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Anyone else having problems with MAJOR shrinking with this product{in cold climates. I’ve been building decks for 20 yrs. and I think I’ve met my match with this product. I need to make a good client satisfied… Fred at [email protected]
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Fred, which product? is care-free a brand, if so I'm not familiar with it. contact the distributor and/or manufacturer (assuming it is an engineered or manufactured product) explain your situation and ask them to make good on it.
*Fred- I've built a Care free deck. I didn't care much for working with the product because it is all plastic. It doesn't make sawdust it makes plastic shavings that get all gummed up in your tools.Carefree shrinks more than any decking material on the market. We would show up to the job in the cold mornings and the boards almost shrunk completely off the joist they were screwed to.By noon the same day the boards would be butt tight.I would guess the decking shrinks about 1/4" for every 20 degree variance in temperature.The Manufacturer says not to use 16' lengths but to cut them to shorter lengths so they won't shrink as much.This information does absolutely no good after the fact.The deck is very slipery when dry but not when wet.My customer was well aware of the shrinkage before installation so that was not an issue.My problem with materials such as this is how much stress it puts on the fasteners that are holding it down.With that much flex something has to give.The recommended fastening is to double screw both ends and center and let the rest of the decking expand and contract in the clips .Hope this helps. You can click on my website to see the finished product.It is forth from the bottom under decks.(www.pro-dek.com)Bob
*Thanks Bob Aside from shrinkage,slippery when wet and static electricity [and one of priciest decking options] its not bad.I ended up putting a cover stip over butt joints {2 1/2"] thankfully my crew installed joints in pattern that was forgiving. I am working w/ supplier and distributor to remedy situation.We were told the fastening pattern has been changed by mfg. Thanks again ...Fred
*Thanks steve - yes its an eng. product and I,m working w/ supplier & distributor to remedy situation