LubeJobs42

iTrader: (2)

I'm re-doing my dock. I'm thinking of going synthetic instead of wood but I hear there are quite a few brands with issues.
Anyone know which is the best all around?

Waterboy123

I'm assuming your meaning the decking on your dock? If you search "composite decking" should bring up quite a few suppliers, I'd be interested in seeing who is a good supplier as well, as I'm in the process of rebuilding my 50ft gangway and want to use composite as well. I know the one upside is you can run screws into the side of it, and it won't split, and gives you that hidden screw look.

Scagburner

Are you setting new pilings as well?

tanner

We just did the poo/patio deck in Boca Landings and used Evergrain by Tamko, its a good product, but I told the board not to use it cause it gets hot and it will deteriorate over time no matter what the warranty is. Well it is too hot and now they are paying us to re-do it out of wood.
Another problem with the synthetic is that it is a little flexible, so if your stringers are not perfectly level and right on you will see a few dips in the boards, so they need to be totally level or replaced before you do it.
My opinion is go with a good sanded 2x6 wood product and just come to the fact that you need to seal it every few years., its not that bad to do it, but people forget and then they hate the wood cause its too far gone to salvage. just my .02 Gino

Bobthebuilder

I agree w Tanner, Gino. I have a large dock at my summer home in CAN and tore out the synthetic product with all the problems of shrinkage / gaps / cracking etc.in favour of cedar. It is probably OK on a small dock but expect yours is not small. If you do use it, research it carefully and have an experienced installer.

Bob

88Fount33

We are on our second dock with either full synthetic or Composite (the other house). We built a dock in 2007 that used a composite material of wood and plastic (think TimberTec). The structural features of that dock were fine, we moved after 5 years, but it did mildew rather badly (Northern exposure), it took a lot of trial and error to get product to kill the mildew, but it would come back every year. Our New Dock (completed in 2012) is fully synthetic plastic material and so far absolutely no mildew. The installer made certain to space the joists to prevent issues with sagging, so far it is perfect.

Keith Atlanta

If you go natural. Look into some of the Brazilian hardwoods. The stuff looks great for years and costs only a little more but you get 3x the life. Especially if you seal it every 2-3 years. The grain is very fine and you dont get splinters from it.

Pilotpete

The Poo Deck? That stinks...

(sorry, my inner 14 year old had to do it.)

seafordguy

I went with this stuff.... It is kind of the "upper end" Trex product in terms of look/feel/texture.... (and PRICE!!! - about $8/Square Foot). I used A couple different colors with an inset color and a border color.

http://www.trex.com/products/decking...g-and-railing/

Everyone will jump on Trex as junk based on them pioneering the product and having issues with it 20 years ago. This new stuff has a warranty against fading/staining that is over 20 years (I think it might actually be 25 years).

It is beautiful, and I used their lighting system as well. The recessed ones in the dock with the programmable timer, dimmer and remote control. VERY happy so far.

Also - it is kind of hot in the summer since I went with dark colors, so I installed a couple sprinkler heads on a remote control valve to mist down the dock so the kids won't burn their feet.

30ftpanther

iTrader: (1)

Have you ever thought about concrete...http://www.arcis-corp.com/thin-pre-s...-marine-floats.

http://www.insul-deck.org/index.htm.