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ShepFL 06-24-2012 06:38:54 69.57.119.116 Report to Moderator	SWMBO has requested deck now that both sons are out of the house serving our country (USN & USMC). House is 98% maintenance free (brick, vinyle over any PT lumber) etc etc. Looked into the synthetic deck boards but they are 3-4x the cost of cypress. I can replace cypress in 20 yr. cheaper than using synthetic. At this point deck will be PT lumber for frame and locally grown cypress for posts and deck boards. My Question is this - post mountings: What is best method? I have done much research and seems to be NO ONE CLEAR recommendation. As I live in FL I don't want posts rotting off in a few yrs. Area for deck post has lots of clay so drainage will be issue if posts mounted directly in dirt over a gravel bed and I suspect the same if mounted in concrete. Will be using Oiver 550 to dig post holes. At this point I think I am settled on concrete piers with metal brackets. Brackets will hold cypress posts above the ground. What is your experience/recommendations with deck post mounting? [Reply]   [No Email]
Wile E 06-24-2012 12:52:56 75.128.139.102 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   I used steel post anchors. But.....I had to also use a few 4x4 posts that were buried in the ground to prevent racking. If you only use post anchors and set the post on top of the concrete then there will not be any way to secure the subframe from moving. The best way I think (and what I should have done) is to put a 6" thick concrete pad at the bottom of the holes then set the post on the concrete pads then fill with pea gravel. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ted in NE-OH 06-24-2012 11:24:02 207.155.116.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   I built a porch with composite flooring. Composite flooring requires painting and within 2 years it peeled where it got water on it. Not satisfied. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 06-24-2012 10:27:07 209.86.226.40 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   If you want it to stay mount it on a pipe type post then lumber. I know in this area if you use cement around a post the post will rot off in less then 5 years but if you stick it in the ground by it self it might last twice that long but if you use metal post they last for 50 plus years [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 06-24-2012 07:55:12 70.56.164.167 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   Not much point in using fancy decking on pressure treated framing. 15 years from now you'll be scratching your head wondering how to replace all the rotted joists without disturbing the still intact composite decking. Decks are a carpenter's dream - you get to rebuild them every few years. Very high maintenance addition to a home. You all saw my steel deck. You may not have liked it aesthetically but I guarandarnedtee you I wont be out there staining or oiling it every few years. [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 06-24-2012 07:51:29 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   ShepFl, by the time you jack around with the cypress,piers,screws, treatments, and maintenance. You could have a nice concrete porch that will last much longer than you will. Then put a real roof on it. That will last better too and be much cooler. Plus I personally don't like the looks of a wood deck. Have a cousin that lives in Florida and he is on his third "deck" on his house. The heat and moisture just eats at any type of lumber you use. He laughs at me every time we visit. I wear shoes on decks unless the are some type of plastic/vinyl. I am not getting splinters off of a wood deck. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 06-24-2012 07:56:08 70.56.164.167 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to JDseller, 06-24-2012 07:51:29   Well said JD. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick2 06-24-2012 06:49:01 174.26.217.33 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:38:54   You answered the question with your last sentence. Make the concrete piers high enough so that standing water will not get over the top - and high enough that any lawn mower (or?) will not damage the wood post. [Reply]  [No Email]
ShepFL 06-24-2012 06:55:42 69.57.119.116 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to Dick2, 06-24-2012 06:49:01   Thanks Dick2. Having never used these brackets was not sure if they would work or just a gimick. Appreciate the comment about height and will include that in my planning. Wife wants a roof so I plan on using cattle sun screens :) [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in N.M. 06-24-2012 10:10:54 173.190.156.210 Report to Moderator	Re: Talking about decks. . . in reply to ShepFL, 06-24-2012 06:55:42   Shep, I'm with JD on this one! Put in a footer,raise it up with Block to the ht. you want, fill it and pour a concrete deck. Job finished !! If you want a cover on, you can do it now or later !! just my .02 cents worth....Jim in New Mexico [Reply]  [No Email]