Composite decking
 

I always know where to go for unadulterated opinions on a subject:D
Seems we've had this discussion before, but I'm too lazy to do a search.
So, I'm hunting for a composite decking material BESIDE Trex. What other brands have anybody here used? Likes? Problems? For variuous reasons I'm looking at EverGrain. A big reason is, this brand has more than 3 or 4 colors to choose from. And stuff I've found on the 'net has given this stuff pretty decent reports.
Truth be known, I want to use it for the fascia on my house. Summer heat here is murder on plain old wood. And I bought a brick house 'cause I HATE painting the exterior of a house. If this stuff works, it'll remove one more thing I need to worry about for awhile. So it says here, anyway;)

How about Hardieplank?

www.jameshardie.com

I have Timbertech.

I used Hardie plank on my house. They make trim pieces too, not just the siding material. I used it on window trim, soffit (vented even) as well as fascia boards. I only installed it last year so I don't know about longevity, but it was installed because I too hate to paint.

Use Azek, we use it as exertior trim on some houses. Its plastic wood you can paint, comes in white which is the only color we builders use for trim.:D

You can paint it to. Just wear gloves when working with it, it can give you a nice cut.

Yeah, I did look at the Hardie board stuff. Wasn't too sure how it'd do when I go to hang rain gutters. Is it gonna be ok with that? It's waaaay cheaper than anything else so far.
Azek is paintable, huh? That may be something to consider too.
The EverGrain I'm looking at has a Forest Green, which would look pretty good, if it didn't fade too terrible. That's a prob with this fake wood stuff, from what I've been reading. If it fades alot, I may as well just go with something I can just go ahead and paint.
Thanks guys. I'll do some more research. You gave me some options to look at.:cool:

Here's an article I came across, just FYI:
http://realestate.nj.com/?classification=real+estate&temp_type=search&tp=RE_nj&tl=42&guid=64030

Personaly I think they all suck and look like crap. From the street they can be passable, but up close its just plastic. I'd go with whichever is cheaper.

Another downside of this stuff is that it weighs a ton and has no strength. I know people around here get hard on's for Trex decking, but I don't really like it all that much.

I had a house that was sided with Hardiboard once. It looked ok, better than brick veneer. it is not plastic, more of a concrete composite. it wears well and is easy to paint (not all versions come painted). It is hard to cut and the manufacturer recommends a special blade. not a bad alternative...

Keep in mind the expansion/contraction of stuff like Azak. painting it a dark color only makes it worse. Nice thing about it is if the house is wavy (think 300 yr old post and beam with 'issues') it will follow the waves.

Hardiplank is cement based- I wanted to use the 3/4 trim boards as siding for a project and they had stopped selling it in the Northeast. Warantee issues apparently. They would do the thicker planks though. Contractor I know says it holds paint like you wont believe, and has done his whole house with it- siding and trim. He hates painting.

Gads, I just may go with the Hardie Board. Can't beat the price. I at first wanted to use just good 'ol Doug Fir, but I can't find the stuff in long 1" x 6", just short lengths at ridiculus prices. So, my search for alternatives started.
I agree with Hatterasguy on the look of Trex, ect. But my roof line is up high enough that it'd (hopefully) look ok from the ground. I hadn't considered the weight factor. I'm hoping this ancient house is stout enough that won't matter.
Decisions, decisions.:rolleyes:

The marina I keep my boat in's office recently caught fire due to an electrical issue.

Composite decking was not very helpful in that fire. I guess wood would burn pretty quick as well.

Marina will replace with concrete.

.02

If I build another deck I will use Ipe, a farmed tropical hardwood. Requires no maintenence and doesn't get hot in the sun as do the plastic decks.

Holy crap that stuff is hard! I refinished a rail made out of that wood years ago, and anything less than 80 grit on an orbital sander wouldn't cut it!:eek: 120 would polish it!:eek: 80 would just barely do it, we ended up using 50 and doing the final sanding with 100. Just to give you an idea on teak we use 220 for the final before varnish.:eek:

I must be very pricey, but damn its like working with steel!:eek:

I doubt anything can actualy hurt it...

The township decked an old bridge with it years ago-no rot, no wear.
I think the price is not much more than plastic these days.

Edit-the price is lower than Trex.