Teak Deck, wood source, tips?

Question

I am looking to add a teak deck to my single family home in the spring.
The surface area is about 1000 sqft.

Does anybody know a good source for teak planks? Obviously looking to buy quite a bit of area and there should be a wholesale deal somewhere?

Other tip are also appreciated.

Toby Munk · Answer

Found an auction that is going to be held tomorrow in Chicago. They had Cumaru which is a good wood but a lot more "splintery" then Ipe.

They told me they expect prices to be $1.25 or so per LF. That with the fact that I would have had to drive 1126 miles to get there and a winter storm hitting overnight made me stay.

I think I can get $1.4 / LF in shorts in Texas and can schedule my drive when I have time.

Chad B. · Answer

I think my sister's first car was a Cumaru....she had the fuzzy dice and everything

Toby Munk · Answer

Tim,

got you. I might have to drive as far as Texas to get a good deal. Will have to see if that makes sense.

I just found out that I will not need a building permit if the deck is less than 30 inches above the ground. So I will need to build a step into it. But makes sense since they would require soils test, tons of inspections etc..

I can not deal with the hassle.

Timothy W. · Answer

Believe me, if anyone knows where to get it cheap - it's contractors.   :lol:  I'll keep looking for that contact info.

Toby Munk · Answer

Tim,

the "where" to get it is actually not the problem. The stuff is just very expensive. 1x6 go for $2-$2.5 a linear foot.

The question is where to get it cheaper? If that is possible at all.

So my 1000 sqft deck surface will set me back $4400 or so. Plus the sub-structure, concrete footings, railing and I will be closer to $6500.

I will do the work myself in the off-season (Mid-April to May).

Toby

Timothy W. · Answer

Toby,
Check contractors that do work on yachts/boats, etc....  There's a specific niche of guys that do that work.  Teak is all over the place on work like that.  I used to talk to a guy who did that but it's been 4 years since I've seen him.  I don't know if I have his contact info but I will check.  My guess is you probably have an Aspen contact who knows someone on a coast who could tell you where to get it.

Tim

Toby Munk · Answer

I will have to make a few call on Monday. The best I have found so far was $2 per linear foot of 1x6 material IPE.

That would come to about $4 per sqft. Not quite the deal I was looking for.

If the auction source does not work out because they don't have anything for sale in the next month or so I will need to go the traditional way.

But if anybody has a source that sells it cheaper than the above price please let me know.

Thanks for all your help.

Chad B. · Answer

You were right that link didn't work. Try this instead

http://www.builddirect.com/Home.aspx

Yeah sometimes you can get lucky and find a deal at one of these auctions if you can find the auctions that is. They can be hard to find.
Attached is a picture of an 8' arched leaded glass mahogany front door I picked up for $1500. I think it would retail for $7000 or more.

Toby Munk · Answer

25 cent a foot of 4" that is a great price. Unbelievable price. Yes you are right, teak or ipe, would work.

Any idea where these building material auctions are advertised. I would drive up to 500-750 miles to pic up the stuff. So quite a big radius around Aspen.

I think that link is broken, what is the correct URL?

Chad B. · Answer

You might want to check out www.builddirect.com. I personally haven't ordered from there but I check out the deals from time to time when I'm in need of a large quantity of things. I swear I have seen teak on there before but don't see it on there now. Although you might check out the Ipe it is the same thing as teak.

You can also look around for building material auctions. This is where suppliers and lumber yards pool together and unload their extra materials or their special order products that may have gotten canceled and they can't sell it. I've seen these auctions usually held about twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall. Last year I picked up 3 huge pallets of 1x4 teak decking for about 25 cents/LF if I remember correctly. Most of it was in great shape about 10% or so I ended up not using because it was badly weathered but at 25 cents a foot you can afford to do that. Just watch out for anything other than the lumber at these auctions, most of it is junk.