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!

Trex
 

I like TREX and definitely better than wood.
However, one question would be how much sun does the area receive. TREX does get very hot, and it will warp and fade over time. There is another product that is similar but doesn't absorb as much heat. Research the products available. The SUN question is very important because concrete and pavers will also get hot unless you paint the concrete with a "cool deck" paint like used around pools.

OP, I got a different answer from Sumter County than you did. As I said, I have never heard of an exception to the setback rules for structures less than 24 inches high, so I asked that specific question. Although it may not be perfectly clear, here is the answer that I got by email:

Hello,
Here is the latest update on your ticket that Jennifer Bryla
from the Planning is handling:

No setback lines always apply.

On 2024 M04 1 19:40:41 UTC, Jeannette Quijano customersupport@sumtercountyfl.gov wrote:

Please advise

Bryla, Jennifer,
Sumter County BOCC
(352)689-4400.

I would suggest that you ask Sumter County again and get it in writing.