This project has gone from fun to a First Class Nightmare. At the risk of droning on, my drinking water well is located 34 feet from the corner of my deck. Simply trying to repair the old deck which was constructed with Spruce and fir (lasted over twenty years) on the original footings. Was given Building permit to do it. And intended to simply build it the same way it was built and stay away from any pressure treated lumber at any cost.Using composite for decking itself. The submitted plans did not indicate what type of materials would be utilized, but the Building inpector who has already advised me to remove the spruce ledger that I had put up., now informs me that I must use pt lumber, or mahogany or cedar but he doesn't like cedar because its not structurally strong. The lumber suppliers in the area agree with me that they personally would not put pt lumber near a drinking water well. The deck is 16x16 so the cost of structural mahogany and cedar is prohibitive about the min for cedar for 2x8x16 is $5 a lin. ft. and mahogany is far more. It has to be ordered as we are on east coast. A patio is a good alternative , but we would still need stairs to the back door which is about 68" from grade. And the bldg. inspector is insidting on pt on decay resistant wood for that or concrete. Stock precast does not come that high and narrow enough there is a bathroom window in the way which would mean a custom stairway at probably more cost than mahogany joists. Have been told that prior to pt lumber felt tape was used on the top of the spruce or fir and the joists lasted as long as pt. My old ones had no felt and even lasted twenty years. Has anyone used the felt paper before, or have any suggestions to avoid the pt. lumber.

so theres a small room addition on the 1st floor rear of the house, and a huge window that is right on it. naturally we tend to sit on the roof there sometimes, but if we try to keep any chairs or anything on the roof it'll damage the surface of the roof, & sink into it on a hot day. i am looking for advice on how to make a roof surface a porch area, suitable for planters, and chairs. any adivice??