Tuesday, December 9, 2008

All decked out...




Thanks to a VERY generous contribution by my in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Schubert (thanks Bo and Blythe!), I was able to get my deck built. After much hemming and hawing, I went for Trex planks (made of recycled plastic and sawdust). They may be more expensive, but they are more durable than regular wood (25-year guarantee) and don't produce toxic splinters like pressure-treated wood. I took the precaution of finishing a temporary railing all around the deck.




Installing it was an ordeal. The packaging recommended screwing it directly into place with special screws. After stripping four screws, I started pre drilling the holes with two bits (a long one for the shaft and a short one for the countersink). I then proceded to drop the chuck key into the leaves under the deck. After two trips to the hardware store (the first time the chuck key I bought was too small), I was back on the deck. The only other mishap was when I slipped on a piece of temporary deck flooring and started to fall through! Fortunately I grabbed the temporary railing and stayed aboard! Anyway, here are some pix of the deck.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am a representative of Trex and would like to comment on your project. This looks like quite an endeavor that will provide years of enjoyment. It looks like a perfect spot to enjoy nature and get some piece and quiet. Kudos for a job well done!

Pat M - Trex

David said...

Wow! you even have a Trex representative doing some midnight blog browsing (or afternoon browsing, by the look of his post time)! Trex is awesome stuff, having used it for a couple of small projects myself. It is by far the best of the 'composite' decking materials (there are lots of competitors on the market now, offering lighter weight, cost savings, etc.) because the simplicity and environmental aspects of Trex in design, materials, construction, and ease of installation has all competitors beat.

It's a shame you had to end up pre-drilling, as I have used the long 'multi diameter/thread' Trex compatible screws with success. If you try it again, use a small impact driver or drill with a VERY SHORT bit attached, start each slowly until the first half inch is in nicely, then drive home firmly, slowing down to recess them carefully.

Another advantage of Trex is traction in dry, wet, and cold, for either bare feet or footwear, and this traction is far better than cedar, and vastly superior to pressure treat decking in the wet (ever slipped on wet pressure treat?) I am not a Trex Rep by the way, just another blogger building a treehouse!

boomhaus said...

Thanks Pat M! I like your product!