latest deck - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

RobertCDF · 12-21-2005, 11:28 PM

Here is my latest deck. Kind of bland layout so we jazzed it up with hidden fastner system, 45 degree angle decking, nice balusters, and something I wanted to try so I tossed it in for free. "Crown moulding" I ripped 1"x1" pieces down and routered them with a roman ogee bit and put it on both sides of the top rail. I will try to get a better detail pic tomorrow.

DecksEtc · 12-21-2005, 11:44 PM

Nice job/ideas Robert. I don't like the metal balusters but that's just my personal taste. I like the "crown moulding" idea - I may steal that from you next season.

RobertCDF · 12-22-2005, 12:02 AM

We did the metal with the collars like that becuase at the front door the builder put a similar style of rails so we wanted to bring that around to the back yard too. I think the crown would work a little better with wood because the color will match better. With the composite it is a lighter shade under the surface but it still turned out cool. The homeowners were not expecting it and they thought it was really cool. I did not tell them ahead of time I did not want to trap myself into it if it looked bad. And its always fun to go above and beyond what the customer thinks you will do. I think I will do it on all my decks from here on out. And I would recomend everyone try it out on your next project.

DecksEtc · 12-22-2005, 12:15 AM

It makes sense that you carried the railing style to the back yard, I just don't like metal balusters - again, just personal preference.

Not that it will happen with the composite, but the moulding makes for nice cover over the seams between the top rail and the cross rails as well as making for a nice transition. I can see it looking really nice with cedar.

I too like adding little "extras" that don't cost a lot of time/money and surprising customers. On an upper level deck I did in the summer, I bullnosed the front of all the 2x6 cedar stair treads. It wasn't something that was discussed with the homeowner during the quote but it was something that set off the stairs and really pleased them - it became a conversation piece with all their friends and neighbours - I'm 99% sure I'll be getting the fence job for them and their 9 neighbours next spring.

NasConst_land · 12-22-2005, 04:11 PM

Deck looks great, want to come work in ohio.. hahaha

I need to find a good deck guy around here... alot of people want decks up agaisnt their house and then have them lower down to a brick patio below... or walkways.. Im not much for building decks.. and its hard to get someone around here to build a nice deck.. so alot of times I end up turning jobs away because I cant trust the guys that build the deck to work as a sub for me.. Most times people would rather deal with one company for the whole deal as well so its hard. Trying to get out of the residential business but its so hard to turn work down when you can make good money doing it.

Tom R · 12-22-2005, 05:33 PM

Beautiful work there, Robert, some really sharp touches, the crown is a great idea to ease the transition, and I like the balusters cuz they look so different then the 'same-old, same-old, - - plus you're right, the diagonals jazz it up some, too. The only thing I don't like is that wide 'double-fascia' look. Seems like picture-framed recessed verticals (or something) might have looked better on the bottom side, and how about ventilation??

RobertCDF · 12-22-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasConst_land

Deck looks great, want to come work in ohio.. hahaha

If you would have asked me that last year at this same time I would have taken you up on it. A little slow last December.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Beautiful work there, Robert, some really sharp touches, the crown is a great idea to ease the transition, and I like the balusters cuz they look so different then the 'same-old, same-old, - - plus you're right, the diagonals jazz it up some, too. The only thing I don't like is that wide 'double-fascia' look. Seems like picture-framed recessed verticals (or something) might have looked better on the bottom side, and how about ventilation??

The double wide fascia is a little funky but we needed something to match the deck and I did not want to spend the time to build my own lattice. I thought about the doing them vertical but I thought it looked a little funky (more so than the double fascia) It should vent enough with the decking spacing. And there is about an inch gap on the one side. How much ventilation do you need?

Tom R · 12-22-2005, 07:36 PM

Just to break it up a little, - - the bottom could also be diagonals, - - each section 'opposing' the last. The main thing (IMO), - - is to have the bottom section recessed, to create a 'stepped' pattern, - - it just looks too 'boxy-and-wide' that way to me. Similar to your own theory of 'jazzing-up' the transition with the crown.

Just my opinion, Rob, - - not trying to criticize you, - - your workmanship is awesome.

I agree on the 'no-go' with the lattice, - - it's too small of an area for lattice to look good in this instance.

As far as ventilation, - - the more the better, - - especially with the 'inter-actions' of this new ACQ.

Mike Finley · 12-22-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

and how about ventilation??

Does composite cup?

12-22-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

The main thing (IMO), - - is to have the bottom section recessed, to create a 'stepped' pattern

Word

RobertCDF · 12-22-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Just to break it up a little, - - the bottom could also be diagonals, - - each section 'opposing' the last. The main thing (IMO), - - is to have the bottom section recessed, to create a 'stepped' pattern, - - it just looks too 'boxy-and-wide' that way to me. Similar to your own theory of 'jazzing-up' the transition with the crown.

Just my opinion, Rob, - - not trying to criticize you, - - your workmanship is awesome.

I agree on the 'no-go' with the lattice, - - it's too small of an area for lattice to look good in this instance.

As far as ventilation, - - the more the better, - - especially with the 'inter-actions' of this new ACQ.

I almost did it vertical on the backside of the joists but then my post would be at the front. And it I would have to put it in before the decking then I would have to put my posts up first and I think it works better to deck and then cut holes for the posts later. I personally would have liked to leave it open but the homeowner has a 4 year boy and a 5 year old boy that I have a feeling would be spending a lot of time under the deck if we did not close it off. As fas as ACQ goes and with the price of stainless steel fasteners I am half tempted to use hem fir and cover the top with vycor to waterproof it. I might try that on my next deck. Anyone out there try this before?

Tom R · 12-22-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

Does composite cup?

Only if you 'frame' with it!!

RobertCDF · 12-22-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Does composite cup?

If I do this hidden fastener system I glue it down too with a polyurethane PL adhesive

Here is a little more closeup of the "crown moulding"

RobertCDF · 12-22-2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Only if you 'frame' with it!!

WHAT? you cant frame with the 2x4's?

boy I hope that deck does not fall down!! just kidding.

747 · 12-23-2005, 12:16 AM

I Think its sharp.

747 · 12-23-2005, 12:20 AM

DECKS ETC.....Question is North York a nice part of toronto to stay in??? I have a buddy who has a condo there says i welcome to use it some time. He said its located oppisite mel lastmen square. Does that make sense?

DecksEtc · 12-23-2005, 12:26 AM

747, it depends on what part of North York. There are some really nice areas with high end homes & condos. Then there are other parts of North York that you wouldn't want to have you car break down in after dark. Do you know the major intersection?

747 · 12-23-2005, 04:16 AM

He said its on yonga street dirrectly across the street from mel lastman square and the condo complex is called empress walk. He said there is a theatre and shops and under ground train in the building. It sounds like it a combination commerical space on lower floors with condo's on upper floors. He said if i ever want to take a vacation to toronto he would let me use it.

Hey i like canada its just like the united states but a liberal goverment who stays out of peoples buisness. Also excellent health care at a affordable price and price controls by the gov on prescription medications.

DecksEtc · 12-23-2005, 07:15 AM

I think we're stealing Robert's thread...

Those are nice condos and a good location. You can get to the subway without going outside from his condo and there is a really good restaurant there too - Milestones. Not sure if you made a typo but it's "Yonge Street" which by the way is the longest street in the world. In my last "office" job I worked in the building just south of Mel Lastman Square. If you do ever get up this way, let me know. There are a couple good pubs in the area - we could go tip a few!

Woodcrafter74 · 12-23-2005, 08:25 AM

Robert,
Nice work. Timbertech? Correct Deck?
What type of hidden fasteners did you use?