Deck Specialist - Spring 2020 by 526 Media Group

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DECK

Spring 2020

SPECIALIST Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals

The Hottest in Hardscapes

Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

DECK SHOWROOMS • PODCASTS FOR CONTRACTORS • ENGINEERED WOOD DECK FRAMING

DECK

Spring 2020

SPECIALIST Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals

The Hottest in Hardscapes

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DECK

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Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals FEATURE STORY

All Eyes on Hardscapes The latest trends in hardscapes

WHAT’S HOT

The Power of Podcasts How podcasts are shaping decking

Just in Time for Spring Connecticut country club project races the clock to finish

Build Decks on EWP Treated engineered wood marks the next generation of deck framing

Decks Take on Sin City

Outdoor living shines at IBS BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Room to Show Should you open your own showroom?

ON THE COVER Belgard shares how the latest trends are affecting the world of hardscapes in outdoor living.

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Spring 2020

ALSO INSIDE 8 Editor’s Note 10 Industry News 38 Product Review with Marv Johnson 42 On the House with the Carey Bros. 44 The Bottom Line with David Elenbaum 46 Set the Standard with Brendan Casey 50 New Products 60 Date Planner 61 Ad Index 62 Idea Book

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info@526mediagroup.com (714) 486-2735 DECK SPECIALIST is published quarterly at 151 Kalmus Dr., Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 486-2735, www.building-products.com, by 526 Media Group, Inc. (a California Corporation). It is an independently owned publication for U.S.-based builders and contrators that specialize in decking and other outdoor living projects. Copyright®2019 by 526 Media Group, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved. Deck Specialist reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it. Spring 2020 • Volume 4 • Number 1

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Building-Products.com

December 2016

Building Products Digest

EDITOR’S NOTE

Plug in for the right reasons I was at dinner with friends the other night at a popular restaurant in Los Angeles. I can’t tell you how many social media posts I’ve seen of this place and how many friends have recommended it. And it lived up to the hype. It was probably one of my favorite restaurant experiences. The food didn’t just taste amazing, but the presentation was exceptional. The ambiance had a New York feel, nestled in Downtown L.A. But what I thought was more interesting was how many people were on their phones, and for a long time. I assumed they were either texting or on social media, if they weren’t constantly taking photos of their food or of what was around them. I wondered at what point are they going to sit back and just enjoy the moment? Not that there’s anything wrong with taking photos to remember, but how much is too much? There’s a lot of talk about social media these days. Today it seems as though everyone has either a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. While some may argue social media can be an unnecessary distraction, others will say that it’s a useful tool that generates discussion and positivity. I’ve come to learn that the choice is ours. It appears the decking world knows the difference. I’ve found that Instagram has been a unique tool to not only start discussion and share products, but it’s also served as a tool for builders to support one another. I’ve seen countless times online where builders are praising each other’s projects and achievements. It’s a unique thing to see among competitors who are obviously close friends too. In my opinion, when social media supports something, that’s when it becomes beneficial. We hear a lot of discussion about how smart phones and social media are causing people to disconnect from reality, but if we can use it for good, for the benefit of what brings us passion— in this case deck building—it makes social

Deck Specialist

Spring 2020

media much less of a “distraction” and more of a resource. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing to be pluggedin, as long as it’s for the right reasons. Deck Specialist, for example, is not solely on social media, as you can see. We have a strong presence in print and online, however, we do utilize platforms to share our publications, because the decking industry is definitely present in social media. I was excited to find Mark King and “Dr. Decks” at the International Builders Show in January and Instagram made it really easy for us to connect. We were able to share “live from the show-floor” footage of the two builders demonstrating how to curve decks with heat manipulation. Since we are a quarterly magazine, I’ve found that social media, newsletters and web content are great supporters of our print publication. And speaking of, if you haven’t seen our monthly Deck Specialist e-newsletter, be sure to send us your email so we can get you plugged in! Here’s to embracing new social avenues online, so long as we do them for the good of business and ultimately, the good of mankind.

Stephanie Ornelas is managing editor of Deck Specialist. Reach her at sornelas@526mediagroup.com

Spring 2017

Deck Specialist

INDUSTRY NEWS Custom Length Program Launched

DuraLife is now offering the DuraLife Custom Length Program for its deck boards. The program is perfect for large jobs that require non-standard length decking and offers custom length boards for all DuraLife decking and dock profiles and colors. For jobs with a minimum order of 750 linear feet, custom length cuts from 6’ to 24’ can be ordered at no additional charge. With a short lead-time of two weeks, contractors are able to save valuable installation time on the jobsite and get the length that’s just right. “DuraLife’s Custom Length Program reduces material waste and saves contractors time and money on their deck installations,” said Mike DeSalle, product manager. A contractor can order custom lengths through their local dealer and the program is very effective on large jobs like condo and multi-family housing when a non-standard deck dimension is part of the design.

Advantage Lumber Creates $4K Ipe Wood Deck Giveaway

AdvantageLumber.com has launched a giveaway of over $4,000 worth of ipe wood decking and accessories. The giveaway includes enough decking material to build a 300-sq. ft. deck, excluding the framing materials. The company decided to offer the ipe wood giveaway as part of its commitment to make 2020 its strongest year ever. “We have brought in 20% more hardwood decking inventory for 2020 compared to our 2019 inventory,” stated Jon Fletcher, national sales manager. Participants can register to win at www. giveaway.advantagelumber.com/15015. The winner will be selected on March 31.

Envision Collections Code Approved for Cladding

Envision Building Products’ Distinction, Inspiration, and Expression collections are now code approved for use as cladding. Envision’s products feature deep, non-repeating grains and distinct colors throughout each board, offering a unique appearance. The line features 11 color options ranging from highly variegated with bold highlights to softly blended pleasing tones or popular solid colors.

Deck Specialist

Spring 2020

Distributors Swap Out Deck Lines

Several decking manufacturers have announced that they have struck new distribution agreements. Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution will distribute Barrette Outdoor Living’s DuraLife decking products to retail lumber yards and home improvement centers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia through three of their distribution locations in Delanco, N.J., Baltimore, MD., and Wheatland, PA. Fortress Building Products and Hall Forest Products have partnered to expand Fortress’ distributor network of framing and decking products. Trex is widening its Midwest footprint with the expansion of Amerhart distribution into eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

Lawsuits Dismissed over Michigan Deck Collapse

Judges have dismissed two lawsuits filed against Ottawa County after several people were injured during a deck collapse at the Weaver House in Pine Bend Park, Port Sheldon Township, MI. During the collapse at the historic home in June 2017, more than half of the 25 people standing on the deck were injured, two of whom sued the county seeking compensation for physical and psychological injuries stemming from the incident. An assessment of the deck’s construction ordered by the county shortly after the collapse allegedly found that the lumber used in the construction of the deck in 2005 was “not suitable” for outdoor use.

Platinum Decking Expands in Illinois

Builder Platinum Decking has expanded into Libertyville, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and Mundelein, IL. The company’s main goal is to provide homeowners with a local deck builder, wherever they may live in Illinois. The Libertyville branch will service all villages and cities east, west and north of Libertyville. This includes areas around Chicago’s North Shore and cities near or on the Wisconsin border.

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Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

INDUSTRY NEWS

DECK FRAMING

ROT? WE THINK NOT. The Best-In-Class Steel Framing Solution.

2019 Third Quarter Award Winning Outdoor Kitchen Design built by Archadeck of Northeast Dallas-Southlake.

Dallas Archadeck Honored

TO SUPPORT & DEFEND.

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Agustin Garza, owner of Archadeck of Northeast Dallas– Southlake, and his team were awarded Archadeck Outdoor Living’s Design Excellence Award for a cabana and custom covered patio outdoor entertainment space. The national contest recognizes design excellence among its franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada. Garza and his team custom designed a beautiful and functional cabana in which the homeowners can cook, eat and relax. The cabana features a gable and hip roof plus an attached shed roof to cover the eat-in dining area.

AZEK Registers for IPO

Deck Specialist

Deck and railing manufacturer The AZEK Co., Chicago, IL., has filed a registration statement with the SEC for a proposed initial public offering. The company, which last year notched sales of $823 million, hopes an IPO will raise up to $500 million. Spring 2020

Idea House Boasts Zuri Deck

A luxurious deck built of Zuri PVC decking, provided by Royal Building Products, will be featured in Southern Living’s 2020 Idea House. With 3,600 sq. ft., the annual Idea House will debut in June in Asheville, N.C. Other sponsors include Home Depot, Sherwin Williams, James Hardie, and Marvin Windows & Doors.

Corrections

In our Winter Issue coverage of the North American Deck & Railing Association’s National Deck Competition Awards, we misidentified several winners, including: Joe Hagen, All Decked Out, Cincinnati, OH. (1st place, Limitless Creation $50K-$100K, Best Refinished/Restored Deck); Charles Chadd, Decks Unlimited, Dayton, IN. (2nd and 3rd place, Limitless Creation $50K-$100K); and David Settlemyer, LS Underground, Longmont, CO. (2nd place, Open Porch). We apologize for the errors.

