Deck: need ideas/help

[flogger]

There's a deck supply store over in commerce city. West of Quebec on 74th(???). They sell to the public and help design if you need it. Good prices, my buddy who built decks for awhile bought from there.

This place is great! They have a lot to chose from and sometimes have deals on overstock stuff. Very helpful people and competitive prices.

[ben4372]

I know some people like composites. Look at the trex class action lawsuit. Plus it gets HOT in the sun. I put it in the same class a vinyl siding. If you go looking around, there are some semi exotics that only need oiling every few years. Wood just looks pretty too.

[sniper7]

I know some people like composites. Look at the trex class action lawsuit. Plus it gets HOT in the sun. I put it in the same class a vinyl siding. If you go looking around, there are some semi exotics that only need oiling every few years. Wood just looks pretty too.

I agree, but honestly when it comes to upkeep I am pretty lazy and don't want to buy stain/sealant and deal with wood. I'm stuck on composite, now it's just a matter of which one and how to frame it.

[jslo]

If you want to build it to code you'll want to ledger the house side with 2x8 treated minimum (2×10 better) lagged to rim and flashed. 3 posts set outside pad, on post bases, on 36" deep caisons. Double 2×8 (2×10) beam sitting on 4×4 posts. 2×8 (2×10) treated joist between ledger and beam. Now you can deck it. Typically joist spacing is 16" for 2× decking material. 3/4 and 4/4 composites sometimes go down to 12" spacing.because it can be kind of bouncy. Good luck

[sniper7]

Wow, awesome information and some terms I don't know! I'll get some research done today. Any idea what and estimate cost would be on the framing materials?

also, as far as railing, this will be pretty low to the ground so my plan was to go no rails, any thoughts on this or things I would need to do different to accomplish that?

[rockhound]

Wow, awesome information and some terms I don't know! I'll get some research done today. Any idea what and estimate cost would be on the framing materials?

also, as far as railing, this will be pretty low to the ground so my plan was to go no rails, any thoughts on this or things I would need to do different to accomplish that?

its been a little while since i did this for a living so for insurance purposes check with your building dept. before skipping your handrails.

General rule of thumb used to be that anything less than 30 inches above grade did not need railings, 120 sf or less did not require a permit.

your building department should be able to tell you your frost line requirements for your piers,

JMO but your deck will look much more finished with rails, regardless of the height. also will keep the drunk buddy from hurting himself on fourth of July and such.

Also home depot's website used to have a deck designing section and project estimator online.

[muddywings]

just remember 3, 4, 5 and you'll be good to go!
Good luck...

[rockhound]

that works great as long as all the boards involved are straight

[TFOGGER]

We went with a material call Trex Transcend, which is basically traditional trex wrapped in a fade-free urethane jacket. It was spendy, but after more than 6 years it still looks like the day we installed it.

[Wulf202]

Lowes will be stocking the red tinted pressure treat soon, depot already is.