Seattle Scott

Consumer Reports likes it. The sample I have looks OK. Supposedly it is more mildew resistant and has better traction than a lot of the competition but is that true in the Northwest?

GoCougarsWSU

I dont think personally I'd build anything out of it.

Seattle Scott

Cost more than pressure treated and less than cedar. It is a maintenance and personal taste choice.

HeartlessNomad12

its extremely durable, doesn't warp, burn, splinter, crack... In general its awesome. Friends parents had a deck built out of it about 6 years ago and its still like new after a good cleaning.

Only PITA is that its kind of grooved to give it some texture and those grooves tend to get a lot of **** stuck in them. Hence the need for a pressure washer or scrubbing. And if you dont wash frequently it gets compacted and a bigger pain to get out.

I would recommend it over would any day.

Seattle Scott

I have German Shepards. The old deck had plank spacing of 1/8" or less and the cracks got clogged with dog hair, collected dirt and grew weeds. I'm thinking about going to 1/4" plank spacing.

Any observations or recommendations about that plank spacing?

What railing system did they use?

There is a matching railing system. I am thinking about just getting the posts, or rather AZEK post covers for pressure treated 4*4s, AZEK top rail and making stainless steel wire "runners". Yes, a 3 1/2 inch ball will probably roll right off the deck but a drunk 300 pound man will probably be saved (even if the railing deflects more than 1 inch). I like the unobstructed view but don't want to wash glass.

The artificial decks (AXEK, Trex, Timber Tek) charge so much railing systems a 250 foot spool of stainless cable looks inexpensive.<ul><li><a href="http://store.wastewatersupplies.com/index.html">Make Your Own Stainless Rails</a></li></ul>