14
That guy at the lumber yard told me to use composite decking boards instead of cedar and I ignored him
Now I'm ripping up warped cedar planks after one rainy summer, so has anyone else had a contractor or supplier give you a heads up that you wish you'd listened to sooner?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
emma_flores1mo ago
Cedar lasts decades if you seal it right, composite just melts in the heat and looks worse.
7
angela_harris1mo agoMost Upvoted
Oh man, "cedar lasts decades" - I totally fell for that line too! My neighbor swore by it, said his grandpa's cedar deck was still going strong after 30 years. Well, maybe if you live in a perfect climate with no rain and you re-seal it every single year like it's your second job. I tried that route, spent my whole first summer out there with a brush and a bucket of sealant, and guess what? By year two it was already starting to split and fade in spots. Composite might get hot in the sun but at least I'm not out there every spring with a scraper and a sander wondering if I missed a spot. I learned my lesson the hard way too, so I feel your pain. Cedar is just too high maintenance for real life.
9
the_lee1mo ago
Man, that lumber yard guy was basically your deck guardian angel and you told him to take a hike lol. Now you're out here playing deck demolition man after one soggy summer. Cedar is pretty but it's like that ex who looks good at first then warps out on you when things get real. Composite might cost more upfront but at least you don't have to spend your weekends playing lumberjack with a pry bar. Next time maybe buy that guy a coffee instead of ignoring him.
6