Trex Decking over Treated Decking

retired2pa

We have a 4 yr old deck that was built with pressure treated lumber. The flooring is the type you can buy at the home improvement. We would like to change the flooring to a trex type decking. Can the trex type decking be screwed over the top of the existing flooring? If so, would it have to be placed in the same direction as the treated flooring boards? Also would this cause a weight issue? The deck is off the second story of the house. It's approximately 42' long x 10' wide.

Bob Mariani

why do you not want to remove the old boards. The only problem you may have is the floor will not be even due to swelling of the old board.

Destin handyman

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want to go with this type? If your going to use Trex boards because they are maintenance free, they are not I'm in Destin Fl and you can see them all over. They look good when new but they still have trouble down the road like wood (but no splinters). I've seen many grey decks with trex and they look black and moldy looking. They do not pressure wash clean I've tried this many times. They do not splinter like wood, but at least with wood you can stain and seal wood, but if you insist on buying these I would recommend the brown stain color because I think they wouldnt turn that ugly blackish/moldy color the grey does. Even the brown color will fade and there are many factors about the weight of putting new boards over old boards. It will be a lot of weight, so you have to ask yourself do I have tons of support or just enough. You can also ask a contractor to take a look to be safe. I don't see how anyone can give you an honest answer about the support unless they saw it in person. You can also look at the weight issue like having a ton of friends on the deck at one time - would it hold up - but you are going to have more people on top of that right. I'm sure you can lay any way you want . To be safe just rip the old ones up. Just my opinion and I hope I helped some in sort of way.

Scuba_Dave

Do a search for Trex on this site & read the theads

Phillysun

I would use ipe and install it over your existing joists, removing the pressure treat first to insure adequate ventilation. Ipe looks great and does not have the swelling and mildew problems of the Trex types of products and the cost is the same. A 16 foot section of ipe will be knot free and is the most insect resistant wood you can find - in fact it needs to be cut with carbide blades it is so tough. It comes from Brazil so the cost from a local supplier should be even better in Florida than for most parts of the country.

tpolk

really the same cost boy do I feel stupidipe all day long

Gary in WA

The Trex needs ventilation as per warranty (need to remove old) and may not span your joist spacing? If Ipe, get the certified.........
Be safe, Gary

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