FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Winter Trex deck

ProDek | Posted in Photo Gallery on January 9, 2004 09:26am

We are on our second week of this project but we had some interruptions from the Holidays and a Winter storm.

Here is the house front and some of the framing on the back decks before the snow came.

“Rather be a hammer than a nail”

Bob

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 09:30am | #1

    Pretty cold this morning. We had ice rain the night before and it pretty much put a stop to everything.

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    Bob

  2. User avater
    ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 09:33am | #2

    Guess I'll have to start putting a cover over my chop saw next time.

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    Bob

    1. User avater
      ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 09:36am | #3

      Here's some pretty cold Trex........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

      Bob

      1. User avater
        ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 09:38am | #4

        Here's some cold boys laying Trex............."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

        Bob

        1. User avater
          ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 09:43am | #5

          Here is how I cut balusters that are frozen together. Just pry the bundle of six from the other bundles,cut and slide to the custom made stop and cut again.

          Yes, the saw still works great, so don't you guys dis DeWalt.......... "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

          Bob

          1. Lateapex911 | Jan 09, 2004 09:58am | #6

            I love your threads!  But i can't believe you left your saw out! tch tch tch! I have the same stand, but my aluminum extrusion is silver....I guess they made some changes.

            (Surprise storm, eh?)

            Did you rent the porta poddy?Jake Gulick

            [email protected]

            CarriageHouse Design

            Black Rock, CT

          2. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 05:57pm | #11

            You've heard the phrase " colder than a cast iron toilet seat on the shady side of an iceberg" Well this porta potty was that cold......

            And , yes I usualy rent one of these things for bigger jobs...............

            jobs that take over two weeks...........

            3 week deck jobs........:-)

            you know what I mean."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 09, 2004 10:30am | #7

            How well does or doesn't the TREX perform in the hyper cold?

            In case you haven't heard this before... Fine work and then some.  

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

          4. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 09, 2004 04:43pm | #8

            Wild ..great pics and greater determination to do quality work in less than ideal conditions!!!!  I need a deck in front of my KY house..what say ya come out with the boys this spring?

          5. xMikeSmith | Jan 09, 2004 05:20pm | #10

            Bob...almost done with our latest Trex.... just got a couple sections of rail going down the stairs..

            9 deg. this morning.... hoarfrost on the Bay..

             supposed to be 5 deg. for the Patriots / Titans tomorrow niteMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          6. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 06:19pm | #15

            I've been following your posts over at http://www.Quittintime.com Mike. Nice deck.

            I like the way you pre finished your rail sections before installation.

            Cutting out the tops of your rail cap to fit over the posts must have been fun.:-)

            Nice looking deck .........Now don't forget to cover up your tools..........

            Oh that's right, you have a trailer you lucky dog.............

            Now tell a West coaster what the heck is hoarfrost?"Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          7. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 09, 2004 07:43pm | #20

            I can answer that for Mike..when low clouds freeze on branches it chrystallizes like a fuzzy coating..absoluty beautiful stuff..looks like feathers on trees..we used to get it real good high up in the Smokies..Apologies to Mike if I'am steppin on his toes.

          8. xMikeSmith | Jan 09, 2004 08:36pm | #22

            sphere... yup , that's hoarfrost... i used the wrong word.. i'm talking about that white cloud that forms over salt water when the air is a LOT colder than the water..

            Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          9. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 09, 2004 08:45pm | #23

            Man with the temps y'all got now I AM sure ya got some kinda NEAT effects..you can have it..lol. wew are up to 23 right now, balmy.

            What do ya Call that floaty frosty stuff? 'future lake effect snow for someone'?

          10. User avater
            BillHartmann | Jan 09, 2004 11:30pm | #24

            Where do you think that we send our cold air after we are done with it in Kansas City.

            Literally that is what happens if you watch the common winter weather patterns.

            But it is suppose to be in the 50's Sunday.

          11. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 09, 2004 11:40pm | #25

            Very funny..when I was just a measly 4.5 hrs. south in the smokies the weather would get tore up by the mountains..rarely was the winter pattern very obnoxious..up here in KY we are wide open from the west and it seems the cold fronts hit the Apps. and kinda stall..add some gulf moisture from our buddy Brown bagg..and poof! winterwonder land.

            Send that 50's out..I got plumbing to thaw and replace..<g>

          12. xMikeSmith | Jan 09, 2004 11:54pm | #26

            not cold enough here...i'm going to Maine for the weekendMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          13. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 10, 2004 12:05am | #27

            My grand dad worked on an island offa s. jersey..took his boat to work across the delaware bay...got cold enough when I was a tyke..(the mid 1960's) that he walked to work for a week..big news for there. Think Piffin's hoofin it?..lol....have fun in Me.

          14. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 06:03pm | #13

            Always wanted to go to Kentucky. You Pay the airfare and we"ll be there.........:-)"Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          15. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 06:00pm | #12

            Trex works great in the cold. It is a little annoying to have the ice and snow go down your neck while packing it to the back of the house.

            We use the same gap as we would in the summer."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          16. MojoMan | Jan 09, 2004 05:04pm | #9

            I also noticed the Porta-Potty. Is that SOP for you? My 50 year-old bladder would like that!

