Boy, I'd sure consider the composite. Maintenance free, particularly if you
don't want to finish it every few years. Paint is stupid on an open deck.
Stain and seal is a much better choice. I think redwood might be a little
soft for foot traffic. What's the 20 year old deck made of? Has it served
your needs w/o major maintenance?


"cas" wrote in message
oups.com...
Part one:

We're looking to replace our 20 year old deck. What would be the best
material to use? I'm not too fond of composite decking, which leaves
either redwood/cypress or salt treated. Any reasons not to lean
towards redwood/cypress over salt treated? How about treating the
wood? Just the top or the bottom also? I don't want to paint it (a
friend did that, it looked good for a while, now he's going through
the pains of refinishing it).

The deck is going to be 10x20 and will be around 15' off the ground.
We live in Western NC at 2800', the deck faces east and will get
dappled sun until around 10, then full sun until 3pm. We do get some
snow/ice up here. We spend a lot of time on it, I usually eat
breakfast outside and my wife and daughter spend a good chunk of their
day hanging out on it.