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So, my fiance and I have decided that this is the summer to rebuild our deck. Currently, we have a 10' x 12' deck on the back (north) side of our house. It is totally wood construction, painted horrible brown (to match the rest of the trim on the house) and is starting to fall apart.We want to expand the size of the deck into an L-shape, with outer legs measuring 17' x 19', and inner legs measuring 6' x 7'. We know we will have to add some additional footings. We live in a freeze-thaw climate, so we accept that some concrete work is inevitable. However, we're don't really want to have to repaint the deck a lot, and don't want to have to replace it (I'm guessing that the deck is 20 years old -- same as the house) due to rotting, etc.I've been doing some research on composite decking (Trex is supposedly the big boy in this game), and have read 2 distinct camps: those that love it (testimonials from the Trex website) and those that hate it or have had troubles with it (opinionated internet users). I also suspect that it's quite pricy, but haven't headed down to the lumber yard to get a case of sticker shock yet.So, if anyone has any comments on composite decking, I'd like to hear them. I realize pressure treated would be better than regular wood, but I hate the green colour. Can you get pressure treated that's not green? How much better will it stand up than regular lumber?

pmh: as a former builder, I'd advise you to find the extra money and use vinyl decking. Pressure treated lumber (wolmanization process) is more for keeping bugs from boaring into your wood and eating you out of a deck. It stays green only for a small amount of time, and will need to be retreated over time. I personally am not a deck fan (nor a pool fan) since both take an incredible amount of labor and money to maintain over time. But that's just me; if I had the money, I'd turn my lawn into a "Florida" lawn and have gravel everywhere, and never have to mow again!! Save your money: tear down your deck, and pour a cement foundation or brick up a nice ground level patio for your barbeques.

I have a 27 x 35 deck going around my 24' above ground pool and its wood, half of the fun of owning a deck is power washing it every year, that and sealing it so it keeps its lasting beauty. I have had my deck for 8 years and it looks great except for the top rail are starting to weather bad. I was planning on replacing them with Trex but as you say the sticker shock is making me pause that and the color variations is very limited. if you can afford it and like the look I'd go with Trex, real low maintanance. Quote, originally posted by maxx4me » I personally am not a deck fan (nor a pool fan) since both take an incredible amount of labor and money to maintain over time. Maxx your no fun and maintaining a pool with baquacil (hydrogen proxide based) instead of chlorine is not that expensive and you don't have that chlorine smell.

maxx, no wonder you're a "former builder"! You talked all your potential customers out of hiring you! My boss installed one of those vinyl decks on the back of his house about 4 years ago. It still looks like new. My g/f's oldest sister had one put on the back of her house last spring and I think it looks great and requires little maintenance (just clean it off with a hose every so often). Best part is that you can walk on it barefoot for years and never get splinters! Her deck cost between $7K and $8K USD in total. It's great for summer barbeques!

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe » Best part is that you can walk on it barefoot for years and never get splinters! a HUGE plus

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »Best part is that you can walk on it barefoot for years and never get splinters! My uncle just installed one and I was walking on it after it rained, and found it very slippery. I almost fell on my (removed), and probably would have if I didn't catch the back of a chair.Other then that though, I hear he loves it

I would go with the trex. Unless you want to constantly reseal your deck and have it rot away either way, trex is the way to go. It is a little more pricey but it will pay off in the long run. Plus you don't have to deal with splinters

I'm building a deck on top of a bus. (same related issue as to why I'm not going to the MI meet). We are using Cedar because it is light, and doesn't rot as easily.