            Are you allowing plenty of gap for that cold Trex?

            Is that framing lumber PT? ACQ? Are those Z-Max hangers?

            It's below zero here today, so I'm not as sympathetic about the weather as I might otherwise be.

            The work is as impressive as always!

            Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

          17. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 06:12pm | #14

            Thanks Al- We are still using the good old asenic treated wood till it is depleted from the yard, thus the standard galvanized Simpson hangers.

            The Porta Potty cost me $112 per month and is worth it ............

            Thanks for following along............"Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          18. dIrishInMe | Jan 09, 2004 06:26pm | #16

            Bob:

            Re the outhouse, I'd think that a house that nice would have indoor plumbing...

            I have the same DW saw, but yours looks a little less loved...

            Looking at the ice on branch pic in your post #2, it looks like your turning into a photographer on us!Matt

          19. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 07:05pm | #18

            Matt, Believe it or not this customer does have bathroom facilities, but they were without heat for five days because of a wind storm just before we started this deck and I didn't want to take a chance on frozen plumbing......Hehehehe

            As for the DW, I usually throw a garbage bag over it and secure it with a hi-tech bungee cord. It really is not less loved, it is just used and abused so I can get another new one. :-) I'm really amazed at how well the table holds up that the saw is fastened to.

            As for the Ice branch, I am amazed at how many beautiful pictures beginners are taking with digital cameras. Just point and click at the right thing at the right time and then share it on the internet and millions of people get to see things from all over the world that we take for granted in the course of a day.

            I like to go to http://www.webshots.com and look at photos from all over the world.

              

            "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          20. dIrishInMe | Jan 09, 2004 07:21pm | #19

            It's snowing here (NC) today too.  Cool web site.  My, er, a, nose, lead me right to the swimsuit page.  Then visited some castles.  Then went up to Maine to visit Piff and the Portland Head Light.Matt

          21. joewood | Jan 12, 2004 04:49pm | #32

            man! Pics like those make me even happier I live and work in San Diego !

          22. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 14, 2004 09:55am | #33

            Where's the fun and challenge of working in a non-seasonal climate like San Diego?

            Here are some shots close to completion. "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          23. dIrishInMe | Jan 14, 2004 02:29pm | #34

            Bob:

            What's your thoughts about putting pickets (ballusters) up against the posts?  Do you find the baluster sections easier to construct that way...Matt

          24. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 14, 2004 06:48pm | #35

            Yes Matt. We build the baluster section as a grill then fasten it to the posts on each side through the 2x2, then we staple to the bottom rail and upper rail cap through the 1x2.

            It makes for a very sturdy rail section."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

          25. dIrishInMe | Jan 15, 2004 04:43am | #36

            sorry to be so presistant - but I never thought of using staples for decks... we talkin' med crown or narrow crwon?Matt

          26. User avater
            ProDek | Jan 15, 2004 05:10am | #37

            Narrow crown 1 1/2""Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

  3. sungod | Jan 09, 2004 06:58pm | #17

    It may be too late now, but for future decks, the deck will last a lot longer if you seal the tops of the joists with paint, sealer or stain, before laying down the decking.

    1. User avater
      ProDek | Jan 09, 2004 07:58pm | #21

      Sungod, all our framing material here is ground contact incised pressure treated doug/fir Guaranteed 50 years buried in the ground so I'm guessing that off of the ground they may last another fifty.

      Your point is well taken for non treated lumber................"Rather be a hammer than a nail"

      Bob

  4. KGambit | Jan 11, 2004 06:43pm | #28

    Some more fine looking work. That picture of the ice covered branch is pretty cool!

    I don't understand! I cut it twice and it's still too short!

    1. User avater
      ProDek | Jan 11, 2004 08:03pm | #29

      Thanks Manroot. The ice covered branch was in my yard so I took a quick picture before I headed for work. I got about one city block,tree across the road, and they said on the radio the main road to my job was closed due to ice loaded trees falling all over the main roads and stay home if you don't have to go anywhere.

      I decided one more day off would be safer than using my truck for "bumper cars"."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

      Bob

      1. Lateapex911 | Jan 11, 2004 09:33pm | #30

        What do you do with your guys on days like that? Tell 'em to go fish? Pay 'em anyway? Give 'em soemthing?  What if they were on the way or already at the site?

        So far I haven't had to deal with this situation, but I'm curious as to the standard solution.Jake Gulick

        [email protected]

        CarriageHouse Design

        Black Rock, CT

        1. User avater
          ProDek | Jan 12, 2004 12:23am | #31

          My two guys are my Sons, but I really don't treat them any different than any other employee, other than an ocassional draw.

          If they already left for work I will pay them a minimum of 2 hours of work. They get plenty of "gifts" from their "old Pop". I usually let them test most of  the "Like" hammers I collect and mount on my wall to get there opinion on which one they like best.

          One son likes the 22oz Douglas and the other one likes the Deathstick.

          I like my 10 year old stainless Hart Woody 22oz. "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

          Bob

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper

Look closely at these common locations for hazardous materials in older homes.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data