I don't know if this is the right newsgroup to ask this question of but
people here have been so helpful and knowledgable I thought I would start
here. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

We have a grandchild on the way and an aging pressure treated lumber deck
that would be hard on the knees of a crawling infant so this is the time to
tackle this project. I am definitely not going with pressure treated lumber
but am considering ipe (aka ironwood), mahogany, cedar, or one of the
composites. I would prefer to let the wood age to a grey rather than
treating it every year or two if possible. What advice can you give me?

TIA.

Dick Snyder

IPE... it ages very well and will last a VERY long time.

It is tough on cutting tools will require several blades
and bits.

It costs more than SYP and may be hard to fine depending
on your location.

PT SYP is still the cheapest and most durable for the money.

I looked at composites and after comparing (1) board at
$18.95 vs 5.95 for PT SYP, I had a change of heart. That
is very significant when you start using 50-60 boards just
for the top.

If you can find it, I would use KD pressure treated pine.

I also used a under the board mounting system(Deck Master)
and that improved the looks 200%.

Cedar is waaay too soft for a deck board.

Mahogany will take your breath when you find out the cost.

IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.

http://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm

It should not take you long to do the square foot math.

Dick Snyder wrote:

I don't know if this is the right newsgroup to ask this question of but
people here have been so helpful and knowledgable I thought I would start
here. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

We have a grandchild on the way and an aging pressure treated lumber deck
that would be hard on the knees of a crawling infant so this is the time to
tackle this project. I am definitely not going with pressure treated lumber
but am considering ipe (aka ironwood), mahogany, cedar, or one of the
composites. I would prefer to let the wood age to a grey rather than
treating it every year or two if possible. What advice can you give me?

TIA.

Dick Snyder

Dick Snyder wrote:
I don't know if this is the right newsgroup to ask this question of but
people here have been so helpful and knowledgable I thought I would start
here. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

We have a grandchild on the way and an aging pressure treated lumber deck
that would be hard on the knees of a crawling infant so this is the time to
tackle this project. I am definitely not going with pressure treated lumber
but am considering ipe (aka ironwood), mahogany, cedar, or one of the
composites. I would prefer to let the wood age to a grey rather than
treating it every year or two if possible. What advice can you give me?

TIA.

Dick Snyder

I did an ipe deck last year, and am in the middle of another one now.
Both are replacements for cedar decs that didn't make the 20-year mark.
Ipe is tougher and more time consuming to work than softer woods. It
is heavy, hard, and requires carbide tools. On the other hand, it
should outlast cedar--maybe by 2-to-1. It greys nicely in a couple of
seasons, and since it is normally supplied clear (no knots), and comes
in 20+ foot lengths, it gives a very nice uniform surface with few if
any butt joints.

Special invisible (almost) fasteners are not cheap, and require
additional step of slotting the edges (unless you buy the stock
pre-slotted). This adds to the cost and time to install.

"Pat Barber" wrote in message

Mahogany will take your breath when you find out the cost.

IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.


Two years ago I bought mahogany and it was 30¢ a linear foot cheaper than
ipe. $1.89 versus $2.19. I'm sure both are higher today.

"Dick Snyder" wrote in message
...
I don't know if this is the right newsgroup to ask this question of but
people here have been so helpful and knowledgable I thought I would start
here. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

We have a grandchild on the way and an aging pressure treated lumber deck
that would be hard on the knees of a crawling infant so this is the time
to tackle this project. I am definitely not going with pressure treated
lumber but am considering ipe (aka ironwood), mahogany, cedar, or one of
the composites. I would prefer to let the wood age to a grey rather than
treating it every year or two if possible. What advice can you give me?

TIA.

Dick Snyder


Ipe. It will grey and will last for 50 years untreated. Ipe is also sold
as decking material in 5/4 thicknesses and rounded on the edges.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:vF8yg.13578$lq2.4416@trndny03...

"Pat Barber" wrote in message

Mahogany will take your breath when you find out the cost.

IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.


Two years ago I bought mahogany and it was 30¢ a linear foot cheaper than
ipe. $1.89 versus $2.19. I'm sure both are higher today.

Just a thought, but has anybody ever done or seen a deck made out of the
Eastern cedar? The red/white good smelling fence post cedar?

"Woodhead" wrote in message
...
I made fence pickets from it. It splits too easily and
has lots of knots. Its also hard to get lengths and widths
suitable to cover very much deck.

