I am re-decking an existing 2 x 6 wood deck at my own house with 5/4 composite material and have a few questions:
A) I’ve read the posting about spacing the boards if they are PT wood, but what about spacing of composite?
B) I would like some degree of rain protection for the things I store UNDER the deck. Any suggestions for what to use and how to use it?
C) Is 30# roofing paper enough to protect the tops of the joists?
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Replies
Greetings PF,
As a first time poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
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Edited 6/8/2009 11:50 am ET by rez
Let's run this thru one more time.
Bump
I've been building decks for 35 years. Any deck I would build using man made products has strong language in the contracts cautioning the customer about using composites of any brand. I've seen nothing but problems with almost every brand made. I use C and better pine p.t. 5/4 x 6, basically knot free, 7.25 for 12 foot stick. I gap it with a 8 common. Decks didn't really exist in the 60s, p.t. isn't perfect but composites are ridiculously expensive and don't stand the test of time. A deck with a few thousand screws showing is ridiculous.
Edited 6/19/2009 7:43 pm ET by shellbuilder
shell,
we did a couple of Axek decks last year with the little plugs that go in the screw holes............aside from being slippery as heck with a frost on them, it is one good looking product and seems to be holding up well.
Port Orford Cedar would be my next choice.
"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896
bs.....Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Sometimes Mr.Smith can be a man of many words.
composites are great... space the boards generously... ...in this weather.. a speed square minimum
30 lb felt will help... but if your framing isn't PT, it will still develop rotten spots
Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Definitely space the boards. The instructions will tell you how big the gap size shoud be depending on the current temperature. (When I say instructions I mean, look up the composite brand online and you will most likely find some type of guide for that).
As far as keeping the underneath dry, look up "deck drainage systems", there's tons of choices. You could find something online, or go to a good lumber yard.
30lb felt is fine, 15lb is fine to.
Use spacing as recommended by the manufacturer.
Yes, 30# felt is good for the joist tops.
And please forget about rain protection for the stuff beneath. Unless you have a LOT more time and money.