Replies

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 05, 2002 09:19am | #1

   This is wierd- I post pictures to this post and they get lost in cyberspace I'll try not to duplicate.

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   
2. 
   gbwood | Apr 05, 2002 09:21am | #2

   hey Bob- howyadoin?

   as  always, lookin good- how do you feel about this product?

   greg brown(aka Gumby, Fishslapper, Woodhead, & asst. other sundry items...)

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 05, 2002 06:05pm | #3

   Wow Greg- you found this place. Are you having as much fun as me trying to navigate?I posted 4 pictures and 2 got lost in cyberspace?

   Not nearly as much fun as the old site,but I'll keep trying.

   I just don't spend as much time in here as I used to because it is not user friendly.

   Trex is a very heavy but forgiving product. It is all you can do to lift a 20' piece and put it on the chop saw by yourself. I just did three Trex decks in a row, so I see people leaning this direction even though it is 30% more than cedar.

   Glad to see your still around.

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Edited 4/5/2002 11:09:58 AM ET by Pro-Dek

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 05, 2002 06:44pm | #4

   Benches-6x6 box framed,2x4 framed,wrapped with Trex for a four board bench.Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   StanFoster | Apr 05, 2002 11:40pm | #5

   Bob:

   Looks good as always.

   I am shut down on posting pictures. Even though I have dleted all my previoulsy posted pictures, I only have a small portion of the 1 mebabytes available.

   I am just going to lurk until they up the allotment .

2. 
   jonblakemore | Apr 08, 2002 11:10pm | #10

   Bob,

   Do you up your rates for the extra work in handling the Trex? What is your sq. ft. rate for a deck like this?

   As usual, great job you're doing.

   Jon

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 09, 2002 04:06am | #11

   Thanks Jon- every deck is a different price based on elevation,rails,stairs,benches,lighting,arbor,spa pad,etc.

   This deck was $20 per sq.ft.

   Planters were $150. each

   Trex is 1/3rd more than cedar because it is screwed down instead of gunned, it is routed at the butt joints,and it is $1.60' vs .40' for TK cedar. 

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Edited 4/8/2002 9:22:11 PM ET by Pro-Dek

1. 
   kai230 | Apr 10, 2002 07:33am | #12

   Trex is 1/3rd more than cedar because it is screwed down instead of gunned, it is routed at the butt joints,and it is $1.60' vs .40' for TK cedar.

   See, even more good advice.

   Here's a question for you:

   Say I don't think I'll be able to cover the porch/deck/whatever for 5 yrs. Should I still go w/Trex instead of wood? Wouldn't the cost of install/upkeep sort of equal out during that time frame?

2. 
   ProDek | Apr 10, 2002 08:06am | #13

   Kai-Time seems to be the issue. How much is your time worth?Do you have the time to clean and stain your deck every year?Do you want to clean and stain your deck every year?

   People are leaning toward more carefree products so they can spend their time doing other things,like hiking,fishing,boating,golfing,surfing,skiing,diving,driving,shopping,etc.

   I still like wood

   I clean and stain my 800 and 300 sq.ft. deck every year.

   Labor of Love

   By the way.........where you going for five years?

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Edited 4/10/2002 1:08:44 AM ET by Pro-Dek

3. 
   kai230 | Apr 10, 2002 08:19am | #14

   How much is your time worth?

   Probably half as much ($-wise) as whomever I pay to do whatever!

   Just seems to me wood would require a lot of treatment, even to withstand 5 yrs. Although, my current (redwood) setup has lasted nearly 20. If I could afford to cover it now, I would, and would probably choose wood. Except for where it touches earth (i.e., termites).

   I'm distressed re the foundation, so perhaps that clouds my questions.

   Many thanks for your help. I will be back.

   (P.S. Bro thinks the Trex deck on their home page is faux. Do you? Looks like a several million $ job, regardless.)

4. 
   ProDek | Apr 10, 2002 08:25am | #15

   That Trex deck is computer generatedBob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

5. 
   kai230 | Apr 10, 2002 08:29am | #17

   Oh, thank you! It just looks SO similar to decks in La Jolla I visited decades ago!

6. 
   kai230 | Apr 10, 2002 08:27am | #16

   By the way.........where you going for five years?

   See, this is the sort of thing I missed, first time read. Call me an idiot.

   I hope to not have to go anywhere. I'm trying to budget BIG bucks before I can recoup funds to do "extras". First estimate was $50k to lift house. Actually, first guy probably wanted to buy the place and raze it. Long story. Does your email addy work from here? I have a question I'd like to ask you offline, if you don't mind.

