Porch/Deck: 5/4 vs 2x ???

[MountainDon]

Sooner or later (MTL later = Spring) I will be building a small porch on the cabin's west end. My choice for deck boards are PT wood, either 5/4 or 2X material. The support framing will also be PT 2x as used for the gazebo. It seems the 5/4 that I find locally is a better grade than the 2X material. What are the pros and cons of one over the other?

It'll be a small porch, 10 feet along the cabin end by 5 feet wide. The stairs would be located at one end, parallel to the cabin end wall, farthest from the door. One difference would seem to be that the joists should probably be 16" OC for the 5/4, whereas I might get away with 24" OC with 2x deck material.     BTW, the whole affair will have a shed roof over it attached to the end wall.

Ideas/thoughts/criticisms/...   ?

[PEG688]

The 5/4 looks better and will be easier to "work with" /force staright. It also will cup less , or have less chance of cupping anyway.

Your right IF you use 5/4 go 16" OC.   

[MountainDon]

I knew I could count on you, Paul.     

The 5/4 definitely looks better. I thought it might be less prone to cupping and other stresses than the 2X stuff; just wasn't sure. 

Thanks.

[PEG688]

Your welcome , the place looks real nice Mtn D. Good job, to your better 1/2 as well.   

[MountainDon]

I'll be sure to pass that on.   

[Redoverfarm]

Don I used 5/4 on my porch which was 16OC.  It has settled in real good considering that it has only been down 1 year.  You get the natural shrinkage but no cupping or warping.  I am not sure but I imagine having a roof over it has helped.  I used galvanized ring shank nails ( 3 per joist location). 

[fishing_guy]

We have a small 6 x 8' deck and ramp built onto the front of our home 15 years ago.  No roof, no protection.  We used 5/4 decking and it is still strong and solid.  It has been restained several times though.