Comments on: Choosing a deck surface

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:49:05 +0000

I just installed a LockDry deck in Toronto (Canada). After 5 years with an Ipe deck I was kind-of disappointed with it. Basically if you install Ipe, then it will go grey regardless of the sealants you try and put on it, especially in parts of Canada where the winter strip off any type of sealant and re-coating ends up being a twice a year chore. So I first looked at other alternative woods, and not being a fan of composites, never went there. Eventually I chose an aluminum deck partially because it was extremely low maintenance, and also because it made the area under the deck dry.
Price-wise I thought it was extremely comparable. Colours are limited, but what I realized was that the lighter colour afforded by Lockdry actually brought more light into the back of my house. That and it was easy to install. The aluminum is actually warm in the sun, but not hot like the Ipe got sometimes. and in the shade it is cool. We’ll see how it holds during the winter, but I expect come the spring, getting the deck ready will involve just a hose. I won’t take to spend a couple of hours power-washing gunk off it.

By: Roger

Roger — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:33:59 +0000

I really don’t have a dog in this fight, but have installed a lot of decking over the years. When reading negative comments on-line do keep in mind that 20 people will take the trouble to complain for every one that is inspired enough to write positively.

Secondly, check the dates on those comments! We are now into the third and fourth and maybe fifth generation of composite decking and many complaints relate to early generation products. Nothing is maintenance-free, but all current composites are waaay less work than wood.

Finally, please think green! Despite claims to the contrary, the vast majority of Ipe is not sustainably harvested, and centuries-old tropical forests are being pillaged for decks that will vanish in twenty years tops!

By: robert

robert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:29:56 +0000

If you are looking for another alternative for aluminum decking check out Ariddek-Wahoo Decks.

By: Agnes

Agnes — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:36:58 +0000

Barry, I am curious if you installed the LockDry for your decking? I am considering them also. And I will be consulting with them in January to place an order, but before that I was hoping to get some feedback on people who had the product installed.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:09:12 +0000

Barry: Interesting. Hadn’t heard of that. It looks like good stuff, if you’re into the grain thing. One of the things I noticed right away with the fake decks though is that it seemed like the stuff without the grain always looked better than the stuff with the grain… at least for a modern home. I could see the grainy stuff looking better with a craftsman or more traditional home.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:24:13 +0000

Hey Mike,

I know you made your choice on Trex Brasilia, but did you see their upcoming (scheduled to be released 1/10) product, Transcend? It looks pretty comparable to Timbertech XLM and Fiberon Horizon – hardened plastic outside w/ wood pulpy innards. The only thing that threw me for a loop was it’s hard candy shell is only on three sides (top and both sides). They claim this allows the innards to “breathe” which prevents separation from it’s plastic counterparts. I’ve never read this being an issue, but I am not in the deck building trenches, so maybe it is.

Even though I haven’t seen it in person, I do think the faux grain looks to be one of the better ones out there. Interesting to see how it’s received.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:24:52 +0000

Geert: Yep, I’ve heard of that stuff. Pretty much all synthetics have their downsides, so I’m just going with the one that’s been around the longest, does the most sales, and has the best warranty: Trex Brasilia. My expectations are tempered, so I’m sure it will turn out fine.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:00:27 +0000

Hi Toronto: Yep, we settled on Trex Brasilia. It’s dark and doesn’t have any of that cheesy “fake grain” texture to it. Should require nothing more than a pressurespraying once a year and it looks almost as good as wood.

By: TORONTO MODERN'S SPOUSE

TORONTO MODERN'S SPOUSE — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:17:09 +0000

To clairfy – t.w. would work for siding not for decking. Perhaps the wrong location in the blog for the above comment.

By: TORONTO MODERN'S SPOUSE

TORONTO MODERN'S SPOUSE — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:16:06 +0000

To clairfy – torrefied wood would work for siding not for decking. Perhaps the wrong location in the blog for the above comment. For decking, cedar was our clear winner.