Conservation of trees, use 100% plastic decking (Cellular PVC) - Page 2

Xringer · 07-16-13, 10:30 AM

Took some temperature measurements in the sun and in the shade..

I have no idea why shaded areas were so warm. The real-feel out there is:
RealFeel® 99°
RealFeel® Shade 90°

This heat is slowing us way down. Not getting much done before the day heats up.

My back is killing me, so I sit down on the deck and let my legs hang down
in the open area, where the old planks have been pulled out.
The first time I did that in a sunny area, it was like sitting on a hot stove.
Had to get up fast.. That's the main reason for the big shade..

where2 · 07-16-13, 11:10 PM

I know the feeling, it's been "Feels Like" of 90°F-100°F for months now in South Florida (basically all the months I've been installing my PV system). Now you see why I used white Genova PVC decking on my custom floating dock. I can walk on it barefoot at noon on the summer solstice at 26.5°N, and it is still cool to the bare feet. I got samples of as many different "plastic lumbers" as I could find, in as many different colors as I could get (for free). I tossed them all out in the sunshine and shot them with my IR thermometer. My hollow white PVC was the best, and being able to span 24" joists doesn't hurt either.

My stone coated metal roof gets 140°F or higher in the midday sun. Installing my PV system starting around Memorial Day has been rough...

As a saving grace, the darker color will help with snow and ice melt in winter. My white decking would probably stay covered with snow and ice for months at your house in MA.

Xringer · 07-17-13, 07:45 AM

This stuff isn't rated for 24" spans.

Otherwise, I could use it on my steps.
I really like the idea of white PVC decking. Especially down south.

Smart way to pick!

I dread renovating those steps (12) with 2x6" PT. It's very knotty low grade wood..

Xringer · 07-18-13, 03:14 PM

A picture of me and my biggest Fan..

It's too danged hot! Work for 10 or 20 minutes and go inside to recover for an hour!
Getting down to 8 more 24' runs for the main deck.. Two more days?

where2 · 07-18-13, 08:04 PM

I certainly don't envy you, I saw that heat wave headed your way earlier this week. Installing my PV, I basically got to the point where I'd get up at the crack of dawn, quietly get my tools out and parts stationed from dawn until 7AM, work until 10:30AM, run errands, surf the net, or nap in the A/C through the mid-day heat, then go back at the project from 3:30PM-8:15PM. I had a bimini top from one of my boats up on the roof at one point to shade me while I wired up the enphase trunks through the junction box on the roof...

Xringer · 07-18-13, 08:43 PM

We were just talking about waiting for the mild weather next week.
I might take the next few days off.. Like a vacation from retirement..

With an Enphase install, an attic connected box routing the 230vac into the house (via the roof) seems like the best way to go.
http://www.cleanenergybrands.com/sho...ngle-phase.jpg

This seems to be what the local code wants..
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/001...ers_grande.jpg
A cut-off box outside the house.
How are you going to do that, if you have a lot of Enphase strings installed?

Xringer · 07-24-13, 08:33 PM

Got the last planks and rails done today. Starting on the PT stairs tomorrow.

The forecast is for cooler weather tomorrow.

Xringer · 07-25-13, 02:12 PM

It's been very cool and damp today. Light off-n-on rain.
Pretty good weather compared to the heat wave..

Got the new PT planks sawed (table saw) this morning and installed the worst of the wood on the west side stairs.

Just finished these north side stairs just before it started raining heavier..

Here's the B&A of the north stairs. Note, the time stamp.. And that's with a 45 min lunch break!

The PT wood came off the truck wet.. We kept it out of the rain,
and this morning, it was still water soaked. (Hard to cut or drill).
Home Depot PT wood has to be hand picked. Otherwise, you get junk.
I ordered one spare 8' 4"x6" and I was glad I did.
Since I had two 48" planks that were not safe to use on stairs..

Xringer · 07-26-13, 01:59 PM

It seems like I've been working on this all summer! Done at last!
Now I can catch up on lawn mowing and other chores..

Daox · 07-26-13, 02:10 PM

All summer? Its been 3 weeks since your first post.

Congrats on finishing it up!

