TREX type decking for CYV
 

We have a CYV in Marsh Bend. We have an 8'x16 concrete slab off the lania. We want to extend the area to the back concrete wall, and at the same time raise it to the floor level of the lania.

Extending the concrete slab would be a doable option....but very expensive. Question: Does anyone have any experience with TREX decking down here? I would assume in this wet and harsh climate not only the decking boards but the structure would need to be of a composite type material and not green treated.
Maybe the name of a contractor who builds ground decks with TREX?

First of all, you will most likely not be able to construct anything within 5 feet or so of the back concrete block wall because of the setback restrictions. That would include a deck or a concrete slab. And second, a Trex deck would be more costly than a concrete slab.

As noted above, you need to investigate your setbacks, get a copy of your plat plan to see what is restricted, then contact ARC for approval of what you are planning on doing. On a side note, a well installed paver patio extension may be a better choice.

I did.... The setbacks from property lines are not ARC but county. Per county zoning officials as long as the structure is less than 24 inches off the ground you can build right up to the wall. The only problem with a patio paver extension is you'd have to match it up with the existing concrete slab and somehow get it perfect. Are used to work in concrete and that is very difficult to do and maintain long term. The weight of concrete definitely becomes an issue. The thought is building a low ground deck that covers the concrete slab and the adjacent area outside of it. This will ensure that everything is perfectly level.

Not true… The county setback of 5 feet only applies to "structures" that exceed 24 inches in height from the ground. This deck will be slightly above ground level, therefore I can build right up to the wall. This information came from the Sumter County planning and zoning department.

I was not familiar with the Sumter County 24-inch rule. However, I would still discuss exactly what you are constructing with ARC because they do control any improvements to the property as stated in the deed restriction document. The county may have setback rules, but ARC must also approve the construction. Good luck.

Spoke with the ARC folks too. Approval for items "not seen by the public"...in this case a deck in an enclosed area do not need approval.
So...do you not have any experience with Composite decking then?? :shrug:

I haven't seen any deck contractors working in The Villages, so I cannot recommend a contractor. But, I would definitely prefer a composite deck material to a treated wood material. I would get 2 or 3 quotes from a few deck contractors and some customer references. Google reviews are worthless. Looking at the cost for the Trex material at Lowes, it appears to be very expensive just for the materials. If you are also considering a concrete slab, I think it would be a less expensive project than a composite deck. One other point is that, if you raise the deck to the same floor level as the lanai, you need to be concerned about preventing water from coming into the lanai. Good luck.

OK, I will add when we built out birdcage ALL of the irrigation lines hade to be relocated as we were NOT allowed to have active water lines under the concrete slab. Double check this as you go forward, there was a whole other thread that pointed out the original plumbing is under the house slab. I am only repeating what I was told and what I had to do on this project.

Whole new can of worms
 

New rulings? Or maybe just never noticed this info before.
Have been reading this forum for 10 years and can't recall anything ever being said about a "24 inch rule" or "no ARC approval needed if not seen by the public."
Better get that in writing.

Trex
 

Had Trex installed up north on a deck leading to our swimming pool. You didn’t want to walk on it barefoot because of the heat it absorbed! Ours also had some loss of color after five years or so. Don’t know if any of this matters to you, but you may want to check it out. Things change.

Composite decking
 

We used composite decking TREX to create a 20ft floating bench from a lanai wall. The decking is holding up well to the weather. only areas of minute wear is at attachment points. approx 40sqft of material used.

I thought you needed approval for anything and everything so this is pretty interesting. Appreciate you sharing what you find :) Maybe a ground based solar array and bike track is possible after all mwahahahaha (just kidding)

wooden pump track - want to build a pump track in the back garden | Wood bike, Backyard skatepark, Skateboard ramps

Joe

Foundation
 

The foundation should be concrete. I wouldn’t use treated wooden 4x4s. You could use high grade aluminum? Piles could be poured where you need them, but it would be expensive. I would be termite minded for whatever you are doing.

I would not have a low deck. Seems like a great place for the many Florida critters to make a home.

[QUOTE=Vermilion Villager;2317096]We have a CYV in Marsh Bend. We have an 8'x16 concrete slab off the lania. We want to extend the area to the back concrete wall, and at the same time raise it to the floor level of the lania.

If Lowes and Home Depot carry it, SOMEBODY installs it. My concern would be the possibility of it turning into a varmint hotel (snakes, possums, bobcats, etc.). I know in Michigan, these critters love the safety that a small confined space life that attracts.

We just poured a 10x10 slab for $1800 (with ARC approval) - at our home in MA just priced Trex (the type that stays cool to the touch) $150 for a 20’ board-

1x6
 

If that’s a 1x6, then 10 foot of 12” board is 150, which brings the area to be covered to 1500 dollars. BUT, that wouldn’t cover the extras like supports, clips, piles, labor etc and Trex doesn’t last forever in the Florida sun.

