I am replacing a large 1980s rotted, not to new code, and termite ridden deck.
At first I used Pt for everything because it is cheap. AFTER research in deck
magazine, fine homebuilding, and Simpson strong tie, and noticing the rot in
the old pt wood and not in the old redwood, I changed to cedar deck boards.
Cedar has to be sealed on all 6 sides before installation immediately. It
comes kiln dried and mine came with anchorseal on both ends. COMPOSITES Are
know to warp and look cheap. Pt metal connectors (required) have to be either
stainless steel (expensive) or galvanized with waterproof membrane joist tape
(expensive) between the connector and the Pt wood. The new pt wood destroys
galvanized metal. STUDY the idc chapter 507, decks from 2015 and 2018 before
rebuilding your deck. Also watch the videos from finehomebuilding and Simpson
strong tie. Buy a copy of Professional Deck Magazine. Btw, my old joists are
16" on center so I had to use 2X 6 not 5/4 deck boards. If you are installing
new joists 12" on center you can use 5/4 but it still will not be as strong or
long lasting as 2 x 6. MY estimated cost for cedar, metal hardware and deck
screws is 12,000. including 2 sets of stairs and stair railing. The estimate
from the deck company was 50, 000 to redo the entire1100 sq Ft deck with
stairs and railings. Do it slow and do it according to the new prescriptive
code and you will have a safe, beautiful, rot free deck for many years with
maintenance and cleaning. good luck

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