What Material to use for the Dogs Deck… Yup you read that right!

[Steve R]

I thought this would be fun one to toss out and get your opinions on.

A fiend/customer’s wants me to redo the deck surface for the Dog’s Deck.

Okay the dog has it’s own full bedroom and She has a deck that she uses, that the wood is just going away.  Due to the wood going away the owner is asking me what other material to use. I’m still leaning toward wood…but wonder what wonder materials the FOGers know of that might just fit the bill.

You will see in the below pictures that the original had too big (½” to 5/8”) of gaps and had to be filled to stop the smalls dogs feet from falling in caught.

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

The deck is about 12’ x 15’, it sits atop a flat roof(not attached to the roof or walls), and is currently made up of 4 panels laying side by side so it can be lifted up and removed without tools to access the roof for maintenance if ever needed. Anything I use would need to be similar design.

Here is what it needs to do.
Survive Twin Cities, MN weather – 145 degree swing in temperature from – 40 to +105. Also it will get shoveled to rid it of snow.
Not get too hot for the little dogs feet.
Being a little dog I can’t have gaps larger then ¼”…maybe 3/8”
One 45” by 12' section must be light enough to be removable by 2guys.

I would use a wooden(?) frame and use __________ to cover the top.
What are your thoughts? What would you use….just wood? if so what wood?

Cheers,
Steve

 

[awdriven]

How is ventilation underneath? Maybe just go with cedar or cypress. Tropical hardwoods are heavy.

 

[Steve R]

I would build it up just a bit off of the roof as it is now for some ventilation.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[waho6o9]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14755.0;attach=39526;image

Made by Warner Construction Co.

Tigerwood is the material.  Use tigerwood for the dogs deck.  It would be awesome.

 

[awdriven]

Tigerwood weighs about 60 lbs per cubic foot - So I think one 45" x 12 foot panel made of 3/4 inch Tigerwood would weigh 170 lbs not counting any framework underneath it to tie the decking boards together.

 

[Steve R]

Tigerwood weighs about 60 lbs per cubic foot - So I think one 45" x 12 foot panel made of 3/4 inch Tigerwood would weigh 170 lbs not counting any framework underneath it to tie the decking boards together.

Yea, that would be pushing it a bit for what they want.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Is there variety of Trex (or whatever) that is white?  I know the plastic stuff gets hot, but if it were white...?

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

Other than the surface material, another thing to consider in your quest to reduce weight for removal purposes is what you are going to attach it to and how.  I have built several decks on top of rubber membrane roofs in the last couple of years, and the underlying sleeper height and the attachment devices really come into play.  If the deck has a sizable step down from the door threshold that helps.  If you need to have the underlying "sleeper" be no more than 1" in thickness, you need to research what fasteners are available and how they will integrate into the whole system.  Don't choose a hidden fastener for instance until you know how far it penetrates - roofs are expensive.

Didn't mean to give a sermon, just trying to protect you.  Your client might want hidden fasteners and you can't do them.  You might have to resort to exposed head fasteners instead for example.  As a last piece of advice, you should have a slip sheet of sorts under the structure lying directly on the roof.  If rubber, use rubber for example.

Good luck and I know that Fido will love it!

Peter

 

[Holzhacker]

I've done a few decks in the past with dogs in mind but not specifically for the dog. Composites have worked out very well in terms of clean up, resisting long term stains and not allowing bacteria build up. I've used Trex, Timbertech and something else, don't remember. Clients have been very happy. All applications had the smooth side up. The only downside has been that they get slick when wet. With normal dogs I haven't heard complaints. One client had a very active dog which brought about some laughter when the deck was wet. (as reported to me by the client) For young dogs it's probably ok, for an older dog it could be an injury issue.
Just did a Cedar deck finished with Sikkens. Seems to be holding up well to the German Shepherd but it hasn't been that long. Hope that helps. Markus

 

[BMH]

I have a couple of dogs and have different type of decks from synthetic to sun wood and cedar. Cedar is the favorite, it would be light enough to be lifted out and should do well in the snow and extreme temperature. I would finish it with http://www.timberprocoatings.com/.  This finish is what I used on all of my cedar and in my cabin. Great product and non toxic .

Bruce

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Hey, thanks for the plug!!

Most of the man made decking products weigh just as much, if not more then some of the SA hardwoods.

I would be worried about what a man made material would do long term in that spot.

Tiger Claws are great fasteners.

I am thinking cypress might fit the bill.  Not too spendy but, pretty and durable too.

I like the Messmer's products.