Timber decking options comparison. Which is better?

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#2499198 5-Jun-2020 17:26

neb:
neb: Cool, submitted a sample request earlier today.
And it arrived today, we're definitely sold on this, it's the most natural-looking of all the composites we've seen, from standing height it looks pretty close to real timber. The hollow-core is significantly lighter than the solid-core so unless anyone can think of a good reason to go with solid we'll get the hollow-core, less weight on the deck.

You need to picture frame or use end caps to hide the hollows.

Not sure about that particular brand, but for some of the hollow ones you need to use the proprietary fixing system. The solid ones you can usually use any kind of normal or camouflaged screws

neb

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#2500053 7-Jun-2020 14:25

mdf:
Not sure about that particular brand, but for some of the hollow ones you need to use the proprietary fixing system. The solid ones you can usually use any kind of normal or camouflaged screws

These have screws and PP clips, but then we're coastal so will need 316SS screws anyway, I don't think there'll be much cost difference between their fixing system and a bazillion SS screws.

neb

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#2500057 7-Jun-2020 14:31

Here's some photos, first the Futurewood composite which was the least plastic-looking one we'd found until now:

Remember that's the least plasticky one. Then the Outdure:

It's just streets ahead of the others. Finally an edge photo of the hollow-core one:

This shows the tradeoff with the natural-looking coating, it's a surface coating only so deep scratches will cut through it and expose the underlying material. OTOH I'd much rather have a natural-looking deck and risk a few blemishes than cover the deck in brown extruded plastic.

In terms of weight, the solid-core weighs around 450g for 100mm while the hollow-core is around 275g for 100mm, so a considerable weight saving, as well as (hopefully) less heat buildup in the summer due to the air core.

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#2500162 7-Jun-2020 19:45

neb: Here's some photos, first the Futurewood composite which was the least plastic-looking one we'd found until now:

....

Remember that's the least plasticky one. Then the Outdure:

....

It's just streets ahead of the others. Finally an edge photo of the hollow-core one:

....

This shows the tradeoff with the natural-looking coating, it's a surface coating only so deep scratches will cut through it and expose the underlying material. OTOH I'd much rather have a natural-looking deck and risk a few blemishes than cover the deck in brown extruded plastic. In terms of weight, the solid-core weighs around 450g for 100mm while the hollow-core is around 275g for 100mm, so a considerable weight saving, as well as (hopefully) less heat buildup in the summer due to the air core.

And those photos don't really do either of them much justice.

I just don't see the point in going solid, the hollow profile is still very strong - it's not really "hollow" as such. And my non-scientific theory is the same, that hollow might not retain heat as long. I'm also working on the assumption that solid is more expensive.

billgates

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#2529564 27-Jul-2020 15:04

@mdf Here are some deck photos of back of house deck laid with Accoya. Unfortunately we ran little short of decking timber to finish off Laundry/Garage exits decking area and also for mouth/face covering of back decking area as well so I have had to order 50 more lineal meters of Accoya which builder will install once it's delivered hopefully in less than 2 weeks. This will likely add another around $1600.

Few points I observed.

1. Decking looks easy to do but it sure is not easy. It is very labour intesive

2. Our builder is awesome. The owner of the building company himself did the decking and he did an awesome job with a V shaped design that he came up with on the long boardwalk area towards our master bedroom.

3. The builder is really really impressed with Accoya. In his own words he has never seen timber as straight as Accoya and he was shocked to see water still on top of the deck the morning after it rained. The timber did not absorb it.

4. We are extremely happy with the decking. It looks really great in person and a pleasure to walk on. The 140 x 19 profile really stands out. If budget allowed, we would have have done our main front walking entrance to the house also in a boardwalk deck all the way from start of property but we had to settle for just a small deck under the covered portico with decking there while rest will be of concrete paths. In future we can always take out of the

concrete paths and go decking boardwalk all the way when $$ allows.

Do whatever you want to do man.

mdf

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#2529580 27-Jul-2020 15:27

Ooh, very nice! I like the blond look with your cladding and white pillars! And great to hear feedback about accoya from a building professional too. Having built a couple of decks myself, I whole-heartedly endorse the "labour intensive" aspect of them!

What sort of fixings did you use?

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billgates

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#2529594 27-Jul-2020 15:46

The builder was going to use 304 SS decking screws but I requested for 316 SS decking screws even though we are like 80KM from the nearest beach. I asked which one they would use and they said they would recommend Fortress Torx Decking Screws in 10g x 60. Looking at the ITM invoice we paid $24.50 + GST for 100 pieces and we bought 1000 pieces altogether. I know in past geekzone threads couple of really good and expensive decking screws have been recommended which are close to 4 x times the price but the builder said these one's are good and you can save yourself quite a few $$ so we went with his recommendation.

http://fortress.kiwi/shop/Screws+Rivets+Hinges/Decking+Screws/Decking+Screws+T316%3Fsku=edd3cbebdd2687303bfd4c1d5f9a80db.html

For the timber we used around 210 pieces of 150 x 15 Radiata VSG8 H3.2 and also 8 pieces 100 x 100 Radiata H4 (90 x 90) and also 125 x 125 (0.6m and 1.2m) mixture of square piles.