Well, I was just wondering. I got a buddy that has a 300' old hog barn full
of 5, 6, 7, and 8 quarter stuff, in lengths 10' to 20' or so. It'd be pretty
I think, and I do need to replace my decking. Again, just curious.

My deck is cedar and looks like new. We wash it every spring with bleach,
soap and water in equal volumes. Here in Maine, Eastern White Cedar is
$1.00 per bf rough. Our decking is 2 inch and I would not trade it for any
other material.

"Dave W" wrote in message
...
My deck is cedar and looks like new. We wash it every spring with bleach,
soap and water in equal volumes. Here in Maine, Eastern White Cedar is
$1.00 per bf rough. Our decking is 2 inch and I would not trade it for
any other material.

Dave, you wouldn't happen to have a picture of it would you? I've looked
everywhere and can't find one made out of it. The way I figure, if it holds
up using it as fence posts, it would surely stand up to a seldom used deck.
And I believe Maine has a little more harsh winters than Kentucky.

Tim,

Are you referring to Eastern White Cedar that comes from the northeast or
aromatic red cedar (juniper) that grows like a weed here in Kentucky?

I was referring to juniper when I said it splits easily. Its used for cedar
chests and closet linings. Keep bugs out and smells great.

Jim in Kentucky
"Tim Taylor" wrote in message
news

"Dave W" wrote in message
...
My deck is cedar and looks like new. We wash it every spring with
bleach, soap and water in equal volumes. Here in Maine, Eastern White
Cedar is $1.00 per bf rough. Our decking is 2 inch and I would not
trade it for any other material.

Dave, you wouldn't happen to have a picture of it would you? I've looked
everywhere and can't find one made out of it. The way I figure, if it
holds up using it as fence posts, it would surely stand up to a seldom
used deck. And I believe Maine has a little more harsh winters than
Kentucky.

Pat Barber wrote:
IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.

http://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm

It should not take you long to do the square foot math.

How dependable is this company? Their website is badly designed riddled
with bad spelling, etc. Is this one guy running it from his garage?

In article ,
Tim Taylor wrote:

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:vF8yg.13578$lq2.4416@trndny03...

"Pat Barber" wrote in message

Mahogany will take your breath when you find out the cost.

IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.


Two years ago I bought mahogany and it was 30¢ a linear foot cheaper than
ipe. $1.89 versus $2.19. I'm sure both are higher today.

Just a thought, but has anybody ever done or seen a deck made out of the
Eastern cedar? The red/white good smelling fence post cedar?



I haven't but I will offer that IME PT fence posts (These are the
old CCA variety) set directly in the ground will last through at least
3 sets of cedar pickets.


--

Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland

Dick Snyder wrote:
I don't know if this is the right newsgroup to ask this question of but
people here have been so helpful and knowledgable I thought I would start
here. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

We have a grandchild on the way and an aging pressure treated lumber deck
that would be hard on the knees of a crawling infant so this is the time to
tackle this project. I am definitely not going with pressure treated lumber
but am considering ipe (aka ironwood), mahogany, cedar, or one of the
composites. I would prefer to let the wood age to a grey rather than
treating it every year or two if possible. What advice can you give me?

TIA.

Dick Snyder

IPE is great, but 2 things to be careful with this material.

1. Wear a dust mask. I had a nagging cough that wouldn't go away for a
few weeks when I worked with this.

2. Wear Gloves. This wood is the worst when it comes to producing
hard, needle like splinters. Make sure all surfaces that children
would contact are sanded smooth.

"Woodhead" wrote in message
...
Tim,

Are you referring to Eastern White Cedar that comes from the northeast or
aromatic red cedar (juniper) that grows like a weed here in Kentucky?

I was referring to juniper when I said it splits easily. Its used for
cedar chests and closet linings. Keep bugs out and smells great.

Jim in Kentucky

Jim,
Yes, that's the type I was referring to, the red cedar. I really didn't know
it was juniper though. The same buddy of mine that has a hog barn full of
it, is planking his house with it and it looks really good. He's had the
majority of it finished for a couple years and the smell is gone, but it's
still pretty. I've made some outdoor furniture with it, adirondack chairs,
swing, regular garden chairs and the like, and also a cedar chest, and it's
holding up real good. I never had a problem with it splitting though. As I
said, I've just been tossing the idea around. He owes me, my deck does need
redoing, so what better payment than wood. But, I'm not real fond of having
to redo it again in a few years. That's why I was asking. BTW, the decking
is going to be 2 by thickness, and the privacy walls would be 3/4.

