There is a conspiracy to make things heavier every year.

This often goes undetected until one reaches the age of sixty or so.

It seems that the added weight is more noticeable each year after that.

Azek is not a composite. It does not have wood in it. Trex is a composite. It has wood inside it which makes it heavier and which also makes it hotter and makes it especially susceptible to the dampness around the lake.

Azek is 100% PVC, no wood or sawdust in it whatsoever. It is better suited for wet environments over Trex or other “composite” type decking.

Get the Azek and don’t look back!

Dan

Talked with the building inspector when we were considering building a deck. His recommendation was mahogany. He said he would tell me where to obtain the lumber and just how to put a finish on it. Unfortunately or not the deck was not built as we sold the house, but I believe i would go with the mahogany.
I watched the video on Build and the only thing I have to say is I an not fond of Sikens. Many boat owners on the Cape put it on their teak but others have used other products which I think performed better. However, that is a personal decision.

My deck is in direct sun most of the day, so I'm not too concerned with moisture. I think $ will dictate this decision as it appears not to be "a little more" but probably double. I'm still researching products and prices, though.

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If your deck is in direct sunlight you will rarely even have to clean / power wash it. The sun will keep it clean and mold free.

Yes it probably cost double compared to PT.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Dan

Does anyone have experience with hollow composite boards? I'm thinking these might be an especially worthwhile consideration for the decking on removable dock sections because of their claimed reduced weight
https://www.newtechwood.com/hollow-vs-solid-boards/

Our dock with Trex was in direct sun and it got black with mold.

We have also had mahogany on a deck and it is a beautiful wood but be prepared for constant upkeep. It always looks awful because you just can't keep up with it.

I agree with not liking Sikkens. It is awful, peels all the time.

What was the fix for your black mold?

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There isn't a fix. You live with it. We bleached it but you can't really get it out.

If you have a lot of shade you will get mold no matter what product you use. The only solution is to cut down trees.

I have used two products from Lowe's that have made mold removal easy.

One is for siding and one is for the deck.

I spray it on, wait a few minutes and then hose off the yuk.

In limited areas a light brushing may be needed.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Home-Armor-...ner/1000210743

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mold-Armor-...ner/1000140751

The products seem to be interchangeable for my purposes.

Gotcha. How long ago did you install the Trex? Are today's Trex any different/better?

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i honestly wouldnt count on it. your going to make a great investment change the entire deck to new if your 12' out from the house. go with a 2x8 and also if your ever considering a hot tub or you entertain in the summer throw in a row of blocking in the middle. the big ticket is the decking not the frame. good luck. also depending on how close to the ground you are cover that area with heavy plastic and throw some stone on top to control moisture

Think,

A PVC product like Azek will resist mold better than the sawdust coated composites like Trex. In the shade however, anything will mold slightly.

Dan

Yeah...we’ll see the story when we start stripping the 2x6 decking...I must say there is no evidence of rot below as the whole thing is very sturdy with no soft spots save a board or two that have rot spots.
No worries about moisture at all as my house was built on very sandy soil that drains instantly and the deck is on the sunny side. I would like to replace the whole deck but was hoping to just do the floor. $$ is a factor and whatever we build will surely outlast us! ;)

We replaced our porch and used English mahogeny Azek. A&B supplied the product. I compared just about all the products out there requesting samples of just about every color from the manufacturer. I had enough that my builder now has nearly a complete set.

As posted earlier Azek is full synthetic with a slightly thicker textured cap than the rest. The Trex/composite products are indeed nearly 3 times heavier.

Very important!!!!!! If you go with Azek you need to have the cross members supports spaced closer than is code when using long lengths or you will get bowing. I have an area that wasn't despite mentioning my concerns to the builder and I do indeed have bowing. It is not bad but noticeable and annoying to me. This is not a concern for Trex, it is as rigid as cement and about as heavy.

Weight might be a factor if that different. What is the weight percentage difference between PT, composite, synthetic?

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Ours was in full sun and it molded. It just does.

It was quite a while ago. Today it is encapsulated on the face to help prevent the mold but that only would help on the face. In the long run, spend a little more and you will be happy. I wish I knew then what I know now. Of course back when Azek wasn't around.

The Trex we installed last year was top of the line. It was installed in a shady part of the house where the wood tends to show mold, but so far the Trex has not.

