Composite 4X4 covers

[fire-medic8104]

Who makes the composite covers that slide over an existing 4X4. I saw it in a magazine and can't find it. I know it slides over and then you put the decorative foot and cap on. But I can't seem to find out who makes it.

[majakdragon]

Here is ONE manufacturer. Sure there are more. Click on or copy and paste the link below. Good luck and hope this helps.

http://www.midwestvinylprod.com/products.html#decks

[Hellrazor]

Geodeck makes those 4x4 post sleves.

[lefty]

WeatherBest is another. Also, vinyls are a slip-over -- check with local vinyl fencing suppliers, like Ultra Vinyl, Finly Vinyl, etc.

[fire-medic8104]

Thanks,

I currently have a deck that the joist and braces were put up fine, but the contractor, used a nailgun an regular nails to install the flooring. None of the nails are galvanized or stainless and I have rust spots all over the place after six months. I have been in a legal battle trying to get it taken care of.

I just decided to do it myself and install the slip on covers, composite flooring and composite rails and steps. I think it will all turn out better, hopefully.

[lefty]

OOPPPS!!!

Obviously THAT contractor won't be getting any recommendations from you -- at least not the type of recommendation he's looking for.

Slip-covers over the 4X4 rail posts will work fine. But hopefully you aren't thinking about laying the composite decking on top of whatever (I'm assuming that it's wood) decking the contractor installed. It'll look good at first, but you'll have problems later if you do that.

That means removing the existing decking, and using a composite means that you'll probably have to reduce the joist spacing. (Any contractor who would nail deck boards certainly would install as few joists as possible, meaning that if the decking is wood 2X, he put the joists at 24" O.C.)

[fire-medic8104]

No he definitely won't get any recommendations from me.

I had planned on removing the existing decking and railings and putting in new composite decking and railing with the slip on covers. I saw in a magazine a composite system that the contractor that was installing it was toe screwing the boards so it would be a no holes system. I just can't find it to figure out what brand they were using.

Question: On steps, on the the side of the step were there is an open area underneath, does it look better to cover that or to leave it open?

[lefty]

There are several systems available that allow the deck boards to be blind screwed. One is to use Simpson DBT-1's. They're available at any lumber yard or big box store.

Whether to enclose the risers or leave them open is generally your call. Depends on the look you want.

[Hellrazor]

If your deck is 2'+ off the ground you can use Geodeck T&G decking, it is all toenailed with stainless ringshanks. You will not have a single nail showing on the deck.

[angelaross]

TimberTech Decking and Railing has the composite system with 4x4 post cover and skirts/caps. They have a full line of products you should check out their website. www.timbertech.com for more information on products. They are 2nd largest composite deck/rail manufacturer in the united states and have some very cool stuff.

I work in the industry and have a pretty good feel for the market and products available to consumers.

[IHI]

Quik question for the other contractors, what brand slip covers are you using that are able to slide over the posts with no modifications? The past 2 brands I've tried, I literally had to plane 1/8" off 2 sides of the GT posts. The ID for both brands-cant remeber names right now-was exactly 3 1/2" and the PT posts are always 3 5/8" sometimes larger in extreme cases, then factor in a NON perfectly stright PT post 10' long, it makes for problems. My local lumber yrd just got another distributor and first thing I did was have them measure the ID of the sleeve and again 3 1/2"-Y are these companies not taking into account the swelling of the treatment process??

What are you guys doing about this? I love the look of the 1 peice cover, but as nasty as the 4 peice system is it'd save us alot of time just snapping it together instead of planeing each post.

[rlvarcoe]

The covers I have been using and quite like is endurance railing, they also have the rail system with aluminum re-enforcements top and bottom. It is quite easy to install and there are plugs to hide the stainless steel screws. I have had no problem in placing these covers over 4x4 posts (it seems the new arsenic free lumber is a bit more swollen or maybe cause it is new it is alot wetter.... it sure is heavier). As far as you past contractor the previous poster was correct... make sure your joists are 16 inches on centre (12 if you use diagonal decking).

Good luck

Rob

[Hellrazor]

The geodeck 4x4 sleaves worked without a problem for me.