New Composite Deck

As you’ll see from the photos below, this is a new composite deck replacing an old, worn out wood deck. Our client came to us looking for a solution for their back deck. The old on was about 12 years old and the decking was on its last legs. The wanted to upgrade to a bigger deck with lower maintenance in mind. After showing them a few samples of different materials and go over the pros and cons of each line of decking they chose to go with Trex Transcends exotic decking. The color name of the one they chose is Spiced Rum. Because of the choice of composite we were easily able to provide a long lasting deck with a hidden fasteners system for an even nicer look. The wrap around step is support entirely by a concrete footing for strength and durability. The decking itself has a multichromatic finish to give a more natural and not so stark coloring. This deck with its large layout, detail rich decking, hidden fasteners and strong support will be able to be enjoyed for many years by the owners of this home.

Designing is one of the most important steps to take for any remodel project. Having 3d design of your project not only allows you to see the future but also helps to anticipate problems. As with any project, having a clear plan makes for a smooth project, and having your project drawn in 3d makes for a clear plan. As you can see in the pictures on this post, the drawings give you the ability to see the new bathroom from any angle as well as allowing for more accurate space planning. You also have the ability to see materials and colors as they would be in the new space. The advantages to having a 3d design drawn of your remodel as opposed to traditional elevations and cross sections, gives everyone a clearer picture of what your getting and makes communicating it much easier. 3d design drawings are a must for any remodel or any project.

Here are a couple photos of 2 cedar decks we built on a house. The deck is framed with pressure treated lumber and decked in cedar. These decks were rebuilds from the original treated decks built when the house was new. We manufactured the handrails in our shop and pre-finished all the wood as well. This made for a low impact on site installation and no finish was required once the deck was built. The other advantage to building the handrails in the shop was being able to set up a system for assembly which saved time (money) and increased the ability to deliver a higher quality product. These decks are stained with Sikkens oil stain with a cedar pigment. With proper care and maintenance these deck should last for many years to come.

Below are a few pics of a composite fence we recently completed. The fence is 6′ tall and runs approx. 170′. This fence is located on top of a large hill so high winds are a regular issue the h0meowner. To address this issue we built the fence with 6×6 pressure treated posts with a minimum of 120 lbs. of concrete at the base of each post. The ground here is very rocky so its very stable, if I had softer soil I would be adding at least another 60 lbs per hole. The framing of the fence is all pressure treated lumber with the rails being attached the the post by means of a Simpson tie fence bracket (FB24z). The composite fence is Fiberon brand and is attached to the framing with 1 1/2″ galvanized staples. The completed fence looks great. Using a composite material for fencing is a great way to go. It gives you a long lasting, very nice looking, easy to maintain fence. The cost of the fence is definitely paid off by the longevity. Get a composite fence for long term performance and ease of maintenance.

Here is another deck we recently upgraded for a customer. This project consisted of replacing the perimeter decking with a new darker composite deck, installing new vinyl lattice skirting, and installing the handrails. As you can see from the first few pictures the old grey decking was removed, the customer had a real problem keeping it clean. We installed Trex Transcends around the perimeter and on the steps. Once completed we installed the vinyl lattice to improve the looks and add protection against creatures being able to go underneath her deck. The handrails are made of stainless steel flanges and galvanized exterior steel piping. The posts are pressure treated with a vinyl post wrap complete with footing and cap. This type of handrail allows for great transparency, a stylish look and low maintenance. I think it makes for a nice looking easy to maintain and enjoyable outdoor living space.

Today I thought I would write about decks since I just finished a fairly good sized one. (Pictures below) A deck, or patio, creates a great space for enjoying the outdoor with your family. Today there are so many options for decking material it can get a little crazy trying to figure out which one to go with. In my opinion the natural wood deck is the best to look at, but does entail the most attention over time. Cedar is by far the most popular wood for decks, but other exotic wood such as redwood are available. If your looking for something low on maintenance go with a composite. The brands of composite decks seem to be continually growing but the ones I use the most are Trex, Fiberon and Evergrain. The deck below is evergrain cedar color. Each of the brands has multiple lines within the brands from which to choose. Cost can range from the low $2.30 a lineal foot upwards of $6 a lineal foot. You also get a variety of colors and now wood mimicking patterns as well. When your ready to build take a little time to find the best on for you, and give me a call. I’d be glad to let you know more about things such as fasteners, framing the deck, steps, railing etc.