On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:15:08 -0400, "Dick Snyder"
wrote:

What advice can you give me?


I posted a note on an IPE deck earlier this year "IPE DEck Finished"
with a link to pics.

It's great stuff if a bit expensive.

Regards.

"CyBrShRk" wrote in message
http://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm

It should not take you long to do the square foot math.

How dependable is this company? Their website is badly designed riddled
with bad spelling, etc. Is this one guy running it from his garage?


Jest because he kant spel good duznt mean he has bad stuf. Sumtime peeple
put too much emfisis on educashun, knot reel jobs. Dont be a prejoodished
snob.

I just googled and found your posting. The wood looks kind of like the color
of redwood. I have seen ipe decks and they are grey (with age). Does ipe
look like that in your pictures when it is new or did you apply some kind of
finish? Your project looks great by the way!


"Tom Banes" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:15:08 -0400, "Dick Snyder"
wrote:

What advice can you give me?


I posted a note on an IPE deck earlier this year "IPE DEck Finished"
with a link to pics.

It's great stuff if a bit expensive.

Regards.

On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:50:13 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"CyBrShRk" wrote in message
http://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm

It should not take you long to do the square foot math.

How dependable is this company? Their website is badly designed riddled
with bad spelling, etc. Is this one guy running it from his garage?


Jest because he kant spel good duznt mean he has bad stuf. Sumtime peeple
put too much emfisis on educashun, knot reel jobs. Dont be a prejoodished
snob.

HA! lol...

ed_h wrote:
CyBrShRk wrote:

Pat Barber wrote:

IPE is your cheapest "exotic" and it would appear that it
runs "about" $2.30 - 2.60 per LF which is $26 for a 10' board.

http://www.ipedepot.com/picelist01.htm

It should not take you long to do the square foot math.

How dependable is this company? Their website is badly designed riddled
with bad spelling, etc. Is this one guy running it from his garage?


I've ordered significant quantities from them twice, and was well
satisfied both times. They are helpful on the phone, too.


Agreed. The operation is run by Rob Pelc who used to post to this news
group a few years ago. "IpeDepot" is part of "Advantage Trim & Lumber
Co." located a few miles from my home. I buy most of my lumber from them.

See Advantage's tour page for an idea of the scope of their operation:

http://www.advantagelumber.com/

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

(Remove -SPAM- to send email)

Dick Snyder wrote:

I just googled and found your posting. The wood looks kind of like the
color
of redwood. I have seen ipe decks and they are grey (with age). Does ipe
look like that in your pictures when it is new or did you apply some kind
of finish? Your project looks great by the way!

There's a good deal of color variation in ipe. I have some cabinet grade
Argentinian ipe whose appearance is almost indistinguishable from black
walnut--in fact it is sometimes sold as "Brazilian Walnut".

"Tom Banes" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:15:08 -0400, "Dick Snyder"
wrote:

What advice can you give me?


I posted a note on an IPE deck earlier this year "IPE DEck Finished"
with a link to pics.

It's great stuff if a bit expensive.

Regards.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

J. Clarke wrote:
Dick Snyder wrote:

I just googled and found your posting. The wood looks kind of like the
color
of redwood. I have seen ipe decks and they are grey (with age). Does ipe
look like that in your pictures when it is new or did you apply some kind
of finish? Your project looks great by the way!

There's a good deal of color variation in ipe. I have some cabinet grade
Argentinian ipe whose appearance is almost indistinguishable from black
walnut--in fact it is sometimes sold as "Brazilian Walnut".


If you hit it with yellow dye and a coat of shellac, you get a reddish
brown that looks just like mahogany with the right grain and everything.

On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:04:25 -0400, "Dick Snyder"
wrote:

I just googled and found your posting. The wood looks kind of like the color
of redwood. I have seen ipe decks and they are grey (with age). Does ipe
look like that in your pictures when it is new or did you apply some kind of
finish? Your project looks great by the way!


Sorry for late response - I've been on the road.

I hit it with a coat of Messimers after the buildout. Lots of vendors
reccommend you oil it at least once, then let it grey out if you don't
want to oil it every year.

Regards.