[Priebehouse]

[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.

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by 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?

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-

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Originally Posted by seecapecod

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-

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.

[Justputt]

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!

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by HiHoSteveO

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.

Yep....did that too

[dennisgavin]

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.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

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.

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

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by seecapecod

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-

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by kendi

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

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.

[rockyhyder]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

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

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

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

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.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

[Sandy and Ed]

[QUOTE=Priebehouse;2317353]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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.

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[QUOTE=Sandy and Ed;2317441]

Originally Posted by Priebehouse

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.

I agree, fill sand and pavers would be the way to go.