The surface of XLM is very hard - but it is textured enough that I don't consider it slippery. Though it probably isn't as non-slip as my fir porch floor. I guess I wouldn't use it on a porch because my porch is pretty "traditional" - and I think wide, plasticky boards just wouldn't look right. Maybe it would look OK on a more "modern" porch - though I'm not sure what I mean by that! XLM is pretty much maintenance free - I just wash it with soap to get the dirt off. They warn you not to put rubber things on it because it will stain but I haven't had that problem. If you leave the ends exposed you'll need to do something to finish them since the inside is a different material and has voids. You might be able to just paint it to match? Hope that helps.

There is at least as much maintenance using man made material as there is using wood. Deck Pros and refinish Co have said this from the begening. Mold / Mildew will grow on most anything including us if we stay still long enough. The define of low maintenance started right after the first stick of composite came off the drying racks and will not stop. Plain and simple an outside project requires work to keep it looking nice, look at it the same as your car left alone without any care its not going to look/ run all that good no matter how much you paid for it. Far as TT Decking/Rail systems go it is in the high end along with Moisture Sheild and a couple others. The install instrustions far as ground clearance/cross ventalation/spacing/sister joists.... must be followed to get any place near what the Co say will happen. It is possible to put a high grade finish on composite material, I have done this with very good results but doing this is not what the normal Wallet wants to hear so its not what the Co say. South American lumber..ipe,garapa,masenramduba.. left alone with no finish exposed to the sun will go gray/silver installed corectley this material requires as close to low maintenance as a person can get but same kinda deal its all in the define it has to be kept clean or its going to look like Sh!ttt in a few years. Like the Contractor that broke me in usta say " when I came to this Country you could get a 5 cent beer and a free lunch but there aint no 5 cent beer now and there is no free lunch so you might just as well go to Work!!! " Warren Ove sigh... J.

The TimberTech Earthwood is available through Home Depot as a special order product. Also, due to the size of the order they shaved 10% off the total cost making their quote more competitive than some of the other local lumber yards that carry Timbertech. I ordered from Home Depot because I thought if I ran into any problems they would stand behind the product they sold me. At some point I have to go over the receipts to figure what it ultimately ended up costing me. However, it is still not done yet so the cost continues to climb. I just ordered Azek beadboard & trim for the ceilings and to wrap the beams stick to the maintenance free nature of this project. All of this composite/PVC stuff is a lot more costly than wood. I can't wait till it is done. I still need to install lighting, fans, gutters, soffits etc. So it is a slow go just working on the weekends.

Hi, Phil, I'd suggest you take a step back and determine if your lifestyle really demands a 2nd story deck before going any further. Flat roofs are problematic. It's not a question of whether they'll leak, but when they'll leak. I'd do everything I could to avoid one, particularly in a cold climate where ice and snow are expected. Consider a workshop with a more conventional roof structure and a grade-level patio. Alternatively, you might consider building a conventional deck to serve the 2nd story and locating the workshop in a different area if the site allows.