Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - what do you think the cost of a deck
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nonhandy
10-14-04, 12:30 PM
that is 15X15' with one open side and a rail on the other...real simple style...the verticals on the rail about 3" wide and spaced 4-5" apart...hell, i don't even know what would be the best to build it out of...cedar????
lefty
10-14-04, 08:51 PM
Nonhandy,
At this point I have nothing but questions and no answers for you.
First, how far above grade is this deck going to be? THAT will determine whether or not you need railings.
Where do you live and what set of bldg. codes do you have to comply to? THAT will determine whether or not you need railings.
Legal railings are built so that a 4" ball cannot be passed between the pickets -- so much for a 5" spacing.
What to build it with is up to you and how much time/money you have to invest in keeping it up.
Wood (cedar, redwood, P.T.) will be an eternal maintenance project. Wahing it off with a hase every few nonths, cleaning it with an oxy bleach acouple times a year, staining/sealing every year or two (at $20 a gal. or more for the sealer/stain).
Composites -- Trex, WeatherBest, Fiberon, etc., etc. -- eliminate the stain/ sealer, but you do need to keep them clean. That means using the hose every month or two, and possibly the oxy bleach once a year if mildew becomes a problem. It'll cost more up front. but will leave you a couple of extra weekends every year for fishing or whatever.
Vinyl (ProCell) -- hose it off once a month and you are done with it.
At this point I have nothing but questions and no answers for you.
First, how far above grade is this deck going to be? THAT will determine whether or not you need railings.
Where do you live and what set of bldg. codes do you have to comply to? THAT will determine whether or not you need railings.
Legal railings are built so that a 4" ball cannot be passed between the pickets -- so much for a 5" spacing.
What to build it with is up to you and how much time/money you have to invest in keeping it up.
Wood (cedar, redwood, P.T.) will be an eternal maintenance project. Wahing it off with a hase every few nonths, cleaning it with an oxy bleach acouple times a year, staining/sealing every year or two (at $20 a gal. or more for the sealer/stain).
Composites -- Trex, WeatherBest, Fiberon, etc., etc. -- eliminate the stain/ sealer, but you do need to keep them clean. That means using the hose every month or two, and possibly the oxy bleach once a year if mildew becomes a problem. It'll cost more up front. but will leave you a couple of extra weekends every year for fishing or whatever.
Vinyl (ProCell) -- hose it off once a month and you are done with it.