Deck Material

[redpoint5]

As with all my projects, I begin by identifying a relatively minor problem, and then find ways to massively expand the scope of the project such that I either procrastinate beginning, or worse, take a long pause midway through.

In the most recent episode, my friend had lent his pressure washer to me, and I decided to clean the deck while I had it. The stairs leading up to the deck had loose paint that stripped off, and upon further inspection, had a couple rotten treads. No problem, I could easily replace those 2 rotten treads and paint them. The other treads would need paint too since the high traffic had worn it off...

Well, if high traffic causes a constant need for painting and being exposed to the elements causes them to rot, maybe I just needed to replace all the treads with a composite board.

That brings me to this topic. Anyone have recommendations for composite decking material? My dad had built a deck with Veranda composite material about 10 years ago, and it warped, split, and became sun damaged. If I'm going to spring for the expensive stuff, it had better hold up longer than wood.

At some point soon, I need to replace the deck at my rental house. I had bought stain for it, but upon inspection realized it's too far gone to even bother.

[mort]

I used Lock-Dry: https://www.nexaninc.com/products/decking/lockdry-waterproof-decking/how-lockdry-works
Stairs will take a lot of fiddling, but waterproof!

-mort

[redpoint5]

What’s the price per square foot? I don’t need waterproof, but I do want something that lasts 30 years with nothing more than spray cleaning.

[mort]

Yeah, it isn't cheap, about $10 per sq ft. And repair is difficult and painful, like if you drop something heavy and dent a plank.
I think there are cheaper non waterproof aluminum plank things too.
-mort

[oil pan 4]

Lowes has poly deck boards that are a sawdust plastic matrix.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Lowes has poly deck boards that are a sawdust plastic matrix.

I used these to build a box that houses our garden pond filter. The box is buried in the ground, the lid is exposed. Lid is a little faded, otherwise the thing looks like it did when I put it in there 15 years ago or so. I suspect they'll find it in archeological digs thousands of years hence.

It's flexy in longer lengths. When using it for decking I think you need to have closer spacing between joists. Not sure about steps but I would assume something similar.

[redpoint5]

I just returned from vacationing at a house in Redmond (Eagle Crest), and they had a composite deck that was a bit crumbly in areas. Eastern Oregon gets a lot of sunshine, and I assume that's what is doing it in. Wish I knew what material it was so I could avoid purchasing it. Seemed similar to what my dad used, which is also beginning to deteriorate here on the cloudy side of the mountains.

[freebeard]

https://www.vistamation.com/prefabstairs/

duckduckgo.com/?q=metal+stair+tread+cost+per+foot&ia=images

Cast aluminum treads bubbles to the top.