/weather/etc.

We have a 15yr old first generation Trex deck made with the commercial grade material (thicker material compared to what's sold at retail). It's great, looks good, ZERO maintenance and will probably out live me.

The only deck system I'd consider these days is Trex and their new Elevations system.

Do it once, and do it right the first time....