24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 664
Q
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Q
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 664
Originally Posted by BobMt
Originally Posted by Quick_Karl
Originally Posted by Nebraska
We have a 16'x20' cedar deck that's ready for replacement. I'm less than impressed with how the cedar held up and want to stick with wood to keep the cost down so I'm leaning towards switching to pressure treated lumber this time. If anyone has experience with both I'd like to hear your thoughts on which one you preferred and why.....thank you!


Why were you less than impressed with cedar? Cedar is on of the best natural wood materials there is for a deck. The mistake that so many folks make with cedar is, they try to stain and or coat it to make it look like furniture... Cedar - presuming it is actual cedar - is not meant to be stained or sealed for outdoor use - ever see anyone stain and seal a cedar split-rail fence? The best thing anyone can do with cedar is install it with coated nails (screws are obviously better), and just let it turn the beautiful silver-gray color it does naturally.

I think it is a beautiful deck material that should easily last a lifetime. If you want a deck with a stained finish on it, the price just goes up exponentially, an the work never ends.

Just my 2-cents.

[EDIT] If price isn't an issue then a man-made material can be a good choice.



this......bob


Been telling people for years...

The reason a cedar fence doesn't rot is, it's cedar! Has oils and whatnot that keep it from rotting - and prevent stain and/or paint from sticking to it for any length of time - ESPECIALLY where the sun hits it!

Ever see anyone stain or paint cedar roof shakes?

I love the silver/gray color - looks beautiful.


Like Sam Houston, I will vote for what is best for ME in 2020.
Texans read their Bibles to find what they want it to say, and are blind to what it actually says...
BP-B2

Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,855
W
WAM Offline
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
W
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,855
I replaced the 5/4x4 cedar decking on my front deck last year after 21 years and a couple of replaced planks. It gets most of the sun and all of the rain. I replaced framing with PT and 5/4x6 decking. Burned the old cedar painted rails 5hat required painting every year with vinyl railing from Lowe’s. Next occupant might have to replace in 18 years....


Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,125
J
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
J
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,125
Originally Posted by Quick_Karl
Originally Posted by BobMt
Originally Posted by Quick_Karl
Originally Posted by Nebraska
We have a 16'x20' cedar deck that's ready for replacement. I'm less than impressed with how the cedar held up and want to stick with wood to keep the cost down so I'm leaning towards switching to pressure treated lumber this time. If anyone has experience with both I'd like to hear your thoughts on which one you preferred and why.....thank you!


Why were you less than impressed with cedar? Cedar is on of the best natural wood materials there is for a deck. The mistake that so many folks make with cedar is, they try to stain and or coat it to make it look like furniture... Cedar - presuming it is actual cedar - is not meant to be stained or sealed for outdoor use - ever see anyone stain and seal a cedar split-rail fence? The best thing anyone can do with cedar is install it with coated nails (screws are obviously better), and just let it turn the beautiful silver-gray color it does naturally.

I think it is a beautiful deck material that should easily last a lifetime. If you want a deck with a stained finish on it, the price just goes up exponentially, an the work never ends.

Just my 2-cents.

[EDIT] If price isn't an issue then a man-made material can be a good choice.



this......bob


Been telling people for years...

The reason a cedar fence doesn't rot is, it's cedar! Has oils and whatnot that keep it from rotting - and prevent stain and/or paint from sticking to it for any length of time - ESPECIALLY where the sun hits it!

Ever see anyone stain or paint cedar roof shakes?

I love the silver/gray color - looks beautiful.


Lotsa folks around here pressure wash shake roofs and oil em. For a deck the no staining/slivers is a huge plus for me


Ping pong balls for the win.
Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable
I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.

Ain’t easy havin pals.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,591
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,591
Anyone thinking cedar is better without oiling either lives in a very narrow range of climate or is kidding themselves.


Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
Campfire Oracle
Offline
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
Originally Posted by Sitka deer
Anyone thinking cedar is better without oiling either lives in a very narrow range of climate or is kidding themselves.

Test board! wink


If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli

American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
IC B2

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,742
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,742
Originally Posted by Jim_Conrad
What ever the synthetic glue board that is indestructible and is formed to look like lumber.

Use that.