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What’s Hot in Hardscapes By Joe Raboine

As we reflect on 2019, one residential design trend is clearly at the center of it all—clean lines. While we expect today’s monochromatic colors and modular trends to continue in home design in 2020, there are unique design trends taking hold of the industry that are expected to make a big impact. At the core of these trends is nature, taking cues from it and taking the opportunity to make outdoor spaces a retreat and oasis. From unique shapes being incorporated into outdoor design to comeback colors, there are five outdoor design trends that will lead the charge in influencing how we bring the indoors outside. 14

Deck Specialist

Spring 2020

Nature’s Influence and Material Combinations

As biophilic design continues to become more common, designers and homeowners are looking for ways to incorporate the natural environment and is textures into outdoor living. By aiming to link to our inherent need to connect with nature in the modern built environment, biophilic design seeks to fulfill our innate need to affiliate with nature. This extends to outdoor spaces, which can achieve these goals by combining materials and connecting the built environment to natural elements. By integrating contrasting textures—picture smooth porcelain hardscapes

set into turf as a walkway off of a deckâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this aesthetically pleasing and beneficial design can be accomplished. This integration can become seamless as contractors and designers work to integrate hardscapes and decking into outdoor spaces. The trend of incorporating porcelain tile and pavers onto the deck itself is increasing in popularity, which can add both aesthetic and functional value. By using silca grates, contractors can install pavers or stone directly onto the deck, simply by attaching between the joists. The thickness of the decking material and porcelain work seamlessly together, creating one smooth surface. The hardscape area can be used to place a grilling area or fire pit directly on the deck, making it even more functional for the client. Based on the rise of material combination frequency, some manufacturers are working together to develop products to ensure they work together seamlessly, providing an impressive and functional space. With the evolution of outdoor living becoming more common, Americans expect these materials to work together. Manufacturers are considering colors and materials that coordinate with ease, such as hardscapes and composite decking, and pull them into each space to create a cohesive design and one-stop shop for contractors and clients for material selection.

ABOVE: Biophilic design seeks to fulfill our innate need to affiliate with nature. This extends to outdoor spaces.

A Bridge Between Living and Working Spaces

As more people are working from the home, they seek comfortable spaces to work, live and relax. As a true extension of the home, outdoor spaces can create a change in scenery from the home office but can still provide the functional space for productive work, while also doubling as

BELOW: As biophilic design continues to become more common, designers and homeowners are looking for ways to incorporate the natural environment and its textures into outdoor living.

Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

ABOVE: Though outdoor living generally focuses on the back of the home, the front porch as a gathering space appeared as a popular trend in 2019 and will continue to become a focal point this year.

a leisure area. Retaining walls can double as seating and incorporating a fire feature can make spaces livable year-round. From an installation standpoint, decking is ideal for making the transition from indoors to outdoors when you have a significant elevation change. Even if the outdoor space is a flat lot, creating a zero-edge transition out of the home is simple to achieve with decking materials compared to other materials. For example, when transitioning with hardscapes, contractors have to be concerned with flashing areas and ensure it is water- and ice-proof. Decking materials can then be carried into the landscape with benches, vertical gardens and other spaces, alongside hardscapes, in the area. In addition, railings can be more than just a safety measure, building in storage to a section that serves as a bench built into the railing border.

and playfulness to outdoor spaces. Geometric shapes such as hexagons and trapezoids make a statement in elements like paver shapes, pillows and textiles, rugs and more. In addition, large format shapes and asymmetrical, almost jagged edges, will continue as popular styles. Unique patterns Hardscapes and decking work well within this bring a retro feel trend, as patterns are and playfulness to more limited with decking outdoor spaces materials. However, more designers and contractors are creating patterns with decks by utilizing different colors or features such as a faux rug inlay in the space. Contractors can consider a picture-frame effect for an outdoor space, by installing multiple strips on the outside of the deck or using a different paver to create a border.

Unique Shapes and Patterns

Warmer Tones and Comeback Colors

Mimicking those seen in recent interior design trends, unique patterns bring a retro feel

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Spring 2020

Nostalgic colors are making a comeback and will make their way into outdoor design to create

sanctuary spaces. While grays made a splash in residential design and edged out tans and beiges in recent years, 2020 will bring a shift back to warmer hues and softer, muted colors. Hardscape productions directly reflect this trend, as we are seeing more homeowners move away from grays. In Bolder colors addition, bolder colors such such as charcoal as charcoal are making a splash in hardscapes. are making These color selections a splash in can play well with decking, though the bolder colors hardscapes will not be quite as popular due to the heat effect and concerns. However, some composite decking manufacturers offer a unique technology that can help reduce heat transfer by the board, which can allow for bolder colors to be used. In addition, homeowners can opt for darker colors as accents or may be able to utilize them more frequently in northern and colder climates.

Curb Appeal

Though outdoor living generally focuses on the back of the home, the front porch as a gathering space appeared as a popular trend in 2019 and will continue to become a focal point this year. As lot sizes continue to get smaller, the front of the home will become a popular gathering and living space in addition to existing as a greeting area. Similar to the bridge between the indoors to outdoors in the back of home, decking is

ABOVE: Hardscapes and decking are almost always present in the typical outdoor space, so it naturally makes sense for manufacturers to develop them to work together.

ABOVE: The trend of incorporating porcelain tile and pavers onto the deck itself is increasing in popularity, which can add both aesthetic and functional value.

natural to use on the front porch to eliminate the need for a step down. And in a similar fashion, hardscapes and decking can be used together to create a striking impression from the curb, integrating various materials, colors and textures. Decking can be used to create a seamless transition from the front door and then blend to the front of the yard where hardscapes can be utilized to create more functionality and reduce lawn maintenance needs. Overall, hardscapes and decking are almost always present in the typical outdoor space, so it naturally makes sense for manufacturers to develop them to work together. Manufacturers are increasingly aiming to create cohesiveness with product and design between hardscapes and decking. This also creates a business opportunity for contractors. By becoming educated and skilled in hardscapes and decking, contractors can build their services and portfolio, serving as the main provider for their clients and increasing business. Joe Raboine is the director of residential hardscapes at Belgard. He works to ensure that Belgardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contractors and dealers are receiving best in class service, products and experiences.

Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

The Power of Podcasts Deck Builders Find a Different Way to Gain and Share Insight

James and Morris Carey hosting their podcast, On The House.

By Stephanie Ornelas

Podcasts are paving the way for professionals to connect with each other and gain knowledge through a different avenue, and the decking industry is no exception. Much like talk radio, podcasts allow the opportunity for a professional to share insight or tell a story in a casual way. And although many popular podcasts like The Art of Construction and ProTractor Podcast, have large followings, they give listeners a chance to receive information in an almost intimate way. “When I listen to a podcast, it sort of feels like they’re talking directly to me and that really adds to the overall experience,” said Brittney Thomas from Decks & More, Smyrna, GA. “I 18

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listen to all kinds of podcasts about true crime, current events, even food and drinks, so a podcast about decking is right up my alley. And it makes sense. A deck builder is always on the go.” The decking industry is all about podcasts. Not only were they present at the last Deck Expo in Louisville, KY., we’re beginning to see them pop up on social media and on company websites, too. The Ultimate Deck Shop, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, teams up with companies like Deckorators to add relevant content to their podcast, The Ultimate Deck Show. Hosts Shane Chapman, Wade Laurent, and Justin MacRae lead the popular show that aims to create entertaining, honest discussion about the deck-

ABOVE: The Ultimate Deck Show hosts their podcast at the Deckorators booth at Deck Expo.

building industry. In addition to talking about the company’s latest products, they also host contractor open mics, giving a contractors an opportunity to share their voice. “People have less and less time these days, everyone is on the go all the time, especially busy contractors. So it’s tough for them to consume video content. But audio is passive. You can listen while you work, while you drive, while “We discuss the you shower. So I figured industry, the people in the easiest way for my it, and what you need to audience to consume the content I wanted to know to stay ahead” share was to put it into a consistent, weekly podcast format.,” said host Shane Chapman. “Sometimes we joke around. It’s a casual setting but our listeners like that. It adds to the fun.” The podcast recently posted episodes titled, “NADRA Deck Awards: 10 Reasons Why You Should Be in Them,” and “Six Reasons to Build a Deck in the Winter.” Something unique about The Ultimate Deck Show is they regularly post videos about a range of different topics in a light-hearted way. “The podcast sheds light on trends, products, business strategies and challenges across the North American deck building industry—and does so in a very lively and funny way,” said Chris Camfferman, managing director, marketing for Deckorators. “It was exciting to team up with The Ultimate Deck Shop to share candid

conversations about the state of the industry.” Podcasts have provided a different way of sharing and receiving information and when it comes to presenting them at shows like Deck Expo or the International Builders Show, attendees seemed to really take to it. And the idea of recording live from the floor adds a special feature at the show.

ABOVE: The Ultimate Deck Show sheds light on trends, products, business strategies and challenges across the North American deck building industry— and does so in a very lively and funny way. Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

ABOVE: It’s not uncommon for podcasts to team up with companies to create content, share ideas or even promote products.

Versatex is another company that has been utilizing podcasts to present useful news to a market of professionals who love to learn from one another. “Construction industry people want to talk about what they do—and they want to hear what people just like themselves say about it, too,” said content creator Bryan Abdallah, the man behind Versatex’s podcast, The Versatex Way. Abdallah has spent time seeking out top contractors, architects and building-products manufacturers, and inviting them to pod-share their perspectives. “We try to keep the content useful, but informal and fun to hear,” he said. “We see how many peo- “Authentic storytelling ple respond to our pod- is still the most effective way to communicate. cast and we know this is And I think that’s why just another great way to we’re finding audiences communicate with the not only all over the U.S., but in Europe— rest of the industry,” and among a surprising number of listeners in Australia.” James and Morris Carey, otherwise known as The Carey Brothers, host On the House, another popular podcast that has a unique following of its own. The charismatic duo will at times conduct their podcast from events too, bringing in attendees and exhibitors from all over the show to discuss a wide range of topics. “Our media presence is just as important as our contracting business. We see how many people respond to our podcast and we know this is just another great way to communicate with the rest of the industry,” said Morris Carey. Their casual but informative episodes

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Spring 2020

feature remodeling experts like Sean McAleer of DeckRemodelers.com and talk about product offerings from companies like TIVA Decking and Regal Ideas. While the idea of podcasts and radio shows have been around for some time, they seem to be a trend that’s resurfacing and The Carey Brothers and The Ultimate Deck Shop aren’t the only ones getting behind the mic. Other podcasts are making a dent in the outdoor living industry. Podcasts like Remodeling Business Blueprint, Ask the Contractor and Nuts N. Bolts all host regular weekly episodes. “I wanted to build leverage and influence within the industry via our vendors, partners, and peers. And so far, it’s been very successful,” said Chapman. “From a content perspective, I have two guiding principals for every episode: educate and entertain. Every episode will provide one of those two things, and if I can help it... both”

ABOVE: Ideas for Versatex’s podcast come from contractors, remodelers, lumberyard people, and custom millworkers on the job and at trade shows like IBS.

Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

Just in Time for Spring Connecticut Country Club Transforms Outdoor Living Space By Greg Groenhout Photos by Nelson Construction

When it came time to begin renovating

the deck and patio area for Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury, CT., there were specific goals in mind. But what local builder Nelson Construction was really up against was the clock. Spring was just a few months away and the country club had a slew of outdoor events scheduled. The installation of 8,000 sq. ft. of grooved decking and 370 ft. of mahogany and cable deck rail began March 1, 2019, with 10 carpenters on the job. The design required extending the deck

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Spring 2020

The goal was to go beyond golf, appealing to new members with upscale amenities and comfortable outdoor dining. .

to the Grand Stair overlooking the golf course, leading down to the patio and lawn area, which is an 18 ft. wide, 15-rise staircase with both curved rails and treads. The purpose of the new outdoor dining room was to seat as many people as it could comfortably, and the goal was to feature unobstructed views of the golf course and tennis courts. The planners also wanted to go beyond golf and appeal to new members with upscale amenities and comfortable outdoor dining. In addition to curved masonry foundation walls that proved

to be a challenge in itself, the builder wanted to create a fastener-free surface and have it done in time for the facility to welcome a season of events, which would mean building through the winter season. Planning began in the previous December, with foundations and 40 precast deck piers installed immediately. Then, deck removal, structural steel framing and reconstruction proceeded through the winter. Chris Nelson, president/owner of Nelson Construction, relied on deck technologies from CAMO deck fasteners and Fiberon composite Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

LEFT: The space is built out creating an outdoor pavilion that endures spring, summer and fall.

for the Pavilion’s bar and dining areas. Nelson had previous experience with the splinter-free, low-maintenance aspects of Fiberon decking, and thought their new Good Life deck profile in “Bungalow” color would work nicely for the club’s design. With strong schedule control and guidance in the value engineering and product selection, Central Builder’s capable carpentry crews helped the Nelson team finish the Hop Meadow Pavilion project from start to finish in 125 days through the winter, ready for the club’s spring opening events. The project also recently won the Connecticut Home Builders (HOBI) “The space is beautifully award for Best New Commercial Project built out creating an under $3 million. outdoor pavilion that But as everything endures spring, summer began to take shape, and fall and that has challenges needed to quickly become a huge be addressed. “The Grand Stair was hit for the members.” uniquely challenging to construct with curved masonry foundation walls to support the custom curved side rails, at a 63-degree rise,” said Nelson. “The side rails included 10” square PVC posts, factory custom curved rails, PVC risers and composite decking treads.”

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Spring 2020

Another “must” for this outdoor space was to have a fastener-free surface to make it safer and more aesthetically pleasing. Nelson chose CAMO EdgeClips to achieve the desired look. “Our crews had no issues with the clips and we realized significant time-savings,” said Nelson. Since the EdgeClips have legs that hold the fastener to the joist, there was no pre-installation required. “The speed we achieved using CAMO’s clips certainly made a difference on the Hop Meadow deck and they’re also less expensive,” said Nelson. When Sanford & Hawley Building Materials supplied materials for Hop Meadow, they offered sample buckets of EdgeClips. “After trying them, Chris noticed how fast they go in when hand-drilled,” explained co-owner Frank Sanford. Sanford echoed the benefits of fastening EdgeClips with the CAMO DRIVE tool, as it offered the ability to secure fasteners while standing, easing the strain on workers’ backs and knees. Working under a tight time-frame with several add-ons to the project, Nelson relied on Central Builders, the labor subcontractor, to complete the deck on time. According to John Higgins, VP of Central Builders, the impressive scale of Hop Meadow’s deck created an ideal opportunity for a marriage between Fiberon grooved composite decking and CAMO EdgeClips. These technologies offered critical labor and time-savings on a project facing delays

due to unfavorable weather and several project additions. Despite these time constraints and inclement weather conditions, Nelson Construction was able to complete the 8,000-sq. ft. pavilion and deck while bringing their quality craftsmanship to the country club’s outdoor entertainment areas. The patio bar pavilion has views of the golf course and tennis court with 43 new seats and six TVs, while an adjacent “The CAMO Drive tool new bar deck offers 48 seats under the awning. offered the ability to Adjacent to the patio secure fasteners while bar pavilion is the new standing, easing the upper patio and fire strain on workers’ backs. pit area. Both areas are comfortable during three seasons with radiant heaters and wind/ sunscreens. The illuminated railing provides a comfortable ambiance during any season. “The space is beautifully built out creating an outdoor pavilion that endures spring, summer and fall and that has quickly become a huge hit for the members,” said Nelson. “It’s a huge boost for the club’s membership, events and restaurant business.”

The illuminated railing system adds extra a cozy ambiance for comfortable outdoor dining.

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Deck Building Solutions • 866-767-1850 • www.suredrive.com • sales@suredrive.com Spring 2020

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Spring 2020

PWT Treated is a new deck framing system made of pressure-treated laminated veneer lumber, providing a foundation to rival the quality of the more visible components.

Building Decks on EWP

Treated engineered wood marks the next generation in deck framing systems By David Koenig

While homeowners lounge on their luxe outdoor couches or roast s’mores with the family around the deck firepit, they often take for granted the importance of the structural framing systems that are making it all possible. For decades, traditional wood products used in deck construction quickly succumbed to the elements to which they are so frequently exposed: sun, insects, rain, snow and natural organic breakdown of the material. Recently, engineered wood manufacturer Pacific Woodtech (PWT), a Burlington, WA.based company, unveiled a treated deck solution that addresses the critically important structural framing systems that support everything else. PWT Treated LVL is the world’s first manufacturer-treated laminated veneer lumber. For all the same reasons engineered wood products have become immensely popular in

interior residential framing (40% to 50% market share), they are becoming increasingly sought out for exterior framing needs.

Bigger Building Options

PWT Treated allows designers to greatly increase the scale of exterior framing projects in many of the same ways they have been able to do in the interior. Step outside to enjoy larger open areas. Take in grander vistas by decreasing the number of posts, columns or larger overhangs and balconies, and save time and money by reducing the number of energy-intensive footings that need to be installed.

Sturdier Products

Treating LVL with conventional methods for dimensional lumber weakens the structure of the product. Fortunately, PWT discovered Kop-Coat’s Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

Tru-Core technology, which fully penetrates each veneer layer to the center then adds an envelope finish to protect each piece from the inside out. Every beam, joist and column suffers no loss of properties, and is safeguarded against damage caused by fungal rot, decay and insects. The final product, explains PWT’s Matt Caissie, “is just as strong as it was pre-treatment, and that gives us the ability to create long spans. Designers can run wild with the structural capabilities of the product, open up sight lines below-deck, and really match up better to the high-end composites that are on the market today.” Additionally, PWT Treated contains no additional volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and can be used both inside and out where projects call for joists to be cantilevered outside of the building envelope, creating zero-support balconies.

Your Crew Will Thank You

In recent years, several composite decking manufacturers have worked to fill the niche for higher-end, warrantied framing by introducing steel deck framing systems (namely Trex’s Elevations and Fortress’ Evolution systems). Installing metal framing, however, does

LIGHTWEIGHT and easy to handle, PWT Treated allows building designers and structural engineers to work with published structural design properties to create structures that far exceed code requirements.

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Spring 2020

require different expertise and tools than a small deck crew may possess. PWT Treated can be drilled, ripped, tapered and cut to length just like dimensional lumber. The product is lightweight and easy to handle. It allows building designers and structural engineers to work with published structural design properties to create structures that far exceed code requirements. Eased edges are applied to the beams and joists, meaning construction crews avoid splinters. It can be safely discarded with regular household waste, making job site cleanup simple and easy.

Design with Ease

The full lineup of PWT Treated products can be designed using a layout, estimating and engineering software package called iStruct. This one-stop shop makes it easy for your architect or designer to communicate with your build team, while keeping the project on time and on budget. Use iStruct to select the best products for the design, run calculations to see how the wood will perform, generate 3-D renderings to help owners visualize the project and create a full bill of materials, including hangers and accessories.

The Best Deck Possible

With the outdoor living trend firmly on the rise, it makes perfect sense to ensure these premium spaces and materials rest on the best structural weather-treated framing products on the market. “We try to promote a system that is better than code-minimum,” Caissie says. “For years, folks have leaned on the deck installer or the code

EASED EDGES are applied to the beams and joists, meaning construction crews avoid splinters.

documents to say, ‘Here’s how we’ll build this frame.’ We have the ability to run this product in the software the same way we do our interior products and create code-improved products that are stiffer, stronger and can handle heavier loads like a hot tub or an outdoor kitchen.” That should translate to bigger ticket decks, he says. “Every single contractor will have an opportunity to upsell to something better that’s still easy to work with. And when you look at the cost of the decking, railing, lighting, furniture, hot tub, barbecue, it’s a real small upgrade to have a greatly improved framing system beneath it all. I think it’s going to catch on pretty quickly. The same way we see that interior frames are now 50% engineered, that would be an amazing goal to get there on the exterior.” Boasting a 25-year warranty, the framing system includes ledgerboard, deck joist, deck beams, columns and stair stringers. They can be factory- or field-laminated. Offered are billet beam sizes of 3-½”, 5-¼”, and 7”, plus 1-3/4”, which can be bolted, nailed or screwed together, for crews that want to handle smaller pieces rather than a larger section. PWT TigerDeck_DeckSpecialistAd-halfpg_Apr2020_Outlines.pdf Treated is sold through a network of

engineered wood distributors who will assist with design and delivery to builders’ local building material dealer. Make homeowners even happier with a longlasting, beautifully crafted deck that invites everyone to stay a little longer, watch the sunset, and then maybe enjoy some s’mores under a starry sky.

