OT - Deck questions?

kimsie

New member
Hi Everyone!

So my husband and I are in the process of trying to sell our Villa in Stonewolf - but the deck needs to be refinished.

Originally the deck was paited. Actually - here is a pic of part of it. The only thing I have handy from the Owners.com site.


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(Oh heck - I can't get it to work)


Anyway - We're going back and forth between a few options...

1. Just power washing, sanding then staining it (including replacing a few boards)

2. Pulling out all the boards and just replacing it with new wood.

3. Pulling out all the boards and replacing it with composite boards.

So my question is does anyone have a great opinion on this?

Also - anyone used the composite boards before and know a great place to buy them? We were looking at Lowes and are leaning toward option 3 - but I think it's looking pretty expensive.

Thanks for any ideas! Kim
 
as far as the first option goes, its going to be a HUGE undertaking it would be easier to replace them all. and if you powerwash it ad replace a few there is going to be a color difference no matter how much you powerwash.

so i would go for 2 or 3 as far as the difference between those two its hard for me to say
 
Thanks! We borrowed a power washer and yep - it was really hard. So I think you're right - we need to lean toward 2 or 3 - and since the maintenance free composite would increase the home value more - I think we should go with 3...

Anyone used it before?
 
I have researched the composites a lot and intend to use that on my deck at the lake place BUT, I'm not sure you will get that much back on it in your situation. It will end up about 3-4 times more expensive, as a rule, than cedar or pressure treated. I think were it me I would replace the deck surface with whicheve was less expensive, the cedar or pressure treated leaning toward cedar. I think you would be more likely to get a reasonalbe return on you investment that way. If you use cedar it may be sealed right away with something like a thompsons sealer sprayed on with a pump sprayer. That goes vey fast and makes it look "real purdy" too. Good luck with the project.
 
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Is there something wrong with the deck being white? It may not be your color preference, but your selling the house. Replace all the rotten wood and refinish to original. All the perspective home buyer needs to see is that the deck is in great condition. It will be their choice to change the color it or live with it. I would not spend a large amount of money on something that may or may not be an issue.
 
Well, now that you mention it Mike. I agree with you! A tarp and a spayer and its done pretty fast and cheap with just a few boards replaced. Besides, I like white.
 
The deck looks good white - it's just that the paint peals and isn't as good as stain. I prefer the white look actually.

So you would replace a few boards - then spray it? But I would need to power wash and sand it all first - right?
 
I thought you already power washed it?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12677290#post12677290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kimsie
Thanks! We borrowed a power washer and yep - it was really hard.

You will need a very powerful, gas powered, washer. You can rent one if you need to.

I have never sanded a deck to refinish it, so I'm not sure if it's worth your time or not. I just power wash, let dry, and apply the finish/sealer.
 
yeah if your painting it you dont even need a gas powered washer just enough to take the paint off where its chiping and there is no need for sanding

if your wanting to stain it its a whole different story thats when it becomes a real pain
 
Oh - sorry - we got a power washer from my husbands work - it's an electric one. And we TRIED to power wash it. Basically where the paint was pealing up - it came off - but it took a while just to try to do a few boards. We did NOT do the whole thing yet because we started to think it may just be easier to buy new wood!

So if we're painting it - do we have to get all the old paint off? Or just some?
 
if your painting you just need to get the pealing stuff up. renting a gas power washer for a half a day shouldnt be that expensive.
 
to rent a gas powered pw is under 75 for half a day. It will take the peeling paint off no problem but dont etch the deck.

I would vote replace a couple boards as well. Alot cheaper and who cares your selling.

I have only had experience with trek decking and everyone i know who has it hates it. Its expensive and has horrable problems with mold and mildue. The people I know who have it have to bleach it at least twice a year.
 
I helped Lostmarbles, spray, sand, and restain his deck, it's not too bad if you don't think that you will get it all done in one week end.

I have worked with composit stuff. It looks like hell.
It also seems to have a static charge.... that attracts dust and particles, AND it does have a problem with mildew.

I would replace boards, powerwash, sand and stain, but I always pick the hard way.
 
I agree with replacing rotten boards, scraping or power washing off loose paint and re-painting. Lot less work and a lot less money.
 
Remove and replace any rotted/broken boards
Powerwash all peeling/flaking paint
Feather out any existing paint with a ROS and 80 grit paper
Repaint everything
Sell house
Spend profit on hookers and Pabst Blue Ribbon
 
:lol:

Ha! MayoBoy - I'll get right on that with the hookers and PBR - sure my husband would love that treat.

Thanks for ALL the advice so far. Husband hasn't been able to look at it since Sunday since he's busy working. But after all you've said I think I'm leaning towards powerwashing off as much paint as we can - replacing the few boards that need it and then spraying on a coat of paint.

You guys make it sound so easy!

Just to clarify though -I don't have to get off all the paint though - right?
 
definitly not, though the idea of feathering with sandpaper to get rid of a build up look between where the paint did and did not come off would be good.

What makes you think she wouldn't want the hookers??? She seems like a girl that likes to fish... We are talking about LURES/hookers right ;)
 
If you're only painting the horizontal surface (top of the deck), I wouldn't even bother with a sprayer. You'll be able to roll it on as fast or faster.

If you'll re-read, I said nothing about beer - only PBR.
 
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