My porch has a subfloor 3/4" plywood. It currently has a southern yellow pine flooring. The porch floor is protected by a full roof and a 24" overhang with full gutters. The porch lasted about 12 years before it was replaced. Now 10 years later with no refinishing or anything, it needs repairing & some boards need replacing. We are looking at IPE for the repairs The ply and subfloor has cross ventialltion under a 3' crawlspace that is always dry! even through our Florida rains. So the total system should be considered before a final decision. Good luck.

Hi Folks- This site is awesome and I sure hope this isn't a duplicate posting. I have been lurking out here for years but finally jumped in. I am planning to install T&G Ipe on my screened porch. The porch walls were built over the original decking and it is in good shape. The former owners of our house installed carpet over the decking and it has worked fine. I would like to be able to install the T&G ipe over the existing PT wood perpendicular to how it is running today. If I can't do that would love some ideas on how to remove the old deck the runs underneath the walls. Thanks in advance for the help! Jim

SF we meet again!! its not the quality of the drill bit but rather the skill leval of the installer, and if the skill leval is a little undevoloped slow down . Dont have " like whatever " paris hilton thing on your mind while your doing this. With this install I suggest an 1/8'' bit,pre drill thru the ipe not into the pt frame,a battery powered drill works best for doing this because its much easier to control. Ease the bit in hmmmm say a 1/4 '' or so using a rounded effort with the drill swirl & twirl the countersink remember your not killing snakes, then proceed with the predrill. I also recomend an impact driver to run the # 7 ss square drive trim head screws, I use a makita 12 volt, belive me after you use one you will wonder how you ever did with out it. Use construstion adhesive on the joist, a small T&G block to tap the decking together,I said Tap that means snug it up dont jam the decking together, and of course do not pre finish the decking on all four sides put the finish on after the project is done. I cut a 1/2'' slot in the T every 3 ' or so. Now you know everything I do,nothing to it but the doing it!! J

Hi all! Been searching these forums here for some time and have found a wealth of great information... thanks... I'm building a 2 story deck about 500sf... the below portion or the deck is all concrete pavers that connects with an open patio. The sides of the lower deck is 90% open. The upper level of the deck will have a vaulted roof with an overhang around the perimeter. The Deck is more like a porch style where the railing are sheathed and finished. The opening are like multiple 4x6 window opening without the windows. I would say this area is about 30-40% open. The deck is 23' wide and 21' deep (from the house) with the corners 45ed. Lastly the floor system is 2x12 TJI joists with side loaded beams (no posts) and for the lower section I plan to sheath the ceiling for a finished look. (sorry for the winded description, just wanted to give a god picture). I want to use T&G IPE or possibly Massaranduba as the pricing is much better. The joists are 16oc, and I was planning one ss screw on each joist in the groove and glue on the joist as well... My questions: Does anyone see a problem with ventilation as the underside of the floor would be covered? I could add some vents but I'm really not sure if that would be necessary. This should remain very dry and any water would drain. Also regarding the size of the material, any notable differences structurally/cupping wise between 1x4, 1x6 or 5/4x4, 5/4x6 ? I've seen a lot on these very topics but not regarding T&G Covered Deck applications that are expected to remain relatively dry. There is the case where heavy rain/snow along with wind could cause decking surface to get wet but the deck would be sealed with appropriate oil base sealer and likely cleaned... my biggest concerns are with the decking cupping, etc... Thanks for any help on this, it's much appreciated.