Question about lumber and decking

[Deleted member 4644]

I have to replace an old wood deck that is almost totally rotted away... (long story as to why we havent dealt with it before now)

I'm looking at this wood: http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/...=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ACQ_PRESS_TREAT_DECK

But I have no idea if this is a decent or insane price for wood decking. Does anyone have any ideas or know about "less toxic" lumber and its +'s and -'s

Thanks!

 

[Armitage]

It doesn't look to crazy. What's wrong with regular pressure treated lumber. AFAIK, once it is dry, it is completely safe for skin contact, etc. And don't breathe the dust when you're cutting it.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I don't have any problems with regular wood, but my mom is a bit of a health freak... I figure if she can afford it, I'll help her find it.. heh

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Regular pressure treated 2x6x16s here are $0.77/lf. Thats about 22 cents cheaper

If you are concerned about the health effects of the old pressure treated (CCA), it has been taken off the market and replaced with safer ACQ lumber.

 

[sleuth bandit]

I would go with regular pressure treated lumber for a deck.
Why would you worry about skin contact with your outdoor wood deck?

 

[DrPizza]

I didn't think you had to worry about "less toxic" lumber any more. AFAIK, the CCA treated lumber is no longer available on the market.

 

[Ornery]

Does this thing really need to be a deck? Could a nice patio serve just as well, or better?

I've really gotten fed up with this deck fad. It's one thing if you're adding to a second story, and have to elevate the thing, but generally a patio will look better, last longer, require less upkeep, and probably not cost any more to install!

Landscaping fads come & go. When I was a teen, railroad ties were the rage. Landscape timbers followed. Then came mound building, which continues a bit today. Decks have gone on long enough. It's time to go back to tried & true slate, tile, pavers, stone and even concrete!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Does this thing really need to be a deck? Could a nice patio serve just as well, or better?

I've really gotten fed up with this deck fad. It's one thing if you're adding to a second story, and have to elevate the thing, but generally a patio will look better, last longer, require less upkeep, and probably not cost any more to install!

Landscaping fads come & go. When I was a teen, railroad ties were the rage. Landscape timbers followed. Then came mound building, which continues a bit today. Decks have gone on long enough. It's time to go back to tried & true slate, tile, pavers, stone and even concrete!

LOL... it's been a deck for a long time, but a patio could work I suppose ;p

 

[Analog]

use composite decking.

 

[MrBond]

That seems pretty high for treated lumber - I just helped my Dad rebuild their deck and I remember we had a 12 foot 2x12 left over that we decided not to return since it was only ~$20 and we figured we'd find a use for it eventually.

We went to Menards for the lumber. We did a similar job, replaced everything but the pilings (which were fine). The new deck looks very nice.

One thing to keep in mind when laying the deck boards - make sure you get them as close together as humanly possible. The boards are going to be wet when you buy them and will shrink a bit after the deck is complete.

I've heard nothing but bad about Thompsons water seal - we used it ourself on the old deck and were not impressed. This time, we bought some "New Deck Protector" (made by Flood, it's ~$10 for a gallon which does 250ft²) and finished it. That's supposed to help protect the deck in the first year while it dries out and weathers, after which we're going to seal it with a good epoxy-resin deck sealer.

 

[Iron Woode]

also don't forget to reseal the wood where you cut.

A good tip is to over-engineer the deck. This way you get a stronger, longer lasting deck. This is not a job to cheap out on.

And don't forget about drainage too along with the grade that is under the deck.

Build it right the first time, and you won't have any issues with it.

Good luck.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Does this thing really need to be a deck? Could a nice patio serve just as well, or better?

I've really gotten fed up with this deck fad. It's one thing if you're adding to a second story, and have to elevate the thing, but generally a patio will look better, last longer, require less upkeep, and probably not cost any more to install!

Landscaping fads come & go. When I was a teen, railroad ties were the rage. Landscape timbers followed. Then came mound building, which continues a bit today. Decks have gone on long enough. It's time to go back to tried & true slate, tile, pavers, stone and even concrete!

I agree completely - wooden decks are a complete PITA to maintain, and I think a patio looks better anyway in many cases. Of course, there are some places where a patio doesn't work well. That's what I'll be doing at my place next summer. Heven't decided between brickor stone pavers, or a stamped/textured/colored concrete. Though the latter is pretty pricey

 

[rahvin]

Trex is the bomb, it's made from old grocery bags (and 30% wood) and will last forever, works and cuts like wood. Only downside I've found so far is that it smells like plastic when it gets hot but it doesn't feel as hot as wood does to me.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Trex is the bomb, it's made from old grocery bags (and 30% wood) and will last forever, works and cuts like wood. Only downside I've found so far is that it smells like plastic when it gets hot but it doesn't feel as hot as wood does to me.

I've heard good things about that stuff also. It's not nearly as stiff though, so you have to run much smaller centers under it IIRC.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: rahvin
Trex is the bomb, it's made from old grocery bags (and 30% wood) and will last forever, works and cuts like wood. Only downside I've found so far is that it smells like plastic when it gets hot but it doesn't feel as hot as wood does to me.

I've heard good things about that stuff also. It's not nearly as stiff though, so you have to run much smaller centers under it IIRC.

Yea and it costs like 40% more IIRC but you never have to finish it. No sanding, no staining, no splinters and no worries about insects or weather damage. But you are right, it's not nearly as strong as real wood.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: rahvin
Trex is the bomb, it's made from old grocery bags (and 30% wood) and will last forever, works and cuts like wood. Only downside I've found so far is that it smells like plastic when it gets hot but it doesn't feel as hot as wood does to me.

I've heard good things about that stuff also. It's not nearly as stiff though, so you have to run much smaller centers under it IIRC.

Yea and it costs like 40% more IIRC but you never have to finish it. No sanding, no staining, no splinters and no worries about insects or weather damage. But you are right, it's not nearly as strong as real wood.

for the money, I'd go with redwood. It's very resistant to weather also, and insects don't like it as much, and much nicer looking.


actually, Trex CAN suffer from weather and insect damage, but it's pretty rare. It is not as strong as real wood, gets very hot in sun, and is quite a bit more expensive.

It CAN be painted and stained if you want to, but you have to let it weather first.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
actually, Trex CAN suffer from weather and insect damage, but it's pretty rare. It is not as strong as real wood, gets very hot in sun, and is quite a bit more expensive.

It CAN be painted and stained if you want to, but you have to let it weather first.

My deck is Trex, in my experience it gets less hot than redwood. It doesn't seem to hold the heat like a dark hardwood will. And although there is X% wood fiber, any insect that tried to eat it would have to eat a ton of plastic to get that wood. The only problem I have is with wasps trying to nest in the screw holes but I'm not exactly in termite country. The stuff is completely and totally maintence free which is a HUGE plus in my book I HATE resanding and staining decks.