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Message
Composite board thread - UPDATE I'm going to have to rebuild it from scratch aren't I?
Posted on 8/10/21 at 8:44 am
Posted on 8/10/21 at 8:44 am
I have 3 'steps' outside of my backyard screened in porch currently. We are in the process of putting in a new screen, screen doors, etc.
A leaky gutter joint has led to the wood in that area rotting away and in general these steps look like crap because they're decades old and taken alot of abuse. yes i've unsuccessfully tried to seal the gutter at the corner above this but have failed. it drips for a week after a rain.
- each step is 11" x 16' (these run the entire length of one side of the screened in room.)
- trex comes in 5.5" x 16' planks so I assume i'll need 6 and will have to use the connectors they sell to join them together. any thoughts on this or things i'm not considering?
- the base/joist/string? for the steps are solid wood and seem in good shape. as such i was planning to screw these into that. i will be able to see what shape these are in once i rip the planks off.
- the fascia looks like crap as well. i would like to replace those. what do you recommend? just use regular pressure treated boards or is there something better to use?
- the wood deck plank in front of where the screen door goes is also rotten. whats the best way to repair/replace just this section and put in a proper threshold?
again i'm a hack in real life, not just on this site
so assume i have no idea what i'm doing so i'm looking for the best advice here and thought manufactured planks would hold up and look the best for years to come.
with fall coming up and using our house as a venue for a couple of events, i want this area looking nice since this is where people tend to sit.
A leaky gutter joint has led to the wood in that area rotting away and in general these steps look like crap because they're decades old and taken alot of abuse. yes i've unsuccessfully tried to seal the gutter at the corner above this but have failed. it drips for a week after a rain.
- each step is 11" x 16' (these run the entire length of one side of the screened in room.)
- trex comes in 5.5" x 16' planks so I assume i'll need 6 and will have to use the connectors they sell to join them together. any thoughts on this or things i'm not considering?
- the base/joist/string? for the steps are solid wood and seem in good shape. as such i was planning to screw these into that. i will be able to see what shape these are in once i rip the planks off.
- the fascia looks like crap as well. i would like to replace those. what do you recommend? just use regular pressure treated boards or is there something better to use?
- the wood deck plank in front of where the screen door goes is also rotten. whats the best way to repair/replace just this section and put in a proper threshold?
again i'm a hack in real life, not just on this site
so assume i have no idea what i'm doing so i'm looking for the best advice here and thought manufactured planks would hold up and look the best for years to come. with fall coming up and using our house as a venue for a couple of events, i want this area looking nice since this is where people tend to sit.
This post was edited on 8/11/21 at 9:48 am
5
Posted on 8/10/21 at 8:58 am to CAD703X
I have very little knowledge on the subject but I have watched a ton of YT videos and stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
It seems that a lot of people are moving to Trex/composite decking and would do the same if I was doing a project. I would also look at replacing the stair stringer and using something like ZipTape to water proof the top to prevent rotting. Like this: LINK Jump to like 6:45.
For the door plank, I would think you could remove the door jamb, replace the plank and install proper flashing there to prevent water intrusion.
It seems that a lot of people are moving to Trex/composite decking and would do the same if I was doing a project. I would also look at replacing the stair stringer and using something like ZipTape to water proof the top to prevent rotting. Like this: LINK Jump to like 6:45.
For the door plank, I would think you could remove the door jamb, replace the plank and install proper flashing there to prevent water intrusion.
This post was edited on 8/10/21 at 9:00 am
Posted on 8/10/21 at 9:02 am to CAD703X
I've had Trex before, and for those steps, it will be great. It isn't as worry free as they make it out to be, but it will hold up great to the weather. After a couple of years, you'll probably need to scrub it or give it a light pressure washing annually, but it won't rot.
Posted on 8/10/21 at 9:17 am to Drunken Crawfish
quote:
t seems that a lot of people are moving to Trex/composite decking and would do the same if I was doing a project. I would also look at replacing the stair stringer and using something like ZipTape to water proof the top to prevent rotting. Like this: LINK Jump to like 6:45.
very entertaining guy. i wish he had showed the fascia installation between the steps themselves but i get where's going with it.
quote:
k, I would think you could remove the door jamb, replace the plank and install proper flashing there to prevent water intrusion.
thank you!