I've seen that pretty successfully installed and used in the NW, but in other regions not so much.
In the SW, I see decks and benches and the like built of it warped all to hell, they are torn out and replaced with wood rather quickly. Apparently excessive sun or UV does a number on it. Docks built of it can be a disaster, don't overfill that running tank on the dock, a gas spill eats the stuff. Then there is just the whole idea of a plastic deck.....

Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,855
W
WAM Offline
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
W
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,855
Originally Posted by JeffA
Originally Posted by Jim_Conrad
What ever the synthetic glue board that is indestructible and is formed to look like lumber.

Use that.


..... Then there is just the whole idea of a plastic deck.....

Yep, that’s what the wife says. Easier to replace cedar than the spousal unit. So NO plastic here by proclamation. Recognize correct answer when told!


Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
Campfire Oracle
Offline
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
I built a small deck last summer, ALL PT wood . Looks great. Need to put on an oil stain this year.


If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli

American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,591
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,591
Originally Posted by JeffA
Originally Posted by Jim_Conrad
What ever the synthetic glue board that is indestructible and is formed to look like lumber.

Use that.


I've seen that pretty successfully installed and used in the NW, but in other regions not so much.
In the SW, I see decks and benches and the like built of it warped all to hell, they are torn out and replaced with wood rather quickly. Apparently excessive sun or UV does a number on it. Docks built of it can be a disaster, don't overfill that running tank on the dock, a gas spill eats the stuff. Then there is just the whole idea of a plastic deck.....

This...


Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,319
J
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
J
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,319
PT framing and Trex deck that is about 15 years old. I hit it with the pressure washer every other year or so and it looks like new. It sits in the full sun, we have experienced none of the negatives that have been mentioned here. I would go that way again in a heartbeat.

Last edited by jdunham; 05/26/19.

NRA Life Member

~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
IC B3

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,252
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,252
After years of maintaining the crappy deck I am tearing it out to build a patio with pavers after the joists gave up the ghost.. Life is too short to spend the rest of it messing with a wood deck!

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27,371
A
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
A
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27,371
Concrete patio is cheaper long term if you can make that work. You’re right, Hunts.


[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,793
O
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
O
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,793
Originally Posted by jdunham
PT framing and Trex deck that is about 15 years old. I hit it with the pressure washer every other year or so and it looks like new. It sits in the full sun, we have experienced none of the negatives that have been mentioned here. I would go that way again in a heartbeat.

Yours has been my experience also. Installation is key. Trex has little structural strength so adequate support is critical. Also, the planks can’t be installed too closely together or problems will occur.


There are 2 rules to success:

1. Never tell everything that you know.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,877
J
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
J
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,877
PT wood deck, cedar deck does not work in my area. Temp. swings of 100 degrees and 6 months of snow just tear wood decks up.
Put up with a PT wood deck for years, they need constant maintenance, and sealing/staining on a regular basis.
Two years go tore off all my decking, PT wood frame then Azek decking using invisible fasteners and picture frame style (no deck ends visible) Azek trim over PT frame, nice clean look, then vinyl handrail system and privacy fencing. No slivers, no staining, no warped boards. Wash it in the spring just like you do your car.
Last deck you'll ever need.
Trex, is a cheaper version of this, Trex will not stand the sun/snow like Azek

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Last edited by jbmi; 05/26/19.

"The older I get, the better I was"
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,696
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,696
Originally Posted by jbmi
PT wood deck, cedar deck does not work in my area. Temp. swings of 100 degrees and 6 months of snow just tear wood decks up.
Put up with a PT wood deck for years, they need constant maintenance, and sealing/staining on a regular basis.
Two years go tore off all my decking, PT wood frame then Azek decking using invisible fasteners and picture frame style (no deck ends visible) Azek trim over PT frame, nice clean look, then vinyl handrail system and privacy fencing. No slivers, no staining, no warped boards. Wash it in the spring just like you do your car.
Last deck you'll ever need.
Trex, is a cheaper version of this, Trex will not stand the sun/snow like Azek

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]



My experience exactly...

Life is way too short to spend several days a summer working on a wood deck.

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,086
G
gbp Offline
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
G
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,086
ipe decking

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,036
S
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
S
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,036
Originally Posted by Nebraska
We have a 16'x20' cedar deck that's ready for replacement. I'm less than impressed with how the cedar held up and want to stick with wood to keep the cost down so I'm leaning towards switching to pressure treated lumber this time. If anyone has experience with both I'd like to hear your thoughts on which one you preferred and why.....thank you!



