Re: New Deck

"Js Walker Lazenby Jr" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:...
>
> "Ringo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I know this has been covered akin to beating a dead
horse
> but I have a
> > few questions that have not really been asked.
> >
> > I am looking to put in a simple deck of at least 1000
> square feet
> > (subject to change depending on cost). Single level and
> no stairs. I
> > live near Chicago so the temp and humidity swings are on
> the high end
> > (in the 90s in the summer and 0 at night during the
winter
> are not
> > uncommon). The deck will be no more than 18 inches from
> the
> > ground....
> >
> > I have seen posts concerning the various decking
> materials. Ipe would
> > seem to be my most logical choice but I am intrigued
about
> redwood but
> > have seen very few posts on it as a decking surface.
Has
> anyone used
> > new or recycled redwood for a deck?
> >
> > Trex and the like would also make sense but I have seen
a
> few posts
> > about mold and swelling...things I can live without.
> Also, my 3 and 4
> > year old boys as well as my 80lb dog would be sure to
> scratch it and I
> > don't think the surface would take it well.
> >
> > Now...my questions..
> >
> > Will the fact that the deck is close to the ground make
> for trouble?
> > This area is in a flood plain and water accumulates
pretty
> easily.
> > The decking would not be submerged but the ground would
> eminate
> > humidity for days after (part of the reason for the
> deck...so the kids
> > can be in the back yard and not track so much mud into
the
> house).
> >
> > Bugs and other critters. Since I will not have access
to
> the
> > underside, how so I make sure I am not constantly
battling
> a war with
> > insects that might decide to take up residence under the
> decking?
> >
> > Grills. I am getting a grill and am wondering how the
> Trex type of
> > material would handle indirect heat.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Dave
>
> Am sure you will get lots of response, Dave (Ringo?) . . .
>
> . . . especially about redwood. (If you have a source for
> recycled redwood, I'd certainly look into that first
thing.)
> You say "deck" and most folks get an immediate
mind-picture
> of redwood.
>
> Can you get cypress where you live?
>
> Reading over your post and your expressed concerns,
expected
> use, etc., my first thought turns to "Why a deck?"
>
> You can achieve what you seek with a permanent solution
> having virtually none of the concerns you have. For only
> 18", why not build a terrace? It doesn't all have to be
> surfaced. Grass, etc., does fine. A 1000 sf deck
floating
> at near grade is going to look a bit strange except as a
> bathhouse floor, etc.
>
> I believe you'll find sufficient fill for a 1000 sf
surface,
> gently sloped for surface drainage (which you'll need
> anyway) and reliance on angle of repose or whatever for
> support and integration into the landscape will not only
be
> far more comfortable, more "residential," more friendly to
> your own environment (oxygen, cooling, etc.), easier to
> maintain (just mow or rake), more permanent (no rot, no
> mold, no refinishing, no cleaning out underneath, no
rodent
> problems, no retained moisture, no hidden pools, etc.,
etc.,
> etc.)
>
> A 1000 sf deck without major transitions and grade
> elevation changes is going to be harsh, out-of-scale with
> the typical residence and yard environment, not nearly so
> flexible as a terrace, not nearly as attractive as almost
> any alternative, even with retaining walls. In addition
to
> a very real cleaning and maintenance tedium, your deck
will
> cost you more than a terrace and likely will be of no
added
> value on resale . . . likely even a liability.
>
> Just a thought.
>
> Jim
> l
>
>