Just wanted to write up some info on the Tigerwood Deck I just completed. I came across a lot of good info on this site when I was planning my project so I wanted to post what I learned as payment.
Project was a 600+ sq.ft. deck, 3 levels: main level off the house, elevated octagon level (+2') and a lower level off the main level (-2'). The foundation consists of 28-8" piers with 15" x 15" footers placed 36" deep. Framing was untreated Doug-Fir 2x6's resting on treated 4x4 posts. Galvanized simpson ties used on most connections. Decking was 1x6 pre-grooved tigerwood from advantagelumber.com. Deck boards were secured using Ipe Clip XtremeKD at every joist. End cuts were sealed with AnchorSeal. Deck was cleaned w/ Powersolve hose-connect cleaner and brightened w/ Powersolve hose-connect brigthener from opwdecks. Deck was then sealed with Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods, 1 coat. Railing is white vinyl.
The design was done by myself and my wife and I modeled it up in Solidworks over the winter prior to get all the details right and make nice plans for ease of getting a permit (it worked, no questions). We're very happy with it, though it took us 4 months to complete. I'm just glad to have it done, next summer we'll really enjoy it. I wanted to post pictures, but don't really see a way. I guess I'll have to load some pictures to a website and link to that.
Thoughts on the project:
- wow, a lot of work... but we built exactly what we wanted and the abnormal shape (lots of 45's) is eye-catching
- the hidden fasteners add a lot of time & some cost but are definitely worth it... every screw had to be pre-drilled
- Tigerwood is a great decking choice: cheap (compared to ipe), easier to work with (no problem cutting, drilling) and still dense and weather-resistant
- The messmers really brought the color back... the decking was subjected to a lot of sun and had started to fade a bit prior to the sealing but it looked brand new. I went with Messmers based on positive reviews and the fact that it's made in UT and that's where we are. It also went on very quick, only about 1.5hrs of sealing which is good because I'll be doing it every year.
- The powersolve deck brightener did not do anything to bring the color back as it advertises
- Bo wrench is a necessity (we used 2) when installing pre-grooved w/ IPE clips
- Advantage backs up their product. I had a lot of damage in my first shipment, they replaced it all plus some for free. I would recommend getting shorter boards as a lot of my 16's got damaged but almost none of the 8' replacements did... easier for shipping companies to manage. They're customer service responsiveness is a little slow, but overall I'm satisfied.
- Yeah, I used untreated lumber on the framing, it took me a while to get used to that (I'm from the Mid-west) but UT doesn't suffer from moisture or bug problems. I did spray 2 coats of Termin-8 at the recommendation of a local contractor.
- Every single nail in the deck was driven with a Rigid Palm Nailer, cost me $80 at HD. If it broke on the last nail, I'd buy another and still be happy. I'd think every DIYer should have this nailer, very cheap, very versatile, very good.
- Really wanted black metal railing, but we blew the budget on the decking. The white vinyl is maintenance free and goes with the house, etc.
I think that's it. Ask any questions you want, tell me how studpid I am, whatever... like I said, I just wanted to give back some great info that I pulled from the sight. I'll also work on pictures, anybody got any suggestions?
Joe
brooklyndecks
jonfletcher
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