Repair & Improve

Decked Out For Summer

Decks deliver great return on investment

by Tom Kraeutler

Looking for the least expensive way to increase your exterior living space and enjoy a piece of the great outdoors? Building a deck is a great way to move outside in warm weather for a fraction of the cost of a new addition.

Starting at only a few dollars a square foot, decks also return more than half their cost when it’s time to move on. Accoring to Remodeling On-Line’s 2004 Cost vs. Value Report, decks can make a home easier to sell and return an average of 104% of their cost when the property is sold. But the cost of building a deck can vary widely due to the many choices of materials available to build your summer retreat.

Decks have traditionally been constructed of southern yellow pine that’s been “pressure-treated” to prevent rot. Wood decks are the least expensive but can be troublesome to maintain. Even wood that is decay resistant will warp and split, making the deck uncomfortable for bare feet and possibly unsafe. To minimize movement, make sure the deck is sealed within the first 30 to 60 days after it’s been constructed. Using a good quality sealer helps stabilize and protect the wood from the damaging effect of solar radiation, as well as moisture.

If your budget is healthy and tolerance for maintenance low, consider one of the many high tech alternatives to wood decks. Synthetic City One of the most popular wood alternatives is Trex, a composite decking material that’s been around for more than 10 years. Made of recycled plastic grocery bags, milk jugs and pallets, the resulting composite is a material that’s comfortable on the feet, easy to maintain and virtually impervious to weather.

In fact, Trex has become the deck surface of choice for municipal boardwalks along the New Jersey shore, where the material has successfully faced some of the heaviest traffic and roughest weather imaginable. Typically, composite materials like Trex are not used for the structural components of a deck. The floor framing and support structure are usually made of pressure treated lumber, with the composites used for the decking and rails.

Although more expensive than wood, the marginal cost increase can be offset by the materials’ maintenance free features. Coloring is molded into composites so the choices are limited. Trex comes in 4 colors: Madeira, a reddish brown color similar to redwood, Natural, Winchester Grey and Woodland Brown.

The material can also be painted or stained. Penofin, a manufacturer of penetrating oil finishes for decks, also makes a product called “Knotwood”. Specially designed for composites, Knotwood provides protection from stains and mildew, as well as enhances the color of composite materials.

Vinyl Decks 

If you need a totally maintenance free choice, vinyl decks may be the option for you. Vinyl deck systems are manufactured to include decking, fascia to cover the outside of the underlying wood framing, and railing systems. Although pricey, vinyl decks are impervious to weather. But like all vinyl, fading is possible and some can be slippery when wet. Just like composites, most vinyl deck systems are installed over a wood frame. In fact, both vinyl deck systems and recycled composites like Trex can be used to rebuild a deck with worn or rotted deck boards. If the support structure is intact, the deckling surface and railings can be removed and replaced with vinyl or composite components for a totally new, maintenance free look.

To nail or not to nail…that is the question

Once you’ve made your choice in decking materials, deciding how to fasten the deck board to the frame involves a few tradeoffs. If you are working with vinyl or fiberglass-plastic decks, the fasteners are usually a hidden feature not visible to the eye. But if you are working with wood, you might want to think through the options. Nailing may be easy but even galvanized nails can leave stains and “ rust bleeds” on the wood. Plus, as the wood expands and contracts, nails pull out resulting in loose boards that can be unsightly or even dangerous.

For a more permanent solution, use stainless steel screws. Using a power drill with the right tip, stainless steel screws can be driven to just below the deck’s surface where they are difficult to spot. And, since the screws are stainless, they can’t rust and stain the finished surface of the wood.

Deck Makeovers

If your existing wood deck is looking a little tired, consider this cleaning recipe for a fresh new look:

Using a 5 gallon bucket mix: 3 quarts of water 1 quart of bleach ½ cup of detergent *Caution: Be sure the detergent does not contain ammonia. Mixing ammonia and bleach can form a dangerous gas. Mix the solution in the bucket, and then apply to the deck using a stiff floor brush. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

When planning your project, try and work in the cooler early morning or late afternoon. Cleaning a hot deck is more difficult as the mixture may dry before it has time to work.

 

 

Print Version

Search Related Topics: Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Patio...