Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 7/17/2005

Question
Hello,

Five different contractors have told me 5 different things.

Construction of our deck was halted when, to our surprise, city inspectors informed us that we needed a permit, even to replace an existing structure.

As a result of the city's inspection, we realized that the man we hired did not know the basics:  bolting the frame into the side of the house, for example, and nailing the composite floor boards right side up.  So we began to look for other contractors to finish the job.

Although the architect found no major faults with construction of the deck frame, most of the contractors want to rebuild part of it.

One said that galvanized nails should have been used on the frame.  True, the nails that are there have already begun to rust...but will this really affect the support function of the frame?
Our old deck lasted 30 years, rusty nails in the frame + all!

Some want to replace the treated wood posts that are already in position to meet the footings because they were purchased with splits in them. Won't treated wood posts develop splits over time anyway?   The architect did not mention this as a problem.

We purchased the Home Depot variety of composite floor decking.  Will using Trex composite really make much of a difference?  It's certainly more expensive.

We are undecided about using Trex, Fibercon or Vinyl for the white railings + back steps we want made.  But, really, all we want is a SIMPLE porch for the very small house we have.
(It sounds as if some of the contractors are promising to build the type of porch that will last longer that the hut we live in.)

Please, can you help me at all?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Susan

Answer
Hi Susan - thanks for your question!

Permits are required for decks almost everywhere - you should hold your contractor 100% accountable for that oversight (he certainly knows better!).

Bolting the ledger board to the house isn't necessarily a bad move - as long as it's bolted into the existing band board and not only into the sheathing or siding.

Regarding the nails, galvanized is preferred and stainless steel is best.  Even though your old deck held up, you're still taking a risk using nails that will deteriorate outside.  If you're using treated lumber for the framing the nails will rust through even more rapidly.  Go with the galvanized.

The splits in the posts are normal and OK as long as the posts are still intact - if parts of the post are splitting off that's a problem but not if they're holding together.

You have a lot of choices in decking material.  You're balancing cost vs. maintenance, durability, and looks.  If you want no maintenance and long life (Trex or similar), you'll pay more.  If you're willing to replace a board now and then and stain the deck every few years, then go with natural wood.  I'd recommend staying away from treated 2 x 4 lumber for the deck, though.  It will warp and shrink badly.  Best choice for low cost is 5/4 x 6 decking boards (with the rounded edges).

If you use composite decking don't go with "cheap" imitations of Trex - they're mostly plastic and will sag badly in short order.

For long life choose the vinyl for the railings as long as you can make it look good with the other materials you're using.  For lower cost use treated wood but be prepared for regular maintenance (although on a small porch that may not be a big issue for you).

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com
www.betterhomedesign.blogspot.com