THE FRAMING system includes ledgerboard, deck joist, deck beams, columns and stair stringers, all of 3/4/20 4:11 be PM factory- or field-laminated which can

TIGER DECK NEW C

CMY

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Having a place to show and sell—even if it’s just for your own services—can make all the diﬀerence. .

ROOM TO SHOW

Should you open your own deck showroom? BY DAVID KOENIG

Sometimes photos and brochures aren’t enough to close the deal. Prospective deck buyers want to see and touch the actual products, ideally in an installed setting. In fact, with so many deck colors now available, photos rarely do them justice and do no favors in helping to tell them apart. Says Minneapolis deck builder Pat Noonan: “Today’s decking is so color variant that in order to see it properly, you really need to have a good display.” A number of builders have responded by opening their own showrooms. “For over 20 years I have been in business and at times struggled with selling a deck at the kitchen table,” shared Dale Ervin, president of Colorado’s Custom Decks. “I always thought if

I could just have a showroom to bring people to, this would be so much easier. I got really serious about it a couple of years ago and probably spent six months looking for the right space.” He found the ideal “Today’s decking is so color variant that in order spot in Centennial, CO. Starting with to see it properly, you a completely empty really need to have a warehouse, the company good display.” needed to get permits, build the “house” walls, run electric, build roofs, pergolas, stairs, decks, and more. In the end, the company was left with a space big enough to fit three trade-show booths. Spring 2020

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ABOVE: For most deck companies, one of the main goals of a showroom is to make it as realistic as possible for the customer.

Designer Kari Lillywhite’s goal was to be as realistic as possible. Custom Decks’ team built multiple house facades (which actually led to the staff’s offices) and attached decks the way they would attach them to a home. They elevated the decks off the ground since that’s how most reallife decks are built, and added different types of railings, lights, patio covers, and a couple of outdoor kitchens. “But we didn’t stop there,” Ervin continues. “Almost every yard has grass so instead of leaving the concrete we installed artificial grass to bring it all together. Finally I added a mural “I added a mural to set to set the whole thing off. It’s the first thing the whole thing off. It’s you see when you enter the first thing you see the showroom and when you enter the everyone always says showroom and everyone WOW when they walk always says WOW when in.” they walk in.” Most of the products displayed are from Trex. “About 70% of our decks are built with Trex and we have a great relationship with them,” Ervin says. “I believe in the product and am very comfortable standing behind everything they make. We are showcasing their decking, railing, steel frame, lights, Rain

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Escape, spiral stairs, and will be installing their pergola soon.” The showroom opened last spring. It doesn’t sell any materials, but rather exists solely to showcase Custom Decks’ installation capabilities. Minneapolis’ Noonan took the opposite tack. He set up his retail company, Pro Deck Supply, as entirely separate from his construction firm, Deck and Basement Co. The retail operation, he says, is “a full-service specialty lumberyard that doesn’t install anything. Deck and Basement is a customer that buys from it, a separate entity.” Pro Deck Supply opened in 2014 with the goal of providing specialized services and costeffective, high-quality deck-related materials. “Manufacturing aluminum railing to spec, pre-cut deck kits, pergola kits, custom fabrication of PVC trim, and prefinishing services are things that a typical lumberyard could never offer effectively,” Noonan explains. “We sell to homeowners, contractors and builders in Minneapolis and now all across the country through our online store.” Unlike Custom Decks, Pro Deck Supply wanted to highlight as

ABOVE: Custom Decks’ team built multiple house facades (which actually led to the staff’s offices) and attached decks the way they would attach them to a home.

many high-quality materials as possible—but had even less space to work with: just 750 sq. ft. inside and 350 sq. ft. outside the showroom. “We are very limited on space so effectively showcasing the products in minimal space was

ABOVE: Prospective deck buyers want to see and touch the actual products, ideally in an installed setting.

the ultimate goal,” Noonan says. “I started with that and worked the designs around that.” He ended up featuring decking lines from 10 different manufacturers with over 100 individual colors shown. The store also displays more than 20 railing lines, four different underdeck systems, AZEK Pavers, numerous lighting options, hardware and specialty tools. “The local demand is what drives what is predominantly featured, but we sell any brand and have samples for all of them,” he says. Everything is “organized by colors, not brand, so people can really see all that is available.” A touchscreen ordering station allows clients to research and ultimately purchase independently through the online store. The showroom was remodeled last year to show off the products’ latest colors. Having a place to show and sell—even if it’s just for your own services—can make all the difference. Ervin notes, “It’s been great. Our customers love to come in and see the products and choose their materials in person instead of out of a book. It’s made a big difference in setting expectations for our customers, as well.”

Protection to Safeguard your Customer’s Wooden Deck Structure

INSTALLS ON LEDGER BOARDS • JOIST TOPS • JOIST ENDS • POSTS

Stocking DeckWrap PowerBond® gives you additional sales opportunities when selling decking materials. This self-adhering waterproofing membrane is suitable for use with treated, untreated and synthetic woods. Start realizing new sales today by calling 800-882-7663.

Spring 2020

mfmbp.com

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LEFT: Hardwood decks that are exposed to a year-long assault of sunlight and humidity should be stained every year or two depending on the wear, tear and discoloration.

Stains that stand the test of time

Long-term wood stain quality is essential for ensuring satisfied customer results By Keaton Smith

American homeowners spend any-

where from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands annually to build new decks, fix older ones and enhance the livability of outdoor areas. As a result, hardwood decks that are exposed to a year-long assault of sunlight and humidity should be stained every year or two depending on the wear, tear and discoloration. Now, the real challenge—selecting the right stain from the hundreds of oil- and water-based mixtures delineated by the seemingly unending variety of transparent, semitransparent, semisolid, and solid options. This is on top of the protective, longevity, application and coverage qualities that inherently vary among different products. While many water-based stains claim to last for years and often dry quicker with less odor, most just don’t offer the UV protection provided by many high-quality, oil-based stains. Additional considerations surround the numerous quality and performance differences that exist within

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even leading oil-based stain brands. In most cases, this starts with the very composition of the stain itself and then extends to the multiple assortment of UV blockers, pigments, dyes, fungicide and oils included in today’s products. For example, many of the oils commonly used in wood stains tend to change color over time. Some even harbor mildew and mold, such as linseed oil, which can lead to the wood turning black or discolored. In fact, the only reason some companies use these oils is because they lower the product’s cost, no matter the inferior results. When it comes to the choice of oils, polymerized tung oil has proven its ability to preserve wood and outperform other products. Yet many users are turned off by the lengthy amount of time it takes to dry. Some manufacturers have overcome this problem through the addition of high-quality drying and hardening agents that have drastically reduced the time to dry from weeks to days. Another advantage that makes polymerized tung

RIGHT: Builders should be aware that there’s far more to the selection of wood stain than price.

oil worth the wait involves the long-lasting capacity to retain color, while naturally resisting mildew and mold. As for the dyes and pigments used in most stains, trans-oxide pigments are commonly viewed as the more color-stable of the two, which results in the stain maintaining its original color longer than those that contain dyes or solid pigments. But contractors should note that stains containing trans-oxide pigments are not cheap and often bear a higher price although the quality of the application makes them worth the cost in many instances. In addition, builders should never purchase a wood stain without considering the wide range of ingredients. American-made fungicides, UV blockers and trans-oxide pigments generally combine to better resist water, acid and fading, while also actively increasing the wood’s ability to resist cracking or warping, enhance stability and showcase the wood’s natural luster and beauty. It should also be noted that the highest quality stains use the same UV blockers found in automotive paints, which is another reason these higher-end products tend to cost more, but produce higher-quality results. Other advantages surround the enhanced preservation of the wood’s natural beauty, greater wear resistance in severe climates and safer, easier use. That’s because there’s no need to strip or sand the previous coat before their application and the best products produce lower amounts of VOCs to ensure user- and environmentally-friendly results. Subsequently, builders should be aware that there’s far more to the selection of wood stain than price. In most cases, the components and ingredients vary significantly, while playing an integral role in the wood’s weathering and the

customer’s long-term satisfaction—all extremely important considerations that should always be a preference throughout the buying process. Keaton Smith is Nova USA Wood Products’ ExoShield product manager and handles Western U.S. decking & siding sales. For more info, visit novausawood.com.

