Does anyone have experience with TimberTech or Azek decks near the pool? I understand the main differences in the products, but wondering about people’s experiences with temperature (are light colors still hot on feet?) and slipperiness (wet kiddos)? To visualize, there are a few feet of concrete between our inground pool and the steps of the deck & house. Thanks!
TimberTech vs Azek?
- Thread starter Leigh0101
- Start date
Hi! I put an Azek deck right off of my covered back porch and up to my above ground pool. The Azek is 100% plastic so bleach has not affected it. I have the lightest gray available and it becomes warm but not scorching hot. However, I am almost in Minnesota lol.
One thing to be aware of is that spray sunscreen has plasticizers in it, so spray sunscreen can definitely leave stains or marking on a plastic deck. I wear upf 50 swim outfits and use mineral based sunscreen sticks on my face, so I have had no problems with sunscreen staining on the deck over the last 4 years.
Oh, and I’ve also read not to leave rubber objects on it for long periods of time, too. And don’t flick cigarette ashes on it either- someone did that on my deck and it left a couple of little black spots that I’m going to have to try to sand off....?
As far as being slippery, it isn’t bad. In the winter with a little ice on it it’s a skating rink, but what isn’t?
I’ve had it cleaned once so far using bleach water and a soft bristle brush, then power washed and it looked brand new again. Overall I’ve been really pleased with it! It looks as good as the day it was installed and hasn’t faded, splintered, bowed, etc. You just have to know what NOT to do to it. I would definitely spend the money again on Azek! (And I have absolutely no connections to the company, just a very satisfied customer who did a lot of research on deck forums beforehand.)
One last tip- think about getting the color that matches your local dirt the best- wish I had done that lol! The light colors do show muddy little paw prints pretty well.
Hope that helps!
One thing to be aware of is that spray sunscreen has plasticizers in it, so spray sunscreen can definitely leave stains or marking on a plastic deck. I wear upf 50 swim outfits and use mineral based sunscreen sticks on my face, so I have had no problems with sunscreen staining on the deck over the last 4 years.
Oh, and I’ve also read not to leave rubber objects on it for long periods of time, too. And don’t flick cigarette ashes on it either- someone did that on my deck and it left a couple of little black spots that I’m going to have to try to sand off....?
As far as being slippery, it isn’t bad. In the winter with a little ice on it it’s a skating rink, but what isn’t?
I’ve had it cleaned once so far using bleach water and a soft bristle brush, then power washed and it looked brand new again. Overall I’ve been really pleased with it! It looks as good as the day it was installed and hasn’t faded, splintered, bowed, etc. You just have to know what NOT to do to it. I would definitely spend the money again on Azek! (And I have absolutely no connections to the company, just a very satisfied customer who did a lot of research on deck forums beforehand.)
One last tip- think about getting the color that matches your local dirt the best- wish I had done that lol! The light colors do show muddy little paw prints pretty well.
Hope that helps!
My husband works for a canadian distributor of azeck and timbertech (he manages that product) We are starting our deck this weekend. So far, my experience with the samples we have at home (weathered teak, and english walnut) is it doesnt get that hot. The darker colours will, but so does a wood deck stained dark. English walnut is a medium brown and Im surprised that it doesnt get that hot, and if you have wet feet it feels less hot. We are still planning on doing mostly weathered teak with a boarder of English walnut. What sold me is you wont get splinters from being barefoot on the deck. My daughter gets crazy splinters at my parents cottage no matter how diligent we are replacing dock boards. We have a small platform built from the english walnut we are using while our deck gets built and I havent found it slippery at all. My husband said its not supposed to be, but like any wet surface you can still slip ?
he said its a very common misconception with the product.
As said above, sunscreen with stain, and I think my husband said bug spray does too, so you have to be careful about applying those.
Its expensive, but I think the benefits are worth it. Im looking forward to not having to replace it!
he said its a very common misconception with the product.As said above, sunscreen with stain, and I think my husband said bug spray does too, so you have to be careful about applying those.
Its expensive, but I think the benefits are worth it. Im looking forward to not having to replace it!
Thanks, Chel! Since your husband has experience with both products, why did you chose Azek over Timbertech?My husband works for a canadian distributor of azeck and timbertech (he manages that product) We are starting our deck this weekend. So far, my experience with the samples we have at home (weathered teak, and english walnut) is it doesnt get that hot. The darker colours will, but so does a wood deck stained dark. English walnut is a medium brown and Im surprised that it doesnt get that hot, and if you have wet feet it feels less hot. We are still planning on doing mostly weathered teak with a boarder of English walnut. What sold me is you wont get splinters from being barefoot on the deck. My daughter gets crazy splinters at my parents cottage no matter how diligent we are replacing dock boards. We have a small platform built from the english walnut we are using while our deck gets built and I havent found it slippery at all. My husband said its not supposed to be, but like any wet surface you can still slip ?
As said above, sunscreen with stain, and I think my husband said bug spray does too, so you have to be careful about applying those.
Its expensive, but I think the benefits are worth it. Im looking forward to not having to replace it!
I purchased Azek for several reasons. 1st because it has absolutely no wood product in it...it’s 100% plastic so there’s nothing to swell or warp. 2nd reason is because the locally owned building company/hardware store (who I actually trust!) highly recommended it and said that they have had zero warranty issues with it in the past 10years since they’ve carried it. They have had problems with everything else! Third, I have serious health problems and wanted something as low maintenance as it gets and nothing that would splinter into my feet.
