Deck top rail – advice on best manufactured material to use
I have 180 feet of decking I have to replace. Above the deck floor (which is PT wood) is all cedar. The vertical members are solid, the horizontal members have to be replaced. Most of the board footage is top rail and there are 3 sitting areas (built in seats) as well. In my last home, I replaced all the top rail with 1″ X 6″ solid Trex square edge decking (15 yrs ago). It was wonderful stuff. The deck was out in the open and therefore didn’t suffer from any of the problems Trex had with mildew. We live in upstate NY.
What I’m wondering is…what is your best advice on a composite or manufactured material I can use for the top rail? Currently it is all 1″ X 6″ dimensionally. My biggest concern is that most composite decking today has a nasty end profile- so that it would look rather silly on the ends of all the top rails to have a decking profile. The Trex I used before was solid and looked terrific and was easy to install, requiring no end coping or reverse back cutting and fitting of end pieces.
I’d like to use a medium brown color to match the existing deck boards and cedar. I’m having trouble finding stuff in my area that fits this need.
I do not want to use PT stuff – too many splinters, warped boards, etc.
Thanks
Replies
IPE lumber would work nice, but it does grow on trees.
My concern is cost and availability. Suggestions?
Thanks.
IPE isn't cheap, but...
Look at http://ipedecking.com/ for an idea of cost. I would go to your local lumber yard or big box store a price comparison. Shorter pieces are cheaper by the linerar foot, if you can use them. I would estimate $5 per foot or less for 1x6. IPE is very strong unsupported, many composits aren't. IPE is attractive, and would look nice alongside the cedar.
IPE lumber would work nice, but it does grow on trees.
Very expensive trees.
You may want to take a look at Azek's cellular PVC decking (Azek.com) for your top rail cap. Better than a composite in terms of longevity and look. Actual dimension is 1" thick x 5.5" wide. They make quite a few shads of brown now that may match your cedar stain pretty close.You can go online and order free samples (I think up to 5). It does have solid PVC color capping, but cellular cores are pretty close in color.
Thanks for the suggestions. Ipe's price is too steep. Is Azek's price point a bit lower?
Azek 1x6 is 3.42 / foot (8' plank) on Home Depot website, IPE is about twice the price there. I still believe you can purchase IPE for close to AZEK price. But if you can find AZEK in the color you want it would be a good choice.
Azek will cost you less. Denfinitley in the long run... and probably upfront.
IMO, IPE looks like hell left to naturally weather. I've used it quite a bit and have seen it in all stages of weather with different finishes. You can use a penetrating oil finish, but that needs to be maintained just about every season. YOu pay for that over the long run. The only way to retain a very nice look is a film finish which is hard to do because of the natural oils in the wood. Very similar properties to teak. This is why you don't see many film finishes on teak. A film finish (like Epifanes Wood finish (spar urethane) is hard to bond. I've done it with success, but you need to apply an expoxy sealer first. Then multiple coats of spar (min. 5 brush coates). If you're not experienced with that process, than you'll be paying quite a bit in time and money upfront to beat the learning curve as well.
My advice, go Azek cellular PVC. Ask you supplier to pre-cut to the lenghts you need. If you can keep it under 8' than you can ship UPS. That may save you on some $.