   Your type of help is immeasureable, and I thank you!

7. 
   ProDek | Apr 10, 2002 08:36am | #18

   yes the email thingy works just fineBob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

8. 
   kai230 | Apr 10, 2002 08:54am | #19

   You've got mail, thanks Bob!

9. 
   ProDek | Apr 10, 2002 08:58am | #20

   Anytime!Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

3. 
   kai230 | Apr 06, 2002 03:39am | #6

   Beautiful, Bob!

   I'm trying to decide on that or nexwood http://www.nexwood.com/ for outdoor stairs/tiny deck/walkway from "deck" to back door. I asked on the main board at the old site but I don't think anyone answered. Did you happen to evaluate it and choose Trex http://www.trex.com/ (oh my! what a view!) instead? I've heard conflicting info re cost savings over wood. I'm more interested in long lasting and good in "weather" (San Diego).

   Also, FWIW, I'm lost much of the time here, too.

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 06, 2002 09:19am | #7

   Trex is readily available here , I honestly haven't used Nexwood. It looks like it might have some finish problems because of the hollow construction of the product.

   You would have to cover the ends of Nexwood, not with Trex.

   I don't know how the two products compare in price.

   Sorry, I'm not much help. Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   kai230 | Apr 06, 2002 08:11pm | #8

   Actually, Bob, that was quite helpful, thanks.

   might have some finish problems because of the hollow construction of the product.

   You would have to cover the ends of Nexwood, not with Trex.

2. 
   francismiles | Apr 08, 2002 03:25pm | #9

   More of this please! Beatiful job so far, in fact, your work is so inspiring, I would like, in part, to try and pinch some design ideas off you!

   I have decided to try out my own deck, but cant find your old photos at all. Seems the transition lost 'em, you dont by any chance have your old design photos hanging about in a loose corner of this forum somewhere do you?

1. 
   ProDek | Apr 26, 2002 06:16am | #24

   fmiles-Sorry I missed your post- you can see some of my decks at http://www.pro-dek.com another place for deck designs is http://www.deckweb.com Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   tjcarcht | Apr 26, 2002 07:21pm | #25

   IMO Trex looks really out-of-place on a historic house.T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

2. 
   manda2025 | Apr 11, 2002 08:30am | #21

   Greetings from the rainy side of Oregon.  I was sent to this site by someone at This Old House forum to look at the trex deck photos.  Alas, they appear to have all disappeared in cyberspace.  Would sure like to see something other than what trex has on their site.  Can you help?

   Even more, I would like to hear your oppinions on what I should do.  When I bought my house 10 years ago, the front steps had to be replaced because of dry rot.  At that time, lumber cost about $600.  Saturday, I was getting ready to paint my house for her 100th birthday, removed the handrails on the steps because of some dry rot and found that the risers were disintegrating.  Took the expensive bullnosed (is this the right term for the rounded edge?) 12 inch treads off, hoping to reuse them but they also have little patches of rot on them.

   So now I have the unexpected expense of replacing them.  My carpenter suggested using trex.  I see that for an arm and a leg I can get a 10 inch board.  However, I can't seem to find anything on the internet about doing stairs from this stuff.  I am concerned about the price but since retirement will happen in about 10 years I figure I can afford more now than I will then--so longevity becomes a big point.  I also worry about mold in our climate.  So given a 100 year old house, a cautious (yea, cheap) owner who wants things to last and look good, what material would you suggest for these stairs?  Much appreciate your thoughts.  Ruth

1. 
   BungalowJeff | Apr 11, 2002 03:27pm | #22

   Manda, glad you found this place. The regulars posting here will help you out. There are pics on the first several posts in this thread. Look at the bottom, you may have to click 1-20 to see the earlier posts. Also, I recommend that you post your question as a new thread in either the Construction Techniques or General Discussion areas if you don't get a reply here soon. Good luck....that's not a mistake, it's rustic

2. 
   ProDek | Apr 12, 2002 04:46am | #23

   Hi Ruth-

   Trex steps would last you for a long time.

   You should make your stairjacks out of 2x12 incised pressure treated wood.

   You would need seven ot them cut to the proper tread width and rise.

   Your tread width would be 11 1/4"  with two Trex boards and a 1/4" space.

   We still use cedar for the rise/fascia and it is usually painted the trim color of the house.

   Low voltage flush mount step lights are always a good feature for brightening up your entry also. 

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"