PT vs Composite Deck

[studor]

Any idea how well it would hold up in the northern freeze/thaw conditions?

Done properly, ceramic tile will hold up just fine in freeze thaw conditions -- the key is to prevent water from getting underneath or into the surface through chips etc. Like wood, water is the problem.

 

[txdon]

txdon, that ceramic really looks nice. Any idea how well it would hold up in the northern freeze/thaw conditions?

Mark

No I do not. The tile guy did point out some other tile that should not be installed outside because of freeze.

 

[tallyho8]

My PT deck finally got too bad to repair so I replaced it. I decided I wanted a deck that would last a lifetime so I made one of concrete. It was actually cheaper and easier than I expected.

 

[Pops15]

It's the sun, not water that's the enemy of PT. A PROPERLY maintained PT deck will last for decades. The key is to use a good quality stain....and do it often.

The PT you get at box stores is #2 or worse. Get #1 from a real lumber yard and you'll have much better results.

No first hand experience with the various composite or vinyl decking but I've looked into using those products. Some of the vinyl decking is very slippery. Some has a non-skid surface that catches dirt. Some of the composites flex too much between the joists. Some composites require lots of specialty trim pieces which can be very expensive. Like PT, the vinyl and composites have drawbacks.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned cedar. It's a fairly common practice around here to use PT for the framing and 2X6 cedar for the decking. The only thing I don't like about it is the screw holes need to be predrilled on the ends.

The old porches that were mentioned used 1/4 sawn tongue and groove fir decking. It wears like iron but it's not really suitable for open decks.

 

[om21braz]

Lots of composites out there today and even more coming to market. Next phase is people looking to match deck look seemlessly with hardwoods from interior. Several companies are now testing various ways of achieving this look (applique vs. printing vs. other). Some companies are doing their homework by heavily testing before shipping product - and some are not. Be advised and know exactly what you are buying into as there are very wide differences between product lines and producers.

 

[2manyrocks]

I had a covered concrete patio that the prior owners had painted with gray paint. It always collected water in the middle because of a low spot and the paint would peel. I think a sealer on concrete would be good, but definitely not paint. No way to tile over it, either.

I recently saw a product that I don't know much about. It was a finer gravel mixture than pea gravel, but about that same color, that was glued to an existing concrete porch with some kind of poly glue. It looked nice, but I have no idea exactly what it was or how durable it is.

 

[955er]

I did ours 13 years ago with ponderosa pine. Still looks nice, but it does need to be washed and stained, and washed and stained.... Wood looks good, but vinyl is final.

 

[sweettractors]

I have used both and the composite is worth the extra $ in the long run. I get tired of staining PT every 2-3 years and mold is also worse on PT, so here come out the pressure washer. Ken Sweet

 

[hr3]

Not all "plastic" decking is created equal.. Check the flammability before you buy Trex isn't bad but most are very flammable.

TESTING FOR DECK MATERIAL FLAMMABILITY | Fire Management Today | Find Articles at BNET

 

[heehaw]

composite is 3 times the cost of PT here: may still be the best choice, but that price is for one color that was on sale at lowes a couple weeks ago: for all other colors or when not on sale, its more like 5 or 6 times the cost: a PT 5/4 is about $6: the same length composite was $24 on sale, regular price 35. i wanted to "blind nail" whatever i use an lowes doesn't seem to have any options like that.
heehaw

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I was in Lowes today, I think some of the nicer looking decking was $3 / ft.

 

[heehaw]

i apologize: i'm not sure what i was looking at a couple weeks ago when i got the prices at lowes i quoted earlier: i was there this morning, an about double the cost of composite compared to PT lumber is closer: the gray composite for a 6inch by 12ft is about $22: but the other colors are about 10-12bucks a piece higher: i'd be interested in hearing from someone that has had a lot of people on their deck at one time with the composite stuff an how it holds up.
heehaw

 

[sweettractors]

i apologize: i'm not sure what i was looking at a couple weeks ago when i got the prices at lowes i quoted earlier: i was there this morning, an about double the cost of composite compared to PT lumber is closer: the gray composite for a 6inch by 12ft is about $22: but the other colors are about 10-12bucks a piece higher: i'd be interested in hearing from someone that has had a lot of people on their deck at one time with the composite stuff an how it holds up.
heehaw

With floor joists 16 inches apart, you will never have a problem. Ken Sweet

 

[deepNdirt]

Here you folks something to work with in figuring your cost for building a deck, although you will have to ad about 28% to this, most of this incress has happen in the past 2 months,

Deck Cost Calculator: Deck Building Cost Calculator, deck stairs, building decks, online deck cost calculator

 

[deepNdirt]

Now if you don't already know what materials you will be needing here is another site that can help you with the figuring of materials,
Deck Calculator | McFeely's

 

[roamerr]

Just built a new home and we chose Trex for our screen porch. Buckeye was correct when he mentioned temperature -- do not chose a dark color if exposed to the hot sun all day or you will not be able to use your deck. The composite/plastic decking can get extremely hot.

I like the Trex but learned that:
Color does vary -- buy enough from same lot for the job.
Paint can absorb in -- watch any painters!
Carpenter needs to be better since waste is expensive!

I really like the Trex. Note that Home Depot and Lowes sells Trex and a cheaper normally grey product. They grey product is a lower line composite that stains much easier in my experience (we had some at last home).

 

[jbarker855]

I was looking at various composite decking options last year at Lowes. One of their sales associates who seemed to know what he was doing told me that the Lowes "generic" brand composite was actually of higher quality than Trex. This off brand was Weyerhauser Choicedek Premium. In cross section, the generic was bigger (and supposedly stronger) than the Trex. The generic was cheaper though. He told me that with Trex, "you're paying a premium for the name". I don't think he had anything to gain by telling me this. I mean, I would have ended up spending more money at his store if I bought the Trex. I didn't buy either, as I was just researching the available options. I'd be curious if anyone else can chime in on what's a better brand.

 

[Dmace]

The Trex is smaller in cross section which is true but that is because it is better suited for curved decks and fancy layouts. When I was shopping I had the Trex and the Portico decking to choose from. The lumber yard owner (friend) asked me what I was doing for a deck. I told him just a standard raised 12x30, nothing special. He recommended the Portico saying the Trex was much more pliable and better suited for curves like this:

He took a forklift and picked up a pallet of Trex 16ft'ers and lifted it from the center, the ends of the boards touched the ground from almost 4ft up.
The he picked up the same sized pallet of Portico 16ft'ers and lifted them up and they barely flexed more than a foot or so. He said they are stronger but don't try making a curve with them. :laughing:

Each has their place but reliability and durability are very both much higher than PT.

 

[rjkobbeman]

The Trex is smaller in cross section which is true but that is because it is better suited for curved decks and fancy layouts. When I was shopping I had the Trex and the Portico decking to choose from. The lumber yard owner (friend) asked me what I was doing for a deck. I told him just a standard raised 12x30, nothing special. He recommended the Portico saying the Trex was much more pliable and better suited for curves like this:

He took a forklift and picked up a pallet of Trex 16ft'ers and lifted it from the center, the ends of the boards touched the ground from almost 4ft up.
The he picked up the same sized pallet of Portico 16ft'ers and lifted them up and they barely flexed more than a foot or so. He said they are stronger but don't try making a curve with them. :laughing:

Each has their place but reliability and durability are very both much higher than PT.

That deck is incredible!

 

[sweettractors]

I agree, that deck is incredible. I'd sure like to see the front of the house. Ken Sweet