Composite Decking - is it worth it?

Sinzo

Need to replace existing raised decking at back of house. 35 by 14 feet with a ca. 3.5 ft upright surround.
What is a reasonable quote for:
1) Clearing and disposing existing wooden deck (rotting after ca 15 years in the Irish "sun")
2) Supply
3 Fit
Suggestions for a quality operator Leinster area - specifically Kilkenny
Have been quoted ca €15,000

Dtp1979

Sinzo wrote: »

Need to replace existing raised decking at back of house. 35 by 14 feet with a ca. 3.5 ft upright surround.
What is a reasonable quote for:
1) Clearing and disposing existing wooden deck (rotting after ca 15 years in the Irish "sun")
2) Supply
3 Fit
Suggestions for a quality operator Leinster area - specifically Kilkenny
Have been quoted ca €15,000

The boards are 16ft long so there’ll be no joints. That’s a bonus. Any carpenter can do this work. 15k seems extortionate.

Sinzo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

The boards are 16ft long so there’ll be no joints. That’s a bonus. Any carpenter can do this work. 15k seems extortionate.

It seems expensive. The composite was ca 6.5k, glass balustrade 3.5k, facia 1.3k, removal of existing structure was 0.5k. All excluding vat at 13.5 percent..

Dtp1979

Did you actually go to the hardware and ask how much materials would be. I did my own 20’ x 14’ for around 1200. But I did all the work myself. It’s pretty basic carpentry. Just make sure the supporting joists are strong at composite is very heavy Timber. I didn’t do any upstands.

Sinzo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Did you actually go to the hardware and ask how much materials would be. I did my own 20’ x 14’ for around 1200. But I did all the work myself. It’s pretty basic carpentry. Just make sure the supporting joists are strong at composite is very heavy Timber. I didn’t do any upstands.

I'm in the process of pricing around. I reckon that the composite for the deck itself is going to be at least 5k.
I have no experience at DIY and think it is better to get a professional as we want it to enhance the area (hope to help build the value of the house as we are hoping to try to build a new home and need as much as we can from the sale. So we want to make it look as beautiful as possible without paying a fortune..

Dtp1979

Sinzo wrote: »

I'm in the process of pricing around. I reckon that the composite for the deck itself is going to be at least 5k.
I have no experience at DIY and think it is better to get a professional as we want it to enhance the area (hope to help build the value of the house as we are hoping to try to build a new home and need as much as we can from the sale. So we want to make it look as beautiful as possible without paying a fortune..

Composite decking is probably 4 times dearer but will make the place look no prettier than standard new timber decking.
So it’d be kind of a giant waste of money if your plan is to sell. If you spend 10-15k on decking, I guarantee you that won’t increase your house price by 10-15k.
If you have your heart set on it then at least get a handy man in to clear the old one away. Try and strike up a deal where he discounts some money if you let him keep it for firewood. I can’t see it costing anything close to 500 let alone 1.5k.

Darc19

Dtp1979 wrote: »

So it’d be kind of a giant waste of money if your plan is to sell. If you spend 10-15k on decking, I guarantee you that won’t increase your house price by 10-15k.

Most people do upgrades so that they enjoy it. If I paid 15k on decking and was in the house for over 10 years, then I'd have got good value.

Price seems to be on the higher side and probably some movement for negotiation

Sinzo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Composite decking is probably 4 times dearer but will make the place look no prettier than standard new timber decking.
So it’d be kind of a giant waste of money if your plan is to sell. If you spend 10-15k on decking, I guarantee you that won’t increase your house price by 10-15k.
If you have your heart set on it then at least get a handy man in to clear the old one away. Try and strike up a deal where he discounts some money if you let him keep it for firewood. I can’t see it costing anything close to 500 let alone 1.5k.