Edit - The blonde look cladding is Abodo Vulcan coated in sioo:x that we got done at the Abodo factory before they shipped it to us. We decided very early on that we will not stain any of our outside timber due to PITA maintenance and cost associated and will just naturally let it silver off. The Abodo was very dark brown natural timber colour when it arrived and it has turned this blonde colour over the last 8 months.

Abodo Vulcan is also thermally modified radiata pine just like Accoya. tbh If I had known about Accoya early on and looking at cost of Abodo vs Accoya, i would have gone Accoya for wall cladding at same price only due to better longetivity. Saying that Abodo should last us many years to come thanks to being thermally modified.

The builder has appreciated our input as well with Abodo, Accoya and a whole bunch of other things that we specified that they have never heard of or used and we were worried whether a builder would take us on with materials they have never used or installed before personally.

If given another chance I would go as far as changing our Aluminum joinery to Accoya timber joinery.

Do whatever you want to do man.

neb

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#2529643 27-Jul-2020 15:53

billgates: The builder was going to use 304 SS decking screws but I requested for 316 SS decking screws even though we are like 80KM from the nearest beach.

We live 15m from the nearest beach (or at least inlet) and it's 316 everywhere, 302 or 304 gets a white crust on it within a year or two from the salt. I'm surprised how well the corrugated iron roof has held up under the circumstances.

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#2667281 3-Mar-2021 12:16

We're finally getting around to doing the decking and according to the Outdure manufacturers it has to be fixed on 400mm centres. The existing deck is 450mm, which voids the warranty if used that way. OTOH the builder has said he can't see why it would be a problem apart from the voided warranty, and he'll put strapping across it to minimise movement if that's what the 400 is meant to achieve... can anyone see any issues with this that we should be aware of? Rebuilding the deck to go from 450 to 400 isn't an option.

eracode

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#2667289 3-Mar-2021 12:41

neb: We're finally getting around to doing the decking and according to the Outdure manufacturers it has to be fixed on 400mm centres. The existing deck is 450mm, which voids the warranty if used that way. OTOH the builder has said he can't see why it would be a problem apart from the voided warranty, and he'll put strapping across it to minimise movement if that's what the 400 is meant to achieve... can anyone see any issues with this that we should be aware of? Rebuilding the deck to go from 450 to 400 isn't an option.

The 450 spacing will be totally fine. Joist spacing specs are primarily to limit decking-material bending or sagging when weight is put on it. I’ve built and owned decks with hollow Outdure and it’s strong-as and solid - IMO an additional 50 mm in joist spacing is not going to cause any problems at all. Belt and braces specs on the part of the manufacturer.

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#2667292 3-Mar-2021 12:44

eracode:
The 450 spacing will be totally fine. Joist spacing specs are primarily to limit decking-material bending or sagging when weight is put on it. I’ve built and owned decks with hollow Outdure and it’s strong-as and solid - IMO an additional 50 mm in joist spacing is not going to cause any problems at all. Belt and braces specs on the part of the manufacturer.

Great, thanks! My post had an implicit hope for a "yeah, nah, she'll be right" response :-).

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#2667751 4-Mar-2021 13:16

neb: We're finally getting around to doing the decking and according to the Outdure manufacturers it has to be fixed on 400mm centres. The existing deck is 450mm, which voids the warranty if used that way. OTOH the builder has said he can't see why it would be a problem apart from the voided warranty, and he'll put strapping across it to minimise movement if that's what the 400 is meant to achieve... can anyone see any issues with this that we should be aware of? Rebuilding the deck to go from 450 to 400 isn't an option.

Could it somehow be to do with the fixings since it isn't the traditional "screwing the board down", maybe they to be closer together? I personally don't see how this could be the case, but I'm far from being an expert.

mdf

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#2667756 4-Mar-2021 13:25

neb: We're finally getting around to doing the decking and according to the Outdure manufacturers it has to be fixed on 400mm centres. The existing deck is 450mm, which voids the warranty if used that way. OTOH the builder has said he can't see why it would be a problem apart from the voided warranty, and he'll put strapping across it to minimise movement if that's what the 400 is meant to achieve... can anyone see any issues with this that we should be aware of? Rebuilding the deck to go from 450 to 400 isn't an option.

I'd check with the manufacturer. I'm guessing here, but the composites I've used are both heavier and flex more than timber. 400 centers might be to address that?

neb

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#2667760 4-Mar-2021 13:36

mdf: I'd check with the manufacturer. I'm guessing here, but the composites I've used are both heavier and flex more than timber. 400 centers might be to address that?

They've said it's OK but will void the warranty, but then see @eracode's reply. I'm also going with the hollow-core rather than solid ones which are a third lighter, so hollow at 450 will still be less load than solid at 400.

eracode

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#2667764 4-Mar-2021 13:54

neb:
mdf: I'd check with the manufacturer. I'm guessing here, but the composites I've used are both heavier and flex more than timber. 400 centers might be to address that?
They've said it's OK but will void the warranty, but then see @eracode's reply. I'm also going with the hollow-core rather than solid ones which are a third lighter, so hollow at 450 will still be less load than solid at 400.

Not sure what you’re saying here. I still think hollow at 450 mm will be fine (sounds like Outdure have corroborated this) but when I said “... when weight is put on it”, I meant load on the deck material, not the weight of the deck material itself. May have misunderstood what you are getting at.

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