Composite Decking

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

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

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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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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

[NH.Solar]

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/

[tis]

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.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

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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[tis]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

What was the fix for your black mold?

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

[Biggd]

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.

[8gv]

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.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Biggd

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.

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

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

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

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

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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

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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

[tis]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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

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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.

[loonguy]

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.

[Biggd]

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.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by Biggd

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.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

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.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by Biggd

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.

[smith point boater]

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

[tis]

Originally Posted by smith point boater

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!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

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!

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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[tis]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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.