Posted on 8/10/21 at 9:19 am to TU Rob
quote:
After a couple of years, you'll probably need to scrub it or give it a light pressure washing annually, but it won't rot.
i'm worried about damage underneath the existing boards now but at worst i would probably just need to replace the stringer and maybe the joist thingie that is underneath.
in fact i'm going to rip that board off now (working from home means i can be bad during the day
) and see whats under it. so it sounds like just use another trex plank for the fascia? I think that will look the best; just wasn't 100% sure how to 'hang it'
Posted on 8/10/21 at 9:52 am to CAD703X
Alright, here we go. Looks like the underlying 2x4s are in good shape. The deck plank absorbed the moisture and rot. i banged on it good with a hammer and it sounds solid all around.
should i try to dry this out a bit (I need to wash the remains of the wood off) and then cover it with a waterproof material and just lay the trex over that?
should i try to dry this out a bit (I need to wash the remains of the wood off) and then cover it with a waterproof material and just lay the trex over that?
This post was edited on 8/10/21 at 9:53 am
Posted on 8/10/21 at 10:20 am to CAD703X
quote:
so it sounds like just use another trex plank for the fascia? I think that will look the best; just wasn't 100% sure how to 'hang it'
I did that with my old deck stairs. Just screw it into the wood underneath. Not sure the height of your stairs, but if the normal board will fit there, screw it down first, then lay the stair boards.
Posted on 8/10/21 at 11:09 am to CAD703X
I have had trex for a deck for over 10 years. It is still in perfect shape. There is a pergola overhead with some crepe myrtle shade.
Excellent product.
Excellent product.
Posted on 8/10/21 at 11:25 am to CAD703X
I just put in some Trex Select boards on a balcony and it came out great. You can get boards with a grooved edge if you want the hidden fasteners, or you can get square edged boards and screw down as usual. With grooved edge boards you’ll see the groove at the edge of the steps. If screwing down traditionally, get the special deck screws made for composite boards…they won’t mushroom out a little material when they’re screwed in, and will look better. Order a little extra…don’t want to be a board short…mine took 8 weeks to come in.
Posted on 8/10/21 at 11:30 am to knight4
I think for this application the square boards would work better. I'm not trying to perfectly space a large deck area and make it look uniform. I just want to lay the 6 boards and 3 fascia between them and luckily the length of exactly 16 feet already so that should minimize the cutting. Still not 100% sure how to make the door threshold look good.
This post was edited on 8/10/21 at 11:33 am
Posted on 8/10/21 at 12:24 pm to CAD703X
oooooh. i want this now too!
trex-branded lighting is pricey but i bet any low voltage lights would work.
trex-branded lighting is pricey but i bet any low voltage lights would work.
Posted on 8/11/21 at 9:50 am to CAD703X
UPDATE - why did they install the new planks over the existing ones??? created all kinds of moisture trapping issues and frankly, everything is shot. I think I'm going to have to tear it completely out and install fresh stringers.
is there anything else to consider besides a good waterproof material over the stringers? (the only wood part)
the more i look at this the more i'm scratching my head.
the whole thing is damp; water has been trapped here for years. i think if there was ever a location to have waterproof boards, this is it.
so i need
- composite deck planks
- composite screws
- stringers
- waterproofing tape
- soak the area in good insect/termite foam before starting
anything else to consider? i've already got a plan for the step lighting.
is there anything else to consider besides a good waterproof material over the stringers? (the only wood part)
the more i look at this the more i'm scratching my head.
the whole thing is damp; water has been trapped here for years. i think if there was ever a location to have waterproof boards, this is it.
so i need
- composite deck planks
- composite screws
- stringers
- waterproofing tape
- soak the area in good insect/termite foam before starting
anything else to consider? i've already got a plan for the step lighting.
