Wood Deck on Concrete Slab?

Q: What’s the best way to install wood on top of a concrete slab? I’m planning to put wooden strapping on our concrete verandah, underneath deck boards. Is this a good approach?

A: Adding wood on top of concrete is always tricky because it boosts the rot process substantially. Even using cedar or pressure-treated wood against concrete is no guarantee. In this case I'd recommend using a composite deck material instead of wood. You could slice this up and use it for strapping against the concrete to support real wood decking, or the composite could be used for the decking, too. As you shop around you'll find two kinds of composite deck material. Most types are hollow extrusions that are fine for the deck surface, though not for use as strapping. Trex is one widely available brand that's completely solid. This makes ideal strapping material for use directly against concrete.