u/InterFrankFroza

It was an incident.

About 3 month ago, I finished one big DIY project (replacd a 800 sqft second floor carpet with hardwood flooring), then I started feeling a little bit abdomen discomfort when strain during urination and bowel movement, nothing else, probably a 1.5/10 pain level only when straining. I thought it was musucle related since I lifted a lot of heavy stuff. Then I went to see a general surgery doctor, she suggested me to do a CT scan with contrast, thank god, I did it. This is how the renal mass was found.......I was shocked......Been terrifying for 2 weeks now......And after seeing 2 doctors, they both suggestted me to have a surgery which is to partially remove my kindney meaning only the tumor since it is not too big.

So now the only thing I can do is keep praying for myself and try my best not to be scared......Hope Everything goes well, I will keep updating....

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to rebuild an elevated deck in Northern Virginia, roughly 20' x 14', and I’m trying to decide between two decking options:

1. TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest Collection
2. Trex Transcend Lineage

I understand these are different products/materials: TimberTech Harvest is PVC, while Trex Transcend Lineage is composite. I’m trying to figure out which one would be the better long-term choice for durability, heat, expansion/contraction, maintenance, scratch resistance, and overall feel underfoot.

For anyone who has installed or owned either of these, which would you choose and why? Are there any issues I should know about with either product?

Also, I’m also trying to decide on the fastening/installation system.

For PVC and composite decking, would you recommend:

1. Cortex face screws with plugs
2. Hidden clip systems for grooved boards, where the fastener clips into the board groove and attaches to the joist, without face-screwing through the top of the board

I like the clean look of hidden clips, but I’m wondering whether Cortex plugs provide a more solid installation, especially for PVC boards with expansion/contraction. I’m also curious whether hidden clips are more likely to allow movement, squeaking, uneven gaps, or board shifting over time.

For an elevated deck, would you use the same fastener system for the main field boards, picture frame boards, perimeter boards, and stairs? Or would you mix systems, such as hidden clips for the main field and Cortex/TOPLoc for the perimeter and stairs?

Any advice from deck builders or homeowners with real experience would be appreciated.

I’m not trying to overthink it, but I’d rather choose the right material and fastener system now than regret it later.