We realise the composite is a good bit more expensive - so far it looks to be about twice as expensive.
The decking is a raised deck at about 3.5 feet above the ground. It sits on a kind of lattice support pallet.
We were going to get glass balustrade around the perimeter. . That was expensive at ca 4k but the glass suround looks great.
400 euro to remove existing deck and dispose of it.
We would hope to give it a bit of a wow factor for possible future sale and to enjoy the fact that it has no maintenance like the wood deck that would break your heart to treat every year.

kippy

Sinzo wrote: »

We realise the composite is a good bit more expensive - so far it looks to be about twice as expensive.
The decking is a raised deck at about 3.5 feet above the ground. It sits on a kind of lattice support pallet.
We were going to get glass balustrade around the perimeter. . That was expensive at ca 4k but the glass suround looks great.
400 euro to remove existing deck and dispose of it.
We would hope to give it a bit of a wow factor for possible future sale and to enjoy the fact that it has no maintenance like the wood deck that would break your heart to treat every year.

I recently replaced a 5 meter wide by 4 metre long timber deck with railings with composite.
I was able to retain the subframe, although I did replace some 6 X 2 joists and add some additions joists to ensure there was no more than 16 inches span. I laid some damp proof course on the top of the subframe joists. I also didn't replace the railing as the cost for composite railing was too high. Instead I picture framed the boards with a different colour.
I used 4.6 metre trex boards. Had to cut the bit off all of them but used the cutoffs for cladding and a step.
Taking up the old deck was the messiest but I wanted to retain the frame so did it with a jigsaw. All of it is stacked in the shed ready for burning next year in the stove.
I was in no rush doing it but I'd say it took me 4 full days over a few weeks.
Cost of the boards was circa 1200 and extra 100 for sub frame strengthening and damp proof etc. Had a decent chop saw, jigsaw and drill which makes the job so much easier.
You've a higher raise above the ground so may need some railing but 4k's worth?

The old one had to come up and we don't plan on selling the house so we should get many years out of it. Looks well and happy with it and we use it a lot.

I wouldn't suggest you spend 15k or anything close to it on it however, particularly if you plan on selling the house. You will never make that back on the sale nor will you get the value out of it.

Maybe you are talking about a high end house and you've plenty money for these type of things but I'd be trying to keep the budget down.

Feisar

Is composite work it, don’t think so. My Dad and I put down a timber deck 21 years ago and it’s still going strong. If yer any ways handy you could do it yourself

Dtp1979

Sinzo wrote: »

We realise the composite is a good bit more expensive - so far it looks to be about twice as expensive.
The decking is a raised deck at about 3.5 feet above the ground. It sits on a kind of lattice support pallet.
We were going to get glass balustrade around the perimeter. . That was expensive at ca 4k but the glass suround looks great.
400 euro to remove existing deck and dispose of it.
We would hope to give it a bit of a wow factor for possible future sale and to enjoy the fact that it has no maintenance like the wood deck that would break your heart to treat every year.

Wow factor won’t increase house valve by the same amount you put into it. It’ll probably make the house more sellable to buyers. It’s up to you if you feel that’s worth it. Price around anyway

hognef

A note to Dtp1979, kippy and others: I'm not sure if it's technically illegal in this country, but burning treated wood is certainly not safe as it releases toxic chemicals as part of the smoke.

Sinzo

kippy wrote: »

I recently replaced a 5 meter wide by 4 metre long timber deck with railings with composite.
I was able to retain the subframe, although I did replace some 6 X 2 joists and add some additions joists to ensure there was no more than 16 inches span. I laid some damp proof course on the top of the subframe joists. I also didn't replace the railing as the cost for composite railing was too high. Instead I picture framed the boards with a different colour.
I used 4.6 metre trex boards. Had to cut the bit off all of them but used the cutoffs for cladding and a step.
Taking up the old deck was the messiest but I wanted to retain the frame so did it with a jigsaw. All of it is stacked in the shed ready for burning next year in the stove.
I was in no rush doing it but I'd say it took me 4 full days over a few weeks.
Cost of the boards was circa 1200 and extra 100 for sub frame strengthening and damp proof etc. Had a decent chop saw, jigsaw and drill which makes the job so much easier.
You've a higher raise above the ground so may need some railing but 4k's worth?

