Nicholas Carey
09-17-2009, 04:22 PM
[Not that kind of decking...the other kind :D]
We finishing up our new front porch -- the contractor did a great job.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3929185469_815984893f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/handforged/3929185469/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/handforged/3929185469/
Off-topic, the fir timbers are finished with Sikkens Cetol SRD (one coat, matt finish). It seems to be OK stuff, at least as far as application goes. We'll see about durability.
The architect (we like him a lot: Trevor Stanley/HUB Architecture (http://www.hubarchitecture.net/)) spec'd out 5/4 tight-knot WRC for the decking.
Given that western red cedar [cough] isn't what it used to be...and bearing in mind that whold penny-wise/pound-foolish thang...
I'm thinking about other materials. The two main contenders are
Garapa/Grapia (Apuleia Leiocarpa) aka , Brazilian Ash, Amarealao, Marotoa, Muiratua, Muirajuba. I found a source for it at a reasonable price (just under $2/LF for nominal 1x6 stock, which works out to be cheaper than VG cedar, but about double the cost of tight-knot cedar).
Bangkirai/Yellow Balue (Shorea laevis)). A bit more expensive, but arguably better stuff.
Further down the list would be Ipe (too expensive these days) and composites (also too expensive), but Fiberon Tropics looks decent.
Anybody have any experience with these woods? Any other suggestions?
We finishing up our new front porch -- the contractor did a great job.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3929185469_815984893f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/handforged/3929185469/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/handforged/3929185469/
Off-topic, the fir timbers are finished with Sikkens Cetol SRD (one coat, matt finish). It seems to be OK stuff, at least as far as application goes. We'll see about durability.
The architect (we like him a lot: Trevor Stanley/HUB Architecture (http://www.hubarchitecture.net/)) spec'd out 5/4 tight-knot WRC for the decking.
Given that western red cedar [cough] isn't what it used to be...and bearing in mind that whold penny-wise/pound-foolish thang...
I'm thinking about other materials. The two main contenders are
Garapa/Grapia (Apuleia Leiocarpa) aka , Brazilian Ash, Amarealao, Marotoa, Muiratua, Muirajuba. I found a source for it at a reasonable price (just under $2/LF for nominal 1x6 stock, which works out to be cheaper than VG cedar, but about double the cost of tight-knot cedar).
Bangkirai/Yellow Balue (Shorea laevis)). A bit more expensive, but arguably better stuff.
Further down the list would be Ipe (too expensive these days) and composites (also too expensive), but Fiberon Tropics looks decent.
Anybody have any experience with these woods? Any other suggestions?