pallet wood over old decking

Hi all!
So after making a raised path out of pallet boards, I got the idea of putting a layer of pallet wood on top of our deck. First, I love the look and I love the price. Second, our deck (we just moved) has recently been stained with a solid color. While this has protected the wood nicely (the current decking is in great shape), it has lost the look of a wooden deck, complete with knots and wood grain etc.

My original plan before much thinking was to cut down the railings, use the pallet wood to give a "floating deck" look out to where the railings used to be, and then install a lower level of pallet wood decking.

My main question is, I'd like the ease and stability of nailing the decking right into the existing deck wood. If it ends up looking like I think it will, I do not mind putting holes in the existing decking. But if this will cause major acceleration of rotting in the existing decking and structure underneath, I will rule this out.

Next option: Nail or screw down several 1 X 2s on the existing deck to provide 3/4 inches of air in between the original deck wood and the new pallet layer. This would at least give the existing deck boards more exposure to air and a better chance at drying after a rain.

Are either of these two options worth attempting, or would I be doing more damage than good?

Thanks in advance, Jeff

 

I would recommend against it. Pallets (skids) are not dimension lumber and are not necessarily consistent. Nor are they treated and can be of many different types of wood.

 

I wouldn't do it. You'll likely catch and keep moisture between the boards which will accelerate the demise of both. I doubt the pallet boards would be thick enough to suspend them over strapping .... and while that's better than directly nailing them to the decking it will still take longer for that space to dry.

almost forgot welcome to the forums!

 

Agree completely with Norm and Mark. Short of planing it to a consistent thickness you're going to have countless trip hazards. And even if it were to hold up, which of course it won't because it would be untreated lumber with water standing on it, the moisture trapped between the two layers would hasten the rotting process dramatically.

 

This is just not going to come out good!

 

This wood is not meant to be used in this manner nor is it going to last long outside exposed to the elements. Don't do it and I would get ready to re-do the path you mentioned as well.

 

It took some time but I made this cool pallet from this scrap chest!

 

I'm sure you meant the chest was made from the scrap pallet

nice looking chest

 

I like it Norm! Very fine looking pallet.

 

Although I've in fact built some items out of old skids, no matter how well it's made and good looking, a piece of furniture made from a pallet still looks like a pallet. LOL

 

Depending on how tall the deck is and your local building code it may be illegal to remove or substantially alter the railings on the deck due to the falling and entrapment hazard for children.