Can anyone recommend/suggest a competitive alternative to the 3/4 Fir t&g for porch decking .. that we usually install running away from the house under a porch roof? (here in Northeast)
the last porch I did the stuff was very fast growth .. large grain and hasn’t held up well (in spite of the 3 coats top and bottom..)
thanks Arthur
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Replies
3/4" T&G mohogany is my prefrence.
how does it hold upon an exposed deck/porch? i am looking for an alt. to T/G fir that was used allover the n. east on victorian porches....
For an uncovered porch, I'd use either Cedar, Ipe, or Mohogany, but I wouldn't use T&G. I'd sue 5/4 x 6. If it's a covered victorian porch like my own, I'd use the Mohogany sealed on all sides, and I'd rout a groove around the edges to accep an edge band. that'll help eliminate cupping on the ends that get wet the most. It's seems to be working fine for me.
I like Tendura- it's a composite t&g decking, 7/8" thick
I used it on my own front porch- installed 5 years ago, still not painted, and good as new
the only drawback is that its a bit pricey
Good stuff. Cheap compared to replacing fir every tenyears.
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Yeah.
The old vert. grain fir lasted forever.
Like you said, the new stuff starts rotting when installed.
I think I saw the Tendura at JLC last year, but remember that it was like 2/3rds more. I just recall it seemingly an unrealistic price. Of course if its prefinished at install and lasts, those numbers might actually return quick.the Ipe and Mahogany that you were talking about? are those all t&g?arthurhttp://www.thesmallbuildingcompany.com
I wasn't talking about the Ipe or mahogany, but I'll tell you what I think anyway.
As far as I know, ipe' isn't available in t&g. But it is extremely durable.
The mahogany decking that I'm familiar with is really lauan. I haven't had much luck with that stuff. I've done porches where the decking was rotting 5 years after installing, even with priming all the edges.
The Tendura is pricey initially, but IMO worth it in the long run. On my front porch, I installed it 5 years ago. Its supposed to be painted, which I haven't done yet. But except for getting dirty, its as good as the day it went down.
Shep
I have to do a redo on a porch this summer and I think it was Piffin who turned me on to Tendura but you brought up a question I need to ask.
Its supposed to be painted, which I haven't done yet
You mention that its suposed to be painted, is there a down side to not painting it? Will it break down from UV if not painted? Warranty without paint?
Just currious, I think I'm going to use it for the floor. Its a historical renovation but I'm not about to put something down that I will have to tear up in 10 years.
Thanks
Doug
I don't know about the "supposed to be painted"
It comes in two colours which run through the material. A light brown or a light grey. Neither have to be painted, but either of them can be painted. Grey is a common choice for deck paint and wood weathers to a grey normally is why they make some in that colour and the light brown is a natural colour approximating wood so that is a given too.I would suppose that if it really took off and became popular, that more colour choices would become available.
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I sent for a sample pack on your recomendation so I have the two color choices.
The grey is what I would use for the floor and I'm pefectly happy with that as a colour. The idea of having to paint it didnt appeal to me so thats why I wondered about the paint.
Good to know that I dont have to paint!
Doug
I think the install sheet said something about painting the Tendura to protect it, but i don't remember anymore.
Maybe, like Piffin says, it doesn't have to be. If so, procrastination wins again.
Yes it is available as T&Ghttp://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm
You can order Ipe as a T&G here, but it is not a stock item
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I've switched from Fir to Ipe`
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I like Tendura too.
I believe it's available in 1). a paintable version and in 2). a grey color where the color goes all the way thru the material. #2 is what I used and it looks great.
If I'm not mistaken it's not recommended for decks i.e. where sun exposure would beat on it all day, but on a covered porch it's fine, and looks very historically accurate as well.
Saw a sample of pressue-treated 5/4x3in. t&g at my supplier the other day. Probably SYP, but looked pretty good none-the-less. I've got a cottage porch coming up myself and will most likely use it if the cost is reasonable.
Can get you some info. if you're interested.
Another vote for Tendura - done 3 or 4; all covered, they've held up fine.
Forrest
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=75285.3
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I'd recommend T & G Recycled plastic Lumber, solid colors available with a wood grain. No wood fillers 100% HDPE I just installed it on a 1890's porch over porch and it's worked out great, easy to cut and install. It's available from an East coast distributor Plastic Lumber Supply of PA. and can be drop shipped. 866-770-9444
Ovolo,
>T&G Ipe is a great choice if you do not want to paint and require natural wood.
>Tendura comes two ways, the Natural Woods collection is gray and does not require and is not intended for paint, the Classics collection is primed brown and must be painted. Tendura is currently experiencing production difficulties with their Natural woods collection so check for availability in your area.
>If you want real wood that you will paint make sure that you get a real mahogany product (not luan).
>My wood guy is all hot on some new Ipe like wood called Mangaris from Indonesia. I finally caved and just received 15 pc, 5/4x12x16, am building a set of exterior stairs. Wood appears to be right between mahogany and Ipe as far as hardness and appearance. Wood guy claims longevity of Ipe unmaintained outside. We'll see how it holds up. Very reasonably priced. Not readily available in T&G as far as I know.
http://www.tendura.com/productspecs.html
http://www.midwestlumberinc.com/PDFs/Mangaris_flyer.pdf
Good Luck, Jay
Edited 1/9/2007 6:20 pm ET by Jay72
nothing new here. i use 5/4 x 3 T&G PT SYP. looks good, lasts a long time, takes paint or stain well. about $0.65 l.f. at my louisiana lumberyard.
I'm with this guy, you can also spray it on all sides with a paintable water repellant and one thin coat on all sides of oil/poly porch paint and one more coat when you put it down. I tongue nailed with 2 3/8 galvanized ring shank nails out of my framing nailer.