Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Wood Versus Synthetic Material For Front Stoop
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plpmusic
09-10-07, 10:07 AM
Are There Any Drawbacks To Using Synthetic Material Such As Vinyl, Or Composite, Or What Other Kinds Are There For Use To Replace My Concrete Front Stoop.
My Local Lumber Yard Did Not Recommend The Synthetic For A Stoop, But Yet For Decking It Is Fine??? Doesn't Decking Usually Have More Wieght Bearing On It Than A Front Stoop? They Told Me The Steps May Bend In Time As They Are Not As Strong As Wood. Are There Building Recommendations So This Won't Happen Or Any Other Disadvantages I Should Be Aware Of.
Any Particular Synthetic Material Better Than The Next?, Since They Are All Equal Or More Expensive Than Wood Such As Mahogony Or Pau Lome That We Though Of Using. What I Don't Like About Wood Is That Unfortunately It Fades To Look A Dull Gray Over Time.
My Local Lumber Yard Did Not Recommend The Synthetic For A Stoop, But Yet For Decking It Is Fine??? Doesn't Decking Usually Have More Wieght Bearing On It Than A Front Stoop? They Told Me The Steps May Bend In Time As They Are Not As Strong As Wood. Are There Building Recommendations So This Won't Happen Or Any Other Disadvantages I Should Be Aware Of.
Any Particular Synthetic Material Better Than The Next?, Since They Are All Equal Or More Expensive Than Wood Such As Mahogony Or Pau Lome That We Though Of Using. What I Don't Like About Wood Is That Unfortunately It Fades To Look A Dull Gray Over Time.
chandler
09-10-07, 05:47 PM
Welcome to the forums! Your little fingers must get really tired, capitalizing each word. :D Using the composite materials is just fine for any exterior application. You must install it using 16"oc support, even for your steps, but it will weather fine and give good service.
mitch17
09-10-07, 10:05 PM
I'd use composite over wood without thinking about it.
lefty
09-11-07, 06:58 PM
plpmusic,
Yes, ye with tired fingers, welcome to the forums.
As long as there is ventilation under the boards and they are properly supported, there is no reason why you couldn't use composite or vinyl deck boards for the stoop. (You wouldn't want to build it with wood, either, unless it has ventilation and proper support.)
A stoop is simply a 3' by 3' (minimum size) deck. At some point between 3' by 3' and, say 8' by 10', or whatever, the terminolgy changes from "stoop" to "deck". They are still the same animal, built the same way. (Where do you draw the line between puppy and dog, or kitten and cat?)
Yes, ye with tired fingers, welcome to the forums.
As long as there is ventilation under the boards and they are properly supported, there is no reason why you couldn't use composite or vinyl deck boards for the stoop. (You wouldn't want to build it with wood, either, unless it has ventilation and proper support.)
A stoop is simply a 3' by 3' (minimum size) deck. At some point between 3' by 3' and, say 8' by 10', or whatever, the terminolgy changes from "stoop" to "deck". They are still the same animal, built the same way. (Where do you draw the line between puppy and dog, or kitten and cat?)
XSleeper
09-11-07, 08:31 PM
The only reason a composite would bend is if the framing was not on 16" centers, as Chandler mentioned. So if you can add new framing 16" O.C, the deck (porch or stoop) will be just fine. Stair jacks would also need to be 16" on center, and steps are always stronger if built with risers. This can all be done with composite decking. The stair jacks and framing would obviously need to be wood (preferably pressure treated wood).