It’s Your View Enjoy it with Westbury® VertiCable

Spring 2020

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Decks Take Center Stage at IBS SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

Conﬁdence was building at this year’s International Builders Show as deck and outdoor living professionals packed the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 21-23. The three-day show was buzzing as chatter about the growing industry was constant. “It’s true that people are paying more attention and spending more money on their outdoor living spaces,” said Jason Russell, aka Dr. Decks. Jason, along with Mark King of Infinite Decks, spent a lot of time at TimberTech’s booth, where they hosted mini demos of how they use heat manipulation to curve decks. “Our clients are really receptive to having that curve,” Jason added. 36

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Meanwhile, CAMO Fasteners was demonstrating its various product lines at the show, like its convenient CAMO Drive system, and Simpson Strong-Tie showed off its latest pergola system. The company also used the show to announce its new Pergola Planner Software. Much like its Deck Planner Software, the free program will help customers design their pergolas to their exact specifications. It was a big show for Trex, whose booth really stood out to showgoers with its fun and casual “backyard party” atmosphere. Attendees gathered around the company’s new fireplace offering from its latest collection Fire & Water. The product line consists of a collection of

AGS STAINLESS

FIREPLACE XTRORDINAIR

HEAT-CURVING DEMO VERSATEX

RAIL FX

AZEK

TREX

SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

stylish and durable outdoor fire features, water elements, and decorative planters. Fireplaces featured a unique burner design that creates a larger, fuller and more natural-looking flame that delivers the look of a natural wood fire. The product is making an already hot industry even hotter. The company also showed off some offerings from its new partnership with Danver, displaying a beautiful stainless-steel outdoor kitchen in their booth. A few companies even made their way to the outside displays, adding a little extra flare to the outdoor living experience. AGS, Versatex and Deckorators all had product displays at the show’s “Outdoor Offerings” area.

The show was flooded with building professionals from all walks of life, many who agreed that this may have been the biggest IBS they had ever seen. “Everywhere I look, I see someone I know, or I’m meeting someone new. It’s been a crazy show,” one attendee was overheard saying to his colleague. Decking products were found in every corner of the show, proving what’s already been evident—that people are focusing more on their outdoor living spaces and companies are reacting to that. One thing is for sure—the decking and outdoor living industry is showing no signs of slowing down. Spring 2020

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PRODUCT REVIEWS

Duxxback Decking www.greenbaydecking.com

Duxxbak Decking I hate the rain. I’m a native of

California. I never would have imagined that I would wind up living in Washington state. I’m used to having four distinct seasons: some rain in the fall and spring; warm, sunny and dry summers; and a fair amount of snow for the winter. How I long for those seasons. Seems as though here we get maybe two of the four if we’re lucky, and we haven’t been very lucky recently. According to my home weather monitoring station, for the last month (January), we had precipitation on 28 of the 31 days in the month and a monthly rainfall total of almost 12 inches. Suffice it to say that the weather here makes doing anything outside unpleasant at best. So, with this in mind, I wondered why more customers haven’t asked about decking products that also provide for a dry space below. I finally did get such an inquiry and it set me about searching for the right product. I found several below—deck guttering systems that seemed to be fraught with potential problems requiring cumbersome installations, rubber gasketing systems that were expensive and required special milling and tedious installations, aluminum decking systems that had an integral channel or gutter that diverted the water, and I quickly discovered that these decks were

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insanely loud during heavy rain and not really for residential installation. In addition to the noise, in the summer, the aluminum surface becomes too hot to touch, much less walk on. As I was beginning to think that there was no practical solution out there, I stumbled across the GreenBay Decking’s “No Drip Through Decking” product called DuxxBak. I reached out to regional sales manager Gary Daley and spent a couple of hours discussing the technical aspects of the product. Gary turned out to be an incredibly knowledgeable resource. Two days later a package arrived at my office with the DuxxBak sample pack enclosed. The first thing I noticed was that the samples were not just 4” chunks of the decking (which are too small to be helpful when deciding on color/texture). These were a full foot long, which is much more conducive to imagining what a whole deck of that color would look like. Upon examining the samples, the next thing that stood out to me was how light, yet rigid the product seemed to be. The hollow cells in the extrusion allow for the “boards” to be both light and stiff. Stiff enough in fact, that they are rated to span 24” on center joist spacing, which equates to fewer joists, more open and accessible joist bays and an overall easier job framing. This results in lower framing costs, I like it already!

DuxxBak is an engineered hybrid composite matrix type decking, unlike a capped composite that has a core of a poly-resin/binder and filler material (usually wood flour) with an acrylic outer wrapped “veneer” or “cap” layer. A system like so serves to impart the color and finish of the product and provides moisture protection for the core. Through capillary action, water will wick itself into the core, where it is subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles leading to product failure. The moisture and wood flour then combine to promote and sustain the growth of mold fungus within the core. DuxxBak avoids this by incorporating a unique proprietary mix of Biodac, rice hulls, and a contaminate-free, virgin, high-density polyethylene resin. Laboratory testing of the product formulation has shown it to be highly resistant to water absorption. Additionally, the high density polyethylene resin also gives the product incredible fade resistance. There were a few differences I noticed during the installation process. One is that the material must be installed boardwalk style, with the boards running out from the ledger, perpendicular (90 degrees) to the direction that most builders would install the decking by default. The reason for this is because of the drainage channel at the selvedge (overlap). This requires that the framing be run at a continuous slope of 1/8” per foot away from the house. If the deck has been framed “conventionally” with the joists running perpendicular to the ledger, the manufacturer requires rows of 2x blocking on edge to be installed at 24” on center, to carry the decking. While doing this was extra work, the blocking goes quickly and the bulk of the required material came from fall-off or scrap pieces, so the cost increase was negligible. The benefit to adding the blocking is that it stiffens up the deck and brings the joists into alignment, providing a flat plane. This is important because if the framing is out of plane it makes the overlapping “wing” connection difficult to get seated properly. Once a few courses are installed and a “rhythm” begins to establish itself, the decking install goes quickly, with each course building on the previous one. GreenBay recommends running the deck boards wild out past the end of the deck and then trimming them to final length after everything is installed and completely fastened. The reason for this is that it affords

them a chance to acclimatize to the environment and equalize any thermal movement. It is also recommend against installing the product during any temperature extremes, with the ideal install temp at 60 degrees F. The decking surface is fastener free without the use of any additional clips, hardware or specialized milling. The proprietary fasteners from GreenBay Decking are designed to be driven at an angle, slightly backwards, to snug each board up against the previously fastened decking course. The fasteners themselves are ceramic coated and while they look similar to composite deck screws, they do not have the reverse cutting threads that the composite deck screws have. They specify that under no circumstances should a standard composite deck screw be used with DuxxBak. Another difference is that when starting the first course, the groove wing must be ripped off and the saw marks then sanded out. There are pros and cons to this approach. On the plus side, specialized starter deck boards are not required, cutting down on the parts and pieces of a decking order, which simplifies ordering. On the minus side, you need to have a rip guide and sharp, high tooth count saw blade for your saw plus a block sander banging around your toolbox. So overall it comes out a wash. We used a skilsaw with a rip guide, followed by a few passes with the block sander and the first board was ready to go. On the other end, the terminal point of the deck needs to be anticipated so as to end on a full decking course to achieve the best looking end result.

DUXXBAK is an engineered hybrid composite matrix type decking, unlike a capped composite. Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

THE FINISHED PRODUCT looks exceptional and the added bonus of a dry, weather protected area beneath makes it a real bargain.

On the final course, the drainage channel and fastening wing need to be removed and sanded to provide a finished edge. Two factors make this not a big deal. The first is that the decking overhangs the framing by 1-7/16”, so that after installing the 7/16” fascia material a 1” overhang remains. Because of the overhang, if need be, the rim joist can easily be furred out to give the proper overhang prior to installing the fascia material. The second factor comes into play if the last course is projecting a couple inches past the rim. The DuxxBak can be ripped adjacent to any Septum to offer multiple cutoff points to terminate the final course. This course then gets fastened through the surface, with the fasteners on 24” centers and installed alongside the Septum for greatest strength. After fastening the final deck board, we went back and began installing the fascia. It can be installed before or after the decking, so we chose to do it afterward, as we could not see any real advantage to doing it first. A couple items of note with regard to the fascia. First is that the fascia is also thermally dynamic and thus prone to seasonal movement. This must be planned and accommodated for. The manufacturer specifies a 3/16” gap between each fascia section and at the corners. We spaced the sections accordingly and then fastened “battens” and “corner trim” made from the same material to hide the gaps, being certain to fasten them independently of the fascia beneath, to allow for everything to move. Something that’s worth taking note of is the need to apply adhesive/sealant at the point where the top edge of the fascia contacts the underside of the decking. We applied a bead of

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Lexcel clear high-performance sealant to the top edge of each section before sliding it up to compress the sealant and provide a positive seal. The reason for this is to prevent water from “wicking” its way back up the underside of the decking, through capillary action. The sealant provides the break to prevent this. After completing the fascia and installing the batten and corner trim details, we turned our attention to trimming to length, the previously run wild deck boards. As our deck was 56 feet in length, it was imperative that the decking was cut absolutely straight, as anything less would be easily detectable with such a long sight line. We quickly established the cut line to provide the 1” overhang past the fascia. This was accomplished by setting up a laser and projecting a laser “chalk line” for the length of the deck. We then used a shop built 10-ft. saw guide and skilsaw, setting the guide to the line and proceeding to cut it 10 feet at a time. The result was a visibly straight decking edge. The final step was to install the decking end caps to the exposed board ends. This was just a matter of loading up with a bag full of end caps and tapping them in, ensuring that the drain slots were on the bottom and the arrow pointing up. While they are a snug, friction fit in the end of the boards, we took the additional step of fastening them through the bottom of the deck board with a single, stainless steel 23ga pin. The idea being that they could still move with expansion and contraction, but the single pin would not allow them to work their way out over time and become dislodged and lost. The end caps, once installed, provide for a very finished looking edge. This combined with the matching fascia work together to provide a low maintenance, yet high style deck. The finished product not only looks exceptional, but the added bonus of a completely dry, weather-protected area beneath makes DuxxBak a real bargain when compared to many of its contemporary composite competitors. That reasonable cost and added functionality, when combined with a transferable lifetime warranty help the product really set itself apart from its peers. Marv Johnson is the principal of Deck Envy LLC, Gig Harbor, WA. Send comments and suggestions for product reviews to emjaybuilding@mac.com.

