buckeyefarmer
Super Star Member
I was in Lowes today, I think some of the nicer looking decking was $3 / ft.
PT vs Composite Deck
- Thread starter MikePA
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heehaw
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2000
- Messages
- 2,076
- Location
- russellville, arkansas
- Tractor
- Kubota M4900, B7510 and RTV
i apologize: i'm not sure what i was looking at a couple weeks ago when i got the prices at lowes i quoted earlier: i was there this morning, an about double the cost of composite compared to PT lumber is closer: the gray composite for a 6inch by 12ft is about $22: but the other colors are about 10-12bucks a piece higher: i'd be interested in hearing from someone that has had a lot of people on their deck at one time with the composite stuff an how it holds up.
heehaw
heehaw
sweettractors
Advertiser
With floor joists 16 inches apart, you will never have a problem. Ken Sweet
deepNdirt
Veteran Member
Here you folks something to work with in figuring your cost for building a deck, although you will have to ad about 28% to this, most of this incress has happen in the past 2 months,
Deck Cost Calculator: Deck Building Cost Calculator, deck stairs, building decks, online deck cost calculator
Deck Cost Calculator: Deck Building Cost Calculator, deck stairs, building decks, online deck cost calculator
deepNdirt
Veteran Member
Now if you don't already know what materials you will be needing here is another site that can help you with the figuring of materials,
Deck Calculator | McFeely's
Deck Calculator | McFeely's
roamerr
Silver Member
Just built a new home and we chose Trex for our screen porch. Buckeye was correct when he mentioned temperature -- do not chose a dark color if exposed to the hot sun all day or you will not be able to use your deck. The composite/plastic decking can get extremely hot.
I like the Trex but learned that:
Color does vary -- buy enough from same lot for the job.
Paint can absorb in -- watch any painters!
Carpenter needs to be better since waste is expensive!
I really like the Trex. Note that Home Depot and Lowes sells Trex and a cheaper normally grey product. They grey product is a lower line composite that stains much easier in my experience (we had some at last home).
I like the Trex but learned that:
Color does vary -- buy enough from same lot for the job.
Paint can absorb in -- watch any painters!
Carpenter needs to be better since waste is expensive!
I really like the Trex. Note that Home Depot and Lowes sells Trex and a cheaper normally grey product. They grey product is a lower line composite that stains much easier in my experience (we had some at last home).
jbarker855
Silver Member
I was looking at various composite decking options last year at Lowes. One of their sales associates who seemed to know what he was doing told me that the Lowes "generic" brand composite was actually of higher quality than Trex. This off brand was Weyerhauser Choicedek Premium. In cross section, the generic was bigger (and supposedly stronger) than the Trex. The generic was cheaper though. He told me that with Trex, "you're paying a premium for the name". I don't think he had anything to gain by telling me this. I mean, I would have ended up spending more money at his store if I bought the Trex. I didn't buy either, as I was just researching the available options. I'd be curious if anyone else can chime in on what's a better brand.
Dmace
Elite Member
The Trex is smaller in cross section which is true but that is because it is better suited for curved decks and fancy layouts. When I was shopping I had the Trex and the Portico decking to choose from. The lumber yard owner (friend) asked me what I was doing for a deck. I told him just a standard raised 12x30, nothing special. He recommended the Portico saying the Trex was much more pliable and better suited for curves like this:
He took a forklift and picked up a pallet of Trex 16ft'ers and lifted it from the center, the ends of the boards touched the ground from almost 4ft up.
The he picked up the same sized pallet of Portico 16ft'ers and lifted them up and they barely flexed more than a foot or so. He said they are stronger but don't try making a curve with them. :laughing:
Each has their place but reliability and durability are very both much higher than PT.
He took a forklift and picked up a pallet of Trex 16ft'ers and lifted it from the center, the ends of the boards touched the ground from almost 4ft up.
The he picked up the same sized pallet of Portico 16ft'ers and lifted them up and they barely flexed more than a foot or so. He said they are stronger but don't try making a curve with them. :laughing:
Each has their place but reliability and durability are very both much higher than PT.
rjkobbeman
Platinum Member
The Trex is smaller in cross section which is true but that is because it is better suited for curved decks and fancy layouts. When I was shopping I had the Trex and the Portico decking to choose from. The lumber yard owner (friend) asked me what I was doing for a deck. I told him just a standard raised 12x30, nothing special. He recommended the Portico saying the Trex was much more pliable and better suited for curves like this:
He took a forklift and picked up a pallet of Trex 16ft'ers and lifted it from the center, the ends of the boards touched the ground from almost 4ft up.
The he picked up the same sized pallet of Portico 16ft'ers and lifted them up and they barely flexed more than a foot or so. He said they are stronger but don't try making a curve with them. :laughing:
Each has their place but reliability and durability are very both much higher than PT.
That deck is incredible!
sweettractors
Advertiser
I agree, that deck is incredible. I'd sure like to see the front of the house. Ken Sweet