Aluminum deck boards

[bluedog225]

Has anyone put in an aluminum plank deck? Looking at the pricing, it‘s going to come in at about the same price as the bar grating I was looking at. Should be easier to install and they make a clever product that is waterproof. That would be Nice even though I’ll have less light.

I’m looking at simple aluminum planks and a product called Nexan LockDry.

As with bar grating, this would be once and done for 30+ years.

 

[acer66]

Interesting, the only downsides I can think of is that it will be not fun to walk on it barefoot when it is hot or cold and maybe noisy when you wear you tap dancing shoes.

 

[E1271]

I second that, it bet it gets HOT!

 

[bluedog225]

Agreed. Fortunately, this will be on the east side of the building. Pretty well shaded past noon.

I wish the internet were better. Looking for simple aluminum planks or bleacher planks gives nothing but ads. I feel certain I can find what I need in Houston and save a bundle on shipping. Just need to call around.

 

[Beerhippie]

I second that, it bet it gets HOT!

In Texas? Y'rekkin'?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Hot ? Relative to the Sun and local temps.

It wouldn't be much different than bleacher seating.

I never considered aluminum planking for your deck material. There are some enclosed trailer manufacturers that use it for the trailer flooring. I wonder if you could find "seconds" local/fairly local on CL or FBMP ?

 

[Viper98912]

All depends on your personal preferences, but this reminds me of bleacher seating. Not exactly something "warm and comforting" that you feel when you're at home on your deck enjoying some outside time. If longevity is what you're looking for, have you considered a composite decking that won't rot out like natural wood?

 

[mike93lx]

Agreed. Fortunately, this will be on the east side of the building. Pretty well shaded past noon.

I wish the internet were better. Looking for simple aluminum planks or bleacher planks gives nothing but ads. I feel certain I can find what I need in Houston and save a bundle on shipping. Just need to call around.

I'd start with companies that do docks

 

[bluedog225]

Agreed. Hot dipped galvanized would be warm and comforting.

The aluminum is a compromise.

 

[bluedog225]

I’ll check out the dock stuff. From past experience there is a marine premium.

 

[whateg01]

Waterproof aluminum?

 

[mike93lx]

I’ll check out the dock stuff. From past experience there is a marine premium.

Maybe someone at a marina can give you a reference for a supplier.

 

[XJSuperman]

I know of a family that has a large mobile deck for their camper trailer that is built out of bleacher planks. They seem to like it. I think it would be pretty affordable if you found some bleachers being scrapped or sold off, but maybe not. I have no pics or further details, but its what came to mind.

 

[i4ni]

As I understand import aluminum is getting 25% tacked on it so you may want to act fast.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I know of a family that has a large mobile deck for their camper trailer that is built out of bleacher planks. They seem to like it. I think it would be pretty affordable if you found some bleachers being scrapped or sold off, but maybe not. I have no pics or further details, but its what came to mind.

The pic I posted is from FBMP out of the Dallas area with a quick search.

 

[racecougar]

It's pretty noisy, both to walk on and with thermal expansion. Not sure if that is a concern here or not.

 

[dchawk81]

Are you looking at aluminum because you want metal or are you looking at aluminum because it will last?

Because there's a company called Trex that makes wood-look boards out of recycled plastic. It too would have longevity and IIRC the colors are in the plastic itself so no painting necessary.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Another option to consider is fiberglass. Not very hard to DIY.
One continuous surface
Dry area below it
Quiet
Color choices- cool surface if light color gelcoat is chosen
Tough -but easily repairable if ever needed.

Built one on upper rear of house- great deck and a nice dry work/lounge area below.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/composite-deck-build-over-a-garage-door.380497/page-2

 

[Hooked]

Another option to consider is fiberglass. Not very hard to DIY.
One continuous surface
Dry area below it
Quiet
Color choices- cool surface if light color gelcoat is chosen
Tough -but easily repairable if ever needed.

Built one on upper rear of house- great deck and a nice dry work/lounge area below.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/composite-deck-build-over-a-garage-door.380497/page-2

I missed seeing your post originally so very glad you chimed in here with the link. Having built our own house many years ago, my wife and I can appreciate what you guys did. After seeing the results on your deck I'm surprised that isn't done a lot around all coastal areas.

 

[bluedog225]

My main requirements are fire and longevity. I’ve pretty much settled on metal despite various drawbacks (heat, noise, slick). And it fits the theme of the place (galvanized and concrete).

The aluminum for this is coming in around $6,000 to $7,000. Nice products.

The bar grating is coming in at around the same. Pretty rough and industrial for a deck.

The diamond plank grating I expect will come in similar in price to the bar grating. Though maybe less. It looks to be simple 14 gauge cee purlin stamped with punchouts. Also very rough for a deck.

I’m also looking at simple galvanized 14 gauge 2x6 cee purlins. They would look like deck boards. And I think I can easily paint them with antislip and gray paint.

This last option would be about 1/3 the price if I’m mathing correctly. I need the engineer to tell me this would be ok on 24” centers. Bolted down to the supporting h-beams as needed with something that won’t stand too proud.

I’m warming up to this last idea. It would look pretty good.

I understand that cee purlins are not structural but intrigued that the similar shape plank grating seems to be 14 gauge as well.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you use treated wood for the framing you need to remember to isolate it from especially the aluminum or it will corrode severely where it’s in contact with it.

It’s not a bad idea for the galvanized metal as well but the zinc anode will take much longer to be consumed

 

[bluedog225]

If you use treated wood for the framing you need to remember to isolate it from especially the aluminum or it will corrode severely where it’s in contact with it.

It’s not a bad idea for the galvanized metal as well but the zinc anode will take much longer to be consumed

Agreed. The deck beams are going to be galvanized as well. Craigslist used to have a lot of galvanized steel on it. It’s dried up over the years.