TOP-QUALITY. ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY.

BEAVER-PREFERRED. The most experienced builders instinctively know a five-star backyard made from YellaWood® brand pressure treated pine can turn the next project into more referrals. As the most recognized name in the business, homeowners seek out contractors who use the YellaWood® brand. It’s preferred by expert builders of all kinds. Especially those with leather tails, buck teeth and nature’s highest building standards. Follow your natural inclinations and seek out the Yella Tag. Find a dealer at YellaWood.com.

IF IT DOESN’T HAVE THIS YELLA TAG, YOU DON’T WANT IT.

YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.

ON THE HOUSE

Up your social game When we began working together as

remodeling contractors nearly 40 years ago, we used several means to generate work. Needless to say, word-of-mouth referrals, new jobs for former clients, and Yellow Pages advertising were fundamental. In addition, truck and job signs, door-to-door flyers, home shows, newspaper and magazine ads, and radio constituted our lead generation arsenal. The World Wide Web rolled around about 25 years ago and it wasn’t until the last decade that “likes,” “tweets,” “pins,” “posts,” and “follows” have become viable resources for businesses of all sizes to showcase their wares and prospect for business. Many of the old tried and true methods still work for us—as they do for others. However, like many, we have jumped on the digital bandwagon to explore new horizons and capture the millennial market, in particular. For our money, the World Wide Web is one of the most exciting advertising opportunities in the last 30 years. Nothing compares to being able to share an online version of your project portfolio with prospects. Text, which explains your mission and process, photos and video of previous projects, and an online contact form give you access to prospects like never before. And text will improve search engine optimization (SEO), which is designed to make your online presence more visible. For most, a website is the destination for activity generated by traditional and “new” media. Your website should appear on every piece of advertising that you produce—trucks, job signs, business cards, e-mail, broadcast

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and more. If your business is active on social media, be sure to invite prospects to become a part of your digital and social world. But don’t stop there; give them a reason to digitally “socialize” with you. Offering useful tips and information, asking “polling questions” to peak interest and create a discussion can build your audience and following and produce bankable leads. We know, you don’t have time to mess with social media, a website or any of that other nonsense. We hear you. You’re out on the job early, running hard making sales calls in the afternoon, and bidding jobs until the wee hours of the morning. Now, we’re not suggesting that you work harder, maybe just a bit smarter. Consider having a company that specializes in web design and social media development and integration pull the pieces together for you and manage it on an ongoing basis. Tech is filled with talented and creative young minds, which has produced a competitive environment and made online, digital and social media available to everyone. We’re certain that the perfect “geek” for your company is just a click away. The Carey Bros.—James and Morris—are nationally known experts on home renovation and hosts of a weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column, both titled On the House (onthehouse.com).

FIFTY YEARS OF

FIVE-STAR BACKYARDS. CELEBRATING OUR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. As we celebrate our milestone anniversary year, we’re grateful to all our loyal building professionals and express our most sincere thanks.

IF IT DOESN’T HAVE THIS YELLA TAG, YOU DON’T WANT IT.

YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/ warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.

BOTTOM LINE

Desperation will always cost you Today an old friend of mine came

into my shop and had a problem. You see, he broke down. It was Christmas time and his order file… empty. By order file, I mean the list of projects to build that are sold. Little Johnny wanted the G.I. Joe with the Kung Fu Grip and his dad got him one, but now must pay for it and his order file is empty. What does he do? He gave a discount to build a project for the devil contingent on getting started right away. By devil, I mean difficult people to deal with. You know the ones. They seize on an opportunity to get a discount, ask for more, and then beat the crap out of you all through the process with all sorts of problems. “We didn’t think it was going to look like that and we don’t like it, so change it” and “Why aren’t you here every day? We expect someone here all the time.” There were plenty more things like this, so use your imagination. The story got better as time went on. The best part was when he told me that he refuses to deal with the “girlfriend” and the guy must do all the messaging back and forth, but she hangs up on her boyfriend. There was crying in this story, folks. “There’s no crying in deck building!” The second best is when they had to stop work for a week because

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she wasn’t happy with the ceiling boards, and then they had to tear it all down and start over even though she agreed to what was put up. Now, it’s basically March and he has $25K stuck on the job that was supposed to be done in January. It was all I could do to be supportive and inside I am crying and laughing at the same time, mostly for him because I really like this guy. So, what’s my point? He didn’t see the warning signs as problems later or he was willing to overlook them to get the job. In my book, the first mistake was offering to build a roof. I do not build roofs! They take too long and are way too involved for me to bother with them, but his business is different; he builds roofs. What did he do wrong? The warning signs were there in the quoting process. At first they were easy to work with but when the details started coming out they couldn’t agree on anything with each other. They wanted a lot more than their budget would support. And he was hungry for work and it was the perfect storm. The scheduling. He uses various trades as subcontractors to perform the various tasks (scheduling nightmare). The empty days they were referring to? Days between trades either

because of scheduling sloppiness or getting let down by trades. Oh yeah, it’s been raining a lot. Five trades, five schedules, one rain day, train wreck! Change orders? Yep. Why do contractors with five trades charge a fortune for change orders? See above. In order to try to have as little pain as possible, you must schedule trades tight and you must prepare the customer for silent days and changes in schedule up front. They will not be happy to find out later and you cannot promise that you will “stay on the job until it is done” without explaining what that really means. You must manage expectations with people and keep emphasizing what type of delays they need to expect before you sign a contract, and then you need to detail these delays in the timeline section of your contract. If you don’t have any verbiage related to the scheduled time in your documents, you need to add them. The misunderstandings of materials and layouts. Plans, guys, are the key to avoiding issues later. Your contract should include plans and 3D images of what you are building to avoid these issues. It is time well spent to create these plans after the sale and before signing the contract. If you have some ambiguous features in your designs, then you need to provide a mid/max description. An example of this would be “the completed deck width approx. 12’ may range between 11’6” and 12’6” when completed.” One of the complaints was that the Cedar ceiling boards installed had too many knots and, in the end, they wanted the smooth side down, though previously it was agreed that the rough side would show. A realistic sample of the material should have been provided and the contract should have stipulated that “the ceiling product shall be rustic knotty cedar and the rough side shall show to the living space. (Rustic western red cedar is a natural product with large knots and some surface imperfections are normal, the rough finish is an unsanded surface. The contractor shall take steps to mitigate the use of boards with knock out knots when possible, however these imperfections are normal)”. If the customer is uneasy with this product during the sales process, then sell them a

better product or manage the expectations by explaining what they are getting to the utmost detail. In the end, some customers will still not understand this, and you will have to do damage control, but it will be fewer times if you implement these details. The desperation. Hey, we’ve all been there. Need the money. It happens, guys, but don’t allow your fears to overcome your judgment. I have sold this job in the past more times than I care to remember but it always seems that I sell a bunch more right after, which makes this one a major mistake, so I suppose it is best to look at it as a loss leader. I prefer to avoid them and wait, but what will really bake your noodle is, would you have sold the others after if you didn’t sell this one? Karma is really something. David Elenbaum has been in the deck industry since 2000, serving in retail, distribution, manufacturing and, of course, contracting.

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Deck Specialist

SET THE STANDARD

AT RIGHT: When people see that you are winning awards from the governing body of your industry, it validates everything you are portraying to your clients.

Keys to Success Success. For business and industry leaders or owners, we are all searching for that ever—elusive unicorn known as SUCCESS. Every person defines success in their own unique way based on values, life experiences, competition and personal goals. As deck specialists, we want to have the best design, material, clients, crews, and ultimately the best profit margins. It’s amazing the myriad of backgrounds I have found that my deck specialist peers come from. The one common denominator is that they are all success-motivated leaders driven to make their mark in this world. Before I get into the keys for success, I want to touch on one point I strive to get across to the younger guys I mentor: differentiating between owning a job and owning a business. Do they just want to build decks or do they want to build a business? That question must be answered before you are able to achieve success. Bob in his beater owns a job; he’s out there misleading clients, providing price over value, disrupting the marketplace, generally not taking the time to educate himself on properly installing today’s higher end materials, voiding warranties, and disappearing when it’s time to stand behind the work. He will always be there stealing jobs, but truthfully, the jobs he’s taking are the ones we didn’t want in the first place so it really doesn’t matter. Those clients were never going to see the value in a quality project. As a new company in the industry, it’s imperative that you earn more than just installer wages, you must be profitable in order to become a business and 46

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not just a deck builder that owns his job. The following topics are the foundations on the road map to success.

Honesty and Integrity

Yes, this sounds about as sophomoric and basic as it can be but it is also as true and valuable as any imaginable concept. Be consistently honest, own your mistakes and clients will respect you. Today’s clients have the ability to go on the internet and research any topic you discuss with them. They can immediately find out if you were misleading, so be vigilant about keeping your facts accurate at all times, otherwise your credibility and the job opportunity go out the window. Think about this: every client creates roughly five more opportunities. Lose that client’s trust and you have cut that chain completely. It’s important that EVERY person in your company is on the same page when it comes to information that can and will be translated to your clientele. If the lowest paid person contradicts something you’ve portrayed to the client, they don’t look like the idiot, that honor falls to you. To that end, we instruct all of our guys to refer any questions pertaining to details, techniques or project specifics to their crew leader; this ensures their are no contradictions. So be honest. Your integrity will carry you through every situation. Good, bad or indifferent, it will make a difference in the end and

they will be more inclined to recommend you to someone else. After 39 years in construction, I can’t remember everything I’ve said to every person, but what I can remember is that I told them the truth.

