Building with synthetic wood (Shera)

[buksida]

Want to build a terrace and am unsure whether to use real wood or the composite stuff they use here called 'Shera' (เชอร่า). Have heard conflicting opinions on it but am impressed by what I've seen on other people's houses.

Here is the stuff anyway:
http://www.siamshera.com/
http://www.mahaphant.com/th/our-product ... -shera.jsp
http://www.siamwoodmall.com/shera

Advice appreciated, pros/cons, price differences, treatments etc.

Also thoughts on terrace support, using wood beams or concrete - it will be a meter off the ground, 15 meters long by 3 wide, L-shaped.

[crazy88]

Something like that? All you need is the house.

IMHO good wood is worth the effort. Shera a bit tacky if you do not use it right. There is a range called "Con wood" which is better looking. I would put pads down and run up to ground level with the pre-cast concrete pipes with the relevant steel inside. You can then carry on up to the deck or simply do it all the way to deck level and dress to suit your taste. You can use wood or steel for the skeleton. There really is not much cost difference unless you want to use solid teak poles which will hurt the bank, if you can even find them these days.


Crazy 88

[poosmate]

I have used conwood for decking. It has no strength so needs to be laid on a solid ( concrete ) base. even a small bend and the plank will snap.
In my opinion wood although more expensive is a better option.

[Winkie]

I think there are different ranges of conwood. I've used stuff that is about 1.5" think and certainly that does not bend at all.

[crazy88]

The thicker one was the one I was looking at for a gate. Pretty solid stuff but still prefer wood.

Crazy 88

[poosmate]

I used the material 4'' wide and I think 1.5'' thick.( advertised as deck board) after time outside (despite treating and painting it with the recommended solvent ) it is very brittle. I agree it does not bend but it will snap.
I have removed one deck - no tools required just pulled it up! ( I screwed it to a concrete base with screw spaces of 50cm).
Another problem I can show anyone interested is the paint/solvent/stain used to treat fibre board will burn off in the sun.I have called the manufacturer who sent a representative but he agreed it was not good in direct sunlight- handy for a deck
I have also fitted 3 teak decks over the last 4 years. Apart from cost and treating with teak oil a couple of times a year I have had no problems.
I have used shera for eves and fences without problem.

[PeteC]

.....Another problem I can show anyone interested is the paint/solvent/stain used to treat fibre board will burn off in the sun.I have called the manufacturer who sent a representative but he agreed it was not good in direct sunlight- handy for a deck .....

If you're talking about TOA, I agree 100%. Another severe case of 'I've got a monopoly so I'm going to dumb down the spec', IMO. I've done a wooden deck in direct sun and a sala floor, poles etc., that are out of the sun. The outside deck paint started to deteriorate within 3 months. The sala is fine, except a small southern edge which gets sun daily and is also deteriorating.

I won't use any TOA product at all anymore except their 7 in 1 epoxy sealer and coating for concrete walls. That seems to be a quality product. Pete

EDIT: Sorry, 7 in 1 from TOA is not an epoxy per say, it's an acrylic elastomeric coating. Link below.
http://www.toagroup.com/Event/TOA7in1_F ... index3.htm

[buksida]

Thanks for the feedback, some pros and cons there - looks like it will either need to be concrete based or more solid planks. I'll price up the both, reason for using the Shera was that it didn't need treating like the wood does and the ones I've seen are stronger.

Crazy, yes that is similar to what I have in mind but with the steps at either end running the width of the terrace.

[Spitfire]

Must say, I always go for real wood with stuff like this. Yes, bit more expensive but is more beautiful.

You just have to take care of it and treat it properly before adding the stain varnish and then apply gloss as a final coat, some may think three coats of varnish with gloss on top is a bit over-the-top but it looks fantastic and you just have to re-apply the gloss every couple of years depending on how exposed the wood is to the sunlight and all.

Regarding brand of stain varnish, I have always used this stuff called 'Woodtech' from the US, easily available and does a decent job IMO.

[Dr Mike]

Isnt it amazing that with all the scientific expertise that we have,wood is still the material of choice, it is strong, flexible, wears well and is beautiful.
Mother Nature sure makes good products.

[kendo]

Hi Buksida
I would use Teak or Iroka or a simular wood and use teak oil rubbed in with a cloth, after a couple of years of weathering the wood will change color and have a greyish tint so simply give it a light sanding with some fine grade sand paper and re seal using teak oil and the wood will look good as new and not really hard work thats why its used in the marine industry.

My opinion on TOA paint is its total crap, the builder used this on my gates and in 6 months the color had really faded and the paint is flaking off in big pieces.

Kendo.

[barrys]

Another option could be to use takhian timber - extremely tough as it's used for boat building here and cheaper than teak.

[splitlid]

this stuff is pretty good.
no maintainance, easy to install and use.

http://www.artowood.com/products.html

[migrant]

Isnt it amazing that with all the scientific expertise that we have,wood is still the material of choice, it is strong, flexible, wears well and is beautiful.
Mother Nature sure makes good products.

I agree!!

I've seen the fake wood products here in the states but like wood.

One question in addition is how does the product hold the heat?
Our wood deck I built get's pretty warm, but not scalding. I wonder about some of these other products

[margaretcarnes]

Whichever material you use I'd be very mindful of how high the decking is going to be from the ground, and what is underneath it.
Raised a bit on stilts might be Ok. But decking has been very 'trendy' in the UK for a while now, and much to peoples surprise they are getting all kinds of livestock living underneath it. So it's now tending to be replaced with the more traditional paving etc.
Even if raised up from the ground you'll attract rats etc and poss snakes.