More Bang forthe Buck...Decking Material and Fastening Methods

[BGeezus]

Most of the projects that I am involved in that include a deck are part of a larger renovation job.Needless to say,when it comes to deck time,the budget is already pretty stressed.

From doing some searches here,I can see I have really been napping in this department.Seems that the materials and methods have changed quite rapidly.

What can you guys recommend for materials and fastening methods so I can give clients a nice long lasting job,but do it cheap enough (by necessity) to make everyone happy...especially myself?

It's a more bang for the buck thing,for the stuff that is currently out there.

p.s. A lot of my stuff is near the coast,so corrosion is often a concern.

[Carl Sperry]

http://mcfeelys.com

[Greg Di]

Face screwing will always be the cheapest way to go. Cheap and HFS don't really apply.

You might try the HIDfast gun for PVC deck boards.

From my experience, trying to save money on synthetic deckboards is stupid. Tell the people to either go all in, or put down wood knowing the maintenance aspects. The reason the cheap synthetic boards are cheap is because they are cheap. ;)

[BGeezus]

From my experience, trying to save money on synthetic deckboards is stupid. Tell the people to either go all in, or put down wood ;)

Thanks Greg.
What are you using for wood and how are you attaching it?
The treated wood scene is almost as hard to follow as the composites.Atleast you used to know what CCA gave you.

What is the bottom of the barrel composite that you will install?

[Lavrans]

Hey, maybe I can expand the question- Ive got clients who wnat to recover their dock. What are peoples experiences/favorite materials for water?

[dgbldr]

From my experience, trying to save money on synthetic deckboards is stupid. Tell the people to either go all in, or put down wood knowing the maintenance aspects. The reason the cheap synthetic boards are cheap is because they are cheap. ;)

Ditto. You want cheap, go PT and maintain it. Nothing wrong with that. And you won't get callbacks like you did on EON :)

[NW Architect]

Lav: Pretty dock of just functional dock? Fresh water or salt water location? What is the dock framing that will receive the fasteners?

I'd tend to go for a plastic lumber, top fastened, with HDG for fresh water and stainless for salt. Might even go to an oversized round-head fastener for that industrial look (and a bit of a seal over the hole).

[Angelo_03]

I have heard pretty good things about composites like LifeTime Lumber. Does anyone have any thoughts on their products?

[mgrohman]

No but I bet you do!

[naturalwood]

You should give the new thermally modified wood a look. Several distributors. New to USA but has been in Europe for about 15 years. Will work good as is real wood but water is not an issue.

I have attached a picture from Vancouver, BC of a home with it as a deck.

Lorne

[S.Joisey]

Shameless commerce on our web site!

Now who is paying you to troll contractor forums to promote superheated wood?

Judging from your accent, you are...let me guess. Just where in Europe are you from?

[naturalwood]

my accent gave me away?? What did I roll my rrrr's or something?

[S.Joisey]

my accent gave me away?? What did I roll my rrrr's or something?

Grammar. Work on your sentence construction.

[BubbaJCL]

if you are using the synthetics, check out the ballistic nailscrew. I saw this demonstrated at a deck show and seemed to work real good... drives like a nail but holds like a screw.

Not sure who makes it - can't remember the name - but I think they call it nailscrew or someting like that.

sure seemed pretty fast -- just like the old days of using a nail gun with wood.

[libertybuild]

Bubba- Is this the company? www.911-nails.com/nailscrews.html

Looks like you ned a special gun? Couldn't bring up the demos on this computer. Even if you need a gun, it may be worth it. Anyone use these? Pros/cons?