Hometown Decking

Decking: An Evaluation of Available Wood, Vinyl, &

Composite Decking.

by Ernie Sears

Pressure Treated Lumber

Advantages

· Relatively low cost

· Widely available

· Long life (Many brands offer a lifetime warranty)

· Excellent structural values

· Very good for stains, OK for paint

· Easy to work, no special tools required

· Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as plywood and lattice.

· Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

Disadvantages

· Weathers without cleaning and periodic application of stain/sealer.

· Splinters and "weather checks" are common

· Shrinks significantly unless kiln dried after treatment (KDAT).

· Requires more care in fastening and joints to reduce cupping and warping.

Redwoods

Advantages

· High WOW factor - beautiful when properly finished.

· Widely available

· Naturally rot resistant

· Excellent dimensional stability

· Excellent for stains and paint

· Easy to work, no special tools required

· Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as lattice.

· Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

Disadvantages

· Weathers without periodic cleaning and application of stain/sealer.

· Splinters and "weather checks" are less common but will occur occasionally.

· Rot resistant, not rot proof.

· Relatively expensive, especially all heart grades.

· Less resistant to surface damage from impact.

Cedar

Advantages

· High WOW factor - beautiful when properly finished.

· Widely available

· Naturally rot resistant

· Excellent dimensional stability

· Excellent for stains and paint

· Easy to work, no special tools required

· Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as lattice.

· Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

· Wide selection of amenities such as furnishings, gazebos, sheds and much more are available.

Disadvantages

· Weathers to a silver gray without periodic cleaning and application of stain/sealer.

· Splinters and "weather checks" are less common but will occur occasionally.

· Rot resistant, not rot proof.

· Relatively expensive, but typically less than redwood.

· Less resistant to surface damage from impact.

Tropical Woods-Ipe, Mahogany, Cumaru etc…

Advantages

· High WOW factor - beautiful when properly finished.

· Naturally rot and decay resistant with a useful life of 25 years or more.

· Excellent dimensional stability

· Available in 1" and 5/4" decking

· Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

· Extremely strong and hard. Very resistant to scratches and dents.

· Virtually splinter free.

Disadvantages

· Weathers to a silver gray without periodic cleaning and application of stain/sealer.

· Relatively expensive, comparable to clear grades of redwood and cedar.

· Oily surface makes staining and painting difficult (but why would you?)

· Difficult to work, hard on tools and extra labor is required for installation.

· Not widely available.

Composites

Advantages

· WOW factor varies from - Wow! That is really un-natural to Wow! I thought it was real wood.

· Low maintenance (Notice we didn't say no maintenance.)

· Rot and decay proof with a long life.

· Excellent dimensional stability

· Available in 2" and 5/4" decking

· Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

· Virtually splinter free. Will not crack or peel.

· Less waste because of material defects.

· Most are good for the environment because they use recycled materials.

· Most have matching railing and trim systems.

Disadvantages

· Higher cost than pressure treated lumber.

· When new still doesn't look as good as a new wood deck.

· High temperatures may cause some to bend or deform.

· Typically heavier and more difficult to handle than wood.

· Not all have matching trim materials available to allow for a nicely finished project.

Comparison Chart:

Competitors

Hometown Decking

Advantages

1. .25 treated lumber to refusal.

2. 1- 3” lag centered on each post that weakens the live load capacity of the deck

3. Steel or metal screws that will rust, stain and cause damage to the deck , or they will nal them in.

4. Toenail every end and have lots of joints which cause warps/splits, cracks, etc…..

5. 60lbs of concrete that reduces deck capacity and integrity.

6. Nailgun which gives inconsistent fastening

1. Top choice treated , cedar, hardwood or composite materials.

2. 2- Staggered 3.5” Galvanized lags on each post.

3. Weatherproof screws carefully selected for each type of material.

4. No toenail deck lay system.

5. 100lbs concrete per hole.

6. Hand Fastened with weatherproof screws

1. Longer lasting, better looking lumber, that maintains investment. Also reduces cracking/splintering .

2. increased live and side load and straightening of joists.

3. Longer lasting fasteners that will not cause rusting staining and will minimize warping, cupping and other problems.

4. decreases risk of cupping/warping, splitting

5. increases live load capacity

6. consistent deck lay and layout.

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Contractor Questions:

1. How do they space the floorboards on the deck?
2. How is the ledger board attached to the house?
3. How do you properly attach beams to the post?
4. What is the proper beam/post/footing placement.
5. How do you properly bolt a ledger to a TGI?

6. What risks are involved with someone that subs?
7. What is the difference between #1, #2, #3 lumber?

8. What is CCA value, and why is it the most important factor?

9. How are the joists being attached to the beam and ledger?

10. What are the advantages of cedar and redwood vs. pine?
11. How much concrete should be put in your footings?
12. What is the best way to protect/reassure yourself in getting a quality product?

13. What elements of a deck make up "live load"?
14. What is the county live load requirement?
15. What amount of live load is adequate for your use?
16. What is the most important aspect of a footing supporting a post?
17. Regardless of code, how deep minimally should a footing be?