We feel that the more someone knows and understands what the available options are for their deck, the better they will be able to make the right choice for them, a choice that will keep them happy for years to come.

Of course we are always happy to discuss and present to you all the available options in person.

PRESSURE TREATED

Pressure Treated Lumber is a Southern Pine mix of wood, treated under pressure with chemicals that prevent insects, such as termites, and rot from destroying the lumber, but these same chemicals along with moisture, or water will attack most metals. We specify and use only approved metals for your deck hardware if it is effected by Pressure Treated chemicals.

www.strongtie.com/productuse/PTWoodFAQs.html

We always use Pressure Treated lumber for your deck framing.

Pressure Treated Lumber is the least expensive most commonly used decking and railing choice. It is naturally strong, and easy to install. Left unfinished it can rot, splinter, split, and warp. Pressure Treated lumber weathers gray. We recommend finishing Pressure Treated decks to help prevent these problems.

Pressure Treated Lumber comes with a Lifetime Limted Warranty

Cedar contains natural defences against rot and insects which should last about 20 years, but it is soft and may damage with foot traffic. It is great when used for railings and trim.

Cedar is the most beautiful of all the deck materials, easy to work with and finish. Will turn gray when left to weather.

Price varies from inexpensive for STK grade to expensive for clear.
We recommend deck surfaces to be finished, but rails, trim and accessories can naturally weather.

www.cedar-deck.org

Composite materials are made by combining a blend of plastic and waste wood fibers. The boards won't splinter, split, and don't need to be stained. Yet composites are more expensive and should be cleaned regularly to prevent mildew. Composites move more in response to temperature change.

We use 12" framing centers even though the manufactures claim 16" centers are enough.
This helps to eliminate the deflection in the decking boards. Hidden fasteners are available for some decking systems. Embossed wood grain surface and a variety of colors of composite decking have a very nice appearance.

Composite used for rails and trim are more expensive than most wood, and are limited in design. We have used cedar and vinyl rails with composite decking resulting in a very handsome look.

Our company uses:
Evergrain www.evergrain.com
Timbertech www.timbertech.com
Trex www.trex.com

All of these companies have a 25 year warranty

Procell (now Azek) A cellular PVC vinyl decking board, is not really a true composite, as it is all PVC but it usually grouped with the composites. Harder surface and embossed grain, probably more mildew and scratch resistant but perhaps more man made looking. It is lightweight and strong, fastens very easily and snugly. Comes in several pastel shades of colors which can fit many needs. We like that pastel look with white rail, trim, and white cross lattice hiding the area under the deck.

www.azek.com

IThe two we use have proven to be the best. IPE (ironwood) and Garapa Gold. The biggest difference between the two is IPE is dark olive brown and Garapa Gold much lighter like Blond colored hair. Both are high quality clear grade, extremely resistant to rot, decay, and insects. Garapa and IPE provides less tooth for mildew growth, and stain resistance. Higher cost up front due to material price and labor to install, but down the road savings such as IPE decks never require finishing, unless you desire to change the color. If something spills on the deck in most cases just wipe it up or you can lightly sand out more stubborn stains. These two hardwoods decks may last over twice as long as any other wood, composite, or PVC. IPE is great for rails trim and accessories.

www.ironwoods.com

25 year warranty for IPE,
15 year warranty for Garapa Gold

Endurance and Fairway are the two brands we use. They both offer a wide selection of styles colors and sizes.
Azek is is used for trim and stairs when white vinyl is chosen.

www.rdirail.com (endurance)
www.fairwayvinyl.com
www.azek.com

20 year warranty Endurance