I've had several quotes by "licensed" contractors to have my deck redone in composite decking. All of them refuse to put it on my current joists, which are 16" on center. They won't warranty the deck unless it is 12" on center. I get it, they have a business model, warranty model, etc. that demands they do that.

I'm just gonna take some vacation time and knock it out myself.

In reading the manufacturer specs on this composite decking, 16" centered joists are fine (they say "maximum span").

So, who has experience with this? Should I worry about putting it down on 16" centered joists? Is it going to bow?

That stuff is expensive and weak.

It is expensive. But looks better than wood that requires constant maintenance and replacement of boards. Plus, I won't have to deal with the splinters in the kids and their friends.

I figure if I can get 12-14 years out of a newly resurfaced deck, I'll be getting out of this house by then.

So you'd say no to 16" on center?

If they're that adamant, I might listen. That stuff is expensive. I'd hate to have it bow like a cheap plastic truck toolbox.

If enough smart reasonable people are sayings the same exact thing, I would likely take the suggestion unless I found a convincing reason not to.

If the decking is in the sun, it will get HOT. Foot blistering one leg dancing run to the closest water source hot. Down at the beach some places used the composite plastic decking on the walk ways down to the beach because they though it would last longer. I tried to walk on it barefooted and know first hand how much heat the decking will hold.
Just a hint if you are thinking about putting it where kids will run around barefooted.

I was more interested in why they were that adamant. Without going into all the details, as I dug in on it, I discovered that the way permitting and padded pocket books worked, it wasn't really that they understood why it went on 12" center, that's just what they did.

None of them had any experience on 16" centers, so maybe that says something. Or maybe that just tells me they didn't have much experience.

Good. If its hotter than hell, they will have to wear shoes and thus, can't get splinters.

Yep. I'd ballpark it at well over 120 degrees on a good sunny summer day. You won't stay on it long, barefoot.

Composite stuff is easy to work with except it is heavy. That is my experience with it in building shooting house steps. I understand it is expensive but was free to us as leftovers.

Jawbone, that reminded me I hunted in a duck blind 2 years back in MO that had composite flooring. I'd bet it was on 16" centers. I'll give that boy a call and find out. If it could hold 6 duck hunters, it'll hold anything I'd throw on it. Thanks.

Composite decking on 16" centers will work, but you will have less chance of bowing between the joists on 12" centers. I've seen and heard of some wavy composite boards due to lots of sun and 16" centers. Contractors probably trying to CYA so they don't get complaints down the road. 1" composite stuff is pretty flexible.

Low E glass reflects a lot of heat and can scorch any decking....the composite stuff can get dangerously hot if low-e glass is giving a concave mirror reflection or sunlight on it.

I redid my deck last year and was going to use it but talked to a few contractors that had it bow on them so I went with wood. I didn't want to add floor joists and this is in direct sun so the heat was an issue too. I'd add the additional joists if I were you and you plan on using it. It's a heavy product.

Ok, so that's some good stuff. I am glad to have that info. I am going to call the manufacturer and verify their posted numbers.

i would seriously stay away from composite decking. I know a couple of people who have used and tore down the deck and rebuilt with wood. When it burns the hose off your feet your not worried about splinters. Most carpenters don't like to finish a project someone has started. Because of the way people like slam people on Facebook and every where else most won't take a job like that if they see a issue in that will come up in the future.

So have found 4 individuals with composite decking on 16" centers and all report no problems. One of these decks is over 10 years old.

I'll call a few manufacturers over the next few days and find out why installers are doing overkill based on their recommendations.

I'd be willing to consider a deck rebuild if the quotes I'd gotten hadnt of been 1/3 to 1/2 of what I paid for my first house.

BTW, if you ever wonder where the dirty Pampers go when they are recycled, they go to make people's decks. Some friends here in Selma opened a plant doing this and it was going great until one night it caught fire. Among the more intense fires I saw in my days. They never recovered to open back up. there is now another company called Eovations close to the old one that makes composites boards now. I don't know if they use Pampers or not though.

What is the clear span length of the deck joists you want to build? Composite decking is heavier than 5/4 wood decking and this length determines your joist size and spacing.

A couple of my cousins build piers and boathouses on Guntersville lake. At one time they used a lot of Trex for the piers and decks. I don't remember what the pier stringers were centered on and it may have been 16". It was all screwed down, was heavy as Hell and hot to walk on. I haven't seen any of their old work so I can't comment on it's longevity. At some point I burned some scrap and it was one of the hottest fire I ever built.

I have installed trex deck 16" on a few houses and it is fine. No warps, but it does get hot in the direct sun. As far as other brands I don't know.
Use the hidden fasteners.

When I started out we built them out of redwood.

Not sure what kind/brand my father law used on our dock at camp, cause they've had it since the late 90s (been covered in the shed) but it's thick and purty dang tough...

I don’t think poop filled diapers actually get recycled.

I have no idea how they got them but that is what they were. I'll ask one of the owners about that. My son is set to graduate with his twins in a few weeks so I'll see him before long if not by chance sooner.

Interesting. I know diapers have a lot of cotton in them. Seems like a lot of work to separate.

Clear Heart Redwood is the best deck material.

Trex says 16" will be good.
Thanks to all.

Any recommended vendors of Trex in central AL?

A man down the road bought a bunch of plastic (diapers recycled) fence post out of South America about 30 years ago and fenced about 700 acres. Sort of a cream white post. They are just as stout today as the day they put them in the ground

If I can clean it with soap and a brush and it doesn't shrink, look like crap and stain, I don't care if its made out of stormy daniels recycled condoms. I'm in.

All my porches were done in composite decking when we built 14 years ago. They are screwed down on 12 inch centers. Front steps are also composite .Light gray in color and not hot to walk on barefoot.

Soap and water ain’t gonna clean it when it gets mold spots on it. Clorox or a pressure washer doesn’t work either. I had to clean mine with 50 dollar a box Cort Cleaner. I finally got tired of paying so much to clean mine. I stained it with a latex stain. I’ll never own Trex or any other composite decking again.

My dad is having similar issues with a home he's building in Florida.

They built the deck with 16" centers between joists. He recently became aware of the 12" center standard. Factory spec says up to 16", but he dug in pretty deep and 2 of 3 comps he found had sagging issues. Now this was Florida beach front stuff, so the elements have a greater impact than here. It was a big enough issue that he dropped several grand scabbing on 2x4s to either side of the joist to cut down the span by 3&1/4". Keep in mind, he's an ocd engineer and this is for high end rental where bowed decking is unacceptable.

You may consider an option like he did. Or just let it ride. Definitely would not rebuild the deck.

Stop trying to sway Ticka cause he’s gonna do what he’s gonna do. Build that deck and give us a yearly update.

Based on my everyone I've talked to, 16" is no problem if you use the right product. I looked at 3 decks yesterday on 16" centers, one of which is 8 years old and it looks brand new.

I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do cause I questioned and evaluated everything and came to a logical conclusion. Thanks to everyone for their assistance.

You can find a lot of reviews on composite decking that talk about splitting and delamination, too.

Ticka, we/I need an update. I just bought some Trex and trying to decide if I need to add joist. Mine are currently 16”.

don't use a nail gun

If you are worried about it you could just add some joists to your existing deck.

Stick an extra joist between the existing ones and only anchor every other one.

The transcend line has been great on 16" centers. Love it. This is their top-of-the line stuff. Can't speak to their other stuff.