I just did a deck over that I built 20 years ago. I built the frame like a rock with 2x10' so that was fine. I used Mahogany for the decking and the first 5 years I treated it with Thompson's water seal and it looked great. The next 10 years it was rented so I never went over to treat it. Many of the Mahogany boards dried out and split. Some rotted in spots that held water. I managed to buy some used Mahogany boards on Craigslist that were already weathered and I replaced the boards that were bad and treated the decking again with Thompson's.
The railing I made out of fir and painted white. It needed to be washed every few years as it would get black with mildew. It eventually rotted away and I replaced it with Pressure treated 2x4's and black aluminum balusters. I don't plan on staying here much longer so I wasn't going to spend the extra to do it all over in plastic.

Hey Biggd...hoping you aren’t leaving the lake or the forum. I enjoy your posts.

No, that house is in Waltham, Ma.
I just retired so I'm trying to convince my wife to move up to the lake full time.

Now that sounds like a plan. My only problem with that is I hate cold weather. Imagine we’ll be snow birds one day. For now, CT will be our ‘warmer’ winter home.

I spent one or two days a week in Waltham for quite a few years when I was with FleetBoston Financial. They had a large corporate office there. Bank of America may be in that building now.

Azek
 

We've had both Trex and Azek. Go with Azek. Our deck is 20 years old. The Azek has a nice grain molded in. Every Spring (like I did yesterday) all I have to do is power wash it and it looks like a new deck!!! Amortized over time well worth the expense

It seems everybody that has Azek loves it, doesn't it ? I guess we could say those who don't have it don't know what they are missing!:laugh:

Yes, and I might prefer it, too, but as best I can tell so far, Azek is 2-3X more expensive and all I can see is weight and a bit more cleaning for Trex.

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Maybe 40% more expensive? And I know if it was available and had bought it in the first place, we would have saved money rather than keep replacing. Go for it think, buy it, you won't be sorry.

Hello I’m Doug Wade I own Bluebird construction. I prefer mahogany for decks. Strong and lasts. Call me and I will give you a free estimate. 603-770-3677


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Doug - I totally agree. The key is to keep up with the maintenance. If you do, nothing compares to the real thing...

Ok, we're finally getting to the point of replacing the decking on two of our decks this spring. I've got a few brands I've been told to look at: Azek, Fiberon, Trex, and Timbertech (made by Azek?).

I've read through above, but can someone summarize which would be the best combination of durability, low maintenance, and cost? I'm not all that concerned with look, hot feet, etc.

Also, the best place to buy?

Finally, thoughts on vinyl railings?

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You're not concerned with burning the bottom of your feet? Wow! How about your kids?

Both decks are in the shade, so, unless the decking generates its own heat, yes—I'm not concerned with burning the bottom of my feet. Or my kids'.

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Oh ok..:laugh:

What Am I Doing Wrong?
 

"Old thread"...

So now my two PT decks and docks are 40+ years old.

Every spring, I check for splinters. Using a tube of Thixo and a brick, one or two splinters get the treatment. :cool:

Available everywhere, no mold, strong and light--PT shouldn't be overlooked. (But even wood will get hot...! Just hose it down--once). :coolsm:

We built a screened porch nearly three years ago. The porch has a deck above which is in sunshine all of the time and is directly under the house roof overhang (so catches falling icicles, etc.). We had Azek installed on both the upper deck and the porch floor. Both still look as good as the day they were installed. No maintenance; no sun bleaching. Highly recommended.

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I'm not sure anyone mentioned it but Composite decking is much more slick in the winter than the wood decking.

I totally agree with you Greg. I have said it all before and don't need to say again, I have tried them all and it is the best! Unless you don't mind constant upkeep or splinters, or extreme heat that burns your feet, the Azek is the way to go. I know so many like us have changed repeatedly until they end up with Azek and are finally happy.

Trex
 

Maybe this will help – we did our deck over with Trex a couple of years ago.
>>> Lowes sells this but it carries different levels of quality – if “flex” of the board is not an issue then the Enhanced line (thinner – carved out underside) will be the most cost effective. We went with the Select line as it was thicker and stiffer. (I believe the highest end Transcend line is also the same thickness as Select line but you are paying for a better looking (visual) and less prone to scratching plank). If you are going to do any type of boarder that is different color you will need to make sure you buy the same line or the height will be different where they meet. Enhanced is not the same thickness as Select and Transcend.

>>> Now to cost, I think you will find Lowes hard to beat for Trex IF you are ok with one of the stock colors they have as they buy in bulk and have sales on them. In other words, they only stock a couple of different colors to put in stores – if you like that color = great deal when on sale if you want something else, maybe not so much…

>>> Lastly – the boards were grooved on the sides to support the hidden fasteners (which were great) and then full square (no grooves) Lave Rock planks for the boarder.

This is what I recall but best to do your own investigation as you are doing…
We are very happy with the Trex Select Saddle Brown (sale at Lowes for ~$3 per foot) and a border of Transcend Lave Rock which was expensive but looks great.