PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Still can't device between ipe cumaru or composite
Whats your price difference?
You also have to look at the label on the pressure treated lumber you are buying.
Just for ground contact there is three or four grades. Then you have marine grade pressure treated meant for submerged use that has a much higher rating.
If I remember the ground contact rating are .015 up to .040 and marine grade lumber is .250 but it's been awhile.
Rating is key to long life..
I have also considered something with natural rot resistance like redwood or ipe.
Not easy finding the higher grades
For the thicker than one inch but not as thick as 1-1/4" boards a 12 ft Ipe board is $48, a 12 ft Cumaru board is $33.75, and composite runs anywhere from $25 for the cheap to $55 for the fancy stuff.
https://www.advantagelumber.com/cumaru_decking.htm
https://www.advantagelumber.com/decking2.htm
We're replacing the decks on our island clubhouse with all composite, and the porch and stairway on our new house also composite. Difficult as it is to get now, even the "marine grade" so-called treated lumber is a shadow of it's former glory. I've got some pier boards going bad that are not much over 10 years old...while I've got other sections where the boards are 40 years old easy..the old stuff was amazing by comparison.
One thing to keep in mind with using the Trex or similar is it's inability to span the same distances wood decking can without sagging. Joists have to be spaced closer together.
One thing to keep in mind with using the Trex or similar is it's inability to span the same distances wood decking can without sagging. Joists have to be spaced closer together.