So I started the deck in late June, early July. I came out on the first day of October, which was a chilly day and much to my dismay, this is what I found!!!
When it is hot out, and the deck is soaking up the suns heat, there is no gab what so ever! But, when its cold, every seam pulls open. These two were/are the worst. Interestingly enough, the Trek Decking shrinks next to nothing compared to the Choice decking! I was/am disappointed in the Choice Decking Brand! A 1/4 inch longitudinal movement is just crazy. The deck has been down two falls and winters now and the gaps close and appear like clockwork! I wouldn’t be so disappointed if I had known about it and was expecting it!
O well, its to late now to cry over spilled milk:) Getting back to work, I moved over to the pool side area. The plan was to do break up the monotone of the rest of the deck. The idea was to put the inlays where they wouldl be seen once the furniture was on the deck. I also wanted to create a set of stairs that hugged the pool; so this particular inlay would be an ever present part of summer life. Again, I didn’t do a lot of calculations, I just went by what felt right.
If you know me, you already know I have a weakness for things nautical…even though I am not a Navy Man man, I bleed Army Green:)! (Though, really we all bleed Red, White and Blue!!!) Anyway, I really wanted to carry the ship idea from the shop onto the deck! I glued several pieces of Trex Decking together using Gorilla Polyurithane Glue and then cut out a ship design.
Because I was limited to so few colors, I wanted to create a silhouette of the ship with the “sun” setting behind it in a horizon of ocean.
I purchased some off shade, off brand decking for the sun and used my Lamello Biscuit Jointer and more Gorillia Polyurethane glue to glue up the blank. I have to give a huge Thank You to David Rakauskas from Colonial Saw Co. He sponsored me with this tool when I first got out of the hospital and the Army! This jointer is an amazing machine! Not only does it cut biscuits but it also has a cutter to remove defects. I will be forever grateful!
My twin brother gave me this little gem of a tape measure for Christmas! It is a Rototape and I highly recommend it if you draw circles at all. It makes life so much easier and it is a joy to use. There is just someone about a good tool in your hand! I know you all know what I am talking about!
Here is where the change comes in and where I must disappoint you…at least for a time. Right after I have finished this part of the deck, things shifted and it looked like we were going to move! All the work for nothing…, not really though, its good practice and I enjoy using my brain and hands. So the new plan was to scrap the ship and sun and just fill in the empty space so that the deck was livable when we left the house.
The great news is we are NOT moving! Bad news…I have not returned to the deck to finish the ship inlay. It may be sometime before that happens. Until then, here is what the deck looks like know!
Thanks for reading! That it for now…
More to Follow…soon I hope!...:)
