Composite Decks Only

Started by JeffK11 • 16 replies • 2356 views

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JeffK11 (Maryland)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Hi Everyone,

Just this past week our developer turned over the community of 15 homes to the homeowners, an election was held for the Board of Directors for the HOA by self-nomination during the turnover meeting. I ended up being one of the five board members and am now serving as the Secretary.

The management company immediately sent the board two CARB submissions for decks for review that a couple of homeowners submitted. In our covenants the HOA requires composite only decking material, this can be costly as most of you are aware. I had asked the Developer controlled HOA several times in the past year why composite only when it is in the rear of our yards, I never received a response. Personally I think this should be changed, but can anyone tell me why our HOA should keep it composite only?

Thanks

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/outdoor-projects/should-you-build-your-deck-from-wood-or-plastic-11226815

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457

Posted:

If your CCR's state composite only, that is all that is allowed unless all 15 HO's amend the CCR's to reflect differently. Even if they also state that the reviewing committee says they have authority to make a decision, those decisions cannot go against what is written. Been there, done that, been taking to task for it.

If you are lucky your CCR's don't have a ridiculous % needed to change your CCR's. Good Luck.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Jeff

So let it be written.

If your Covenants call for composite decks then the only way to change this is to change the Covenants to allow for other materials. Read the Covenants, They will tell you what is required to change them. Be prepared for needing a large majority of owners (could be 100% but more then likely 2/3rds) to say yes to the change.

You cannot make Rules and Regulations, policies, etc. that are contrary to the Covenants.

Hope this helps.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Change your covenants to allow wooden decks. Construction quality will be subject to local codes.

It does seem to be arbitrary unless the developer has built all composite material decks in your new community. Then, it makes a measure of sense.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001

Posted:

wooden decks, while initially less expensive, are money pits

composite decks last MUCH longer (as long as 70 years), are 'virtually' maintenance free, and look great as they are 'uniform' and not subject to 'warpage'

the developer did y'all a BIG favor

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnB26 on 12/28/2014 4:58 PM
wooden decks, while initially less expensive, are money pits

composite decks last MUCH longer (as long as 70 years), are 'virtually' maintenance free, and look great as they are 'uniform' and not subject to 'warpage'

None of that is true. Composite warps and can rot because of their wood content. You are also still required to use wood framing unless you go to metal studs

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM31 on 12/29/2014 8:42 AM

None of that is true. Composite warps and can rot because of their wood content. You are also still required to use wood framing unless you go to metal studs

Used to be an issue with composite fading. Not sure if it has been resolved.

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Way off your topic, Jeff, but I'm wondering why you have a Board of 5 in a 15-home HOA?

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Are your rear yards fenced where others do not have to view each others back yards? If your HOA requires open type short fences where everyone can see into other owner yards this would be a reason to potentially keep the composite decks. Similar to vinyl fencing they look nicer for a longer period of time with minimal maintenance. However, if you have 6 foot privacy fences … then you have more options on what others do with their private property behind their privacy fence. However, as others have stated you need to amend your CCR's to reflect any changes.

AmandaR2 (South Carolina)
Posts: 566

Posted:

IMO you and your fellow home owners should get together now that you're in charge of things. The issue of composite vs. wood is a matter of opinion and personal taste. Like fencing material some require vinyl and some ban it. Some people (myself included) prefer the look of wood. It depends on how the wood is maintained so you could add something about required maintenance if wood is allowed. If it is in your backyard and cannot be viewed by any other neighbors at all, I can't imagine it being a problem to change.

HowardC2 (North Carolina)
Posts: 80

Posted:

Small enough community to get this, and maybe other items, changed.
This really seems like a very specific and restrictive item to have in the ccr documents. Personally I despise plastic decking. I think it looks so fake and it feels like doo doo. I built my deck with ipe. Find me a plastic material that will outlast ipe. It can't rot, can't get eaten by termites. Is almost impossible to scratch. Won't catch on fire and looks like furniture. Just my personal opinion of course but plastic is tacky.

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By HowardC2 on 12/31/2014 6:14 PM
I built my deck with ipe. Find me a plastic material that will outlast ipe. It can't rot, can't get eaten by termites. Is almost impossible to scratch. Won't catch on fire and looks like furniture. Just my personal opinion of course but plastic is tacky.

Not familiar with ipe. How does cost compare to composite?

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Personally, I prefer good old pressure treated wood.

Anything with plastic in it will break down with the sun's uv rays. Mold is another issue. Sure plastic looks nice when you first install, but years later it looks much worse than wood and cant be refinished like wood.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NpS on 12/31/2014 8:11 PM

Not familiar with ipe. How does cost compare to composite?

Pressure Treated wood about $2.00sq ft
Low line composition about $3.00sq ft
Trex about $5.00sq ft
IPE seconds about $7.00sq ft
IPE best about $9.00sq ft

I think.....LOL

HowardC2 (North Carolina)
Posts: 80

Posted:

Here is a link:
http://www.ipedepot.com/compare.htm
I did mine back in 2007 and I got it for $6,000.00 for a 1400 sq ft wrap around porch. Prices have gone way up and the clear product in lengths from 8-12' is very expensive. Installation is also much more however I did mine myself. This wood can't be nailed. It has to be predrilled and screwed. Putting an eased edge on the corners also takes time and several router bits with the router running at a slow speed much like machining aluminum. All in all I'd say it is, at current prices and paying for labor, at least twice as much as a cheap composite product and 1/3 more than top of the line composite. It is an exotic wood but it was the one and only thing that I demanded when I built the house. Well actually the deck and my 22X34' shop were the two things. Needless to say I am very pleased with the product. I am not a rich person nor do I have high dollar tastes. When it comes to my personal home, what it is made out of, how it is built and the quality of everything under the roof is/was something I had to have done to the highest level I could afford. I did a lot of the building (and rebuilding due to poor workmanship by many subs) I did the deck, the entire electrical which was over 100 home run circuits in a 3500 sq ft house and a whole lot of other things.
I have no problem is people like plastic building materials for their deck. It just isn't for me.

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