Aluminum deck boards

[Firebrick43]

I think the main goal is to not have fuel next to the house

or have a fire because your barbecue dropped some embers on the deck boards.

 

[bluedog225]

I think the main goal is to not have fuel next to the house

This.

And there won’t be enough fuel to melt the deck.

 

[olytdi]

Wait til you discover stairs!

Yeah, that's absurd if your doors are 30 inches higher than the surrounding grade. Sure, you could have the entire skirt of your house above ground with stairs at every entrance (which would look like ****) and have to traverse a stairway every time you wanted to exit/enter your abode from any point. It's pretty damn nice to walk out any of your doors to an equal height platform that is your deck which also is above the surrounding grade...especially when you're 65 years-old!

 

[olytdi]

I think the main goal is to not have fuel next to the house

Bingo!

 

[olytdi]

Wait 'til you discover ramps....

Doubly absurd!

 

[Beerhippie]

Doubly absurd!

ADA regs. Not my call.

But, ever try rolling a wheelchair up steps?

Not all of us live in flat country.

 

[olytdi]

ADA regs. Not my call.

But, ever try rolling a wheelchair up steps?

Not all of us live in flat country.

Fair enough. I don't live in flat country by any means, though. I could see a ramp to the deck but not eliminate the deck and put in a ramp...unless the deck was not important. I really really like my deck!

 

[Beerhippie]

Fair enough. I don't live in flat country by any means, though. I could see a ramp to the deck but not eliminate the deck and put in a ramp...unless the deck was not important. I really really like my deck!

I know you don't. It's been a while, but, as I recall, Olympia is tucked between the sound and the mountains--and largely built on hills.

I'm also not in the least anti-deck. I've built or helped build probably a dozen. All but one were set flush with the house sill, so no steps there, but this often requires a stair case to get from the deck to the yard and back. For commercial use and for clients with special needs, it would also require a ramp--usually we built both.

I was on a crew that was one of the earliest adopters of Trex in our area. Those decks are now wood and we ate much of that cost. Most had begun to buckle after one cycle of the seasons out here, and this being before they came out with the special screws, all "bloomed" badly around the screwholes. I'd hesitate to use any "alternative" materials again unless they had a proven track record in our climate.

Of course, I'll likely never build another deck, so my opinion is worth just that.

 

[acer66]

I hear you. I've wanted a single story house since I started making noises to stand up

Same here.

I know you don't. It's been a while, but, as I recall, Olympia is tucked between the sound and the mountains--and largely built on hills.

I'm also not in the least anti-deck. I've built or helped build probably a dozen. All but one were set flush with the house sill, so no steps there, but this often requires a stair case to get from the deck to the yard and back. For commercial use and for clients with special needs, it would also require a ramp--usually we built both.

I was on a crew that was one of the earliest adopters of Trex in our area. Those decks are now wood and we ate much of that cost. Most had begun to buckle after one cycle of the seasons out here, and this being before they came out with the special screws, all "bloomed" badly around the screwholes. I'd hesitate to use any "alternative" materials again unless they had a proven track record in our climate.

Of course, I'll likely never build another deck, so my opinion is worth just that.

My parents had indoor stairs with concrete walls into the basement that 2/3rds down made a 90 deg turn.
Not sure how many times my mum went down there and hit the concrete wall full force before my dad started doing that too.

I am getting there myself so long story short my deck will have no steps and ramps only.

I also remember installing the first run of trex which left a lot to be desired to put it mildly

But I have seen enough decks holding up using trex etc now.

 

[firebirdparts]

i can't imagine anybody thinking that would be hot after seeing trex once. but whatever.

 

[Beerhippie]

I hear you. I've wanted a single story house since I started making noises to stand up

A friend of mine had the upstairs bathroom plumbing redone so he can shut it off and drain it. He then had an insulated door built to block off the upstairs altogether and lives on the lower floor only.