If I use U-connectors to fasten 4" x 4" posts to pier blocks, is there
a preferred time of year to build a deck this way, (i.e., will the
posts shrink when cold weather comes and "lift" the bottom of the posts
off the pier blocks)?

Also, does anyone want to share their experiences with "Wolmanized"
lumber? I'm thinking of using Wolmanized decking boards over treated
SYP joists.

Bonus question: The paint guy at my local HD sez to let my treated
lumber deck dry for six months, use an oil based primer on the lumber,
then paint it with exterior acrylic latex just as I would cedar siding.
I do want a white deck (with "natural" finish Wolmanized decking
boards). Does this painting scheme sound kosher? (I have no experience
with painting treated lumber).

Many thanks for replies.

wrote in message
ups.com...
If I use U-connectors to fasten 4" x 4" posts to pier blocks, is there
a preferred time of year to build a deck this way, (i.e., will the
posts shrink when cold weather comes and "lift" the bottom of the posts
off the pier blocks)?

The preferred time is when the wather is comfortable. If it is below 50 or
above 85, I try to avoid manual labor outside.



Bonus question: The paint guy at my local HD sez to let my treated
lumber deck dry for six months, use an oil based primer on the lumber,
then paint it with exterior acrylic latex just as I would cedar siding.
I do want a white deck (with "natural" finish Wolmanized decking
boards). Does this painting scheme sound kosher? (I have no experience
with painting treated lumber).

http://www.wolmanizedwood.com/maintenance.shtml
PAINT. Do not apply paint until the wood is dry, both on the surface and
internally. Otherwise, as the wood dries out, escaping moisture will cause
blisters and poor adhesion in the paint. We recommend a six month waiting
period before applying paint (see more below). Once the wood is dry, the
procedure for painting treated wood is no different from that for painting
untreated wood. (We recommend against using paint on deck flooring because
frequently used pathways, such as from the steps to the door, will become
worn.)

wrote:

Bonus question: The paint guy at my local HD sez to let my treated
lumber deck dry for six months, use an oil based primer on the lumber,
then paint it with exterior acrylic latex just as I would cedar siding.
I do want a white deck (with "natural" finish Wolmanized decking
boards). Does this painting scheme sound kosher? (I have no experience
with painting treated lumber).

Several comments:

1) Whenever using oil-based paint or primer, the wood must be BONE DRY.
If possible, allow 2 contiguous weeks of hot dry weather with zero
precipitation, AFTER the 6-months of weathering, before applying any
oil-based product. Any moisture in the wood will prevent the solvent
from penetrating and getting a toe hold. You'll wind up with blisters
and peeling.

2) If I understand your post correctly, you are NOT planning on
painting the horizontal decking surface. That's a good decision.

3) However, you mentioned "natural" finish for the decking boards. Not
sure what you mean by this. Treated wood still needs to be protected
from moisture and UV or it will age prematurely. No UV protection and
it will look like driftwood in 2 years. No moisture protection and it
will start splitting and cracking and cupping.

4) There are so many different products for treating the horizontal
surface of your deck that it is mind-boggling. It all depends on how
you feel about maintenance. There are some very expensive products
(2-part epoxy-based) out there which stand out from the crowd, but
other than that you will have to treat your deck at least every 3 years
and more likely every other year. For my 400 square foot deck, I
re-treat it every 2 years with an oil-based finish that contains UV
blockers. I goes pretty quick. The hardest part is cleaning the deck
and waiting for the weather to cooperate to dry it out. Actual
application of the finish goes very quickly - only about an hour or so.

On Fri, 5 Jan 2007 23:12:36 -0500, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


wrote in message
oups.com...
If I use U-connectors to fasten 4" x 4" posts to pier blocks, is there
a preferred time of year to build a deck this way, (i.e., will the
posts shrink when cold weather comes and "lift" the bottom of the posts
off the pier blocks)?

The preferred time is when the wather is comfortable. If it is below 50 or
above 85, I try to avoid manual labor outside.

Comfortable sounds great. I was thinking if there was poured tubes
and footings, the cold might cause problems with curing.



tom @ www.MedJobSite.com






Bonus question: The paint guy at my local HD sez to let my treated
lumber deck dry for six months, use an oil based primer on the lumber,
then paint it with exterior acrylic latex just as I would cedar siding.
I do want a white deck (with "natural" finish Wolmanized decking
boards). Does this painting scheme sound kosher? (I have no experience
with painting treated lumber).

http://www.wolmanizedwood.com/maintenance.shtml
PAINT. Do not apply paint until the wood is dry, both on the surface and
internally. Otherwise, as the wood dries out, escaping moisture will cause
blisters and poor adhesion in the paint. We recommend a six month waiting
period before applying paint (see more below). Once the wood is dry, the
procedure for painting treated wood is no different from that for painting
untreated wood. (We recommend against using paint on deck flooring because
frequently used pathways, such as from the steps to the door, will become
worn.)