Pressure treated hands down. Keep the "cup" right, keep it clean, keep it treated.. I've yet to see a Trex deck impress,


Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an
attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.

GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,553
S
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
S
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,553
Originally Posted by Shag
Originally Posted by Nebraska
We have a 16'x20' cedar deck that's ready for replacement. I'm less than impressed with how the cedar held up and want to stick with wood to keep the cost down so I'm leaning towards switching to pressure treated lumber this time. If anyone has experience with both I'd like to hear your thoughts on which one you preferred and why.....thank you!



Pressure treated hands down. Keep the "cup" right, keep it clean, keep it treated.. I've yet to see a Trex deck impress,


And carpenter bees love cedar boards. Last cedar deck I tore down to replace wit PT not only looked like crap but was unsteady. Some of the boards literally buzzed with bees. Some I cut open were tunneled like an ant farm.


“When Tyranny becomes Law, Rebellion becomes Duty”

Colossians 3:17 (New King James Version)
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 177
P
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
P
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 177
This is my trade...
The OP is looking for a budget solution and while I will sign onto the recommendations for Ipe and synthetics I'll try to address the OP's main concern first. Cedar vs. PT As others have noted today's commonly available cedar is not what was typical in the decks of yesteryear. Unless you pay for very expensive old growth, say 20ish a square foot you aren't going to be happy for very long. I am unsure about some of the Alaskan Yellow species that those up North might have access to but, lower 48 anything you get will be a sapwood inland version of western red. Depending on where this deck will be PT could be a good solution. If it gets a lot of sun, read my comments below. If it is a wet-ish or shady environment it could go well. A trick of the trade and it's actually a part of the install instruction for EliteDeck is to spray the newly installed pt decking down with a special sealer Wolman sells. It's a low grade deck stain kinda like Thompsons, a light oil. This seals in the moisture and slows the drying process mitigating much of the downsides of pt lumber. Keep it covered before install, you actually want to keep it wet as long as possible.
I would take a long hard look at some of the more affordable composites if you can. Trex, Deckorators, Fiberon and Wolf are the best in my opinion. I despise Azek and TimberTech. they both are made by CPG and the warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on. Yes, sometimes their product serves people well which is why some folks will adamantly recommend it but, in aggregate there are way too many failures and they don't back it up. I once had a customers deck turn milky white and the rep said it was weathered not faded, so not covered. He almost got thrown off of that deck and in the end, after a lot of threats they did cover that one, most have not fared so well. Google it.
Fiberon has always shot me straight and Deckorators has never failed us once. They have a warranty that covers labor too, no one else does. They have a board made out of limestone and polypropylene that barely expands and contracts with temp. Anyone that lives in Montana or Wyoming etc. where there are wild temperature swings should take a long look at Voyage from Deckorators.
I import Ipe from Brazil through a broker and we sell tons of it. Not cheap and a laborious install. Nothing like it either though. Beautiful, same flame spread rating as concrete. Impervious to insects and decay. Some nuances to it's install but, if you ask or do your research it's fine.




NRA Life Member

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,500
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,500
Originally Posted by Orion2000
Will need to replace current rear deck in a year or three. Will be Trex decking with highest retention Pressure Treat I can secure for each component. If I feel motivated, might saw the structural pieces out of white oak. But, that gets to be like work as well...

Around here, the lower level retention PT is like dipping the wood in green Kool-aid. About useless...


Two years now since I built a 1000' sq ft deck and it still looks flawless. Many compliments.
I went pressure treated for joist work and Trex Transcends for the actual decking. There was a semi-local building supply store closing out overstock of Trex's best for 30% off so I went for it.

I was very skeptical after the Crosstimbers synthetic product I used in 2007 that failed so badly, but this Trex product is fabulous.
And I can't imagine a climate harder on a product than ours.

Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
290 members (257 mag, 1lessdog, 12344mag, 300jimmy, 01Foreman400, 2UP, 28 invisible), 2,003 guests, and 948 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,593
Posts18,397,953
Members73,815
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.102s Queries: 15 (0.004s) Memory: 0.9099 MB (Peak: 1.0851 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 10:56:28 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS