Our deck project kind of got back-burnered amidst all of the party/dollhouse/bedroom stuff, but we have made one decision in that time: much like both of our parents chose for our houses growing up, we’re going the pressure-treated wood route.
But making that call was no easy decision. We actually weighed a bunch of options, got a few quotes from a few different sources, and endured the all important “sleep on it” step. Then we second-guessed ourselves a few times because the right choice isn’t very obvious. Haha. There are so many ways to go, so it really is one of those it’s-different-for-everyone things. In the end it just came down to personal factors about look, price, effort, keeping in line with our neighborhood, etc – so we can definitely see why people come to different conclusions (and also develop some pretty strong opinions, if the message boards I’ve been reading are any indication).
So we thought we’d run through our thought process for anyone else facing a similar decision. For us it quickly came down to two materials: pressure-treated wood vs. composite. We eliminated cedar (wasn’t our favorite color/look), exotic woods (for their cost) and vinyl (looked too unnatural) early on, so I think that helped us focus. But we went back and forth between PT wood and composite options more than a few times.
Composite seemed like the obvious choice at first. Lots of friends had “heard it was really nice” and several of you even commented about liking it. We actually even put an offer on a house partially because of its awesome composite deck back when we were house hunting. The pros we kept hearing about were: low-maintenance (it doesn’t need to be resealed or stained) and that it looks good (some might say “upscale”). We personally have mixed feelings about the look and feel of it – sometimes it looks really great to us, but sometimes it also looks really plastic-y to us. It can also fade in the sun, which we hear can be frustrating. But the thing that put the specialty decking screw in the composite coffin was the cost. Various estimates that we got put it between $2,000 and $3,000 more than wood for the same sized deck built exactly the same way! Yup, it more than doubled the total cost of pressure-treated wood – and that was the lower-end composite stuff vs. premium pressure treated wood.
So it goes without saying that cost was a big factor in picking pressure-treated wood. We’re still working out final estimates, but using premium pressure treated wood (which is less prone to warping than the basic stuff) is likely to cost us around $1,000. We got estimates from Home Depot and a smaller specialty lumber place about a half-hour away called 84 Lumber, and 84 Lumber came in around $400 cheaper for the same amount of pressure treated wood so we’re happily going with them (like HD, they also came in 3K more for composite). It’s pine wood harvested down south, and is all treated to be safe for human contact, so we’re not worried about scary things like arsenic which used to be used in pressure treated wood years ago.
So 1K seems like a much more digestible figure for our “little deck project” over 3-4K. We realize that some of what we save now will be spent on future maintenance (it’s recommended that wood be sealed every 1 to 2 years) but that was a trade we were willing to make since we’re DIYers through and through – so we’re no strangers to sealing something. Plus, wood is a material that we’re comfortable with – both building and maintaining, so in some way it felt easier to have some staining or sealing projects in our future than the unknown of composite (what if we picked a color that looks “in” now but looks dated down the road? what if we eventually convert a window in our bedroom into a door out to the deck and damage a few boards of the composite stuff which might be harder to repair/replace/match than regular old wood? what if we over-improve our house for the area?).
The thing that ultimately secured the victory for wood was it’s look. Not only do we like the more natural appearance of it, but we also think it’s better suited for the character of our house and our neighborhood. Somehow sticking a swanky composite deck on our little brick ranch felt like wearing Prada loafers with my Sprite t-shirt. If we were in a newer construction home or a neighborhood where people were making these types of upgrades all around us, we definitely would rethink our choice, but we’re surrounding by homes with wood fences, decks, and porches – there’s nary a composite deck to be seen.
We both grew up with wood decks and remember our parents sealing them every few years (sometimes with our help) and also talked to close friends of ours (who bought a home with a giant wood deck a few years back) and they’ve said they really love it. Even right after spending a weekend resealing it they said they were really happy with it (it was at least 15 years old and hadn’t been sealed or maintained in years before they moved in, but afterwards it looked like new).
Once we get our plans finalized and our permit secured (next week if all goes well!) we’ll be good to place an order for all that lumber and finally get this ball rolling. Of course we’ll share all of the delivery/building details as we go. Oh and when it comes to the actual wood slat pattern, we’re debating something cool like mitering the corners of all the border pieces so it looks like it’s framed out (sort of like how the right edge of this deck looks). We’re also thinking about placing the boards in a modern way, like this shot that we took at the Virginia Museum Of Fine Art:
See how there are these really cool zipper-looking seams?
We’ll share more on the actual design plans as we go (permit permitting, haha). Oh, and if you’re looking for more details about decking materials – here are some of the resources I relied on (in addition to talking to my local Home Depot and lumber yard): The Family Handyman, This Old House, TreeHugger and Better Homes & Garden (<— warning: the lady in this video is very chipper). Anyone else building a wood deck, fence, or porch these days? Or sealing something they’ve had for a while?
Mel says
This post was for us! :) We own a deck company- the trend certainly is composite. I think probably 99% of our customers go with composite these days just because of maintenance. The price is crazy more than treated though. There are some really realistic-looking products out there, but it definitely is a personal taste thing. So excited for you! It is going to be such an awesome hang-out spot for you guys. Also, I read some of the comments, and don’t worry about Clara’s safety with arsenic and stuff. That’s gone- the only thing you might deal with is a few splinters but we all had them growing up! Check us out if you’d like to:) Happy deck building!
woodlanddeck.com
Rebecca in NC says
Yikes, I’ve heard that composite can be expensive, but I didn’t realize it was that expensive.
Jenn @therebelchick says
It’s scarily expensive…I wonder if it’s actually worth the additional expense? We’ve been kicking around the idea of composite for our deck and just can’t justify that kind of money for a deck for an above ground pool. LOL
Julie says
It IS expensive. But John & Sherry’s difference in pricing was quite a bit more than the difference in pricing we had with estimates for composite vs wood. In the end, we chose composite and I can honestly say –I love it!! A lot of people have commented that it’s super hot in summer. We have it in an area that gets about half sun/half shade. I have not noticed either of my kids jumping around on either side because of hot-ness. All in all, we love our composite deck. But I’m sure we’d love a wood one, too.
Allison says
Whoooaaaaa, composite! I’m doing the math on the huge composite deck my aunt and uncle just put on at their cottage, and my mind is boggling, haha!
Can’t beat a nice wood deck, and a weekend of work every couple of years definitely seems like a fair trade-off. Can’t wait to how you guys jazz it up!
Ashley says
So glad to hear that you’re going with 84 Lumber! My husband is a store manager and sometimes it’s hard to get people to realize it’s an option for anyone, not just building companies. I’m really hoping your store gives you great customer service!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ashley! So far, so good!
xo,
s
Katherine says
I think that zipper pattern looks super cool! Does having such a large stretch of board without seems in a row like that require different support from underneath? Different from the traditional staggered pattern, I mean.
YoungHouseLove says
The deck would still have joists under the boards in the same standard places, so it would just be up to us to decide the patter that those boards are placed, but they’d all have the same support under them if that makes sense!
xo,
s
Zoe says
I have two large decks in my yard and it seems they need re-staining every other year to look good … both are pressure treated wood. Despite this there is always some rot that has to be addressed prior to staining.
I spent a good few days last week washing, sanding, rot repair and finally staining both. They both look fab now so it is really worth the effort. On a side note it does wonder to tone up your arms!
Lisa says
We have a big 2nd story deck…about 640 square feet. I LOVE it! We went through the same process as you with trying to determine what to use for the materials. In the end, we chose wood too. I just like it better, even when it is dirty! It feels more outdoor/natural to me. Then when we went to put in a fence…same dilemma..wood or plastic. We went with wood again for the same reasons…look and cost. The wood fits in better with our house and yard feel.
Anyway, we love it and I know you will love yours!
Jenny says
You made the right choice, especially for this climate. We are just up the road in College Park, MD and and have friends nearby who have a composite deck. It has to be power-washed EVERY YEAR due to mold problems. I don’t call that no-maintenance! Meanwhile, our pressure-treated deck was built and stained 2 years ago and still looks great.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, really?! Who knew?
xo,
s
Deb says
My father-in-law is visiting us at the moment to build a new deck for us (with the help of myself and husband). We chose cedar, for its durability (mold/mildew resistant and lasts longer than PT), but we’re staining it a rich dark brown colour, which also shows the wood grain, so it looks like an exotic wood but didn’t cost us an arm and a leg (I originally wanted ipe, but it was five times as expensive as cedar!). The cedar actually costs the same as PT at our local lumber yard. We did a perimeter board around the edges, like the photo you linked to, and it makes the deck look much fancier. Our deck is small enough (lots of different angles) to have no seams at all on the deck surface, which looks pretty sharp. We have wrap-around steps that lead down to our big new interlock patio. Aluminum railing and in-the-deck lighting (kits from Home Depot that aren’t very expensive) on the stair risers.
While the boys were building the deck last weekend, I painted the siding on the house and planted lots of new perennials and annuals around the deck/patio/house – the whole backyard & house is going to look fabulous when it’s done!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!! I bet the house will look amazing with a new deck and all those new plants!
xo,
s
Martha says
I wanted a herringbone deck and my wood-wizard husband agreed to it. Oh, my, the framing support needed to fasten all those boards was challenging. The end result is fabulous, but I wouldn’t do it again. He could have finished two other projects in the time it took him to install the deck. Oh, and he did “frame” the pattern but with three boards instead of one.
YoungHouseLove says
So coool!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
84 lumber is actually a national building supply company that caters to contractors. My husband works for a similar type company here in Alabama. It’s a actually a great resource for things like lumber, windows, and even doors {depending on whether they have a millwork shop}. Their prices are always very competitive with places like HD and Lowes, and they are always adjusting their margins {how much profit they make} to keep current with the market, so you have a little room for negotiating.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, at first we weren’t sure if “normal people” could buy from them, but they have been very helpful and their prices are great!
xo,
s
Andy says
I just finished going through this process last year when I decided to add a font porch to my house and we went with PT wood as well since our house was built in 1896 and composite didn’t fit the feel of the house.
You can see the big before and after here:
http://www.intercen.com/?p=804
Let me know if you have questions during the building process I’d be happy to help you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Seriously Andy, that is AMAZZZZZZIIIIIINNNNNGGG!
xo,
s
KathyL says
We did the PT wood for 95% of our deck (actually, our deck turned out to really be a “tool decoy”–everyday I came home from work, my husband had to go to lowes and get another tool to ‘work on the deck’–I finally told him that I figured it out that the ‘deck’ is really a tool decoy, right honey…..) My husband designed seating on two of the sides and for the seating he used the composit. He did have to sand the composit some, but all in all we love the look. The backs of the seats are angled out so we didn’t loose any square footage.
Jenn says
We are building a new front porch and decided to go with composite wood. We were considering going with Mahogany but the price difference wasn’t too bad. Our back deck is made out of pressure treated wood and my husband wanted something he didn’t have to maintain all the time. I was a bit scared the composite wood would look plasticky but it looks natural. The porch is not finished yet but I do love the look.
KathyL says
e,e < the two e's I left off the word composite =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, too funny!
xo,
s
Rachel says
We JUST finished our new front porch about a week and a half ago. It was all pressure treated wood, which concerned me since our children will always be on it, but I felt better after a bit of research. We hear that you have to wait awhile to stain or paint it, so right now, it is that bright, unfinished wood look, but it is so wonderful to have a nice front porch! I have a before and after, but not from the same angle. We also laid out a little mini-patio, which you can see the difference in the two “after” pictures. Can’t wait wait to see your design. I’ll be keep an eye on your sight for staining advice!
Here are the before and after pics:
http://tinypic.com/r/1zw11d2/6
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so awesome!
xo,
s
Mel says
did you consider any other types of wood? Cedar, or maybe Mahogany, ipe, garapa, massaranduba – yes, the tropical hardwoods run pricier than PT, but can be less than composite, are sustainable, and can last for 40 years or more, and do not require any staining or sealing. For such a small deck it may have been worth considering since it’s essentially zero maintenance! (see: atlantic city boardwalk for a well-weathered example)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we looked into those too! They were pricier than our budget allowed but sounded gorgeous!
xo,
s
KathyG says
Splinters. *shudder*
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Can’t wait to see this project progress! It’s going to an awesome space when you guys are done!
Carrie K says
#1 project for the Hub-ster this summer is to seal our backyard deck. We’ve had it a summer without sealing it because we were told the wood need to expand and contract for a year before doing so. We loved that advice because after all the work of putting it in, we could relax for a year before working on it more! :)
Theresa says
Great post! I love that natural wood look too.
Also wanted to let you know that there are actually two typos in the fourth paragraph. They should read “an offer on a house” and “The pros we kept hearing were about…”
Don’t you love that the web let’s us edit after publishing? Happens to me all the time! Also, please no need to actually post this comment. I hate being “that” person.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the typo tips Theresa! All fixed!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
Last year we built a 72ft long deck to match the length of the house. Our backyard as a mountain in it which doesn’t give us much usable space. Anyhoo, just the two of us built it, with a little help from his dad, and it was quite the undertaking, but came out awesome! We have yet to seal and stain it (you have to give it time to dry out), but that will happen soon. We’re also planning to build all the deck furniture this summer. Should be exciting! Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! That sounds amazing!
xo,
s
Wendy says
Just another vote to add to the “Yay for 84 Lumber!” other responses.
I grew up not far from the original 84 Lumber in Eighty-four, Pennsylvania. We’d always trek over there for whatever we needed, and the customer service was beyond phenomenal.
It shocked and thrilled me to hear (a while back) that they had gone national.
If you know Eighty-four, PA you know it’s about as wonderful as any Western PA area… hard working, great people, amazing sense of pride in the work.
Good Luck with your deck!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad!
xo,
s
Nicole says
OMG you guys! We had someone come by and put an estimate in for an 8×8 deck yesterday and the total was $8,000! They use only recyclable composite. It was a major turn off. In Missouri we deal with such heavy humidity that this company says wood will mildew and mold and warp.
I’m so happy to read this! I’m really hoping the next bids we get are less expensive.
Does Richmond have much humidity?
YoungHouseLove says
I’d say that we do! It can get really hot and humid here! We even get mildew/mold on houses sometimes, so I’d imagine it happens to decks too (both composite or wood, but can be remedied with power washing I think).
xo,
s
Jenn @therebelchick says
It’s funny, we seem to be working on some of the same projects! On my dream list right now is a privacy fence, building a deck around our above ground pool, and tiling the front and back patios. We are leaning towards the tiling first because it’s the least expensive! We may actually end up doing it ourselves!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, sounds like you guys are busy! Good luck with everything!
xo,
s
Rhonda says
I think there are still some toxic chemicals in the wood – I googled it. They are less toxic than arsenic, but they are still there. That being said, I would still go with the real wood due to the cost. We painted ours which helps keep chemicals off bare feet and paws. Love your blog, btw. Read it every single day.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’ll be using an eco sealer like SafeCoat (which is even what the pros use to seal in lead paint) so it can keep things extra safe for Clara and any future bean!
xo,
s
Emily says
We really need to re-seal the deck in our backyard. But I’ve never had a deck before and really don’t know what to do with it. We’ll have to just jump in and tackle it (sooner rather than later… )
Anne says
John and Sherry,
I am not sure if any other reader has mentioned this…haven’t read through the comments, we made the same decision to go with real wood on our deck. We stayed at a house on Lake Anna in Fredericksburg with a large deck and dock made of composite. After just a few hours of sun exposure, walking on it without shoes was no fun because it got so hot! I couldn’t believe it. We were about to start our deck after that vacation, and that experience completely changed our minds. Either way, this give you another item to tip your scales in your ultimate decisions favor. Good luck with the deck!!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so interesting! Someone else mentioned theirs got hot enough to fry an egg! We always thought they stayed cooler, so maybe it depends on the type?
xo,
s
Anne says
With kiddos, it would definitely be a no-go for us. I think Burger will appreciate it too.
Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says
Thanks for the run-down. My parents’ deck needs to be replaced and they were considering pressure-treated wood. A lot of their friends gave them a hard time (“why not Trex?”) but they liked the cost and look of the wood better. My mom will also be thrilled that wood has the YHL seal of approval.
Jan says
Composite decking materials can be slippery and slimy when they are used in shady areas.
YoungHouseLove says
Good to know since it’s partial shade in that area!
xo,
s
Oriah says
I have a HUGE wooden deck. I considered composite for half a second and then i remembered, “sun and plastics don’t mix.” Plastic becomes brittle with UV exposure. The sun takes a beating on wood too and that’s why it’s important to regularly pressure wash and weatherseal….and you get the opportunity to stain it the color of your hearts desire.
Amy says
Hi, I hate to be a debbie downer here, but we’re planning on adding on a screened in porch, and we’ve spoken to a few contractors about the type of wood to use. They recommend composite because wood is not the same as it used to be. It doesn’t last as long, because it’s not nearly as dense as it used to be. What used to take 50 years to grow now only takes 5. One contractor built a deck and the customer called him six months later because it was growing mushrooms out of the wood. I’ve noticed the difference in density while working on my 1959 house. The old wood was a lot harder than the stuff from Home Depot.
I don’t know if this came up in your research, but it’s something to consider. There are a some other options. But these are expensive, maybe even more expensive than composite. One is heat treated wood where they burn off the cellulose in the wood so basically it’s not affected by water or bugs anymore, and another where they treat with acetic anhydride (the main component of vinegar, so it’s really safe).
One more thing. You know that you should use stainless steel fasteners on the new pressure treated woods, right? Absolutely no galvanized anything! They break down (have had quite a few deaths due to decks collapsing because people didn’t realize and built with galvanized fasteners). The deck screws should be okay, though not as good as stainless. Okay, the double galvanized stuff is okay, too. But it’s hard to find. I needed some masonry nails that I was attaching a pressure treated plank to (I was building a wall in the basement), and I had to order them online after striking out at Lowes and Home Depot.
Sorry, didn’t mean to write a book, we’ve been doing the same research, and I thought I’d pass the info along.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the info Amy! We’re using all of the to-code fasteners in our area for sure! Our county requires “hot dipped galvanized” or “stainless steel” in order for it to be to-code and pass the permit inspection, so we’d love to seek out stainless steel. Our deck will only be about 4 feet off the ground, but we need it to stay up for years to come so we’re following all safety orders!
xo,
s
Amy says
If you’re using stainless steel – see if you can find any tips on how to use it! It’s very soft, so screws strip easily, and it also bends easily! I’ve tried using it in the past, and hated it! It’s also much more expensive than any other fastener out there! If you can use the deck screws (the coated torx ones) legally, then that’s what I would use. I love those so much that I use them for my regular interior framing instead of nails!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Amy! We’ll definitely be doing everything to code, so if something else is cheaper and easier to use (and still safe/to-code) we’re down! Will definitely keep you posted!
xo,
s
Courtney says
We have found the wood quality to be more an issue of where we shop. We rarely buy wood at the big box stores now (unless it is a sunday night project emergency and we need one stud or something, LOL) because my husband says the quality is just awful. We have found the small local lumber yards carry much higher quality material. We have even started using a local yard that custom milled some unbelievable american walnut for us, and the quality of everything we saw in their yard was far and away better quality than HD and Lowes. Another vote for the small guys, check them out! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We thought that might be the case too- perhaps more quality control in the shops that specialize solely on lumber!
xo,
s
Oriah says
I should also mention that i’ve been keeping an eye on some composite decking outside one of my local thrift stores to see how it holds up over time. Whatever they have down doesn’t impress me. The color started out a dark grey and it’s faded over time and i don’t know if there’s anything to remedy faded composite. It’s only about 5 years old. With wood, you can just pressure wash and re-stain to get back to the color you like.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we have heard that’s one of the common complaints (fading in the sun).
xo,
s
Ty Lee says
I’m traditional, and love the look of wood. I’m glad that’s what you chose! :)
Brooke says
We chose pressure treated wood for the same reason (cost and relative durability with a little maintenance didn’t seem like a big deal to us). We built our deck almost 8 years ago and have loved it ever since! Plus you can choose the stain/finish that you want for it (or change it down the line) so you have a little more artistic control. I think you made the perfect choice for your home and location of your deck. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad to hear it’s holding up well 8 years later!
xo,
s
John @ Our Home from Scratch says
I think you guys are making the right decision. Pressure treated is a known quantity, you know what you’re getting. The composite stuff is nice, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. We went to the Home Show in Philly a couple years ago and competing vendors were trash talking the competition.. “Well, their product dents and fades”… the other guys was like “Their product scratches very easily.” It was ridiculous. We’re adding a deck at some point and we haven’t given it any thought yet. You could always use a vinyl or wire rail system too. The railing is the worst part to seal anyway. Takes forever! I really like that zipper look too!
Carli says
Love that zipper effect! Looking forward to seeing what you two do with that space. It’s brimming with potential :)
Karen says
We have a beautiful composite deck – I really do love it. BUT…it is in the shade all morning and each year it seems to get mold spots. So we have to power wash it every year. So much for “no maintenance”!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man! At last you love it!
xo,
s
Sandra says
Every time I have to replace a board on my deck, I wonder if I should replace it with composite. Then I see the price per board ($30+) and I keep walking past it to the pressure treated wood section. My deck is over ten years old and was built with using regular nails, not the special deck screws, but even still, we only have to replace a few boards every couple of years. In the four years we’ve lived here, I think we’ve replaced four boards total due to warping – not counting the section of railing that we had to rip out to replace our fridge. It’s always an adventure, isn’t it?
thehouseofbing.com
Jeff Patterson says
Thanks for the post. I’m excited to see how your project moves along. Definitely keep us updated. I, like Meg, am going to use Restore on porch floor boards. I’d love to share the results if you’re interested :)
YoungHouseLove says
Would love to see the results! Good luck with everything!
xo,
s
Susan S. says
You might want to check out:
http://sunnyslifeinrehab.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/guest-blogger-how-to-build-deck-over.html
It’s not my blog but one of my favourites; it’s a hot-mess of awesome and one of her guest bloggers tackled a deck over his existing patio.Even though your project is a bit different he had tons of helpful hints/tricks that I bookmarked it for our someday home. What I liked was that it mentioned a lot of little things that people might overlook, like the right kind of screws etc so I thought I’d pass it along.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the link! Great tips!
xo,
s
Sunny's Life in Rehab says
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the shout out…we love Young House Love, wouldn’t miss so much as a day’s posts, and we love having you as a reader!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sunny! Your post was awesome and so helpful!
xo,
s
Ginny @ goofymonkeys says
Wow – so 84 came through for you guys? My Husband worked there for years and they cater more to builders than DIYers. They’re a chain, but smaller than HD. Glad you found what you were looking for there!
YoungHouseLove says
So far, they’ve been great!
xo,
s
Kate says
We need to repaint our deck this year, I’m not sure how many years it’s been since it was done (we just got the house last summer) and it’s looking a little worse for wear. Our wood trim needs to be painted as well. I had planned to do most of it, but my husband might end up doing the bulk of it since I’m 4 weeks pregnant right now, lol!
Lisa Van Gemert says
By the time it needs to be resealed you will have some teenage boy trying to impress you to get in good with your awesome daughter, and you can guilt him into resealing it to gain your favor. No worries…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- sounds like a plan!
xo,
s
Stacey says
We’re going to rip up a small wood deck and replace it with paving stones to enlarge our outdoor space and connect it with some sidewalks.
So thank you for sharing all your DIY experiences with us! We’re definitely going to use your patio paving tutorials to help us along the way.
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Stacey!
xo,
s
Holly West says
The wood will be great for all the reasons you mentioned. We have a composite deck in a gray-weathered color and it works for us but either way I think you’ll be good.
Have you thought about one day putting French doors or a slider off your bedroom so it also opens out onto the deck? If I recall correctly the bedroom is next to where the deck will be. We have french doors opening onto our deck and we love it–such a nice feeling to be able to just walk outside from the bedroom.
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing this project completed. I think you’re gonna love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’d love to add a french door out there (where there’s currently a window) down the road!
xo,
s
Courtney says
We recently had our deck built (decided to hire someone because I just. wanted. it. DONE!) and I am certifiably in love! Ours is a low platform deck (15″ high) and we went with pressure-treated frame and cedar top. We decided on cedar for its eco properties as well as the look and it is stunning! We went with the framed edge and boards placed diagonally (similar to this: http://www.tyrrelldevelopments.com/2011/07/cedar-deck/) which added some visual interest. And a bonus with cedar, it smells AMAZING when it rains, which is has been all week – no staining for us yet. On the staining note we went with Sikkens SRD in their translucent cedar colour because we had read good things about it.
Best of luck building the deck – can’t wait to see progress!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds gorgeous!!
xo,
s
Lesley@ChaoticallyCreative says
My In-laws went with composite and considering that they had a blue painted deck and were going that un-natural route again I am really glad that they went for the composite. The no-splinters on bare-feet is great but the cost was high for sure. We are looking into the composite for fencing but you are definitely correct it is double the cost for the composite over wood. We just don’t have the time to seal and are afraid of bowing of natural wood. Thanks for the tips. As for decking we have a patio so we are set. Lesley
[email protected] says
We’ve had both wood and composite; I like the look of wood, I like the feel under my feet of composite (and no screws, nails or splinters!). If you keep up with wood (and it doesn’t look like yours will get a lot of sun) it’s fine. We went with a darker color composite that doesn’t have the plasticy look and I like it, but we do have to be careful of scratches which is a pain. Each has tradeoffs and positive/minuses….it is a hard decision!
Laura
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Thanks for the deets on the cost comparison. I’m pretty sure I’d never ever choose composite but the cost definitely seals the deal for me. Good luck getting started!