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Porches & Decks

Hi, thinking about replacing P/T deck with P/T deck....

16 years ago

Hi all,

Live in northeast, presently we have an elevated deck maybe 15x25, 2x12 joists, 16OC, sits maybe 8 feet up off the back of the house on piers.

Now, i have heard about trex problems etc, and have read about the other materials available.

I am leaning towards replacing the P/T with new P/T stuff. The existing deck is 18yo, reasonable decent shape, has a few nails popping up, splits in wood etc.

Is P/T that bad? we are the types to maintian it, meaning that I plan on painting etc. How bad would the deck look after 18 years, no worse than the present and I think the previous owner never really maintained it and does going more expensive really make sense (does it add value to your home, "materially" reduce your maintenace issues, easier to install, after 20 years what will happen,,,etc)..

I think, maybe the composites, ipe, etc are bit of a hype, and maybe not really worth big bucks...Myabe its better to pour money into other aspects of the home?

Appreciate your thought and opinions.

Jim

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Comments (4)

john_hyatt
16 years ago
18 years old,that project was done with CCA mateial. Buy now and you will get acq material the life of said is no place near the cca stuff, in fact no one has any idea on what the life span of even .40 acq will be. I do know when I cut into acq the center is still yellow the preasure treatment looks like spray paint. CCA never did this.

Composite material on the hype scale is hmmmmm around 10 points with #1 being no hype at all. Ipe is 0 hype or #1 on the hype scale. Will a high $ ipe deck last 20 years with a acq.40 frame under it ? Now that is a hype question. It has nothing to do with ipe, everything to do with the green mafia pushing big money into an area they knew nothing about. Then drifing on over to the wine/pasta bar after calling jane fonda on the cell in Carmel and asking how the grilled shirmp was.

I have a Wallet over here with a 20 year old pt cca project fairly big one,same kinda thing splits,splenters, but hey!! the thing still stands and dont look all that bad in a realative sort of way. I did some replacement,very cool ipe benches with allum balusters, couple of coats of twp finish,braced up the tiled bar,things like that. Tina is good for another 20 with some upkeep and furture replacement of the decking but I cant see any problem with the frame. J
jimrac
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks JH,

Thats exactly my point,, after 18-20 years or so,,, is a more expensive deck really worth it.

My existing structure, I am replacing just the decking, the rails, stairs etc ,are sturdy and will look brand new after tossing a fresh coat of paint on it,,,, and once again several years hence.
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giantscale13
16 years ago
I know you didn't ask my opinion jimrac. But I wouldn't paint it from the stories Iv heard.

I also have a old (15 year +) CCA 2x4 deck with the small shallow splits and knots. But its very solid. My mom built a deck a few years ago with the ACQ and its rotten and ready to be torn down.

I want my CCA deck to last another 15 years and wondered what to use on it. It has Olympic acrylic latex semi transparent gray stain with a few coats of linseed oil based PPG weatherscreen Clear wood preservative over the stain applied 2 years ago. It looks a bit faded, but my home is gray as well and the color suits me. I think the linseed oil didn't mold because its CCA. Only a guess.

john_hyatt.. Do you recommend the twp over the finish I have? And which twp? Or would I need to strip the old finish first. Which I dread because of the new siding on my home. Or should I continue with a clear linseed oil over the old finish?

Thanks for your time.
jimrac
Original Author
16 years ago
No problem, its always good to hear other opinions and experiences. From what I gather, most tradespeople tell me the exterior acryliic paints are just as good as the stains and probably even a tad better based upon the brand of paint one buys. They say, most homeowners whom do decide, dont do the necessary pprep. ands prime work in making sure it lasts. I feel comfortable with paint.

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