In this final deck construction video, Chris Blue installs Trex Transcend composite decking on both the front wrap-around step and back landing step. Keeping with the picture frame theme, Chris installed the darker colored Spiced Rum board on the outside of the step, and the lighter colored Havana Gold board on the inside. This custom treatment significantly enhanced the beauty of our new deck. Although building this deck with the high-end Trex Transcend composite decking was quite expensive costing $11,584.87, we couldn’t be happier with the results!
This completes step 9 of a 9-step process for building our new Trex composite deck: preparing the building site, installing the footings, laying porcelain tile on top of the original concrete stoop, building the main deck frame, installing a critter guard, hanging the joists, building a picture frame perimeter, installing the main decking (Part 1 and Part 2), and installing Trex decking on the steps (Part 3).
Here’s some background information about this project:
We decided to demolish the old cedar deck at the front entrance to our house after discovering some of the posts and joists were rotting. Once removed, the original concrete porch and steps were revealed. Although in very good condition, the small 3’ x 4’ porch was barely large enough for opening and closing the glass storm door, especially when carrying something large like a suitcase or bag of groceries. And we missed having a deck where we could sit outdoors and appreciate the amazing view of the Olympic Mountains while enjoying a glass of wine. So, we decided to have a new, larger deck installed using composite decking that will not rot or need to be resealed every year. The remaining question was what to do about the concrete porch and steps? Should we cover it over with decking like the old cedar deck, bust it up using a jackhammer, or lay tile over it and frame the deck around the entrance porch. After getting several estimates and studying these options, we eliminated laying composite decking on top of the concrete because the thicker boards would make the deck too high for opening the door. Removing the porch with a jackhammer would have to be done by a different contractor or by myself (no way!), which would extend the time in getting the project done. Laying tile on the porch myself and hiring a contractor to frame the deck around it was the most feasible, and aesthetically appealing option. After all, I had installed luxury vinyl tile indoors several times (check out my videos). Laying porcelain tile on a small 3’ x 4’ concrete porch couldn’t be all that difficult. Or could it? Although I am pleased with the results, it was a lot more work and hassle than I ever imagined. That said, as you will see in this video, once the picture frame and decking was installed revealing my porcelain tile porch, it was well worth the effort!
12 июл 2019
