Composite/PVC Decking and Under-Deck Drainage Systems

[Belmont Resident]

Some of the older decks had issues due to contractor mistakes. I've seen some decks with warping & sagging issues due to not properly spacing the stringers.
Also leave enough room between for not only drainage but so they will not get filled up and clogged with dirt and grim.
Many want the spacing nice and tight and are later left with standing water on their deck because the groves all fill in.
Being a painter I would not put recommend anything but composite or manufactured if you can afford it. Many homeowners find out after the fact that PROPER long term upkeep of a wood deck far exceeds the cost of none wood which only requires a good cleaning once a year.
Good luck.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

Some of the older decks had issues due to contractor mistakes. I've seen some decks with warping & sagging issues due to not properly spacing the stringers.
Also leave enough room between for not only drainage but so they will not get filled up and clogged with dirt and grim.
Many want the spacing nice and tight and are later left with standing water on their deck because the groves all fill in.
Being a painter I would not put recommend anything but composite or manufactured if you can afford it. Many homeowners find out after the fact that PROPER long term upkeep of a wood deck far exceeds the cost of none wood which only requires a good cleaning once a year.
Good luck.

I agree with everything that you said except that I don't think that "stringers" is the correct terminology to use for the deck floor construction. Floor "joist" are what the floor boards are attached to.
"Stingers" are used to build stairs of the deck.

[sky's]

ok have a great summer

[SIKSUKR]

When I resided my house 3 years ago I used Azek for all my facia and window/door trim.Within a year,depending on the exposure,some of it became quite spotted with what I believed to be mold.

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

When I resided my house 3 years ago I used Azek for all my facia and window/door trim.Within a year,depending on the exposure,some of it became quite spotted with what I believed to be mold.

What a lot of people do not know is that even plastic wood used on trim is meant to be painted. Now many manufacturers state that not priming and painting cuts voids warranty.
The real downfall of plastic is the amount of expansion and contraction that takes place.

[SIKSUKR]

Have not noticed any issue with the expansion and contraction.All the miter and butt joints have stayed tight.My Azek is white and it seems to have less movement than the previous wood trim.

[tis]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Have not noticed any issue with the expansion and contraction.All the miter and butt joints have stayed tight.My Azek is white and it seems to have less movement than the previous wood trim.

Interestingly the Weirs Times has an article this week about this. Someone said they have mildew growing on the vinyl siding and Tim the Builder answers. You might want to read it on line, if you can't pick up the paper. It starts on page 35. Basically he tells the person to use OXYGEN bleach, not chlorine bleach.

[fugitivewife]

Originally Posted by tis

Interestingly the Weirs Times has an article this week about this. Someone said they have mildew growing on the vinyl siding and Tim the Builder answers. You might want to read it on line, if you can't pick up the paper. It starts on page 35. Basically he tells the person to use OXYGEN bleach, not chlorine bleach.

We read this article and just cleaned our siding and deck with the oxygen bleach and it worked great.

[tis]

Great! Glad to know it worked!!! WE used chlorine bleach in the past to clean our Fypon (foam)railings but we will use the oxygen bleach next time.

[SIKSUKR]

Would something like Oxyclean work?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Have not noticed any issue with the expansion and contraction.All the miter and butt joints have stayed tight.My Azek is white and it seems to have less movement than the previous wood trim.

Expansion of composite / PVC and most other materials is completely based on thermal variation. The color white will move a whole lot less than the color black. The color black, depending on base material, can have a thermal variation as much as 150 degrees in New England in a 24 hour period! White Azek trim will barely move particularly in the lengths required for home building which usually under 8'. A piece of black Azek trim 20' long will probably (total guess without doing the math) will probably move at least 1/4" due to thermal expansion. The darker the color the more thermal expansion.

Dan

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Floor "joist" are what the floor boards are attached to. Stingers" are used to build stairs of the deck.

Rusty you are correct and you should look at the tag that is stapled onto the end of each board and find out if the should be 12" on center or 16" on center. A lot of the PVC really needs to be put on 12" because it will warp on you.And if you are going to run it 12" on center than you might consider running the wood on a diagonal.Looks very nice that way.

[ishoot308]

Hi Long Pine;

Everything I have to say about composite is in this thread here... http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...posite+decking

There is some good info.

Enjoy and good luck!

Dan