Replies

1. 
   darcey | Jan 09, 2004 01:43am | #1

   Mr. Micro,

   I think Azek is a great material to work with. Fabs easily, looks great, no knots, won't absorb moisture. . .

   Be sure that you glue and screw off all butt and scarf joints. Paints up great but you must use the right paint. Ours was a Sherwin-Williams product.

   They do have a website (www.azek.com) Anyway, I've worked with it a lot, let me know if you need more information.

   darcy

   
1. 
   BillW | Jan 09, 2004 01:57am | #2

   Your porch looks great - did you cut long miter joints on those columns?

   My only insight after using it once is that when they say it cuts like butter, take that literally - it's fine when using a fence for rips and crosscuts, but freehand cuts to a line (the stringers on my stairs) were an adventure - the saw wanted to wander all over the place - it's not like 'real' wood where you get it started and it more or less continues in a straight line.

   Have you tried sanding it with any success?

   Thanks, Bill.

   
1. 
   darcey | Jan 09, 2004 02:51am | #3

   Thanks, Bill.

   Yes, the columns were long miter joints, the halves were prefabbed in our shop and then assembled in the field. Once together, after the edges were rounded over, it was virtually impossible to tell there was even a joint there. Same with our corners, (even though we ended up switching to azek's factory corners after analyzing our labor costs.)

   Most of my freehand cuts were relatively short, so I just used my speedsquare as a guide. Free-hand notching with a jigsaw was another story... until I got the hang of it! <g>

   I never tried sanding it, wonder if it would melt?

   Your stairs look great!

   darcy

1. 
   BillW | Jan 09, 2004 03:10am | #4

   Darcy - I had the same thought on sanding ... a few rough spots I'd like to touch up, but decided to leave well enough alone .. I'm not painting, so if I create burn marks, I'm in real trouble.

   I like your approach on the columns - I intend to build boxes around the bottom 27" of my posts, to re-produce what was there originally.  Planned to do what you did - cut miters on table saw, assemble two sections and field attach.  Did you use bisuits?  Do you see any need for them?

   Looked at the factory corners but didn't see any big enough for my application - boxes will be about 11" on a side.

   Good for you for getting the hang of it (free-hand cutting)... my hands just aren't steady enough, and I think that's just getting worse .... Thanks for the compliment on the stairs ...

   Bill.

1. 
   darcey | Jan 09, 2004 03:52am | #6

   Bill,

   I'm sure the azek can take some handsanding, our painters had some light sanding after filling the nail/screw holes with bondo.

   Somewhere around here, there is a guy who is a rep for Azek. He had responded to some earlier threads, and might be able to supply you with more info about sanding. I'll try to track down his name for you.

   For assembling miter joints on the columns we used the gorilla PVC glue and 1 1/4 inch staples every 4 inches with great success. Be careful with those miter-cut edges, they can cut like knives.

   For your freehand cuts, try clamping on a straightedge.

   darcy

2. 
   geob21 | Jan 09, 2004 03:21am | #5

   Read the painting instructions for azek. Can only be painted with light colored paint.

   Who determines what is light? it expands and contracts tremendiously. I put up a 40' run in 70 degree heat to have it bow off the wall 8" when the temp went to 100 and it was an unpainted freeze board under an 18" overhang.

   I may have screwed up but when the temp passes 70 either way it really looks good.

   I  pray for more 70 degree days.

1. 
   darcey | Jan 09, 2004 04:36am | #7

   Hi Geob21,

   We prevented any movement by using plenty of nails, and using screws at the ends and at all joints. Year-round production in temps 30¼ to 115¼.

   hope this helps!

   darcy

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 09, 2004 04:38am | #8

   You do some good work.... 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

2. 
   geob21 | Jan 09, 2004 04:59am | #9

   Hope so.. I used ring shank stainless siding nails which pulled through the 5/8" azek.

   I was after the look of smooth trim , not hammered nails.

3. 
   Woodside | Jan 12, 2004 07:21pm | #10

   Just a point of info. I called Azek to find out the best means of caulking and patching. They recommended polyurethane based products.

   I did some light hand sanding. Go slow and don't stay in one spot excessively, and it won't burn.

   Woodside