PT vs Composite Deck

[studor]

Any idea how well it would hold up in the northern freeze/thaw conditions?

Done properly, ceramic tile will hold up just fine in freeze thaw conditions -- the key is to prevent water from getting underneath or into the surface through chips etc. Like wood, water is the problem.

 

[txdon]

txdon, that ceramic really looks nice. Any idea how well it would hold up in the northern freeze/thaw conditions?

Mark

No I do not. The tile guy did point out some other tile that should not be installed outside because of freeze.

 

[tallyho8]

My PT deck finally got too bad to repair so I replaced it. I decided I wanted a deck that would last a lifetime so I made one of concrete. It was actually cheaper and easier than I expected.

 

[Pops15]

It's the sun, not water that's the enemy of PT. A PROPERLY maintained PT deck will last for decades. The key is to use a good quality stain....and do it often.

The PT you get at box stores is #2 or worse. Get #1 from a real lumber yard and you'll have much better results.

No first hand experience with the various composite or vinyl decking but I've looked into using those products. Some of the vinyl decking is very slippery. Some has a non-skid surface that catches dirt. Some of the composites flex too much between the joists. Some composites require lots of specialty trim pieces which can be very expensive. Like PT, the vinyl and composites have drawbacks.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned cedar. It's a fairly common practice around here to use PT for the framing and 2X6 cedar for the decking. The only thing I don't like about it is the screw holes need to be predrilled on the ends.

The old porches that were mentioned used 1/4 sawn tongue and groove fir decking. It wears like iron but it's not really suitable for open decks.

 

[om21braz]

Lots of composites out there today and even more coming to market. Next phase is people looking to match deck look seemlessly with hardwoods from interior. Several companies are now testing various ways of achieving this look (applique vs. printing vs. other). Some companies are doing their homework by heavily testing before shipping product - and some are not. Be advised and know exactly what you are buying into as there are very wide differences between product lines and producers.

 

[2manyrocks]

I had a covered concrete patio that the prior owners had painted with gray paint. It always collected water in the middle because of a low spot and the paint would peel. I think a sealer on concrete would be good, but definitely not paint. No way to tile over it, either.

I recently saw a product that I don't know much about. It was a finer gravel mixture than pea gravel, but about that same color, that was glued to an existing concrete porch with some kind of poly glue. It looked nice, but I have no idea exactly what it was or how durable it is.

 

[955er]

I did ours 13 years ago with ponderosa pine. Still looks nice, but it does need to be washed and stained, and washed and stained.... Wood looks good, but vinyl is final.

 

[sweettractors]

I have used both and the composite is worth the extra $ in the long run. I get tired of staining PT every 2-3 years and mold is also worse on PT, so here come out the pressure washer. Ken Sweet

 

[hr3]

Not all "plastic" decking is created equal.. Check the flammability before you buy Trex isn't bad but most are very flammable.

TESTING FOR DECK MATERIAL FLAMMABILITY | Fire Management Today | Find Articles at BNET

 

[heehaw]

composite is 3 times the cost of PT here: may still be the best choice, but that price is for one color that was on sale at lowes a couple weeks ago: for all other colors or when not on sale, its more like 5 or 6 times the cost: a PT 5/4 is about $6: the same length composite was $24 on sale, regular price 35. i wanted to "blind nail" whatever i use an lowes doesn't seem to have any options like that.
heehaw