Topic: Deck

[dhall57]

Has anyone had a deck built or repaired recently. My current one has seen it's better days and needs replacing. It's a 12 X 20 and my plan is to use premium treated wood decking not the composite fake boards(which is really pricey) with aluminum railing and gate. I know someone who does quality work and they are giving me quote between 9 and 10 grand materials and labor. A little more expensive than I thought but I know building materials are high and you get what you pay for and I know he wouldn't cut any corners and would do me a good job. Let me know what you think.

[scottly]

My mom had a new deck about the same size put in recently, and I think the materials were about 2-3 thousand? My nephew and his friend did the work; I don't know how much she paid them. I'll try to remember to ask her when we talk next Sunday. 

[grcamna2]

My mom had a new deck about the same size put in recently, and I think the materials were about 2-3 thousand? My nephew and his friend did the work; I don't know how much she paid them. I'll try to remember to ask her when we talk next Sunday.

That's good,considering the cost of materials.

[calj737]

Pricing materials simply off sq/ft is misleading. Your contractor might be doing bearers with more support posts, larger posts, higher off the ground than another same sized deck. Is he using 5/4 or 2x decking? That changes the cost a great deal. Stainless deck screws and membrane over the supports? That’s the way I build mine. And of course, regionally material costs differ greatly.

I don’t think $9-$10k is that out of line if it’s a well-built, quality contracted project. And of course the ally railing system is very pricey right now as metals are still peaking in price.

And for reference, I did a 10x10 low deck as a hot tub patio with a pergola last year. Materials were over $4k. But you could drive a dump truck over it and it won’t flex. It will certainly outlast me and my wife.

[jgger]

If that's new decking over existing joist and nailed down, then WAY too much.

[HondaMan]

I "refurb'd" mine some 12 years ago by laying the vinyl-clad composite boards (of the same width) over the older redwood, which was showing wear, but still good. It looked ratty. I also replaced the redwood hand rails with these composite boards, and overlaid the steps (there's 9 steps up to it from the ground, bi-level house). Today it still looks new!
This has turned out to be the best decking decision I've ever made, and if I had to do it all over from scratch I'd use treated lumber under the composite again. It doesn't have to be re-done any time soon.

It's not the Trex brand: that type of composite only seems to last about 12-15 years. I was forewarned about that by a friend in the construction business when I did it: I used the Veranda brand.

[grcamna2]

I "refurb'd" mine some 12 years ago by laying the vinyl-clad composite boards (of the same width) over the older redwood, which was showing wear, but still good. It looked ratty. I also replaced the redwood hand rails with these composite boards, and overlaid the steps (there's 9 steps up to it from the ground, bi-level house). Today it still looks new!
This has turned out to be the best decking decision I've ever made, and if I had to do it all over from scratch I'd use treated lumber under the composite again. It doesn't have to be re-done any time soon.

It's not the Trex brand: that type of composite only seems to last about 12-15 years. I was forewarned about that by a friend in the construction business when I did it: I used the Veranda brand.

Does it get slippery ?

[HondaMan]

I "refurb'd" mine some 12 years ago by laying the vinyl-clad composite boards (of the same width) over the older redwood, which was showing wear, but still good. It looked ratty. I also replaced the redwood hand rails with these composite boards, and overlaid the steps (there's 9 steps up to it from the ground, bi-level house). Today it still looks new!
This has turned out to be the best decking decision I've ever made, and if I had to do it all over from scratch I'd use treated lumber under the composite again. It doesn't have to be re-done any time soon.

It's not the Trex brand: that type of composite only seems to last about 12-15 years. I was forewarned about that by a friend in the construction business when I did it: I used the Veranda brand.

Does it get slippery ?

Only when the winter sub-zero manages to put ice on it. That's only happened twice that I remember, when we had a 'snap-storm' here. Those are storms when it goes from about 50-60 degrees to 0-10 degrees in less than an hour, usually starting with rain that turns to sleet and then ice, followed by snow, about 1"-3". We get those about twice a year: if the sun was out first (and it didn't happen at night) then the deck is fine.

The Trex in the local parks gets iced over a lot more, making those walkways nasty in cold, wet weather.

[grcamna2]

I "refurb'd" mine some 12 years ago by laying the vinyl-clad composite boards (of the same width) over the older redwood, which was showing wear, but still good. It looked ratty. I also replaced the redwood hand rails with these composite boards, and overlaid the steps (there's 9 steps up to it from the ground, bi-level house). Today it still looks new!
This has turned out to be the best decking decision I've ever made, and if I had to do it all over from scratch I'd use treated lumber under the composite again. It doesn't have to be re-done any time soon.

It's not the Trex brand: that type of composite only seems to last about 12-15 years. I was forewarned about that by a friend in the construction business when I did it: I used the Veranda brand.

Does it get slippery ?

Only when the winter sub-zero manages to put ice on it. That's only happened twice that I remember, when we had a 'snap-storm' here. Those are storms when it goes from about 50-60 degrees to 0-10 degrees in less than an hour, usually starting with rain that turns to sleet and then ice, followed by snow, about 1"-3". We get those about twice a year: if the sun was out first (and it didn't happen at night) then the deck is fine.

The Trex in the local parks gets iced over a lot more, making those walkways nasty in cold, wet weather.

I asked because of the vinyl covering.

[jlh3rd]

I have the vinyl decking and it's no more slippery than wood.

[Stev-o]

Let me know what you think.

I've built and repaired quite a few decks over the years.  I would do some investigation on the frame, can that be reused?  If yes, then replacing just the deck boards is a possibility and fairly basic carpentry work.
Dont you have a son?  Perfect father/son project!

[Kelly E]

My contractor recommended Timber Tech decking. He said it doesn't swell or anything bad over the years. It also has all stainless steel hidden hardware.

[newday777]

My contractor recommended Timber Tech decking. He said it doesn't swell or anything bad over the years. It also has all stainless steel hidden hardware.

Timber Tech is what I put on a friend's deck this spring. It's definitely better than the others.