Change the Narrative

Easier said than done but it is imperative that we, as deck specialists, change the narrative from price to value. Price is what you give, value is what they get. Everyone quotes a price. It goes with the territory. Only the best deliver a high quality value for our client’s investment. On average, we are asking our clients to invest $20,000.00 or more with us for their project. Most of the time they will be pulling this money from an existing investment that is accruing interest. If we are to persuade successful and intelligent people to cash out a profitable investment and hand us that money, we better be able to deliver equal value. So many times we go on an appointment and spend 45 to 60 minutes presenting details and all they hear is, “blah, blah, blah” while waiting for us to stop talking and quote a price. They try to turn you into an estimator instead of a salesperson. Value is not in their wheelhouse. But if you can spark interest in your narrative and help them understand that you are building an investment, that same client will become your first salesperson to all

their neighbors. Otherwise, you just stole from yourself and wasted valuable time that could have been spent in a more profitable way. Don’t let the unprofessional Bob in his beater dictate the narrative, hijacking your marketing and expertise like a thief in the night and stealing our jobs by lowballing. Don’t be afraid to lay a little groundwork in the pre-appointment process whether it’s a phone call or email. Just as the clients selectively chose to call us out of 500 other available names, we owe it to ourselves to pre-screen the prospect. By having a list of questions to ask them and by properly listening to their answers, they will pretty much give you a prescription for how to approach the sales call. If a client portrays that they don’t have the patience to participate in a conversation and provide some insight, then you know they won’t have much attention for an educational visit. You will need to change your approach but all the while lay the groundwork for value. The client that is looking for unique, special, structurally sound, high quality detail-oriented construction just raised your closing rate immensely. When they tell you color or design is more important than price, they are in fact notifying you that they are willing to choose quality and value over price. That doesn’t mean for you to gouge them. That goes back to honesty and integrity. It means that a little bit of extra hand-holding will reap you more of your targeted projects. Don’t be afraid to ask for a budget ask for their pet peeves or things they may be O.C.D. about. It’s not insulting, it shows you care. It may be as mundane as a single border vs. double, rail post placement (we just had a client say that he didn’t care about the gap between the last baluster and rail post, as long as every section, side or front of the deck, had an even number of pickets– assuming code compliance), material placement, staging, parking or starting time, some things aren’t flexible but at least you asked. It creates value in your company.

Awards

Bet on yourself. If you believe that you are as good as you present yourself to be to your clients, then don’t be afraid to bet on yourself. Participate in different awards programs. You Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

AS DECK specialists, we want to have the best design, material, clients, crews, and ultimately the best profit margins in the end.

have to be willing to take risks, lead with your chin, put your name and reputation on the line and invest in competitions. People love a winner and when you win they want to be associated with you. That’s why sales always go up for winning teams. When people see that you are winning awards from the governing body of your industry, it validates everything you are portraying to your clients. It makes closing a deal so much easier when a client is balancing between choosing a winner and a company that just says they are the best with no real validation. When you win those awards get them on EVERYTHING. Letterhead, email, brochures, web site, Facebook, direct mailings, your business cards and any other product with your name on it. When I go on Instagram and look at the incredible work so many fantastic companies are producing all over the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Australia I am fascinated by the unique designs, material combinations and ideas, thinking to myself these guys are the pinnacle of the industry. I hope that these projects are being submitted for as many awards programs as possible, you owe it to yourselves. Again, today’s clients can gather a ton of info on the internet, good or bad. A lot of times we find they have outdated research so be mindful of that when a client comes off as an authority. Be sure to check the date on the provided info and remember that you are the professional. Most of us are certified pros with one or more decking manufacturers—make that clear and be vigilant about building to the manufacturers warranty specifications. If a client pro-

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vides outdated research, be sure to correct it. Warranties, manufacturing processes, lumber, decking, railing, fasteners and all other aspects of the industry have made incredible changes in the last decade. It is our responsibility to know more than the client, that is professionalism and is a prime avenue for changing the narrative. People want to know they are dealing with a professional, honest, hard-working member of their community who has a reputation for delivering more than they bargained for, those extra little touches will pay off in the end. Recently a Facebook confrontation broke out in a local community between several homeowners. They were debating over which of the bargain basement deck builders were the best, two of which were in jeopardy of being booted out for bad work. One of our clients chimed in and asked what made these guys so good since they all had issues and complaints. The response was “they were the cheapest, they beat everyone else’s price but they got what they paid for and had several issues and repairs.” Our client came back by saying our company was admittedly a few dollars more but in return he got a lot more for his money, details like cocktail rails, black round balusters, larger 6x6 rail post sleeves, picture frame borders, and ultimately a much better deck— he too got what he paid for. Not saying every client wants all the bells and whistles but they deserve the opportunity to decide on that extra value for themselves. In turn, we have been CRUSHING it in that development ever since. In that instance our client was the one who changed the narrative from price to value for us, incredible. Don’t forget, we’re deck specialists so go out there and Set the Standard in Excellence. Be the shepherd and not one of the sheep. Feel free to follow us and any of the other authors in this magazine on Instagram. You can direct message or email me with any questions, criticisms or suggestions. Inquiries are always welcome. With 35+ years experience in construction, Brendan Casey, with his wife Dianna, launched Casey Fence & Deck, Frederick, MD., fulfilling a growing need in the outdoor living market for an innovative and creative custom builder.

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Deck Specialist

NEW NEW PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

Royal Building Products has launched its Zuri Fascia boards in 8â&#x20AC;? and 12â&#x20AC;? profiles. Products are available in Chestnut, Walnut, Pecan, Brazilia and Weathered Gray, and are backed by a 25-year Color Fastness Warranty against color shifting. [www.royalbuildingproducts.com]

Envision Building Products has introduced a new Ridge Premium composite decking line with fluted profile. The product has the same EverGrain Core as its other popular composite decking collections, and a high-density cap. Ridge Premium is available in three beautiful, softly blended colors that bring the wow-factor to any outdoor space. The dark brown Black Walnut, light brown Vintage Oak, or cool grey Gunstock are designed to complement the design style of any home. [www.envisiondecking.com]

AGS Stainless has unveiled its newest product, Cascadia, a stainless steel bar railing system that ships within 48 hours and installs with minimal field modification. Because the customer provides their own top rail, there is no need for AGS to design and fabricate it, which saves time and expense. Components are made of highly durable A316 marine-grade stainless, and the product features design flexibility, as the system will accommodate a wide variety of top rail materials. [www.agsstainless.com]

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Deck Specialist

ai158344394969_SplitStop_3.25x4.875_Comp.pdf

3/5/20

3:32 PM

Trex LatticeWorks high-quality decorative lattice can be used for many outdoor living purposes, such as deck and porch skirting, privacy walls or dividers, fence panels, gazebo lattice, partitions and more. Lattice is made of lightweight PVC, so it is easily cleaned and it does not absorb water. It’s also UV stabilized and weather-resistant. Design options are available in black and white.

CMY

[www.trexlatticeworks.com]

The new Coastal Ranch outdoor kitchen by Eldorado Stone is an L-shaped kitchen that stands at approximately 11’x8’. The kitchen is designed to maximize appliance space and still provide ample entertaining with the raised bar counter. Each signature kitchen ships complete with all the necessary cabinets, bolts and end-caps. Users may choose from eight of the most popular profiles directly online or visit an distributor to choose from over 150 color options. [www.eldoradostone.com]

Deck Specialist

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Deck Specialist

Barrette Outdoor Living has expanded its line of decorative screen panels to feature new patterns and a variety of on-trend designs, colors and textures ranging from traditional to organic to modern. The company’s surface-mountable frame kits work with the decorative Screen Panels and are easily installed up to three panels high. [www.barretteoutdoorliving.com]

Milwaukee Tool’s new leather performance gloves are designed to provide all day comfort without sacrificing productivity. The palms of the Leather Performance Gloves are made from soft, top-grain goatskin leather for increased durability and the back features a breathable, lightweight design. The gloves feature a moisture wicking terry cloth sweat wipe on the thumb to increase comfort and Smartswipe technology on the knuckle for touch screen compatibility without having to remove gloves. [www.milwaukeetool.com]

MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® D VE

APPRO UI

Manufactured with precision. Made of over 90% natural, fast-growing bamboo.

i re R at

certified fire resistant

WUI

Class A

CAN/ULC-S102

ASTM E84

sustainable durable

Class 1 (CEN/TS 15083-2)

EN350

moso-bamboo.com/x-treme 54

MOSO_ADV-MERCHANT_Precision_half_page2020.indd 1

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WARRANTY

moso-bamboo.com

13-1-2020 14:27:58

Red Rock Distribution has introduced Znal, a zinc/aluminum-capped screw innovatively designed for higher speed and productivity. Znal’s nick tip reportedly enables a proven cutting speed .59 seconds faster per screw than the best available competitor, dramatically improving productivity on the jobsite. The fastener is available in #12 and #14 diameters from 7/8” to 2-1/2” in length. It is ideally suited for the construction industry, including metal and wood buildings, pole barns, and decks. [www.redrockfasteners.com/znal]

DeWalt’s new 60V MAX Combination Hammer achieves 10.5 joules and 380 RPM for fast and efficient drilling even in some of the hardest concrete. It has an optimized drilling range between 5/8”. and 1-1/4”. It’s part of the DeWalt Perform and Protect line of power tools, designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment, or low vibration, without sacrificing performance. The hammer is equipped with SHOCKS Active Vibration Control System that reduces vibration felt by the user at the handles compared to rotary hammers without this feature. [www.dewalt.com]

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Deck Specialist

Monarch Technologies is launching MonaDeck, a patent-pending new line of ultra-durable composite decking developed for the residential market. Planks resemble century-old barnwood and are produced in 12-inch widths—an industry first—and are Class-A fire-rated. The decking system incorporates a proprietary biobased resin system to bind recycled FSC-certified wood fiber and bamboo fiber in a sustainable, wood-simulating composite that has a hardness rating that rivals ipe. [www.monarchtechnologiesllc.com]

