Building a floating deck (sans magic powers?)

[Ducay]

So I've decided to be smart and start planning for a deck now, instead of waiting for the nice weather and just slapping a craptacular one together on the go. I'm looking at building an L-shaped deck, about 10x24'

My questions in particular surround:
a) Cedar vs. PT wood. I know this has been discussed en masse on the interwebs and a bit on CP, but Im looking for some input from people here (in Calgary in particular). Cost vs. look vs maintainance vs quality etc etc.
Is Timbertown still the best place to get wood? (thats what she said)

b) Floating decks (deck-blok brand-esque): Any experieces or tips (or best place to buy) with these? I know putting in footings is always best, but the way the utilities run at my place, Id rather not risk it with augering holes or using those sketchy deck spikes.
Wondering what people have been putting the blocks on top of? Manuf. says to just plunk it on dirt, but Im wondering if it works better on a sidewalk block, or some tamped sand/gravel.
Deck is gonna be ~18" off grade max.

[Clarkey]

Help a brotha out with the dimensions, how do you have an L-shaped 10x24' deck?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Ducay

b) Floating decks (deck-blok brand-esque): Any experieces or tips (or best place to buy) with these? I know putting in footings is always best, but the way the utilities run at my place, Id rather not risk it with augering holes or using those sketchy deck spikes.
Wondering what people have been putting the blocks on top of? Manuf. says to just plunk it on dirt, but Im wondering if it works better on a sidewalk block, or some tamped sand/gravel.
Deck is gonna be ~18" off grade max.

I used Dek-Block to build a 12x12 deck, and I am happy to report that even without tamping, gravel, or anything else, placed directly on settled ground, there has been zero heaving or movement after 4 years. Every spring I take out my level and check it, and it hasn't budged at all. I didn't secure the deck to my house - I placed the top boards so that there was about a quarter or 3/8 inch gap, and it's stayed +/- about a 1/8 inch in that time.

I followed the instructions on their website for planning placement and overall number of blocks to use, and I think that is the real secret to success - you end up using quite a lot of them, and they are each a square foot in base area (or more, maybe they are 14" square, I can't remember) so when all is said and done, a 12x12 deck is sitting on like 20+ square feet of support.

I would definitely use the product again.

[Shazam]

ACQ is finally cheap again. Cedar is tremendously expensive - I'm building a playset right now and ACQ is about 40% the cost of the cedar. Having said that I love cedar.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Help a brotha out with the dimensions, how do you have an L-shaped 10x24' deck?

main deck area is 10x24' with a 4x8' "L" to it. So at the L, the total depth 14'. And yes, I suck at describing things.

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

I used Dek-Block to build a 12x12 deck, and I am happy to report that even without tamping, gravel, or anything else, placed directly on settled ground, there has been zero heaving or movement after 4 years. Every spring I take out my level and check it, and it hasn't budged at all. I didn't secure the deck to my house - I placed the top boards so that there was about a quarter or 3/8 inch gap, and it's stayed +/- about a 1/8 inch in that time

Glad to hear they worked for you, so where did you get your blocks?

Originally Posted by Shazam

ACQ is finally cheap again. Cedar is tremendously expensive - I'm building a playset right now and ACQ is about 40% the cost of the cedar. Having said that I love cedar.

I noticed this; I built a small border with some ACQ and was actually surprised that it didn't cost and arm+leg

[Ducay]

So looks like a couple of local concrete companies produce the "Dek-Blocks"; CCI and Westcon.

[Komskies]

I highly recommend taking a look at Trex deck boards instead of wood. We built two decks at my cabin using Trex about 4 or 5 years ago now, and they still look as good as the day we built them. They are exposed to a lot of weather (Manitoba winters) and have stood up to the elements extremely well. You never have to paint or stain them and I find they're more durable than wood. Plus depending on how motivated you are, you can make some beautiful patterns with the deck boards by bending them and such.

http://www.trex.com/Default.aspx

Trex composite products are made of a unique combination of wood and plastic fibers. Trex gets its plastic and wood fibers from reclaimed or recycled resources. Including sawdust and used pallets from woodworking operations, and recycled plastic grocery bags from all over the country. Our resources are closely screened for high quality standards before they go near a Trex plant.

The exclusive Trex composite formula brings together the best qualities of wood and plastic to create a superior alternative to wood:

• Plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, preventing rotting and splintering.
• Wood protects the plastic from UV damage while providing a natural, attractive look and feel.

The result is decking, railing and fencing products that require only periodic cleaning to stay beautiful for years to come – no need for sanding, staining or painting, ever.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I know putting in footings is always best, but the way the utilities run at my place, Id rather not risk it with augering holes or using those sketchy deck spikes.

Alberta One-Call:

[mikey_the_redneck]

If you go with pressure treated wood.....make sure you get the right screws to fasten it together, as the PT process chemicals have changed and now rapidly corrode traditional screws.....

[IliketoPuck]

Cedar requires alot of maintenance y/y. Like one of the posters above said, Trex is a great product that stands up to weathering very well. ACQ is good as well, but if you had a choice between Trex and ACQ/Cedar etc, I would suggest Trex just based on the amount of maintenance time it will save you.

[Ducay]

What kind of cost difference am I looking at, ACQ vs Trex (or other composites for that matter)

[IliketoPuck]

I'm not sure of the pricing to be honest. I would assume that the composite would be a bit more expensive. Trex isn't the only option, there is a product called "moistureshield" that is made from 90% recycled product and has a 20 year - lifetime gaurantee depending on which product you choose (if you were looking for a green option)

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

I'm not sure of the pricing to be honest. I would assume that the composite would be a bit more expensive. Trex isn't the only option, there is a product called "moistureshield" that is made from 90% recycled product and has a 20 year - lifetime gaurantee depending on which product you choose (if you were looking for a green option)

Trex has a 25 year warranty.

[AvsJerk]

I prefer cedar or redwood...but I'm in the desert south-west. If you go with wood, try laying the decking down in a herring-bone pattern...it classes it up a bit.

Not my deck, but a nice example of a herring-bone pattern.

[Komskies]

We used this pattern for our Trex deck and the finished product looks really clean and sharp:



It also allowed us to use 90%+ of each board so there was minimal waste.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Ducay

What kind of cost difference am I looking at, ACQ vs Trex (or other composites for that matter)

Trex is very, very, very expensive. About triple cedar, IIRC. You also need a lot more joists because it has a much higher deflection.

Not sure why people would think that cedar is high maintenance.

[Ducay]

Soooooooo ACQ it is!

Now I just gotta figure out the best place to source some good ACQ and these deck blocks

[Ducay]

Is timbertown the best bet for good lumber? Or Windsor plywood?

Im not ready to wade through HomeDepots crappy stock trying to find 60 or so straight 2x6's

[Shazam]

Either is fine. HD still sucks royally.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Either is fine. HD still sucks royally.

What do you mean? I had a blast last week working with the wet + warped lumber I got there.

Its not a challenge if everything is straight.