Decking

[ESOXER]

Anyone have opinions on decking? I have a 575sq deck project. I'm leaning cedar. I'm on the fence on composite. We have a raised deck to enter the house and composite is slippery in the winter. Hell I almost died on our current treated one this year. I also don't like the plastic look of composite.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Dark composite is hot to walk on and sit in chairs.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

They do make textured composites in lighter colors. With today's pressure treated not being worth squat cedar may be a better option in your area. Here in Florida cypress is the best if you can get it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Cedar will turn silver-gray with some black streaks. If you walk on it barefoot when it’s wet, you’ll track the black on your shoes, more on bare feet.

You can clean it and treat it yearly with Thompson Water Seal, but that’s a lot of work.

 

[Dave6T4]

When the wooden deck on our house started to deteriorate and splinter, we replaced it with a light grey textured composite. That was 10 years ago, and we have no regrets. It is more expensive, but you only have to do it once.

 

[jmk77379]

I rebuilt my 5 decks 3 years ago with treated and stained lumber. I just repaired them with $200 in treated lumber and re-stained them with 15 gallons or $700 of stain. I should of gone with composite and been one and done vs constant repair and upkeep. Live and learn

 

[Don Frelier]

When the wooden deck on our house started to deteriorate and splinter, we replaced it with a light grey textured composite. That was 10 years ago, and we have no regrets. It is more expensive, but you only have to do it once.

I agree did my front porch with composite probably 20 years ago. It's faded a bit but still nice and flat.
ZERO maintenance.

 

[Dave6T4]

We clean ours annually with "30 Seconds" vinyl siding cleaner.

 

[Kern Dog]

Redwood.
I gutted my deck due to so much of it being rotted. Of course, I did this when lumber was at record prices!

 

[64BEL]

We're on our second generation of composite decking. The first round lasted about 16 years before we replaced it. It held up ok, but it attracted light mold and would need to be cleaned a couple of times a year. So much for maintenance free. We replaced it with new composite in 2020. That has held up better, but it needs pressure washing a couple of times a year.

As for cedar - I went with cedar for the railing. It turned gray but has held up pretty well with no attention. There are sections I should replace after 20+ years as the sun has turned parts of it into a great place to get splinters if you run your hands over it.

 

[jimbosride]

First generation Trex was a ******* disaster. Got about 10 years out of it, but was a chore to keep it clean. Replaced it about 8 years ago with a Lowes brand. Allot better. Make sure the coating goes all around the sides and groves or moss will build up. Also the dark brown boards we went with are very hot and impossible to walk barefoot in the sun and also could harm pets. The product does shrink so all butt joints should be tight. The retail store are not going to carry the same color from year to year.

I live 40 miles From Seattle. So my climate will be different than most of you.