What to do when the old deck dies?
Here’s what Randy Swanson and his wife Chris (coach) did, and it’s turning out splendidly.
The Gimli couple were tired, fed up even, of staining and re-staining their deck every year for the past 15 years, so they said "enough," and priced out a non-wooden deck. Well, for the deck they had in mind, built with a composite material and installed, they were looking at $30,000.
Ouch. That’s a lot for a deck you only use for six months of the year. The other six months, it provides a path (through the snow) to the hot tub.
So, Randy networked a bit and ended up at a local building centre where it was suggested he build it himself (gasp). He chose a composite that seemed right, took their helpful advice and tackled his first ever solo deck job.
The initial task — tearing up the old deck — he decided to take apart piece by piece to save some of the two-by-10 joists for the new deck.
"However, in retrospect, for what I got out of it, a chainsaw would have been a wiser way to go," Randy said.
Saving what old joists he could seemed reasonable, because this new deck structure needed 12-inch centres, instead of the 18-inch centres on the old one. Why 12-inch centres?
"Because this composite material doesn’t act like wood, it’s more flexible, so it’s easier to get a curve or a twist in," Randy said. "You have to be really careful that you’re putting it down straight. You’d think it would be more rigid, but it’s not."
Yes, building this new deck has been challenging, and no, he didn’t do it all alone. "I did the demo, but was fortunate to be able to swap labour with a neighbour to get some of the initial building done, then another time a volunteer with experience in this stuff gave me some help."
So, I ask, "Aside from coaching, did Chris toil under a merciless sun shoulder to shoulder with her man through any of this, or is her forte mainly coaching?"
"Ha ha," Randy said. "She does assist me actually. When I’m installing the railing, she holds the other end in place to keep the spindles from popping out. An invaluable service, I might add."
Bravo, Chris!
Randy says another helper he couldn’t have done without is some very handy clamps, called "Quick Grips" by Irwin.
"For anyone working alone, Quick Grips are like having an extra pair of hands," Randy said. He says they’re even better than duct tape, which is really saying something.
With the job nearing completion (actually, if the materials arrived it will be finished by now), I ask him if, along with choosing dismantling versus a chainsaw massacre, there’s anything else he would have done differently.
"Yes, I would have changed the deck plans, the deck dimensions, to match the length the composite comes in. I’ve probably cut off about $1,000 worth of composite that will likely just get chucked. I’ve used some of it for the stairs, but that — yes — I wish I’d done differently."
So, to sum up his deck adventure?
"Glad I did it, feel good, it’s been fun, but you have to be patient. If you hope something takes an hour and it takes three, that’s what it takes. And make sure you have a good supply of cold beer in the fridge!"
Bravo, Swansons. Well done.
They figure they’ve saved about $15,000 for their DIY effort. Excellent.
I’m currently facing a similar decking/veranda dilemma here, but have not yet begun the due diligence. I’d prefer to just sand it and paint it with some indestructible paint that will last forever, if such a thing exists.
I can dream, can’t I?
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