Opinions needed on porch decking materials

hr

all wood moves

as it gets wet and dries. This is why early carpenters designed the ship lap and T&G joints. To allow for movement and hide it, so to speak. Fasteners need to be able to flex also.

Just the same most all finishes will be hammered by weather and UV rays. We all know how much stronger those will get with the ozone layer getting thinner

If you really want the wood material, buy the best you can afford and plan on yearly finish maintenance.

I've also watched the various trial and error events on the Ocean City boardwalk. Let's just say they are still trying Even throwing large sums of money at exotic imports hasn't completely solved the longevity problem.

hot rod

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mtfallsmikey

Weeeeel....

My wife's house has a 4/4 SYP T&G (Southern Yellow Pine)floor on her front porch, which is covered, facing west (prevailing wind direction)with only minor deterioration and rot...Did I mention that it is 104 yrs. old? This was 1st gen. growth pine, painted with gool 'ole oil-based paint (with plenty of lead for sure!). Depends on climate, and wood preparation. I have some old pine and walnut boards in my collection for woodworking that is at least 50-60 yrs. old in excellent shape. But when I redo my deck, it will be in Trex (made right here in good old Winchester, Va.)

Dave_4

stone porch

My friend redid a victorian house and did a flagstone porch that looks great:

Mad Dog_2

Your glee at my misfortune is obvious...LEO

I have helped many HOs and others over the years here and may have "pounced" on some of the more arrogant ones. If I knew of a similar site for Building questions when the porch was done, I would have perhaps avoided this costly mistake. Couldn't find one then nor now, so I come to the best all-around advice center I know of. Like many who come here for help after having a so called professional do an install, I am better off doing the research and doing this with the help of my buddy who is a very competent carpenter. I'll be taking a several thousand dollar hit in all of this, so have fun chuckling away, Leo. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2

Dynamite looking

Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2

Does it use that clip system Brian?

Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

Is oak another name for Iron wood?

MD

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Mad Dog_2

What kind of sealer. Mike

Hearing more and more good things about Ipe...I am considering it. MD

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hr

www.dowsymmatrix.com

cleaning off my desk today turned up this ad.

hot rod

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FredR

Mad Dog --I am part of the yoga pilates crowd. And at 67 I can still be pretty rough on a porch.LOL Headstands probably would not hurt your powder puff porch.
Seriously, I would like to have worked with those of you here that strive to do the jobs correctly.

Leo

Guess you read me wrong

Jim Bennett

I know...

when we buy wooden ladders, the retailer recommended one product. Boiled Linseed Oil. Don't know if you can paint over it but it makes the ladders tied to the top of the trucks last a long time!

Jim

Mad Dog_2

Perhaps I did Leo, but

When you find it "funny" (chuckle, chuckle) and talk about thinking twice before "pouncing" on people, I don't know any other way to read it...a little poetic justice for me. No problem, I made a mistake, admitted it and now I am paying, financially and by gettin' some ribbing. I can take it. I didn't think it was vicious or anything, but you make your point known. Mad Dog

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

You can certainly paint over boiled linseed oil--if using latex base make certain that it's completely dry. A 50-50 mix of boiled linseed oil and real turpentine is often preferable to just the oil as it will penetrate more deeply and dry much faster.

When working on old window sash or outside trim I strip the paint, sand back to bright wood and keep applying the linseed oil/turpentine mix until it's not completely absorbed in a couple of hours. Then prime and paint. Done this way I have paint jobs (still on original top coat) that have outlasted three paint jobs by others who did not prepare well...

Brian_18

Tongue & Groove

Sorry MD for the delay, I was away for a few days. The Timbertech Floorizon Planking is tongue & groove. It does NOT use clips to install. It's a 6" wide plank, and comes with a score mark on the finished face, which makes it look like two 3" wide boards. It goes down like any other t&g product, using composite deck screws into the tongue. I really enjoyed installing it, it looks superb. Again I will say it's really expensive. I could have built a couple full decks from pressure treated for the investment I made in my porches. My wife is happy....which is ALWAYS a plus.