 

[finn]

Aluminum was once popular for decking on docks, but, as stated, it’s hot and uncomfortable on the feet.

Most suppliers have moved on to various plastic composite materials, leaving aluminum for only the framing in that particular application.

 

[olytdi]

I've been looking at concrete decking....

https://www.lumberconusa.com/

I don't like any of the plastic decks I've seen and some that I'm familiar with are warping after 5 years. I have about 1200 sq ft of old cedar decking surrounding two sides of my house. It's about 25 years old and starting to make me think about replacement. The concrete is intriguing -- fireproof, not hot, strong as hell. Looks like it would last a long time. Could install easily by one's self. Shipping is pricey, though!

 

[RegeSullivan]

My son put an 28x30 aluminum deck on his house. The structure is powder coated and the decking is aluminum wrapped in vynil. It wasn't cheap and I was skeptical but after 11 years it still looks new. The only maintenance they do is mop it with dish soap. If it's fading, it's fading very evenly. Part of the steps are in shade the rest is in sun most of the day.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would start searching for aluminum decking, aka docks, bleachers and trailer floors and accumulate as I could find similar products.

 

[finn]

I've been looking at concrete decking....

https://www.lumberconusa.com/

I don't like any of the plastic decks I've seen and some that I'm familiar with are warping after 5 years. I have about 1200 sq ft of old cedar decking surrounding two sides of my house. It's about 25 years old and starting to make me think about replacement. The concrete is intriguing -- fireproof, not hot, strong as hell. Looks like it would last a long time. Could install easily by one's self. Shipping is pricey, though!

I don’t know about that. My composite deck boards are from Menards and still look fine after 23 years. Very minimal sagging, and that’s because I was dumb and put it on 16” centers instead of 12” centers. Overall, I’m happy.

I used a similar product on the 55’ long permanent dock we installed a few years ago, and would do it again.

 

[olytdi]

I don’t know about that. My composite deck boards are from Menards and still look fine after 23 years. Very minimal sagging, and that’s because I was dumb and put it on 16” centers instead of 12” centers. Overall, I’m happy.

I used a similar product on the 55’ long permanent dock we installed a few years ago, and would do it again.

I hear you. What is the product?

One thing I like about the concrete planks is that they require only 6 ft centers. You save a bunch on framing and pier work and can cantilever significantly.

 

[Hank11]

I've been looking at concrete decking....

https://www.lumberconusa.com/

I don't like any of the plastic decks I've seen and some that I'm familiar with are warping after 5 years. I have about 1200 sq ft of old cedar decking surrounding two sides of my house. It's about 25 years old and starting to make me think about replacement. The concrete is intriguing -- fireproof, not hot, strong as hell. Looks like it would last a long time. Could install easily by one's self. Shipping is pricey, though!

That stuff looks great! If it’s as good as they claim. I still think pouring the deck would be nice.

 

[finn]

I hear you. What is the product?

One thing I like about the concrete planks is that they require only 6 ft centers. You save a bunch on framing and pier work and can cantilever significantly.

Don’t remember what the old stuff was, but I do know that it’s not currently available.

I did use some of the lower /entry level Menards products on another small deck, and it’s garbage compared to what I bought 23 years ago. I suspect their higher priced products are equal to the discontinued product I used.

The dock we put in a couple of years ago is one of the higher end Trex products. It’s under this season’s 230” snowfall now. Looked good last fall, so I’m hopeful it will still be ok in another 20 years, but realistically, I likely won’t be around to see it.

The 23 year old Menards stuff would have had to have been resealed maybe five times and boards replaced once and due for a second round if I had used PT wood, based on two of my brother in law’s experience in the same climate. My wife power washes ours every few years to clean up tree staining.

 

[olytdi]

That stuff looks great! If it’s as good as they claim. I still think pouring the deck would be nice.

What I like is that it seems to be used in commercial applications like pedestrian bridges, and decks on commercial buildings. That bodes well for is holding up on a residential site. I'm leaning in that direction in my mind over aluminum as I continue to ponder this. In my neck of the woods, fireproof is a huge benefit for insurance purposes.

 

[readhead]

If one of your considerations is fire aluminum would not be the best choice. It has a very low melting point compared to steel. If I was going to build a deck tomorrow it would be framed with steel, steel decking installed and concrete poured.

 

[olytdi]

If one of your considerations is fire aluminum would not be the best choice. It has a very low melting point compared to steel. If I was going to build a deck tomorrow it would be framed with steel, steel decking installed and concrete poured.

So essentially a concrete "patio" but elevated? I was talking with the guy who put up my shop and when asked about redoing the deck, he said "just pour a pad on the ground...." Would be great if the height of the house would cooperate!

 

[mike93lx]

So essentially a concrete "patio" but elevated? I was talking with the guy who put up my shop and when asked about redoing the deck, he said "just pour a pad on the ground...." Would be great if the height of the house would cooperate!

Wait til you discover stairs!

 

[senlow]

Wait til you discover stairs!

Stairs can become a serious pain in the *** knees as we get older.

 

[Beerhippie]

Wait til you discover stairs!

Wait 'til you discover ramps....

 

[mike93lx]

Stairs can become a serious pain in the *** knees as we get older.

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

 

[Firebrick43]

If one of your considerations is fire aluminum would not be the best choice. It has a very low melting point compared to steel. If I was going to build a deck tomorrow it would be framed with steel, steel decking installed and concrete poured.

If the fire is hot enough to melt the aluminum (1200 F) it’s going to loose all strength and collapse a steel structure (1020 F)

 

[whateg01]

What good would the deck be if the rest of the structure has burned?

 

[mike93lx]

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