The new house is FINALLY started......

[Double D]

Originally Posted by jkski

Great advice as always DD. It is funny you mention the gap because I have one in my current house that I am sure has always been there but I just never noticed until we were getting it ready for sale. I thought I had a major problem but now that you mention this it certainly sets my mind at ease and makes sense.
I will be there tomorrow looking at the screw placement and adding as needed, then we are off for a lil needed R-n-R (ridin' and relaxing in the UP for a couple of days)!

Have fun!! This time of year the wife pulls me South to Mexico. Leave next Thursday for a few days!

[jkski]

Originally Posted by Double D

Have fun!! This time of year the wife pulls me South to Mexico. Leave next Thursday for a few days!

Funny how that works. While you head off to warmer climates and sand beaches, I will head off to find colder climate and deep snow!!! It is always nice to get away for a couple of days and re-charge the batteries for the long-haul ahead!
Have a great trip.

[hondaprlud]

Your progress is great. I have someone building across the street from me and they started pushing dirt around in November. That lot is still a pile of dirt. Hats off to you for getting things done.

[SkiDog]

Originally Posted by jkski

Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I am looking to do with the area under the deck. When we were designing it we knew there was no good way to put a truly functional roof over the deck area without sacrificing the look of the front of the house so we planned to make the "in case it rains" gathering place, under the deck area. I have gone back and forth between trex and treated lumber and although the treated comes with maintenance, I have been leaning towards it due to the cost aspect but this trex product may sway me the other way. I am waiting until the project is done before I make my final decision so that I can see where we stand financially, worst case scenario, I will simply add a temp stairway to the 2 doors coming off of the house where the deck would be and I wil hold-off on building it until the funds allow it to be done the right way.

I agree with your statement, all of the work done to this point is literally behind the walls, masked where nobody can see it so now the devil is truly in the details. We are fortunate in that we are in no hurry or on any specific timeline to move in. Our current home is on the market but if it should sell we have options. The things we do next are the things we will see everyday and truly regret if they are not done right!

You know you can use the trex RainEscape under treated decking too. Did you watch the installation video?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by SkiDog

You know you can use the trex RainEscape under treated decking too. Did you watch the installation video?

Dog beat me to it. This stuff can go under any deck. Really cool stuff.

[u bet shes wet]

Although the trex is more expensive in the long run it pays for itself. You will also not have to worry about splinters walking out with bare feet and the continual movement of the treated wood. I was in the same position you are and ended up finding the extra to use trex and I am glad I did. IMO

[jkski]

Originally Posted by SkiDog

You know you can use the trex RainEscape under treated decking too. Did you watch the installation video?

Actually just had a chance to watch it and it really is a simple yet cool way to go. Looks like a really easy install and you can just add a long collection gutter/box at the end to grab all of the water and tie it into the downspout lines which will run out to my pond eventually.

Thanks for the link, I think I have found the answer. When it comes time to build the deck I plan to price it out with both Trex as well as treated and we will see from the where we go. Got a long way to go before I get to that point but I am sure it will go by quickly!

[JohnE]

House is coming along nicely. On a side note, I haven't found any decking including all the composite's out there that I'd want if I were doing another deck. (I'm having a ground level patio with pavers at the house I'm building. One step down to grade. I think if I were building a deck at my dream house, it'd be some sort of concrete and stone with wrought iron rails.

[onewheat]

I would never do anything but composite - Our lake house we finished last year had 2 levels of composite and dock is all composite. At the everyday house - tearing all the decking off my 5 year-old wood deck and replacing it with composite as soon as the weather breaks. Wood decking just plain sucks!

[SkiDog]

Originally Posted by jkski

Actually just had a chance to watch it and it really is a simple yet cool way to go. Looks like a really easy install and you can just add a long collection gutter/box at the end to grab all of the water and tie it into the downspout lines which will run out to my pond eventually.

Thanks for the link, I think I have found the answer. When it comes time to build the deck I plan to price it out with both Trex as well as treated and we will see from the where we go. Got a long way to go before I get to that point but I am sure it will go by quickly!

IF you do use Trex or any other brand of composite, make sure the installer PRE-DRILLS all the screw holes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if the directions say 'no pre-drilling necessary', still do it. it will make for a much nicer job!
Around here, a 16' trex board costs around $50. pRETTY COSTLY, BUT WORTH IT.