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There are many new products on the market these days that make deck ownership a lot less work than they were only a few years ago. From wood composites to vinyl, options are vast. We can look at the layout of your house and yard and design and build a custom deck to suit your lifestyle and needs.
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1. TREX decking.
Trex is the original recycled-content composite lumber. It has spawned a number of imitators, and many alternative decking options look a lot like Trex. Trex is largely made from recycled grocery bags and waste lumber that, according to the company, would otherwise end up in landfills. The product is now offered in five colors: Natural, Winchester Grey, Woodland Brown, Saddle, and Madeira.
2. GEO decking.
GeoDeck by Kadant Composites is a hollow composite available in three profiles: 5/4x6 tongue-and-groove, 5/4x6 square-edge, and 2x8 heavy-duty plank. The manufacturer also offers a line of posts, railings, and balusters. All products are available in Cedar, Mahogany, and Driftwood and, according to the manufacturer, fade very little.
www.geodeck.com
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3. TIMBERTECH decking.
TimberTech offers four profiles of decking: 2x6 tongue-and-groove, 5/4x6 square-edge, 2x6 square-edge, and a nonstructural decking cover. Its tongue-and-grooved product can be fastened through the groove to eliminate exposed fasteners. The 5/4 decking is a solid composite product, and the 2x6 is a hollow extrusion. TimberTopper, the nonstructural deck cover, is approximately 3/8 inch thick and is designed to cover and rejuvenate a sawn-lumber deck. TimberTech also offers a line of complementary railing parts.
www.timbertech.com
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4.EON decking.
CPI Plastics Croup's Eon Decking is lighter in weight than other wood decking substitutes. The 2x6 product has a slightly textured surface and comes in four realistic colors: Silver Cedar, Cedar, Redwood, and Pine. The manufacturer claims that its product is more resistant to mildew and discoloration than other decking products. It has a proprietary T-clip fastening system that results in a fastener-free deck surface.
www.cpiplastics.com
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5. TENDURA decking.
Tendura is a solid composite that breaks all the rules. It is more accurately described as a porch flooring than a decking. It is designed for covered applications because the T+G boards fit tightly together and have no means for water to drain through them. Tendura has a 3-inch coverage, compared to the more typical 5'/2 inches. With its preprimed surface, it's the only composite meant to be painted. According to the manufacturer, Tendura won't rot and resists expansion and contraction better than solid sawn porch flooring. It has been used in the restoration of historic homes because its profile and appearance closely match the wood flooring it's replacing.
www.tendura.com
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6. EVERNEW vinyl railing system.
The EverNew Railing system offers timeless beauty with enduring strength. This rugged, steel-reinforced, virtually maintenance-free vinyl railing will provide a safe environment of relaxation your family will enjoy for many years.
www.certainteed.com
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"Synthetic Decking Takes Off "
Article compiled from " Fine Home Building " June 2005
It's a pretty common opinion to prefer the natural look of wood over a man made product, however most people aren't willing or don't have the time to do all the maintenance that keeps a wood deck looking good. Until recently most synthetics were easy to spot. With many brands and styles to choose from, they were still noticeably "not wood." Today there are more than 60 different brands of synthetic decking with a large selection of colors, textures, and styles.
Three major categories of synthetic decking :
Polyethylene-based composites : More wood-plastic composite decking is sold than all other synthetic decking combined, and polyethylene-wood blends lead the way. They are durable, strong enough to be used as decking, and easy to work with. They are however, softer than the other plastics, which limits the joist spacing and makes them wear a little more easily.
Brands in this category include TimberTech, GeoDeck , Trex and Tendura .
See above descriptions for links .
Polypropylene-based composites : Polypropylene and wood-fiber composites are currently a smaller part of the market. They use a stiffer, denser plastic capable of spanning longer distances.
Brands in this category include CrossTimbers ( http://composites.elkcorp.com ) and CorrectDeck ( www.correctdeck.com )
Wood-free plastics : The products in this category are a small but growing part of the synthetic decking sold. Some are all plastic. Others are mostly plastic with some non-wood fiber added. The benefit is that problems with mold and seasonal movement caused by the moisture in wood are eliminated.
Brands in this category include Eon , Bear Board , Deck Lok and Procell.
Benefits of Synthetic Decking :
- Synthetic decking is durable; it won't rot, crack, or peel.
- No maintenance beyond cleaning is required.
- It can be installed with ordinary power tools.
- There's no waste from material defects.
- Some products are made from recycled materials.
- Most synthetic decking is non-toxic.
- It's available in a variety of colors.
- Matching handrails and accessories are available.
The price of decking is always a concern. Depending on material, your decking choice can add 25%-50% to your project. However, considering time and money on upkeep like power washing, sanding, painting/staining, rotten board replacement etc. the sting of the upfront cost will shortly fade as the years go by and all your deck brings is enjoyment and time away from work.
© 2005 Blue Ridge Construction
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