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 Mobile ViewEXTERIORS of buildings AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS Cracks, Checking or Splitting Beams & Log Homes CRAWL SPACES DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION Deck Construction Best Practices Deck Beams & Girders Deck Piers & Posts Deck & Porch Connections: Ledger Boards Deck Framing Tables, Spans Deck Flashing at Building DECK FLOOR & STEP CUPPING Deck Board Gaps, Spacing Guide Deck & Porch Steps or Stairs Deck & Porch Railings Deck & Porch Products, Manufacturers FRAMING CONNECTORS & JOIST HANGERS FRAMING FASTENERS, NAILS, SCREWS, & HIDDEN Finishes, Coatings, Stains for Decks Porch Construction & Porch Screening Preservative-Treated Framing Lumber Rooftop Deck Construction Rot-Resistant Deck Lumber & Flooring Synthetic Deck Lumber: Composite, Plastic, Vinyl DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DECKS, ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS STAINING on ROOFS DEFINITIONS of Mobile Home, Doublewide, Modular, Panelized DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENGINEERED WOOD Flooring ENGINEERED WOOD Products FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING CONNECTORS & JOIST HANGERS FRAMING FASTENERS, NAILS, SCREWS, & HIDDEN FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE FRAMING MATERIALS, Age, Types FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE FRAMING METHODS, Age, Types FRAMING SIZE & Spacing, Age, Types FRAMING TABLES, SPANS for DECKS FRENCH DRAINS FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB FRT PLYWOOD I-JOISTS, Wood Roof Floor LOG HOME GUIDE MODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTION MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS Nanomaterials Hazards NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING PRE-CUT & KIT HOMES Preservative-Treated Framing Lumber RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH RAILINGS, STAIRWAY RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES ROT, TIMBER FRAME SEARS KIT HOUSES SHEATHING, Gypsum board SHEATHING Homasote & Other Board SHEATHING, OSB SHEATHING, Plywood SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SURFACE GRADING, SITE DRAINAGE TERMITES, ROT THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings TRIM, EXTERIOR CHOICES, INSTALLATION TRIM, INTERIOR INSTALLATION TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION in buildings VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES WALL FINISHES INTERIOR WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in buildings WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WINDOWS & DOORS WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves More Information |
This article explains the selection and use of alternative deck and porch floor products such as Trex®, TimberTech®, wood-plastic composites, and plastic or vinyl decking products. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.This article series discuss best porch & deck construction practices, including choice of framing materials, decking or flooring choices & installation, how to select and use deck and porch structural and flooring fasteners, actual deck & porch framing construction details & connections, deck joist & beam span tables, how to build leak-proof rooftop decks, construction of covered & screened porches, deck & porch railing construction & materials, choices of finishes and stains for decks & porches, and past & current deck lumber preservative treatments with related health & environmental concerns. This article series includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Also see our review of that book. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, Daniel Friedman, Steve Bliss, Wiley & Sons, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Synthetic Decking for Deck & Porch FloorsManufacturers have introduced a wide range of synthetic decking products, most of which promise woodlike appearance and low or no maintenance. Most fall into a few categories discussed below, but each has unique characteristics and installation requirements. In all cases, review the product specifications and, if possible, look at an installation before purchasing. Wood-Plastic Composites for Decks & PorchesDecking materials made from wood fiber with polymer resin have been in use for over a decade and have generally established a strong track record.
Other synthetic decking products are extruded into a hollow 2x6 profile, such as WeatherBest® (Louisiana Pacific) and TimberTech® (TimberTech Ltd.).
In general, composite decking materials are dimensionally stable, impervious to the elements, and can be worked more or less like wood. The solid products are installed like wood decking. Special screws designed for composite decking leave a clean hole without dimpling around the screw head. Most solid products cannot exceed 16-inch on-center framing, and they feel a little bouncy underfoot due to the material’s greater flexibility (low modulus of elasticity) compared to wood. Some have an embossed wood-grain finish that may wear away over time. With composite decking, no surface treatment is needed. Once the surface weathers, it bears a strong resemblance to weathered wood, but without the customary warping and checking. Although these surfaces are largely impervious to the elements and contain no food source for mold or mildew, manufacturers do point out that a dirty deck can support mold and mildew growth and recommend periodic cleaning with a deck cleaner to prevent this. Also synthetic decking is vulnerable to oil and grease stains, which can be difficult to remove if not cleaned right away with a degreasing agent. Vinyl and Other Plastics for Decks & PorchesA variety of manufactured decking systems are aimed at the commercial and do-it-yourself (DIY) markets. Materials include FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Most of these products are available in a nominal 6-inch width and have an etched surface to provide traction and a wood-grain appearance. Most products are sold as a complete system with integral fasteners, end caps, and other accessories, making them well suited to the DIY market. -- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. Durability of Synthetic or Composite Decks & Floors: Composite-Fiber Deck Collapse PhotosAs our photos show, below, even though synthetic decking material may itself be durable, if the deck is not properly constructed there is risk of rot, and even collapse.
