04/30/2021
This deck transformation is nearly complete. The Cumaru hardwood decking makes a strong and beautiful deck for enjoying the great outdoors. A Brazilian hardwood, Cumaru is 3 times harder than oak, has no knots, and is naturally pest and rot resistant. The decking is installed with stainless steel screws for longevity, and they will not rust and stain the wood. Generous spacing was left between the decking boards for drainage, air flow, and to minimize build up of debris in the gaps. I will put a coat of oil on the deck in about a week to preserve the warm reddish brown color, otherwise it take on a nice silver gray patina. Cumaru does not need repeated sealing or staining, like the commonly used, natural wood decking materials. This makes a great low maintenance solution, and saves money down the road.
Unfortunately the original builder of this deck (less than 10 years ago) took many shortcuts and made several catastrophic mistakes that led to an early demise. No spacing was left between the decking boards, and while the pressure treated lumber was still wet, the entire deck was sealed/stained on the top side only. No moisture barrier was installed below the deck, and the combination of these three mistakes caused the boards to rot internally. Much of the framing needed to be replaced as well. The joists were supported by ledger boards rather than the proper modern hardware. The ledges trapped water and rotted, as did over half of the floor joists. I replaced all of the stair stringers and all of the bad joists, and repaired some areas in the band. This time, I properly installed joist hangers and corner hardware to bring the work up to code. I also removed all vegetation from underneath the deck and installed a plastic moisture barrier to prevent cupping and warping of the decking and to minimize potential future wood rot of the framing. This deck is a perfect example of why manufacturers recommended installation practices should be followed, in order to get the maximum life out of your investment.
Contact Land Whisperer for your deck design, installation or renovation needs. DM to discuss how to get started with your project. 😎
