Deck Product Questions

[Kent Brobeck]

I've got a deck coming up and it's been a few years since I built one. I have just a few questions.

1. What are the decking options? I guess I'm asking which one doesn't have a class action lawsuit against them or some kind of recall. Trex, Evergrain, Azek?

2. These folks want a drain plain under the deck. Any suggestions?

3. Railing options? I've used Fairway railings quite a bit in the past and liked them well enough. What else is out there that you like?

Thanks

[dgbldr]

What exactly is a "drain plane"? Is it on top of living space?

[Kent Brobeck]

What exactly is a "drain plane"? Is it on top of living space?

DG, the product goes under the deck to catch the rain and it has a gutter system.

[tjbnwi1]

Kent,

I done a few using shower pan liner. Create your drain slope by cutting tappers on the product. Gutter is behind beam wrap and drains to a down spout in the post warp.

https://picasaweb.google.com/tbadernwi/ScreenedPorch

With the cost of the synthetics, would a hardwood be financially possible?

http://www.advantagelumber.com/wood-decking.htm

Tom

[m beezo]

Tom, have you gone back and looked at the shower pan liner system? I only ask because I have seen the undersides of decks have quite a bit of debris that gets between the cracks over time. I would wonder if that gunk would get flushed out after dripping thru the decking or if it would turn to a sludge and sit there. I was under the impression that some of the under deck systems could be snapped in and out so if that was a problem you could clean them out.

[tjbnwi]

This one has a cedar T&G ceiling on the bottom of the joists. It would be hard to inspect it or service any system.

Tom

[NW Architect]

Just do a waterproof deck and save all the cost of super-protection of the hardware, since all the framing can be borate PT (or even non-PT).

If client insists on a board look, after you explain about all the dirt, leaves, and dog hair that get stuck in the cracks, lay a duckboard system over the waterproof deck

[dgbldr]

Kent, it's hard to help you if you won't say where this deck is (ground, second floor, etc) and what, if anything, is under it.

[philthegreek]

Kent,

The easiest way to create a drainage plane is to use an EPDM fabric and cross braces instead of mid span blocking. DekDrain is an example, but they are way over priced and their system is 40mil.
As to the decking material, it all depends on what you want out of the look. If you are going borderless, then you need a board that has a "squared" profile and consistency through the cross-section. If you are going to picture frame it, you'll need a brand that has both grooved (hidden fasteners)and squared. The types that have a sort of corrugation on the bottom will only work picture framed and closed stringers.
Can you give any more specifics? What style of railing?

Phil