About to pull the trigger on Timbertech Azek composite decks. Any last min recs on brands or alternative materials?

Looked at Teak and was simply too much and didnt want to mess with the upkeep.

Trex

Trex. Make sure you use the fasteners for proper spacing.

Knotwood

I recently built a deck with TimberTech Coconut Husk. It's not even their top of the line product and I have been super happy with it. Easy to work with and so far it is wearing great. I used the screws with clips that you install between planks. You definitely need to have proper spacing of joists. I think 16" is recommended unless you are installing planks at an angle to the joists then it's 12". Also, I got a blade for my miter saw that is specifically for composite decking. You will have to "picture frame" the edges of the deck with planks that are not slotted so you don't have any visible ends. Planning the framing for that takes a little more effort and some extra joists. I also used a belt sander on my 45s to get them to match up real tight. Trex is certainly the most popular product but TimberTech is just as good IMO.

In my experience, even the specified 16ioc framing is not sufficient for our heat. You'll still get some warping when the product gets soft due to heat that reveal itself.

Even 12 ioc will still not totally remove the warping, but will do so more than the other.

If you had to do a lot of finish work to that product I'd say Trex>>>>> it, based on ready to install.

Trex comes ready to install… doesn't it?

Yeah, 12" is probably a good idea. Mine is mostly shaded. We have not lived with it through the summer yet. Guess we are going to find out pretty soon.

OnlyForNow said:

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If you had to do a lot of finish work to that product I'd say Trex>>>>> it, based on ready to install.

Trex comes ready to install… doesn't it?

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I didn't have to do any finish work on it. It comes ready to install. But where I cut 45s to picture frame the edge of the deck I used a belt sander to minimize any gaps in my cut. It's hard to cut a 45 and not have a little gap on one end of the joint or the other, at least with my 30 year old craftsman miter saw.

Got it!

I thought you HAD to make that modification yourself for it to be constructed.

Nice finish work in that case!!!

How did it cut? Did it splinter like crazy?

It doesn't splinter so much as it makes a plastic dust

The install techniques are a little different if you are face screwing vs if youre concealed fastening, especially out on the edges where you see the reveals

OnlyForNow said:

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Got it!

I thought you HAD to make that modification yourself for it to be constructed.

Nice finish work in that case!!!

How did it cut? Did it splinter like crazy?

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It cuts great. It's a composite so there's no grain to it. You will have to use some headless deck screws to the face in some places and do have to be careful with the screws. Go slow and stay back at least 3/4 of an inch or a full inch from the ends or you can get some splitting. If you have to get closer than that to an end then pre-drill the plank. I used screws on the step to make sure it stayed in place plus you have to face screw the picture frame piece and the first plank anyway because you can't use the hidden clips.



Here's the completed deck, retaining walls, and my grilling patio. Real happy how it turned out. I've got the pavers to do a patio in front of the deck but I haven't started that project yet.

Looks great!

Wanna come do mine?

OnlyForNow said:

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Looks great!

Wanna come do mine?

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Sorry, We just poured concrete for a master bedroom and bath addition to our house. I'm booked. And it took me about four months to finish that project. You probably don't want to wait that long.

Besides, you'll have fun building it yourself.

I used Azek, which since it is PVC based and no wood particles it is a ton lighter and retains heat less. going on 6 years now, 16 oc joists. We do not have any warping, however due to the layout the ends of some boards have curled up. I think this is due to improper implementation, but not sure it was done "wrong" as much as it needed a bit more thought put into it. Ours is under cover and has weathered well, expect when my grill caught fire and it melted part of it.

I can add pics if you want to see

CapCity12thMan said:

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I used Azek, which since it is PVC based and no wood particles it is a ton lighter and retains heat less. going on 6 years now, 16 oc joists. We do not have any warping, however due to the layout the ends of some boards have curled up. I think this is due to improper implementation, but not sure it was done "wrong" as much as it needed a bit more thought put into it. Ours is under cover and has weathered well, expect when my grill caught fire and it melted part of it.

I can add pics if you want to see

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I think Azek and TimberTech are the same company. PVC is definitely more stable than composite but it's also a lot more expensive. From what I recall when I was shopping the PVC options didn't look as authentic but I didn't really shop PVC much because of the cost. Best to go look at samples and get prices for several options.