This post was edited on 8/11/21 at 9:54 am
Posted on 8/11/21 at 7:13 pm to CAD703X
I would buy some prefab stringers if the size fit. Use trex for everything else. Honestly, having a slightly longer landing on the stairs and have stairs end on the concrete patio would be best. I can’t imagine the stairs flush to the patio ever would avoid moisture issues.
Posted on 8/11/21 at 7:24 pm to Ric Flair
Stringers should rest on the patio. I would guess your current setup is pulling up moisture, since the “bottom step” is basically level with the patio. With only two short steps, I would honestly consider making two “mini deck” bases and stacking them, instead of using stringers. More wood but much easier.
(Two steps instead of three, deeper steps (24” instead of 12”) with 12” overlapping the patio instead of being 12” level with the patio)
(Two steps instead of three, deeper steps (24” instead of 12”) with 12” overlapping the patio instead of being 12” level with the patio)
This post was edited on 8/11/21 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 8/11/21 at 8:38 pm to CAD703X
quote:You'll need more stringers if using something like trex. Look at the recommended spacing for joists. Guessing it's 12" instead of 16.
is there anything else to consider
I'd definitely want to move/get the water going somewhere else.
(eta: one more thing) You'll want ALL steps to be the same size... especially in height.... including the 1st ONE DOWN at the top, and the final one DOWN to the ground.
This post was edited on 8/11/21 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 8/11/21 at 9:28 pm to Ric Flair
quote:everything you say you said is true.
Stringers should rest on the patio. I would guess your current setup is pulling up moisture, since the “bottom step” is basically level with the patio. With only two short steps, I would honestly consider making two “mini deck” bases and stacking them, instead of using stringers. More wood but much easier.
(Two steps instead of three, deeper steps (24” instead of 12”) with 12” overlapping the patio instead of being 12” level with the patio)
The steps have been there since the 90s. We added the patio 2 years ago and didn't revisit the steps at that time. The bottom step was above the ground originally.
Duh! Yes I should use the patio as the base since it's solid and off the ground.
Can you elaborate on the stacked mini decks concept? I'm liking the sound of that vs new stringers but can't quite picture it.
This post was edited on 8/11/21 at 9:31 pm
Posted on 8/12/21 at 2:36 am to CAD703X
quote:...stacking rectangular boxes, each smaller than one before, and one on top of the other.
Can you elaborate on the stacked mini decks concept? I'm liking the sound of that vs new stringers but can't quite picture it.
Posted on 8/12/21 at 6:36 am to CAD703X
Build a 16’x4’ box. Level box with patio and small cinder blocks/paver things. Build a 16’x2’ box. Screw small box on top of large box. Screw in trex or deck boards.
Use 2x6’s for the boxes and the joists. Make sure to read how far apart to place the joists for trex boards, which need more support than deck boards.
Easy way to make the boxes is do the outside of the box first and make sure it’s square, then add the joists, checking to make sure it’s still square. Use easy geometry to make sure it’s square (measure diagonally corner to corner both ways, and if the measurements are equal, you know it is square).
Make sure to take into account the depth of the decking when calculating how high your steps are going to be.
Use 2x6’s for the boxes and the joists. Make sure to read how far apart to place the joists for trex boards, which need more support than deck boards.
Easy way to make the boxes is do the outside of the box first and make sure it’s square, then add the joists, checking to make sure it’s still square. Use easy geometry to make sure it’s square (measure diagonally corner to corner both ways, and if the measurements are equal, you know it is square).
Make sure to take into account the depth of the decking when calculating how high your steps are going to be.
Posted on 8/12/21 at 10:29 am to Ric Flair
ignore, see page 2.
This post was edited on 8/12/21 at 4:26 pm
Posted on 8/12/21 at 11:56 am to CAD703X
quote:
Can you elaborate on the stacked mini decks concept? I'm liking the sound of that vs new stringers but can't quite picture it
We did something similar when we built a lower deck years ago.
Only picture I can find of it was when the contractors were tearing it out to build our new deck.
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