Inside JLC Online

mkunnen · #1 06-30-2006, 07:52 PM

This is my first post so bear with me if I break any of the rules.

I installed 1x4 T & G Tendura on a small covered porch last summer which measures 5' x 8'. I went back yesterday on an unrelated issue and saw that the deck has expanded by about 2" over 8' and has pulled the trimhead screws that we used to install it into the decking and created large bumps.

In retrospect I didn't do enough checking on this new product. Even though I have learned this lesson in the past with new products some how that lesson was lost to me at the time. Of coarse I was convinced by all the sales material that it was a miracle product.

Has anyone else had problems with this stuff??

We followed all of the installation instructions, the porch is covered and has a large tree in front of it so it is fairly well shaded it just haven't ever seen anything expand like this.

Thanks,

Mike

Greg Di · #2 07-01-2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkunnen

2" over 8'

Holy crap! That stuff moves, but not 2". Was is very cold when you installed it?

As long as you have EVERY fastener in the exact right place and the venting is EXACTLY as spec'd by Tendura, you MIGHT have a claim. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

How is the customer taking it?

James Eggert · #3 07-01-2006, 08:10 AM

I have a small issue with some expansion and "humping" which I just reviewed a few days ago.
I also have the air flow underneath, shaded covered Farmhouse porch, and a screen porch. I have two areas, small, 40' from each other where this is happening. I will be sending my pics to Tendura on Monday.

I do not have any problems with another deck, 12x14, on the same house.

Mike
I would like to know where you are, and more info about the situation!

m beezo · #4 07-01-2006, 08:57 PM

I was planning on using it on a porch renovation in St Louis and the inspector said it had not been approved for use in our area. He thought it had to do with the tempature swings we have here and he also stated it was not a proven product yet. I did not ask at tthe time just who was supposed to approve it, whether it was a local issue or something much larger. I will be seeing him on another inspection in a week or so I hope and will ask him for some clairfication.

gzajac · #5 07-02-2006, 04:49 AM

Looked at a couple high end luxury homes last week with the tendura decking. At first glance i thought it was a poor install, because the first few and the last few boards fell off. Framer came back to fix, now decking is all humped up.

Talked to the builder, said he liked the decking, because it reminded him of porches in new haven, ct. Both of these decks were built over 1 foot dirt crawl spaces with no ventilation.Looks like a mold testing facility.

Stuff doesn't look bad, but the expansion scares me.

Greg in Connecticut

mkunnen · #6 07-02-2006, 10:45 AM

Thanks for all of your responses, it's always helpful to get input from other contractors. From a big picture perspective I was lucky in that this is a small porch and the client has been really understanding.

Greg,

I remember the weather as being average Seattle summer conditions, temps are generally in the upper 70's or low 80's. It doesn't seem like the situation you run into where you install something when it's cold and it expands when it warms up. I wouldn't have believed it was possible for something to expand this much but, yes 2": about an 1" on each end.

The one thing about the expansion issue that I didn't mention in my original post is that it appears to be the worst on the edges of the porch. These areas are exposed to a bit more of the weather than the center of the porch, but the porch is covered as required by Tendura. My client mentioned that she started to notice the problem last winter which leads me to believe what's going on is more moisture driven than sun.

I talked with Tony Galloway at Tendura on Friday and sent him pictures of the porch and I'll play the game out but I don't have high hopes. I think the best case situation is that I would get replacement material free but the last thing I want to do is put down more of this stuff.

The bottom line for me is that we installed Tendura as per the installation instructions from the company and the material failed wildly. The promise with this stuff is that it would stand up better than traditional wood decking and that has definitely not been the case.

From what I have seen this has all the makings of another LP style lawsuit.

Thanks guys,

Mike

James,

I'll send you some pictures back channel

James Eggert · #7 07-02-2006, 01:17 PM

Mike
I also have talked with Galloway at Tendura. There is always leverage with numbers!

Still don't know where you used this? Fill out profile!

StephenS · #8 07-03-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkunnen

Thanks for all of your responses, it's always helpful to get input from other contractors. From a big picture perspective I was lucky in that this is a small porch and the client has been really understanding.

Greg,

I remember the weather as being average Seattle summer conditions, temps are generally in the upper 70's or low 80's. It doesn't seem like the situation you run into where you install something when it's cold and it expands when it warms up. I wouldn't have believed it was possible for something to expand this much but, yes 2": about an 1" on each end.

The one thing about the expansion issue that I didn't mention in my original post is that it appears to be the worst on the edges of the porch. These areas are exposed to a bit more of the weather than the center of the porch, but the porch is covered as required by Tendura.

My client mentioned that she started to notice the problem last winter which leads me to believe what's going on is more moisture driven than sun.

[/QUOTE]

Ray Ramelli · #9 07-05-2006, 05:36 PM

Hey Jim,

First Geo Deck, now Tendura...Maybe we should all stick to IPE...

This stuff is primarily plastic and manufacturers keep trying to force a T&G product down our throats. Stick with the planks and gap it properly or go with a wood product.

James Eggert · #10 07-05-2006, 06:02 PM

Hey Ray
I just can't win.

Some time ago I was checking into Tiger Wood or Tiger Decking, but even though I talked with the main distributor I never could get it here!

Il Fissatore · #11 09-08-2006, 09:07 AM

Tiger Wood is really beautiful! If you do all grooved boards, you might be able to use a Hidden Deck Fastener... maybe Tiger Claws for your Tiger Wood?

Dancing Dan · #12 09-08-2006, 12:02 PM

New member, 4 posts in 2 days, all digging up old threads, all extolling the virtues of Tiger Claw. Interesting.

Il Fissatore · #13 09-13-2006, 01:02 PM

Hey, I just found the forums, so sue Me if I have a favorite hidden system. And I didnt check the dates :S sorry

PS> You'd be surprised what a couple free t-shirts and some installation help will do for your opinion of a company :P

jeffreyn · #14 05-14-2007, 04:01 PM

Having read other reviews concerning expansion problems, has anyone used the product since they added the spacer beads?

James Eggert · #15 05-14-2007, 07:50 PM

I will say at this time I'm not impressed with their efforts.

I submitted an estimate for removal, and reinstall, then redo the column bases, then rebuild 9 bottom screens after the new deck is down. I also provided the material take-offs so the new pre-finished product could be delivered. Very simple, no new material, no check, no work!

If anyone wants to provide info about their Tendura install(s), please contact me direct...and quickly, because I'm turning my client loose and he is starting to get a little more than annoyed!!