I would also go with pavers and avoid matching issues by not trying to match. Create intentional contrast even if only a 1-2' board then go back to concrete color if you want. Cheaper to do, easier to repair/replace pavers if you drop grease, break, etc. FWIW, Trex is great up north where a deck can be snow covered for months since it doesn't rot, doesn't need to be painted, etc. But snakes and critters under it are to be expected!

Yep....did that too

Trex
 

I will 2nd that Trex getes very hot. A PVC deck will not get hot so I would suggest that if you go forward with decking. Don't know if it is available around here or not.

Wondering if mold between concrete and deck would be a problem.

Thanks for the feedback.
Do you have the name of the concrete contractor? The ground deck will be 14x20 when finished. Based on what you paid for concrete I would estimate the cost for this would be around $4000-$5000.
The plan is to span the existing concrete pad and also raise the deck so we can walk out our lanai right on to the deck instead of stepping down. You could do it this in concrete but it would involve pouring a 6 inch slab on top of a 6 inch slab and then extending that out to the finished size and either raising the area beyond the original pad with dirt or… As you can see it could get very expensive real quick.

Good point..... I know where the deck covers the Earth they will cover that with a membrane that is water permiable and then put crushed rock down. They may have to do the same thing over the concrete slab.

TREX is an excellent deck material BUT it gets extremely hot in the Florida sun. I have a friend who built a step down from his lanai out of TREX and it will burn bare feet in the summer. Just investigate and see if this is the right fit for you.

Being I don't know what you have or where you live my advice would be to go to the ARC monthly meeting and bring the plans of what you are thinking about. They will tell you right then and there if you need an ARC. If you do they will help you fill out the forms and go through the proper process.

I personally have built these before in Minnesota… And yes we have critters up there to including snakes and spiders. What they typically do is backfill between each Joist with rock right up to the level of where the decking board will be. This prevents anything from getting through and setting up house.

TREX claims to have a new material that stays cooler in the sun. I would opt for a lighter color to match the house anyways. Also… The area where I'm going to put the deck would be primarily used in the late afternoon and evening. It's too hot back there...even in the grass in the middle of the afternoon!

[QUOTE=Priebehouse;2317353]Amen to that. OP seems to know what he wants in any case. The heat of TREX, the fact that it WILL harbor vermin (think black racers, spiders, etc) and would be difficult to work around should there be a need to get below the deck would make me decide against it. Of all the comments I think Tinker’s suggestion for pavers, perhaps large ones easier to level with existing patio, would be what I would pursue.

[QUOTE=Sandy and Ed;2317441]I agree, fill sand and pavers would be the way to go.

I don’t have any knowledge of contractors down here…only thing I can add, if you weren’t aware, TREX &composite decking gets extremely hot in direct sun. It will act like a radiator underneath your chairs and definitely no bare feet. Just my $.02. Good luck with your project

LOVE IT who did your work?

ARC/Deck
 

You need to call Community Standards and double check if you need ARC approval. Do not confuse county codes and regulations with your deed restrictions.

You must have missed it when he said he has been to ARC, they said ok and he has it in writing. Now down to contractors and product.

We just used Jesus Santana @850 240 4828 who is located in Leesburg. Did a great job rebuilding our neighbors deck in trex and then did ours a week later.. all work done by him personally and very professional.

Was this Replacing Decking over Pressure Treated Structure or Ground Contact Deck
 

OP is interested in a ground contact deck. The jobs referenced seem to be replace deck with TREX over existing support structure and not ground contact?
TREX website states that TREX is not suitable for ground contact. TREX is more flexible than Pressure Treated decking and often it is recommended to use 12 inch spacing versus typical 16 inch. Also, TREX has more expansion with temperature change. Have you experienced any increased flexing with the decking or any expansion problems? Were any support modifications done?

You do not want perfectly level. You want some slope to drain rain water away.

OP here... No I am not interested in a "ground contact" deck. All decking has a supporting structure called Joists. This is what the deck is connected to. This deck will sit on these joists and even they are slightly off the ground...and by ground I mean dirt. I think you are referring to a decking board glued right to the surface of say a old concrete slab. Don't know if TREX works here or not, since that is not my intention.

Thank you....this is the information I was looking for!!!

Your Original Question: Does anyone have any experience with TREX decking down here? I would assume in this wet and harsh climate not only the decking boards but the structure would need to be of a composite type material and not green treated.
Maybe the name of a contractor who builds ground decks with TREX?

Sorry if I misinterpreted your mention of ground deck to mean ground contact. I know what joists are since many years ago I had a building company as a side gig and built a number of decks and complete houses.

IMHO using composite material for support structure such as posts and joists with minimal clearances from soil. or sand etc. will be problematic due to high humid conditions. TREX site states that TREX decking is usually supported by pressure treated wood components. Some Lumber Co. sites recommend 18 inch spacing from deck to ground to get adequate ventilation to avoid cupping of the deck boards. Your description suggests this would not be possible.

Good luck with your project!