AboutEugene Clayton Expertise I would be happy to answer any question reguarding the construction of decks, composites verses natural materials, structure support systems,railing applications,stair design, how to figure stairs etc.. Pretty much anything that has to do with decks and or porches.
Experience I have been in the construction industry for over 26 years including new home construction, custom deck and screen porches. Most of my expertise is from framing custom homes for over 20 years. I now own and opperate a very successful custom deck and screen porch company in Atlanta Ga. Along with my Brother.
Expert: Eugene Clayton Date: 6/24/2008 Subject: decking material
Question Hello, Mr. Clayton. Back in April I asked you about your thoughts on using a composite material (Trex or ChoiceDek) for putting a new surface (and new railings) on an old deck in Virginia. That job still lies ahead for me, as it will be September before I am living in that place and ready to undertake the job.
You indicated that you prefer wood, but still had some regard for the composites. Since then, I've been hearing more about composites that make me leary about using them. So I'm not fully decided, but I think I'll probably be going with wood after all. In the meantime also I've heard some people say that CEDAR is a good wood to use. I'd assumed I'd use pressure-treated, if I went with wood, but I'd like to ask you about cedar, or any other kind of wood that might be a better choice.
So, what kind of wood do you most recommend? Cost does matter, but if I could afford the Trex I would also be willing to pay for a wood that didn't cost more than that-- if there were reason enough to do so.
Your thoughts, please?
Answer Andrew good to hear from you again,
I love the way cedar smells when its cut, and the way it looks after it is first installed. Thats about as far as I go with the cedar.In all my years of tearing down decrepit decks and rebuilding new ones, by far I have torn down more cedar than PT, and by far the cedars were in worse shape. Also carpenter bees love cedar its like dairy queen to them. But in total fairness it really depends on if the deck was taken care of. We build allot of decks and come back months later and they are still not stained or sealed. (we don't offer the service)
For the money you cant beat PT you just have to take care of it.
