Who here knows about Redwood Decks?

[Hardcore]

I want to build a small 6' x 10' area outside my garage to do some grilling. I was thinking about concrete pavers but the soil down here is so soft that they just don't hold up over time and they become uneven. So, Im considering building a nice redwood deck instead.

What are some tips for building a redwood deck? Any suggestions on a good sealer? What about grilling on them with a charcoal grill, will the occational hot ember mess up the finish.What can I do to protect it?

Thanks

 

[gdf_77]

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My cousin built a big deck in the rockies out of Brazilian Redwood. That is one of the most beautiful decks i have ever seen. The wood is alot denser than oak. The Contractor said he didnt have to do anything to it except maybe clean it every couple of years. I'll try to get more info for you if you want.

 

[bmwpower]

I did my front porch with Brazilian Mahogany (Ipe). I will probably use it for my rear deck. Price is a little higher than good cedar. Super dense and super beautiful. Regular Redwood needs a lot more care and will eventually rot without protectant. Not sure it would survive a large ember for a while though.

 

[Hardcore]

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

Did some research on the internet and found that people who grill on them just grame in a small area on the deck and put in some brick pavers to catch the hot emgers

 

[DanC]

I sometimes burn our chimenea on our wood deck (probably not a cool idea) but I soak the area around it with a hose before having a fire, then douse it with water and leave a bucket full of water next to it before passing out for the night. You could probably use one of those things they sell to put under a woodstove under the grill.
If the support structure of the deck isnt gonna be visible you could use trex decking or painted wood to slow the decay there, and then use some nice looking material for the deck surface

 

[Krodad]

You could just put down a non-combustible layer under the grill...could be anything from aluminum plate, maybe a trimmed sqaure of hardi-panel, or, since you are not in a freeze thaw zone, double up the joists under that area, lay down hardi-panel or cement backer board, and thin set in some kind of tile.

 

[M-Funf]

I built this...It's redwood...I don't worry too much about burning embers because my grill is connected to natural gas.

I used Thompsons to protect the wood, but not the UV stuff. I'm sure it won't hold up forever, but it looks really nice...

If you want something that will hold up better, either IPE or Ironwood will do. You can also look into some of the composite materials.

I would have used composites, but my city won't approve the use of that in my neighborhood (heritage homes)

 

[jimbo]

I would like to caution you AS to the maintenace redwood deck requires.
Annual staining, I replaced my redwood deck a year ago with composite material. It cost a little more but it looks a lot better and I no longer have to buy stain. Good luck with your project.

 

[Tman]

I prefer Square drive fasteners. Epoxy coated ones!

 

[ZRWON]

I would like to caution you AS to the maintenace redwood deck requires.
Annual staining, I replaced my redwood deck a year ago with composite material. It cost a little more but it looks a lot better and I no longer have to buy stain. Good luck with your project.

I agree. We have 2 redwood deck areas. I will never again use redwood or similar wood products. The composits have increased in selection looks. styles, etc in recent years. Compute the cost and effort over 10 years to keep wood decks looking acceptable vs the cost of a good composit material and composit wins "hands down"!

 

[z28toz06]

I sometimes burn our chimenea on our wood deck (probably not a cool idea) but I soak the area around it with a hose before having a fire, then douse it with water and leave a bucket full of water next to it before passing out for the night. You could probably use one of those things they sell to put under a woodstove under the grill.
If the support structure of the deck isnt gonna be visible you could use trex decking or painted wood to slow the decay there, and then use some nice looking material for the deck surface

Dan, just put a cookie sheet up side down underneath it. The sheet will reflect the heat and dissipate it and you wont hurt the deck.

 

[z28toz06]

Check your tax code. Additionally a deck that is part of the house becomes taxable square footage around here. A patio is not considered living space and does not require a permit in most areas.

Base preparation is importtant to having a paver patio that won't sink. If you do it correctly it will last many years without a problem. 6 to 8" of gravel and compaction will solve that problem. No staining no screws backing out etc. No bugs gnawing on it or spiders moving in under it. Consider the pros and cons.