Deck Material

smarks

I am an HVAC contractor by trade looking for advice on replacement material for my deck. I have looked at composite material and unfortunately being a youg family of 5 I can not afford the initial cost. My existing deck is 2x6 PT and is about 23 years old.
A friend suggesting replacing with same 2x6 except to get #1 PT douglas fir. He said the 2x6 offers longevity and strength that 5/4 doesn't. I like the look of the 5/4 radius edge better but I don't want to sacrifice longevity. Can I expect 20 years from either material if sealed every year? Is the 5/4, #1 douglas fir also?

dvon104

Smarks...where are you located ...that P.T. #1 doug fir is available...here in the good ole south ...all P.T. is southern yellow pine...if you are on a budget use a 5/4x6 pt ...and again this is based off my area of the country...

if 5/4x6 pt syp is maintained and installed right it will last a very very long time

DO NOT but tight when installing ...It will move ...use a coated or galvanized "DECK" screw...try to hand select material yourself ..stay away from material that is already cupped ...you can not " screw it flat"...do not scrimp on the sealer ...I prefer a sealer/stain

In my market the treatment process I stock is MCQ...not ACQ or CCA even though those are stiil available...
If you buy ACQ and then go somewhere else to get more and they have MCQ...the greenish color will not match and it is a dramatic difference

If you use ACQ ...some treatment plants in my area will void any "implied" warranty if stainless steel connectors and fastners are not used ...personally its B.S.....I have been in the lumber business for 15+ yrs and have yet to have any mill/treatment plant stand behind any so called "warranty"..they always seem to find SOMETHING..in the tiny ..tiny print...Good Luck to you and I hope my .02 helps

smarks

Douglas fir pt is was I was told but evrything I've seen in stock at the lumber yards is SYP which I assume stands for southern yellow pine. I am in CT. I do heating and a/c by trade so I am trying to learn a liitle before I commit. Is it wrong to expect 20 years from a PT deck properly maintained? Mine was shot before I bought the house.

carolinaprowash

You can properly maintain PTP and get 20 years + from it

Celeste

__________________

smarks

Thats what I'm asking. Some say yes. I have ruled out composite due to cost. If I am going to spend that much money I would put down Ipe. Their are still to many cons with composite - stains, slippery, mold thst may be permanent, plastic, longevity is unknown

slickshift

If you want to rule out composite because of initial cost, OK
But to properly maintain PTP where you live and make it last 25 years, you will need to have me back every year to PW and seal/stain (OK, you can DIY it, but for cost figuring purposes, we have to use retail service prices)
Trust me, it's not more expensive to go with composite, it's just more up front

That being said, I'm no advocate for composite, and you mention some valid concerns...especially the mold

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

C.C.R.

Properly maintained, PT (never seen fir PT around here) will last. But it will move cup and splinter unless you stay ontop of it. You already ruled out composite. How big is your deck? As said previously with composite all the cost is upfront. For composite I like Correct Deck CX (mold resistant). Being in N.E. your not going to do it now anyway. Are you? I would consider waiting till spring and going with "correct deck CX" Otherwise 5/4" PT should last if kept up. But with kids(don't know the ages) keep an eye on the splinters and cracks.

good luck

__________________
Complete Custom Remodeling
"When Quality is Top Priority"
www.completecustomremodeling.com

Michaeljp86

My dad put a deck on using 5/4 about 15 years ago and only sealed it once. It has more then 5 years life in it. If I was you I would go 5/4, butt the joints tight and within a year it will shrink leaving a 1/4" gap.

__________________
I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.

deckman22

If you're going to go with TP then go with #1 TP kiln dried after treatment. You get a lot less movement & smaller knots with it at little cost difference. 2x6's are not much more than 5/4x6's so I would go with them. The lumberyards around here have what they call "Pro Deck" with is #1 TP, it has the radius edges same as the 5/4 material.

__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

Ahren

All of the PT in CT is SYP. 2x6's are actually cheaper than 5/4, but good luck trying to find a whole deck's worth of nice 2x6's. Even the #1's in the last couple of years have tons of bark edge. As far as longevity, you'll probably get just as much service out of 5/4. The key is to keep it well maintained. If you use KDAT (which I recommend), just make sure that you gap your deck boards a little instead of butting them tight. It doesn't shrink nearly as much as non-KDAT.

TaitINC

it seems that everyone has pointed out the necessary about the decking, so i'll lay off that. are you going to reframe the deck? if not you should check to see if it is 16" or 24" O.C. around here it is common to see a 2x6 deck with 24" centers. if that is the case i wouldn't put 5/4 on without adding floor joist to make it 12" centers, or reframe it to 16" centers.

spencer

neolitic

As Tait said 16oc or 24oc is key! 5/4 is way to springy on 24.
That said I just saw a 5/4 SYP that we did 25 years ago.
HO is religious about using Ducks Back every other year, and it looks great.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Michaeljp86

My dad has a rental house and the deck was framed out of 5/4 on 4' centers. Its not to bad dry but when its good and wet theres alot of spring in your step

__________________
I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.