The old one had to come up and we don't plan on selling the house so we should get many years out of it. Looks well and happy with it and we use it a lot.

I wouldn't suggest you spend 15k or anything close to it on it however, particularly if you plan on selling the house. You will never make that back on the sale nor will you get the value out of it.

Maybe you are talking about a high end house and you've plenty money for these type of things but I'd be trying to keep the budget down.

Hi Kippy.. thanks for sharing your experience with me . I really appreciate your advice. I will look in to it a bit more. I hope u don't mind if I get back to u later. No pressure though..

Sinzo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Wow factor won’t increase house valve by the same amount you put into it. It’ll probably make the house more sellable to buyers. It’s up to you if you feel that’s worth it. Price around anyway

I will do thanks for your advice.

Sinzo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Composite decking is probably 4 times dearer but will make the place look no prettier than standard new timber decking.
So it’d be kind of a giant waste of money if your plan is to sell. If you spend 10-15k on decking, I guarantee you that won’t increase your house price by 10-15k.
If you have your heart set on it then at least get a handy man in to clear the old one away. Try and strike up a deal where he discounts some money if you let him keep it for firewood. I can’t see it costing anything close to 500 let alone 1.5k.

Thanks dtp..

Sinzo

Feisar wrote: »

Is composite work it, don’t think so. My Dad and I put down a timber deck 21 years ago and it’s still going strong. If yer any ways handy you could do it yourself

Thanks Feisar.. I'm not very experienced when it comes to DIY unfortunately.

kippy

hognef wrote: »

A note to Dtp1979, kippy and others: I'm not sure if it's technically illegal in this country, but burning treated wood is certainly not safe as it releases toxic chemicals as part of the smoke.

Ok. News to me although not totally unsurprising I suppose.
What is the acceptable method of disposal?

screamer

Don’t waste money like that on something you will be leaving behind you. No one will want to pay 15 grand extra for a deck. You won’t get the money back out of it, so don’t waste it. Replace the deck if you must, but get a normal deck. Some buyers don’t even like it, it’s very much a hangover from Celtic tiger years and they may well want to rip it out.

kippy

Feisar wrote: »

Is composite work it, don’t think so. My Dad and I put down a timber deck 21 years ago and it’s still going strong. If yer any ways handy you could do it yourself

That's a fair time span. No doubt possible depending on where ye are in the country, the size and complexity of the deck and yer maintainence of the deck.
It's defo possible to put on in with limited experience but I would reckon to keep one for 21 years requires a bit of regular maintainece and treatment.

kippy

screamer wrote: »

Don’t waste money like that on something you will be leaving behind you. No one will want to pay 15 grand extra for a deck. You won’t get the money back out of it, so don’t waste it. Replace the deck if you must, but get a normal deck. Some buyers don’t even like it, it’s very much a hangover from Celtic tiger years and they may well want to rip it out.

Agree with this. It's definitely not something that appeals to everyone.

hognef

kippy wrote: »

Ok. News to me although not totally unsurprising I suppose.
What is the acceptable method of disposal?

Bringing it to your local civic amenity centre, I imagine.

jippo nolan

hognef wrote: »

Bringing it to your local civic amenity centre, I imagine.

Just get a skip!

kippy

jippo nolan wrote: »

Just get a skip!

Where does it go after going in a skip or the amenity centre for that matter?
I've seen an area for wood in the amenity centre.

Sorry, I should say thanks for bringing this to my attention. Will review plan.

hognef

kippy wrote: »

Where does it go after going in a skip or the amenity centre for that matter?
I've seen an area for wood in the amenity centre.

Sorry, I should say thanks for bringing this to my attention. Will review plan.

From what I understand, it can be incinerated, and the metals used in the pressure treatment can even be recovered as part of that process. I'm not sure exactly what is required for that, and I've also seen 'landfill' mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the latter is the answer for Ireland (after all, we have a relatively low usage of wood here compared to lots of other countries that might be better set up to handle the waste).