TREX or Other Composite Deck

[Mtneer]

We replaced redwood with Trex Transcend over 5 years ago. Not the slightest hint of sagging on 16" spacing. Our decks aren't on a diagonal though but I doubt that will be a problem. If it's an attached deck, you may want to beef up the connection to the house as well as the supports. This stuff is probably 5 times heavier than wood. Never having to stain again will make it worth the effort. Bonus that it's fire resistant too (Class B rating).

[Irving]

Checking the attachment to the house is a good point as the code requirement may have changed since the original build.

[GilpinGuy]

Besides the price, the only complaint I've heard about Trex is that it gets real hot in the sun. I never owned it myself.

[ChickNorris]

Besides the price, the only complaint I've heard about Trex is that it gets real hot in the sun. I never owned it myself.

Weren't you looking to build or rebuild earlier this year?

[BladesNBarrels]

The deck was installed in July, 2013
Diagonal on the deck and landing, straight on the stairs.
It was done by a professional master carpenter that subcontracted to a landscape company.
He viewed "google maps" to see the orientation of the house and lot, and then he positioned the diagonal layout to look down the green belt.
I was pretty pleased with the extra thought and effort.
The landscapers built a wind-break wall for the grill and I installed a under-deck covering the next year. It really helps during rainy and stormy days

[LX470]

"I was smart enough to use 16" OC framing on the initial build so going to composite shouldn't be an issue excepting for laying out a diagonal pattern."

You might want to check on that. I built mine with 14 inch spacing which I'm sure is what Trex recommended at that time. Also a diagonal pattern would require closer spacing, the angle means that the deck planks are spanning a longer distance.

I don't mean to be negative but it wouldn't be nice to have any sagging.

I wish you well.

Correct you are on the diagonal spacing...some patterns require 12". I think I will leave the framing as-is...except for the areas around the perimeter where I will have to add additional blocking and nailing surface for a picture frame border.

[Irving]

That diagonal looking out into that open space looks great.