Hi there; am just beginning a screen porch project that will replace original PT pine deck on exterior rear of our marshfront home here in coastal Georgia. We thought we had finalized decision on Ipe flooring, but contractor has suggested an alternative product called Exoro redwood. I can find very little info on the web about it and would appreciate any insights, opinions, etc. Our screen porch is sizable, about 1000 sq. feet with southern exposure. Thanks so much in advance; I really value this forum! Leigh Ann H.

jerseyjoe, I just recently put in an IPE deck and am all but finished with the build (little trim work to do on a hip wall/planter) and am getting ready to put some TWP #516 on it....I used the clips and am satisfied with them....not ecstatic about them....saw alot more movement on the lower deck that is close to the ground...like most said hear...if your a perfectionist like I tend to be...go with countersink, face screw and plug. Somerville's IPE is crap!!...I bought a few boards there and had to take them back...warped in a few days....I originally ordered mine main lot from Advantage Lumber in NY....it was a hassle to get it delivered....go with George at East Teak as others have said....and when you run out at the end of your project you can get some good stuff at Fox Lumber in Clinton, NJ just next to the Agway/Weichert Realtor. MAybe we can work something out this weekend if you really want to see an IPE deck (unfinished). I am just south of the Califon area

1. I would go w/ 2X10s for the ledger & joists. While most 2X8s can span 12 feet it depends on your local jurisdiction's code & what the live & dead loads are, the deflection coefficients, and the type joists. Plus 2X10s will reduce the floor bounce better than 2X8s. Also, since you are cantilevering the IRC code requires that 2X10 joists be used. The size girder is dependant on the post spacing. I would go w/ 5 posts spaced at 6'. Three 2X10s are plenty sufficient for that. 2. I would go w/ 5/4 if money is no object & probably even it it was. Less cupping typically & if you want to run the decking on a diagonal that increases the span but no problem w/ 5/4 IPE. 3. The joist's spacing is related to the joist span (which is 12' approximately (I guess 11' since it sounds like it will be cantilevered by 1')) and to the size & type of joists used. I would go w/ 16" OC.

The deck is essentially 16x29. There are two decks, that are each 16x16. However, the one deck surface is one step down and offset from the house 5 feet. Then slid under the upper deck 3 feet. So along the house it is 29 feet. In some sections it sticks out 16 feet from the house, in others 21 feet. Make sense? Thanks...Mike