Using old decking boards for new patio?

[Hammare&Spik]

Hello! As most already know, the price of lumber has gone up up up over the past 2 years. Therefore, I'm wondering if it's good/feasible to use old deck wood (which a private person is giving away, see image) for a new deck to save the environment and money.

Has anyone tested this? Does the result turn out well? Extra work involved? What do you do with the old screw holes?

As mentioned, has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Does it work well?

 

[Mats-S]

Probably a real hell to tear it down nicely if it's been in place for about 10 years, the screws will likely be stuck like crazy, or alternatively, you'll immediately get stripped heads when you try to unscrew them.
The underside is probably a fairly okay surface if against all odds you manage to remove the boards without damaging the areas around the screws.

But go there and try a bit to see if it's tearable

 

[Hammare&Spik]

Probably a real pain to tear it down nicely if it's been there for about 10 years, the screws are likely stuck hard, or alternatively, you might get spinning right away when you try to unscrew them.
The underside is probably a fairly decent surface if against all odds you manage to remove the boards without damaging the surfaces around the screws.

But go there and test a little to see if it can be demolished

What can be done about the old screw holes if you somehow manage to remove the old screws fairly well?

 

[Mats-S]

Will never be completely invisible ... but this should work well functionally, over time it probably won't be so visible
https://www.clasohlson.com/se/Kemiskt-trä-Plastic-Padding/p/31-9084

 

[pacman42]

Screwed is almost impossible, but nailed can be saved reasonably well. I have reused such things to build for the children when they were small. But the question is whether new is cheaper if you are to place any value on your time...

 

[Hammare&Spik]

Screwed is almost impossible, but nailed can be decently salvaged. I have reused such material to build for the kids when they were little. But the question is if new isn't cheaper if you are to put any kind of value on your time...

Is it that the screws are so damn tight? As another member wrote here?
I can probably ask if it's nailed or screwed. Hope it's nailed.

I place great value on my short time here on earth. I find it very fun to do carpentry and work on projects. Therefore, I have no problem with a project taking a few extra days..

 

[z_bumbi]

Drill off the screw heads on the screws that won't loosen and pry with a crowbar. Plug the holes with skewers or another suitable wooden dowel and plenty of wood glue, finish with sawdust and wood glue. The wood glue should be intended for outdoor use. It can be a hassle or it might be easy, but you have to test to see how the decking behaves. You will probably have to sand the decking once you've laid it again, so you might get interesting color variations or use the timber for other projects.

 

[Nyfniken]

Use the pressure washer on the screw holes so the hole and screw head are clean from dirt before you unscrew.

 

[Hammare&Spik]

Feel free to check out my new thread that I started today.
You might have some good advice to give me there.

The thread is called:
How much paint and rust do you need to sand off?