Thread: Steel Frame or Treated LVL?

Hi all, new member here as well

Has anyone used H3 treated LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) timber for structural members on a Deck, it is LOSP treated..Was looking at using the BlueScope steel framing method Quika-Floor, but there maybe future corrosion issues as well as cost difference. Will still be using Galvanised Posts.

Spoke to Buildex and they can not gaurantee their wingtips will successfully drill through hardwood decking into the steel, the problem being that in harder boards the wing tips may break off and if there is no clearance between screw and board there is a chance of the screw shearing with seasonal changes in the boards. Am a little unsure whether to use treated pine boards on galvanised joists as the new treatment ACQ Ammonia Copper is still supposed to be corrosive to steel. There are protection strips to go under boards...but it is the water runoff the may become trapped in the galvanised C purlins used for the bearers in the Quika-Floor system. Or is it just direct contact with the boards that cause corrosion.

Am thinking the treated LVL timber is the way to go.....? Seems to be a case of past experience which will help here

Thank you for any input..

Originally Posted by Blockhead

Hi all, new member here as well

Spoke to Buildex and they can not gaurantee their wingtips will successfully drill through hardwood decking into the steel, the problem being that in harder boards the wing tips may break off .

You have to pre drill and counter sink your boards first
Have only used treated LVLs on a deck that was tiled