Outdoor Decking

doesnt bamboo swell when it gets wet?

Wood decking will last a long time if properly cared for.
Mine are probably that old but in great condition.
I do repaint the decks every 5 years or so.
Maintenance is key, especially in our climate.

If you're looking for an alternative material, try trex decking.
Expensive but long lasting.

http://www.trex.com

The bamboo I am considering is made from 60% reclaimed bamboo fibers and 40% recycled HDPE plastics, My deck is about 120' long and 10' wide, so there is a lot of area to be covered. Trying to find an alternative to wood in terms of cost and future maintenance. But thanks for the insight... I will contact the vendor on Monday and ask about swelling.

I've used TimberTech, it's similar to Trex. It's not cheap but it's got a 25 year warranty. It's also composite made from recycle wood fibers and I think HDPE. It's similar or the same stuff that the new C'sted boardwalk is made of. I've also used 100% HDPE, I think the composite is a little better.

Be careful with any composite decking, if not covered it gets extremely hot to walk on. I had for a pool deck in Rhode Island and couldn't walk on it without sandals. It was in direct sunlight.

Any uncovered deck in full sun here is going to be too hot to walk on without footwear whatever it's made of! I can walk on my wooden deck early and late but when that midday direct sun creeps around, no way (unless I want charbroiled soles) and I keep flip-flops by the door.

Any uncovered deck in full sun here is going to be too hot to walk on without footwear whatever it's made of! I can walk on my wooden deck early and late but when that midday direct sun creeps around, no way (unless I want charbroiled soles) and I keep flip-flops by the door.

My thoughts as well, including the aluminum OP mentioned.

I just rebuilt my deck and used 'ground contact' rated lumber, coated all the wood with 2 coats of Deckover from home depot, stainless screws and Dymonic FC caulking on all the butt joints, [offset 10 degrees] and the top of the joists before I put the decking down, hurricane clips on every 90 degree connection - I expect it to last until I get taken to the nursing home with another coat of Deckover every 4-5 years. Water intrusion is the biggest factor in wood deterioration. Laying the deck boards down with the grain facing down reduces twist. Enough space between the deck boards allows for good drainage and is also why I caulked the joists and had them painted ahead of assembly, I tried to solve every problem that was evident in the old deck I tore down.

Deckover is a great product and lasts much longer and better than any other deck coating products I previously used. You can get it at Home Depot.

We installed 1800 sf of Trex 2 years ago. We went with the Transcend line, rope swing color. Rope swing is the lightest color Trex has. Our deck gets full sun and also surrounds a salt water pool. It definitely gets warm mid day but not too hot to walk on without footwear.

The material has held up wonderful and that's with 2 fairly large dogs running and playing on it all day. It is expensive but I think well worth the costs considering its virtually maintenance free. Expect to pay around $7.00 sf plus more for fasteners which are also expensive. Trex has 2 other lines besides Transcend which are less expensive but also not as durable. I believe the Christiansted boardwalk has the least expensive line.

We bought ours from 84 Lumber which was my supplier when I built houses in the states. Give me a call if you like to discuss the product or you would like to come over and see the finished product first hand. I can also provide you info for my contact at 84 Lumber.

Jeff
340-227-5077

Our deck was in terrible shape when we moved in.

Built in 1992 with treated 2x6 planking.

I pressure washed it and coated it with two coats of regular Deck Over in dark green.

After a year of showing dog foot prints and being very hot to walk on I repainted it with two more coats of textured Deck over in a desert sand color. My better half then sponged a design on it that looks amazing.

Worked out so well I did our pool deck as well, looks like new.

The Deck Over product from Home Depot is great. I rebuilt my deck last year using PT 2 x 8's from St. Croix Trading (much better lumber than HD). I used S/S and coated screws and reinforced with hurricane clips. I'm, very happy with the results.

Wow, lots of feedback to digest! I plan to go to STYX soon to inspect the deck and see if some of the under deck support beams are salvageable. I will definitely followup with respect to the materials suggested by everyone. Wood is probably the least expensive but requires the most maintenance over time. I tried staining the deck with a Benjamin Moore 2 step process (stain step 1 + clear coat step 2) but unfortunately was never able to conclude the second step.

Wood is probably the least expensive but requires the most maintenance over time. I tried staining the deck with a Benjamin Moore 2 step process (stain step 1 + clear coat step 2) but unfortunately was never able to conclude the second step.

It really doesn't require a lot of maintenance at all. No more than the rest of the house needs (the joy of ownership!). Just replace the boards which need to be replaced and then do the whole deck with two or three coats of DeckOver. It's a great product, super easy to apply and you'll be all set for a few years. Way less costly than a complete redo with an expensive alternative.

Aluminum will be VERY hot and will corrode.

As part of our construction plans we researched Trex, mainly for fencing. We discovered that many owners were unsatisfied mainly due to decoloration and stains. This led to lawsuits. You may want to check the info by yourself.

Aluminum will be VERY hot and will corrode.

Aluminum doesn't corrode...only steel and iron corrode.

Aluminum oxidizes.

I agree that the aluminum decking would be hot, and would probably not be a good option. But, depending on the cost of making wooden railing in STX, aluminum might be an option for railing, with wood on top to keep cool on hands. We could have the railing made in Hialeah (Miami) and ship it down.

Not sure aluminum would last longer than wooden railings.
Even stainless steel has a propensity to rust in a tropical climate.
Good luck whatever you decide.

I order my deck hardware in the states from mcfeelys, I think they ship to USVI.

Hello,
Did you buy your decking material on island or have it shipped. I'm lookIng to have a deck built.
Thanks

James

Bought lumber on island.

You must specify marked 'ground contact' treated lumber - marked 'not for interior use' for good decking lumber.

I would opt for the resin composite decking planking, which comes with the color infused and impervious to rot, insects and weather. It's expensive, but llast longer than wood. It's used quite often in Florida with great results.

mike