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Spring 2020

Feeney has introduced Stainless Steel Picket Kits for CableRail in wood frames. Leveraging the sleek appearance and durability of stainless steel, the picket kits preserve an open railing aesthetic, while maintaining cable spacing and minimizing deflection. The kits include everything needed to quickly install intermediate pickets, including sockets/sleeves, shoulder nuts, hanger bolts, and screws. Each kit’s 5/8” diameter 316 stainless steel tubes come pre-drilled for 1/8” diameter cable at 3” spacing. The tubes can be used on frames with or without a bottom rail, are field-trimmable (using a stainless steel pipe cutter), and have no visible fasteners. [www.feeneyinc.com]

Island Stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative new tile collections offer a wide range of design options for exterior walls, walkways, pool decks, showers, and water features to create looks ranging from classic, natural split-face stone to dimensional or sleek glass mosaics. Designers can choose from more than 10 different tiles variations in a comprehensive array of colors to create a looks that suit every outdoor living aesthetic and mood. [www.island-stone.com]

Mbrico, manufacturer of premium porcelain tile decking has launched several new colors to its tile collection. Multistone, Silverlake, Quartz Design, Denverstone, Milano City, Blue.S, and Biophilic are all new hues that exhibit a soft, rustic look. The tile decks are designed with high-quality Italian porcelain stoneware that can be placed in any outdoor setting. [www.mbricotiledecks.com] Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

INDUSTRY NEWS specifically for the outdoors where durability is paramount,” said Adam Zambanini, president of Trex Residential Products. The Trex Outdoor Kitchens collection features modular cabinets designed to accommodate even the most creative kitchen layout. Its semi-custom components increase in three-inch increments —from 9” to 48”—to fit most outdoor appliances from grills and smokers to side burners, sinks and bartending units. Standard cabinets measure 30” tall and 27” deep with 4” leveling legs. Cabinets with 24” depth are also available.

Dr. Decks Launches Master Class

TREX’S LINEUP offers industry-leading stainless steel cabinetry solutions for today’s outdoor kitchens with style, durability and easy maintenance.

Trex Partners with Danver to Revamp Kitchen Collection

Trex and Danver are cooking up something new for the 2020 outdoor living season. The two companies have teamed up to offer a new selection of luxurious cabinetry and components in its revamped Trex Outdoor Kitchens collection. The line officially debuted at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. The new lineup offers industry-leading stainless steel cabinetry solutions for today’s outdoor kitchens with unparalleled style, durability and easy maintenance. It includes seven distinctive door styles comprised of Danver’s top-five sellers and two designs exclusive to Trex Outdoor Kitchens: The Newport, which features two stiles and rails with a center stile, and the Craftsman-inspired London, boasting two stiles and rails with cross mullions. These, paired with 14 ultra-durable powder-coated colors and wood grain-inspired finishes, along with dozens of cabinet styles in hundreds of sizes, are designed to inspire and empower builders, designers, architects and other trade professionals to create an outdoor oasis rooted in functionality and timeless design. “Through our new partnership with the manufacturers of Danver, the Trex Outdoor Kitchens collection delivers on all fronts, allowing homeowners, architects and builders to elevate outdoor spaces with configurable cabinetry options designed and engineered

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Spring 2020

Jason Russell, aka Dr. Decks, has launched Dr. Decks Master Class, a training course to teach deck professionals how to modify manmade decking products. During the video course, students will learn everything there is to know about bending decks, including heat settings and proper setup. “Our clients are really receptive to having a curve,” he said at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, as he led a presentation on heat manipulation at AZEK’s booth. Russell demonstrated the process by placing a single deck board in between two insulation blankets. Using the Heatcon heating kit, he was able to manipulate the board to give it that desired curve. Classes are priced at $999. For more information visit www.DrDecks.com.

Dr. Decks presenting on heat manipulation at IBS.

NHS

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Deck Specialist

DATE PLANNER The OKC Home + Outdoor Living Show When: March 27-29 Where: State Fair Park, Oklahoma City, OK. What: Thousands of homeowners will converge for three days of shopping, gaining inspiration, and meeting with 265 exhibitors and experts to discuss their projects. Trade professionals from the home building and renovating industries or members of affiliated associations will receive free admission with valid ID. More info: homeshowokc.com

Spring Home and Outdoor Living Show When: April 24-26 Where: River Spirit Expo, Tulsa, OK. What: The 2020 Spring Home & Outdoor Living Expo is returning for its 5th year and will feature multiple in-show attractions catered to outdoor living improvement. More info: tulsahomeshows.com

National Hardware Show

deck sprcialist Digest

The industry’s leading deck & outdoor living publication. Make sure all of your key staff receive this leading information resource!

VALUABSOLUERCES

INDUSTRY RE

PCBC

The industry’s most read and trusted publication… now at your fingertips anywhere!

When: June 10-11 Where: Moscone Center, San Fransisco, CA. What: PCBC focuses on the art, science and business of housing. The annual tradeshow features industry innovations, cutting-edge product trends, and relevant, high quality education in all things residential building, decking and outdoor living-related. More info: pcbc.com

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Summer Home and Backyard Show

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When: May 5-7 Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. What: This year the 2020 National Hardware Show will be celebrating its 75th year connecting the industry. The annual show features merchandising ideas & solutions, money-saving deals & face-to-face networking opportunities. This Show will provide the tools needed to equip your customer, empower your business and engage with the industry. More info: nationalhardwareshow.com

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When: June 12-14 Where: Fairplex, Pamona, CA. What: The Home & Backyard Show will feature educational and informative demonstration, displays and seminars on the newest ideas in home improvement and remodeling, including landscaping, swimming pools, spas, decks, patios, gazebos, and other building materials, supplies and services. More info: homeshowconsultants.com

AD INDEX Page 52

AG-CO www.footingpad.com

41, 43

Great Southern Wood Preserving www.yellawood.com

Allweather Wood www.allweatherwood.com

Humboldt Redwood www.getredwood.com

Atlantis Rail Systems www.atlantisrail.com

InvisARail www.invis-a-rail.com

Cover II, 3

CAMO www.camofasteners.com

Lonza Wood Protection www.lonza.com

Color Guard www.upsidebycolorguard.com

MFM Building Products Corp. www.mfmbp.com

Deck-Specialist.com www.deck-specialist.com

MOSO North America www.moso.eu

Deckorators www.deckorators.com

National Hardware Show www.nationalhardwareshow.com

Deck2Wall www.deck2wallspacer.com

Cover II, 3

National Nail www.camofasteners.com

DeckWise www.deckwise.com

OHC www.ohc.net

Digger Specialties www.diggerspecialties.com

Pacific Woodtech Corp. www.pacificwoodtech.com

Cover III

Feeney, Inc. www.feeneyinc.com

Pakari Decking www.pakaritmd.com

526 Media Group www.deck-specialist.com

Regal Ideas www.regalideas.com

FootingPad www.footingpad.com

Cover IV

Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com

5, 12

Fortress Building Products www.fortressbp.com

SplitStop www.splitstop.com

Sunset Moulding Co. www.sunsetmoulding.com

SureDrive USA www.suredrive.com

3G Industries www.invis-a-rail.com

Welcome Aboard!

Deck Specialist is delighted to introduce to our readers two new ﬁrst-time advertisers, Color Guard Railing Systems and Fortress Building Products.

Color Guard provides vinyl and aluminum railing systems and accessories, including the new UpSide Deck Ceiling. Fortress Building Products’

lines include Apex PVC decking, Inﬁnity I-Series composite decking, Al13 HOME inﬁll, and Hulk Fasteners.

When you’re in need of such products and services, please give them a look.

Deck Building Solutions • 866-767-1850 • www.suredrive.com • sales@suredrive.com

TigerDeck www.tigerdeck.com

Titan Metal Werks wwwsplitstopcom

Trex www.trex.com

Cover IV

Wild Hog Railing www.wildhograiling.com

Spring 2020

Deck Specialist

IDEA BOOK

Rock on A TimberTech guitar deck took center stage, quite literally, as the 2019 showcase deck for the Rock the Garden Music Festival in Minneapolis, MN. Pat Noonan, owner of Deck & Basement Company, designed the colorful project equipped with TimberTech’s new multiwidth profiles, as well as a curated mix of the Vintage collection’s colors. The deck, positioned in front of the famous Spoonbridge Cherry Sculpture at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, was pre-built and transported to the site for final assembly with only three days allowed for install. The deck was showcased as an 18’ diameter full circle with a 40’ long access ramp and curved stairs and finished with a curb wall around the perimeter for safety. It was also built with vertical AZEK porch floor as fascia to enclose to the ground. A TimberTech cladded wall skirting a portion of the deck allowed for people to participate by applying images of themselves taken on the deck to the wall which created a mural by the end of the concert. “We were so passionate about the musical element of this year’s design, we decided that the only thing to do was inlay the deck’s surface with the notes from the famous song,” said builder Pat Noonan, referring to “We will Rock You” by Queen. “I was inspired by the awesome music at the event,” Noonan said. “So, I started sketching up deck designs that were musical and lyrical, that flowed like a song. But suddenly, instruments came to mind and I drew up a guitar because I really liked the idea of the long neck acting as a ramp. And what is rock without a guitar?” The project was well received and tied for third place in NADRA’s annual deck contest for best commercial outdoor living project.

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TOP: The project was showcased as an 18’ diameter full circle with a 40’ long access ramp MIDDLE: The deck was transported to the site for final assembly with only three days allowed for install. BOTTOM: Guests could gather on the deck during the event.

(Photos courtesy TimberTech and Deck & Basement Co.)

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