decking question

[Garcia]

I am planning to build a 40 X 10 floating deck, adjacent to my house, that is just over 2 feet off the ground. I am not planning on any railings.

I priced out Lumberock (thanks Think) and was surprised by the expense and shipping cost so am looking into other options.

Any suggestions/recommendations on decking material? I am looking to keep the price low, but realize this is a long term investment.

I am planning to use pressure treated lumber for the frame as that seems to be the least expensive option - but again am open to other suggestions.

Any experience with decking material - and cost - is appreciated.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Garcia

I am planning to build a 40 X 10 floating deck, adjacent to my house, that is just over 2 feet off the ground. I am not planning on any railings.

I priced out Lumberock (thanks Think) and was surprised by the expense and shipping cost so am looking into other options.

Any suggestions/recommendations on decking material? I am looking to keep the price low, but realize this is a long term investment.

I am planning to use pressure treated lumber for the frame as that seems to be the least expensive option - but again am open to other suggestions.

Any experience with decking material - and cost - is appreciated.

Have you priced other composites in comparison to Lumberock? A couple years ago I redid all my docks and decks at my island home with Lumberock. At that time I didn’t find it any more expensive than other “Premium” composites. I believe I paid $3.25 per linear foot + shipping for their standard 5/4 deck boards. I also bought some of their 2”x6” boards for my breakwater dock but don’t remember what I paid for that. I am quite certain and like everything these days the price has skyrocketed!

Lumberock is a solid HDPE composite that doesn’t fade or stain and is pretty cool on the feet. I think it’s a fantastic product! The only other product I would look at is Azek premium solid PVC line of composite.

Good luck whichever way you go!

Dan

[8gv]

I do not know the cost per foot but I like WearDeck.

I had it installed on my FL dock using their "Barefoot Gray" color.

Even in the hot FL summer sun it is cool enough to walk on barefoot.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Have you priced other composites in comparison to Lumberock? A couple years ago I redid all my docks and decks at my island home with Lumberock. At that time I didn’t find it any more expensive than other “Premium” composites. I believe I paid $3.25 per linear foot + shipping for their standard 5/4 deck boards. I also bought some of their 2”x6” boards for my breakwater dock but don’t remember what I paid for that. I am quite certain and like everything these days the price has skyrocketed!

Lumberock is a solid HDPE composite that doesn’t fade or stain and is pretty cool on the feet. I think it’s a fantastic product! The only other product I would look at is Azek premium solid PVC line of composite.

Good luck whichever way you go!

Dan

Thanks. The Lumberock looks great. A 12' decking board is $63.50 - a bit more than some things I have looked at, a bit less than others. The shipping charge is $930, which adds significantly to the overall cost.

[John Mercier]

Why a platform instead of a patio?
And what color decking?

5/4x6x12 PT1 is 12.78
12' Trex Basic Clamshell (gray) is 28.69
5/4x6x12 Alaskan Yellow Cedar is 32.95

Other colors of Trex exist, but they change the pricing.
Anything over $100 delivers for free.

[John Mercier]

By the way, both Trex and Simpson Strong Tie have online deck designers for homeowners.

The Trex is a bit easier to use, but the Strong Tie has more engineering variables that can be programmed in.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Why a platform instead of a patio?
And what color decking?

5/4x6x12 PT1 is 12.78
12' Trex Basic Clamshell (gray) is 28.69
5/4x6x12 Alaskan Yellow Cedar is 32.95

Other colors of Trex exist, but they change the pricing.
Anything over $100 delivers for free.

I’m putting a patio on the other side of the house. The deck works well with a front door that currently never gets used; the deck will tie together the front door, lawn and a brick patio off a different door. I’m going with a floating deck for simplicity. I have a PT deck on the island as well as a cedar one (and cedar on the dock). All have held up well but require more and more annual maintenance to keep them looking good. I’m looking to build something I can use without the annual maintenance.

I started with Lumberock based on Think mentioning it (who got feedback from ishoot) and my own research. The samples look great. I was a bit surprised by the current cost.

Headed to the lumberyard tomorrow to explore options.

[John Mercier]

They should have samples of every option of Azek, Zuri, and Trex (except for the new Lineage). If it isn't a rush... price each in 12' and take samples home to check in the sunlight - both for color and heat retention comparison.

[8gv]

Please define "floating deck".

Is this just a deck that is low enough to not require railings?

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Please define "floating deck".

Is this just a deck that is low enough to not require railings?

A floating deck is not attached to the house. It does not have posts sunk down below the frost line and instead is able to “float” when the ground freezes and thaws.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Garcia

A floating deck is not attached to the house. It does not have posts sunk down below the frost line and instead is able to “float” when the ground freezes and thaws.

We have such a low floating deck at home. Going through the winter freeze and spring thaw the deck will flex a bit. Wood decking will handle the flex with no special consideration. Of the various attachment methods for synthetic decking, some may be more tolerant to flex than others.

[SAB1]

Built a floating deck last year. Used PT for framing and Azek decking. No issues just remember nothing more than 12 inch on center for the joists.

[John Mercier]

The manufacturer (TimberTech) only requires 16" and allows 24" for MAX products.

As for ''flex'' the issue seems to have only arisen for PVC products and it is more about expansion/contraction of the material than ''flex''.

The SS grooved hidden fasteners can't adapt enough for that; so TimberTech has suggested that Cortex plug and screw fasteners be used intermittently or when a known problem arises.

Others have just opted for the CAMO system...

But the largest issue is installers not pre-drilling as directed.

[swnoel]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Please define "floating deck".

Is this just a deck that is low enough to not require railings?

Where I live it's a code that any deck have a railing over 30" from the ground... I'm assuming he's not getting a permit to do this.

[tis]

Originally Posted by swnoel

Where I live it's a code that any deck have a railing over 30" from the ground... I'm assuming he's not getting a permit to do this.

I believe that's code here also. Not sure what town he's in but most of them are similar.

[SAMIAM]

40 Year old pressure treated treated. Sanded and stained

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by tis

I believe that's code here also. Not sure what town he's in but most of them are similar.

This deck is at my home in MA. No permit, or railing, required because it is not attached to the house and is less than 30" high.

[SAB1]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The manufacturer (TimberTech) only requires 16" and allows 24" for MAX products.

As for ''flex'' the issue seems to have only arisen for PVC products and it is more about expansion/contraction of the material than ''flex''.

The SS grooved hidden fasteners can't adapt enough for that; so TimberTech has suggested that Cortex plug and screw fasteners be used intermittently or when a known problem arises.

Others have just opted for the CAMO system...

But the largest issue is installers not pre-drilling as directed.

For the cost of the decking a few extra joists is a worthy investment. I don't know anyone that would ever go 24.

[John Mercier]

TimberTech must have found some to spend all the cost of engineering and testing the MAX.

The advantage of the original Harvest Collection (Slate Gray and Brownstone) was that they not only had complete resistance to water (not so good with gasoline or suntan lotion); they were lighter weight than a PT or Trex product of comparable size. That is a big deal for decks that are removed or hoisted from the lake during the winter months.

The Max is double the thickness... and thus double the weight... so maybe one less aluminum joist under a section makes that much difference?

Or maybe your not blocking the joist like the product suggests? I see that quite a bit as many ''design'' their deck without using the online tools.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Attachment 17614
40 Year old pressure treated treated. Sanded and stained

Don't lose it. We can no longer get the same treating or even the tighter grain of the older product.

Can't even get the native exotic that had the stain pressure treated into the board anymore.