We have the supports up out of PT lumber and that seems to work well. Then we were looking for a low cost finishing material, so we took long lengths of 2x8 PT lumber and ripped it into lath and nailed it up.

As the pictures below show, the lath was perhaps too wet or the grain caused the boards to warp. Now we're in a mess.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what material we might use that is affordable. We thought about vinyl beadboard but were concerned as the deck above is open to the weather and the top of whatever material we use will have to drain...otherwise it will fill with water and come down or freeze. Do they make a PVC lath? Trex or Azek lath? Or might we make some kind of fancy vinyl lattice work?

Were the ends of the really warped boards not nailed down?

I don't know what the actual span should be (maybe someone else can chime in) but I don't think I'd do any more than 16".

What is the size of the boards? You said 2x8s that you then ripped into lathe. Does that mean that they are 2x4s? They look a lot thinner than that. Are they 1x4s?

We took the 2x8s and ripped them into lath...slats...so they are about the actual 1 3/4" by about 1/4" or 3/8".

What is interesting is the slats on one side are worse than on the other...each side was done from a different piece of lumber...so it could be how dry the wood was or how twisted the grain is.

Sorry, I have no more suggestions. Good luck with your project.

Thanks Millworkman, do you have any suggestions for other material we might try?

I did find a place in OR that would ship us cedar lath that is 1/2" x 1 1/2" and our choice of length....that's cheap at .32/ft. I suspect shipping will be more than the cost of the materials.

Do you think that would work seeing it's cedar and it's already cut and dried? It's also thicker than what we were using. I know it will turn gray with age, but that's fine by me. We are looking for something rustic.

Let me know if it's something you might be interested and I can try to dig up his contact info.

I spoke with the fellow who makes the cedar lath and he felt that since it was nonstructural, it would be ok to stick with the 38" span without supports. He said sealing it would help with the durability.

I'm still unsure...we spent a lot of $$$ doing it the first time and now it will all have to come down. I hate to spend the money on the added supports, but I'd hate even worse to have to pay to do it a 3rd time.

Sigh.

The guy's name is Mike Cohen, company is Lattice Works, and his number is 812-479-3232.

We were going to seal the wood, but then, I believe, it won't turn that lovely gray. I really want the more rustic look, so I think I'll leave them bare.

We used the 1/2" (true) cedar lath which I ordered from OR and we doubled up on the supports and the boards have been through several rain storms and they are still nice and straight.

I think that solved it. Expensive lesson to learn, but at least we've got something that's working.

Thanks!

We ordered the cedar lath and doubled up on the supports and I think we've got a great looking result. Finally!

So far, it's been through several rain storms and many very humid days, and has held up just fine.

Thanks!

I think we'll be trying to put a dry-deck system under our deck (just ordering materials now) but if that doesn't work out then this is a great idea!

cheers
ps: I think I've ''seen'' you over in the Kitchens forum??

I really like how the area under the deck turned out. We covered the area with landscape cloth and then put large rocks and small rocks in such a way as to create a "dry" river bed. Where there was sun and water, we added plants, but most of the under deck area needs no weeding. We wanted the walkway under the deck, but wanted it attractive, so we parged the foundation wall, and we put in lighting for night time.

Thanks for your kind words.