"Bob_M" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 May 2005 21:43:05 GMT, "Marty" wrote:

What alternative to wood have you used for your deck?
Are you so happy with the price, the quality, and the outcome that you
would
do the same again?

Deck area will be 24 x 30 more or less with railing where the deck is not
attached to the house and two set of steps.
Very wet and cold, but generally not freezing winters with strong sun
year
round.


Marty;

Are original desk was about the same size as yours. After 20+ years
of NE weathering the rot started to get ahead of us. It was time to
replace it.

We looked at IPE and redwood but finally settled on Natural Cedar and
we stained it with Sikkens Natural Cedar stain. Looks like a big
piece of furniture. My research shows that the cedar should last a
very long time. The finish... to early to tell.


OOPS! We have cedar and it is 15 years old and we have had to replace
several rails and decking boards starting at about 5 years old. We have
tried various finishes, but Thompsons has looked and worked the best. If I
was to do it again, I would use composite.

IPE is very very nice but very very expensive.

Please post what your final decision is?

Bob