Synthetic, Composite, or Plastic Deck & Porch Resources, Products, Manufacturers: Where to BuySee Deck & Porch Products, Manufacturers for our complete/updated listings of manufacturers of porch & deck products, materials, coatings, fasteners, lumber, tools. Composite Decking System SuppliersCertainteed Corp. www.certainteed.com Boardwalk solid composite decking with hidden fasteners and optional railing system Composite Building Products International www.xtendex.com Xtendex hollow composite decking system with optional railing Correct Building Products www.correctdeck.com Solid composite decking with hidden fasteners and optional railing system Fiber Composites www.fibercomposites.com Fiberon solid composite decking and optional railing system Kadant Composites www.geodeck.com Geodeck hollow composite decking and railing system Kroy Building Products www.kroybp.com Timberlast solid composite decking with optional hidden fastening system Louisiana-Pacific Corp www.weatherbest.lpcorp.com. WeatherBest solid composite decking, railings, and accessories Nexwood Industries Limited www.nexwood.com Hollow composite decking and railing systems Tendura www.tendura.com TenduraPlank solid tongue-and-groove composite flooring for porches; natural finish or primed for painting Thermal Industries www.thermalindustries.com Dream Composite solid tongue-and-groove composite decking system with optional vinyl railings TimberTech Limited www.timbertech.com Floorizon hollow composite decking system, solid composite decking planks, and optional railing system Trex Company www.trex.com Solid composite decking Weyerhaeuser Building Products www.choicedek.com ChoiceDeck solid composite lumber and optional railings Plastic Decking SystemsKroy Building Products www.kroybp.com Classic Manor embossed vinyl decking with clip system L.B. Plastics www.lbplastics.com Sheerline interlocking vinyl decking system and deck cladding systems Renew Plastics www.renewplastics.com Solid recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic decking with embossed wood-grain texture Royal Crown Limited www.royalcrownltd.com Brock Deck and Deck Lok interlocking vinyl decking systems Thermal Industries www.thermalindustries.com Dream Deck interlocking vinyl decking and railing system U.S. Plastic Lumber Corp www.carefreexteriors.com Carefree Xteriors recycled plastic HDPE decking with embossed wood grain and optional railings Metal Decking SystemsFSI Home Products Division www.lockdry.com. LockDry aluminum decking and railing system Prefabricated Deck & Porch Railing SystemsAvcon Structural Railing Systems www.avconrail.com Thermoplastic and aluminum railings CertainTeed www.certainteed.com EverNew PVC railing system Global Dec-K-Ing Systems www.globaldecking.com DEC-K-ING aluminum railing system DecKorators Inc. www.deckrail.com Decorative aluminum balusters and connectors for wooden railing systems. Also, tempered-glass balusters Duradek www.duradek.com Durarail powder-coated aluminum railing system and walk-on vinyl decking membrane. FSI Home Products Division www.railingworks.com Aluminum railing systems Fypon www.fypon.com Polyurethane railing systems in classic architectural styles HB&G www.hbgcolumns.net PermaPorch cellular-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) railings and posts reinforced with wood or aluminum; cellular-PVC or aluminum balusters Kroy Building Products www.kroybp.com Classic Manor PVC-railing system L.B. Plastics www.lbplastics.com Sheerline PVC-railing systems and PVC- post cladding Royal Crown Limited www.royalcrownltd.com PVC railing system with steel reinforcing Shakespeare Composites Structures www.armor-rail.com Armor-Rail structural fiberglass (FRP) railing system with turned balusters Thermal Industries www.thermalindustries.com Dream Rail PVC-railing system with optional tempered glass balusters U.S. Plastic Lumber Corp. www.carefreexteriors.com Recycled HDPE railing system Hidden Deck Fastener SuppliersBEN Manufacturing www.premier1.net/~ben69 Dec-Klips fit between deck planks with prongs into edges; nailed into top of joists; electrogalvanized steel Blue Heron Enterprises www.ebty.com Eb-Ty UV-resistant polypropylene biscuit fits into slots in edge of decking, screws into top of joist Grabber Construction Products www.deckmaster.com Deckmaster angle bracket screws to side of joist and up into decking; available in galvanized or stainless steel Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com DBTC deck ties screw down to top of joist with prongs into edges of decking planks; triple-zinc-coated or stainless steel by special order; disposable plastic driving tool Spotnails www.spotnails.com Tebo stainless-steel fasteners fit between decking boards with prongs into edges of decking; installed with mallet and proprietary tool TY-LAN Enterprises Inc. www.shadoetrack.com Shadoe Track angle bracket nailed along top of joist and screws up into bottom of deck boards; available in galvanized, powder-coated, and stainless steel USP Lumber Connectors www.uspconnectors.com Deck Clip screws into edge of one decking board and locks to next board; requires toenailing one edge of each board Deck & Porch Industry AssociationsAmerican Wood Preservers Association (AWPI) www.awpa.com California Redwood Association www.calredwood.org Deck Industry Association www.deckindustry.org Forest Stewardship Council www.fscus.org Information on certified tropical hardwoods Rainforest Alliance, Smartwood Program www.rainforest-alliance.org Information on certified tropical hardwoods Southern Forest Products Association www.sfpa.org Southern Pine Council www.southernpine.com Western Wood Products Association www.wwpa.org Western Wood Preservers Institute www.wwpinstitute.org -- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. see Codes for Stairs for details about stair building codes and specifications. 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