Replace decking or also framing for 20 year old deck?

[Innovate1]

Wanting to replace decking with composite and wondering if I should replace the framing too. I did some work on the decking a couple years ago and there is some rot in the screw holes but otherwise the framing looks good. They didn't use joist tape. Was thinking best would be to replace framing but cost would be a lot more. Wondering if joist tape and new decking and railings is a reasonable plan with selective replacement of bad lumber - probably the stair stringers. When we take off the decking it will be more obvious but wondered what people here thought...

 

[Old tool guy]

How far apart are the joists, and is that compatible with the composite decking you have selected? I did this about 5 yrs ago with my deck, found more rot than i had planned for and overspanned joists, ended up replacing quite a few joists, added hangers to all, and added a mid-span beam. I have a palm nailer, it was really helpful for the hanger nails.

 

[Innovate1]

Joists are 16" spacing so that should be ok. I know some recommend closer even with straight (non-angled) decking but 16" meets decking manufacturer specs and we haven't had any issues with that. Current decking is early composite off brand with face screws. A lot of the end screws cracked the decking and they generally just did a poor job of finishing. Another decision is composite or aluminum railing - aluminum seems to be the most popular. The composite shows a lot of small cracking/crazing of the finish - seems mostly cosmetic not structural but wondering how the aluminum will look over time with a few unavoidable scratches and such.

 

[Old tool guy]

I bought low cost material from home depot, it spans the 16” with no problem. I used the individual T clips at each joist location, except for the standard screws being to skinny and short, they work well. I was able to find similar screws that are one number bigger dia and 1” longer, seem to hold well.

 

[jar944]

I would rebuild with 12" spacing and upsize the framing. The framing cost is minimal compared to the decking. You might as well go best practice while you can.

 

[tarmy]

If you are going to all that trouble…might as well make it care free for a few more decades and replace it. It will start to fail and be twice as much work with the nice new decking on.

 

[rmack898]

At 20 years old, I would just replace the framing.
5 years into your new composite decking and your now 25 year old framing starts to fail is going to be costly.

 

[Hank11]

Unless I looked at it and said out loud “dang it looks like brand new“ I would replace the framing.

 

[carlaisle]

You're considering installing new decking over deteriorated structure?

"There is some rot in the screw holes but otherwise the framing looks good."

Do you anticipate that rot will improve once you install the new decking?