[Vermilion Villager]

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?

[retiredguy123]

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.

[villagetinker]

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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??

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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??

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.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

[HiHoSteveO]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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??

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.

[Maggie177]

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.

[Donnie&Viv]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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??

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.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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??

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

[Normal]

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.

[Marathon Man]

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