I actually went out in the rain today and tried “slipping” on it and it was NOT what I would consider slippery at all. If I had kids that might fall I would much rather have them slip on Azek than concrete or a wood deck!
Personally, I love my Azek deck and have been super happy with it for my needs. I would spend the money again in a heartbeat!
I actually went out in the rain today and tried “slipping” on it and it was NOT what I would consider slippery at all. If I had kids that might fall I would much rather have them slip on Azek than concrete or a wood deck!
Personally, I love my Azek deck and have been super happy with it for my needs. I would spend the money again in a heartbeat!
Azek has their 2 main factories 2 and 3 miles from my home. Actually did all the media for one of the old owners homes a while back. So when I built I used azek for all my trim board outside for my 2 covered porches. I have a ton of it on those 2 areas. I hate it. The smooth side was a beast to get paint to adhere to even with a lot of scuffing. It also expands and contracts a lot with season changes. I personally hate it. It’s all coming off eventually. Next year I’m redoing my back porch to match my pool house ceiling and trim. When I finished my pool house this summer I used a cement board product and it’s perfect. And it was actually cheaper. And cement board is expensive. I don’t know if thier decking is different but my experience with trim board in all different sizes sucks. I hate it.
I know it’s popular cause when I drive by that factory everyday of my life the yard is overflowing. They got material piled in parking lots. On the grass. Everywhere.
Just my 2 cents for what it’s worth. I just don’t think it’s worth the money.
If I was doing a deck it would be ipe wood. Its one of the hardest woods used for decking. U clear seal it and that’s it. I have been on countless docks made out of it. It’s remarkable. Disney’s boardwalk and areas over yatch and beach club are ipe if u ever been down there. My buddy’s deck is made out of it. Incredible.
My pool house ceiling is a wall, ceiling version. It’s called sapele. It’s the reason I used it for my build. It’s a little softer so easier to use for walls and ceiling. I sealed it and will never touch it again. If ipe scratches u just scuff the area and reseal or oil it. Very forgiving.
Very expensive but way worth the money.
I know it’s popular cause when I drive by that factory everyday of my life the yard is overflowing. They got material piled in parking lots. On the grass. Everywhere.
Just my 2 cents for what it’s worth. I just don’t think it’s worth the money.
If I was doing a deck it would be ipe wood. Its one of the hardest woods used for decking. U clear seal it and that’s it. I have been on countless docks made out of it. It’s remarkable. Disney’s boardwalk and areas over yatch and beach club are ipe if u ever been down there. My buddy’s deck is made out of it. Incredible.
My pool house ceiling is a wall, ceiling version. It’s called sapele. It’s the reason I used it for my build. It’s a little softer so easier to use for walls and ceiling. I sealed it and will never touch it again. If ipe scratches u just scuff the area and reseal or oil it. Very forgiving.
Very expensive but way worth the money.
Read my post below. Maybe their decking board is made different but in my climate it swells and shrinks like crazy. Even my buddy who did my pool house was so happy when I said no azek trim and used cement board instead. He said first thing. At least we don’t have to worry about it moving on us.
I’ve seen ipe wood before and you’re right- it’s gorgeous!! I have never used Azek trim on a home so I have no comment on that issue. Just curious on what you’ve heard about how ipe wood handles bleach water?
I’ll ask my buddy tomorrow. I’ll go down the shop. I would assume pool water no issue cause u deal it anyway.
Here are some sapele pics of my ceiling and cement board. Sapele shows the same color when you only use a clear sealer like I did.
Ya but 2 tot
Thanks! but 2 totally different animals. Different look all together. With the ipe as decking you would deff be refinishing every few years unless you let it age how Disney does and how my buddy’s lake dock is. It gets that awesome Nantucket silver grey color to it. Just very classic beach house. I’ll ask Dave tomorrow about the ipe for around pools. I know resealing it takes no time at all. Brush it on very very lightly in one direction and let dry. It’s so easy to touch up if you get scratches in it. I had a few on the ceiling her and then when we installed and I scuffed and recoated so so lightly. Some spots I even just used the putty pens.
goody222
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- Feb 6, 2018
- 188
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Had Azek installed 2 years ago and love it (Virginia here). I'll have to post pics soon. Even though its a dark gray color and I have light gray pavers between the pool and deck, the pavers are hotter to walk on. So no problem there.
No slipping, mildew or staining problems (I have heard that sunscreen can stain though). One thing to remember is not to pressure wash at full pressure - instructions say not to. All you need is some soap and a brush on a pole to scrub. Since it is plastic, it is softer than wood so if you drop something heavy on it, it will leave a dent. One way my contractor saved us money is that they used standard white trim for the railing/posts instead of Azek's very expensive trim. You really can't tell a difference.
No slipping, mildew or staining problems (I have heard that sunscreen can stain though). One thing to remember is not to pressure wash at full pressure - instructions say not to. All you need is some soap and a brush on a pole to scrub. Since it is plastic, it is softer than wood so if you drop something heavy on it, it will leave a dent. One way my contractor saved us money is that they used standard white trim for the railing/posts instead of Azek's very expensive trim. You really can't tell a difference.