Trex-like veneer?

**Raylo** · 07-23-2009, 10:49 AM

My wood deck is structurally sound but starting to look a bit ugly... and I am really tired of the maintenance. So I was thinking an easy way to redo would be just cover the existing boards with Trex or somesuch, but the standard boards would add a bit too much thickness. Does Trex (or another mfg) make a veneer like product that is like half thick as the regular deck boards? I suppose I could just get the reg boards and have them split, if I could find someone who could do that accurately. Then just screw onto my existing 2x6s. Anyone have any thoughts

**Basementgeek** · 07-23-2009, 04:46 PM

Hi

Trex does make 1.1 inch thick deck boards (1.1" x 5.5") 5/4 x 6 could you do that?

BG

**Raylo** · 07-23-2009, 05:44 PM

Yes, I know. I actually built my lower deck out of that. But a full inch thick on top of the weathered boards on my upper deck would get up to the top of the door threshold... or maybe a bit above. I could rip up the weathered boards on my upper deck and install the standard Trex, but would probably have to add some joists because the Trex is not as stiff as the current boards. A lot of work and expense. So I was thinking something like 3/8 or 1/2" "veneer" on top of the boards would be just the ticket.

**wrench97** · 07-23-2009, 05:58 PM

I would pull up the old decking, pressure treated wood if covered will stay wet and warp and cup forcing the new vereer to pop up and be uneven, just keep the old joists and replace the decking with Trex or personally I went with Ipe it's natural wood but very hard and tight grained cleans easily, Composite still stains and needs maintenance.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061201823.html

**Raylo** · 07-23-2009, 06:14 PM

What is Ipe?

**Basementgeek** · 07-23-2009, 11:23 PM

What is the spacing on the joists ? What size are they?

BG

**wrench97** · 07-24-2009, 01:48 AM

It's a South American hardwood also known as Ironwood
http://www.woodsthebest.com/ipe_decking/ipe-wood.htm

**Raylo** · 07-28-2009, 06:31 PM

Joists are 2x8, 16" on center. I think that is marginal for Trex.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basementgeek

What is the spacing on the joists ? What size are they?

BG

**Raylo** · 07-28-2009, 06:36 PM

Interesting... so this stuff doesn't require sealing/staining, etc?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

It's a South American hardwood also known as Ironwood
http://www.woodsthebest.com/ipe_decking/ipe-wood.htm

**wrench97** · 07-29-2009, 01:28 AM

I clean it and oil it once a year in the late spring mostly for looks.

07-23-2009, 10:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Raylo TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 523 OS: XP Desktop, Vista HP Notebook, XP Notebook	Trex-like veneer? My wood deck is structurally sound but starting to look a bit ugly... and I am really tired of the maintenance. So I was thinking an easy way to redo would be just cover the existing boards with Trex or somesuch, but the standard boards would add a bit too much thickness. Does Trex (or another mfg) make a veneer like product that is like half thick as the regular deck boards? I suppose I could just get the reg boards and have them split, if I could find someone who could do that accurately. Then just screw onto my existing 2x6s. Anyone have any thoughts

07-23-2009, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,457 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Trex-like veneer? Hi Trex does make 1.1 inch thick deck boards (1.1" x 5.5") 5/4 x 6 could you do that? BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

07-23-2009, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Raylo TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 523 OS: XP Desktop, Vista HP Notebook, XP Notebook	Re: Trex-like veneer? Yes, I know. I actually built my lower deck out of that. But a full inch thick on top of the weathered boards on my upper deck would get up to the top of the door threshold... or maybe a bit above. I could rip up the weathered boards on my upper deck and install the standard Trex, but would probably have to add some joists because the Trex is not as stiff as the current boards. A lot of work and expense. So I was thinking something like 3/8 or 1/2" "veneer" on top of the boards would be just the ticket. Last edited by Raylo; 07-23-2009 at 05:46 PM.

07-23-2009, 05:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,346 OS: Win7	Re: Trex-like veneer? I would pull up the old decking, pressure treated wood if covered will stay wet and warp and cup forcing the new vereer to pop up and be uneven, just keep the old joists and replace the decking with Trex or personally I went with Ipe it's natural wood but very hard and tight grained cleans easily, Composite still stains and needs maintenance. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061201823.html __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-23-2009, 06:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Raylo TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 523 OS: XP Desktop, Vista HP Notebook, XP Notebook	Re: Trex-like veneer? What is Ipe?

07-23-2009, 11:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,457 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Trex-like veneer? What is the spacing on the joists ? What size are they? BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

07-24-2009, 01:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,346 OS: Win7	Re: Trex-like veneer? It's a South American hardwood also known as Ironwood http://www.woodsthebest.com/ipe_decking/ipe-wood.htm __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-29-2009, 01:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,346 OS: Win7	Re: Trex-like veneer? I clean it and oil it once a year in the late spring mostly for looks. __________________ Power Supply and Selection