Deck Options - pictures and discussion

[SeanB.]

One of the guys I work with is just beginning to consider getting a pool and was picking my brain about deck options. I thought it would be cool if there was a thread dedicated to this topic where people could look at various deck examples and get the pros and cons of each.

So, if you could, just post a close up picture and any pros and cons you can think of.

I'll start:

Sundeck
Pros:
It is easy on your feet/slip resistant, comes in various colors, and is fairly durable - can be gently pressure washed and doesn't stain too easily. Also, it can be applied to new or existing concrete.

**Grain of salt - this is based on my own research, not experience. We have only had our deck for a couple of weeks so time will tell if these claims hold to be true.


Cons:
Somewhat expensive. In south Houston, cost was $9 per sq ft. Can be damaged if pressure washed under high pressure. Costly to add to existing deck at a later date.


Overall look:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/saberry/Pumpisrunning.jpg

Close-up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/saberry/Deckcloseup.jpg

Here is a link for more info:
http://www.sundek.com/

[traceyb]

Matter of fact, we just finished most of our deck this weekend. No cons, except cost, but as they say "you never have too much of a good thing" right. Here goes.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3484/1000078tz3.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3937/1001734xy4.jpg
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3089/1001745oz4.jpg
[IMG]http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3089/1001745oz4.th.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001745oz4.jpg)[IMG]

[SeanB.]

Nice. Any chance you could resize those pictures?

For wood decks, assuming treated lumber, I would consider the Pros to be low cost (compared to other materials), can be done by average diy'er, easy to repair and I would think is the clear choice for above ground pools.

Cons would be - doesn't last as long as other materials, needs to be stained to maintain color, can rot and attract termites (treated lumber will help prevent this though).

One other option would be wood composite materials that incorportate real wood with plastic. The initial cost is more, but they are very termite and rot resistant (if not proof), and do not need to be treated or stained.

[traceyb]

[IMG]http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3937/1001734xy4.th.jpg (http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001734xy4.jpg)[IMG]
This is using a high percentage treated lumber. The forum here states several times (during research) that composite decking, granted the pros, can be very hot to the feet during heated days. The staining isn't so bad if you use a clear quality protectant like Behr or CWF. Wish I had done that on the original part of the deck that you see. The stain has to be kept up more often than the clear and hides the natural beauty of the wood. Also composite is more costly however never has to be replaced. Being careful not to put treated lumber end to end prevents end bowing. As you can see, there are NO boards end to end. Depends really on what kind of a look and how much money you want to spend. On an above ground pool, there are a listless amount of options for a pool owner.Size is another consideration. If you plan on simply "just swimming" a smaller deck might be a better choice. Granted this one is fairly triangular, we chose "large" being approx. 31' by 27' and chose the sturdier 6x6 posts for most of the support even though they were pricey. The under side supports that you cannot see are 4 x 4's. Also, some people like or choose the cement blocks for support, however we wanted something secured in the ground w/ quick crete.

[SeanB.]

Nice. At our last house we had a deck with Ultrawood, treated lumber. We had to stain it about once a year.

I don't remember all the particulars but I know it was a non-arsenic containing type. I understand a lot of treated lumber has arsenic which can leach into the soil. I don't know if it's a legitimate concern, but I don't think they use it on public playgrounds anymore.

[traceyb]

My best friend owns a lumber yard. Treated wood for the last couple of years has been changed as far as the "treated part" goes. It was a law and the toxic treatment formula had to be reconstructed. It is said not to be as good as the past, but what do ya do ya know?
Looking forward to seeing everyones pix..
I will post more when spring comes around and I can get my landscaping done. I know what I want to do, I just have to have the weather to cooperate.

[eljefe281]

Pea gravel

Pros

Durable
Can be power washed
Can be acid washed
Attractive (to some people)
Inexpensive ($5.75 per square foot from my builder in the Houston area)
Extremely slip-resistant
Supposedly remains fairly cool in the hot sun
Stain resistant


Cons

Slightly rough on the feet (may get rougher over time)
Unattractive (to some people)
Cannot be applied over existing concrete (at least not easily)


http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/eljefe281/CopyofDSCN0997.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/eljefe281/CopyofDSCN0996.jpg

[SeanB.]

Anyone else?

Flagstone
Stamped concrete
others?

[LoveinGA]

I went with a brick paver patio, mostly because I thought I could do it by myself, which I did (well, with just a little help from my Dad!).

Pros - 1) it didn't cost a whole lot (I got most of the gray stones for free from a friend of my Dad who scavenged them from a county dumpsite) and I was able to buy a truckload of the other colors each weekend for about 2 months for about $40 a load, plus around $700 for a dump truck load of sand & gravel. 2) It doesn't hurt your bare feet. 3) It should (hopefully) last a long time. 4) I like the way it looks.

Cons - 1) I have to brush sand into the little gaps between the pavers once or twice a year (but we just put the patio in last year, so it may just be an issue of giving it time to "settle"). 2) I do occassionally have to pull up a weed from in between the pavers. 3) Laying the pavers is absolute hell on your knees!

Overall, it was a fairly simple do-it-yourself project (even for a girl!). :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/jesstexas/My%20House/HPIM0679.jpg

[NWMNMom]

One thing about the composites - the heat you experience is in direct relation to the amount of plastic in the final material - ChoiceDek, Trex, Fusion and some other high end brands are no hotter to the feet than wood. Some of the older brands had a lot of plastic and there are even some decking materials that are ALL plastic. You will also experience more heat in a dark decking material than the lighter products. Dark brown, Redwood, etc. vs. white, grays or other light colored materials will reflect the heat - this goes for both wood and composites.