07-16-13, 10:30 AM	#11
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Took some temperature measurements in the sun and in the shade.. I have no idea why shaded areas were so warm. The real-feel out there is: RealFeel® 99° RealFeel® Shade 90° This heat is slowing us way down. Not getting much done before the day heats up. My back is killing me, so I sit down on the deck and let my legs hang down in the open area, where the old planks have been pulled out. The first time I did that in a sunny area, it was like sitting on a hot stove. Had to get up fast.. That's the main reason for the big shade.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-16-13, 11:10 PM	#12
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	I know the feeling, it's been "Feels Like" of 90°F-100°F for months now in South Florida (basically all the months I've been installing my PV system). Now you see why I used white Genova PVC decking on my custom floating dock. I can walk on it barefoot at noon on the summer solstice at 26.5°N, and it is still cool to the bare feet. I got samples of as many different "plastic lumbers" as I could find, in as many different colors as I could get (for free). I tossed them all out in the sunshine and shot them with my IR thermometer. My hollow white PVC was the best, and being able to span 24" joists doesn't hurt either. My stone coated metal roof gets 140°F or higher in the midday sun. Installing my PV system starting around Memorial Day has been rough... As a saving grace, the darker color will help with snow and ice melt in winter. My white decking would probably stay covered with snow and ice for months at your house in MA. Last edited by where2; 07-16-13 at 11:13 PM..

07-17-13, 07:45 AM	#13
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	This stuff isn't rated for 24" spans. Otherwise, I could use it on my steps. I really like the idea of white PVC decking. Especially down south. Smart way to pick! I dread renovating those steps (12) with 2x6" PT. It's very knotty low grade wood.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-18-13, 03:14 PM	#14
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	A picture of me and my biggest Fan.. It's too danged hot! Work for 10 or 20 minutes and go inside to recover for an hour! Getting down to 8 more 24' runs for the main deck.. Two more days? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less.. Last edited by Xringer; 07-18-13 at 03:17 PM..

07-18-13, 08:43 PM	#16
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	We were just talking about waiting for the mild weather next week. I might take the next few days off.. Like a vacation from retirement.. With an Enphase install, an attic connected box routing the 230vac into the house (via the roof) seems like the best way to go. http://www.cleanenergybrands.com/sho...ngle-phase.jpg This seems to be what the local code wants.. http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/001...ers_grande.jpg A cut-off box outside the house. How are you going to do that, if you have a lot of Enphase strings installed? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-18-13, 08:04 PM	#15
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	I certainly don't envy you, I saw that heat wave headed your way earlier this week. Installing my PV, I basically got to the point where I'd get up at the crack of dawn, quietly get my tools out and parts stationed from dawn until 7AM, work until 10:30AM, run errands, surf the net, or nap in the A/C through the mid-day heat, then go back at the project from 3:30PM-8:15PM. I had a bimini top from one of my boats up on the roof at one point to shade me while I wired up the enphase trunks through the junction box on the roof...

07-24-13, 08:33 PM	#17
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Another hot day. Got the last planks and rails done today. Starting on the PT stairs tomorrow. The forecast is for cooler weather tomorrow. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-25-13, 02:12 PM	#18
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	PT renovation stairs done! It's been very cool and damp today. Light off-n-on rain. Pretty good weather compared to the heat wave.. Got the new PT planks sawed (table saw) this morning and installed the worst of the wood on the west side stairs. Just finished these north side stairs just before it started raining heavier.. Here's the B&A of the north stairs. Note, the time stamp.. And that's with a 45 min lunch break! The PT wood came off the truck wet.. We kept it out of the rain, and this morning, it was still water soaked. (Hard to cut or drill). Home Depot PT wood has to be hand picked. Otherwise, you get junk. I ordered one spare 8' 4"x6" and I was glad I did. Since I had two 48" planks that were not safe to use on stairs.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less.. Last edited by Xringer; 07-25-13 at 02:15 PM..

07-26-13, 01:59 PM	#19
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Singing in the Rain!! It seems like I've been working on this all summer! Done at last! Now I can catch up on lawn mowing and other chores.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-26-13, 02:10 PM	#20
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	All summer? Its been 3 weeks since your first post. Congrats on finishing it up! __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.