Installing Outdoor Tile Over Wood Decks

Let’s look at mixing composite and pressure treated lumber, why you may want to do it, and what you’ll need to know to make sure that your mixed-lumber deck remodel goes smoothly. That’s why most professional builders agree that building a deck with high-quality composite decking materials is the ideal choice. Unfortunately, a perfectly “good looking” deck is still prone to prematurely failing if the proper methods and materials are not used to create a permanent connection to the frame of the house. Isn’t it time to scrap that warped, splintery, faded wood?

Learn How To Build A Deck With Composites And Other Rot

Today they install low-maintenance materials on three out of four. Plus, check out these 14 DIY deck add-ons that are seriously cool. For the wood coating, the homeowner selected a semi-transparent Sierra Redwood stain from Armstrong-Clark. The EHT staff has used Armstrong-Clark’s oil-based preservatives in the past, and they hold up well against water and UV-rays. The wood stain complemented the new composites very nicely, and I predrilled the base trim and screwed it in place along the edges of the walls. We then added a Timbertech fascia board to the outside edge of the deck and stained the handrail.

How Far Apart Should You Place Floor Joists On A Composite Deck?

Finally, make sure that you use the correct fasteners for your deck remodel. Wood decks are often largely nailed together, but if you plan to use composite, make sure that you use screws designed for the composite material that you’ve chosen.

Decking Over An Existing Deck

Some composite materials mimic wood grain and others are monochromatic or multi-chromatic. Composite decking can also be hyper-realistic to resemble a tropical hardwood without the labor-intensive upkeep. Bottom line is that composite decking won’t break the bank, particularly when you consider the long-term savings. Consumer Reportscompared wood decking to alternative decking materials. They reported that pressure-treated pine is very popular and very inexpensive; but the wood tends to change color very quickly, and will rot, crack, and splinter over time. Pressure-treated woods have the shortest deck life expectancy, and while the initial cost is relatively low, the long-term costs for repairs, upkeep, and replacement tend to be very high.

If you live in a place like most of Nebraska with hot, hot summers, you need to be very aware of heat retention. While composite decks have few real advantages over wood decks, they do have some real drawbacks including a high initial cost, heat retention, and excessive expansion and contraction. If treated pine is properly sealed and maintained, it will last nearly forever.

Hide Composite Ends

Just like any other new technology, there are early adopters , the early and late majority and the late adopters . The technology has vastly improved and the price has come down significantly. All things considered, entry level composite decking prices are now in the same ballpark as traditional wood, and they are aesthetically much improved.

There are three major things to think about when replacing parts of a wood deck with composite. The first thing to consider is the overall appearance of the deck.

In consequence, the flour provides a very friendly abode for mold and mildew which happily puts down roots. Once well anchored in the wood particles, mold and mildew are almost impossible to eradicate. The smaller the spacing, the longer your joists can span. Your composite decking manufacturer will have a unique joist span table to help you determine the maximum length based on joist size and spacing.

Hidden Fastener For Slotted Boards

• Another reason to mix materials is to reduce maintenance needs.
• It was time to get out with the old deck boards and in with the new—the “new” being low-maintenance composite decking.
• The 2-by decking boards were no match for the power of Mother Nature, and the lumber had checked, warped and grayed.
• Things like wood handrails and wood decking boards need regular maintenance and finishing to prevent splinters.
• The deck floor was no longer in the same plane, nails were popping like a pan of Orville Redenbacher, and the cap rail had bowed into the shape of a miniature ski slope.