WWPI SPECIAL ISSUE By Belinda Remley
A BEAUTIFUL DINING area on a deck creates a relaxing experience. (Photos by Arxada)
Lumber Cart Crash Course
Pair products to provide profits post-haste
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continues to grow and includes both smaller patios and decks and elaborate home extensions that contain full kitchens, large fireplaces, screened-in decks, and extensive entertainment areas. Outfitting outdoor living spaces from the concrete for footings all the way through to the very latest in stylish accessories can be what takes a project from finished to the envy of the neighborhood. When making suggestions to customers, here are items shoppers planning an outdoor project should consider adding to their cart: he outdoor living craze
Treated Wood
When it comes to backyard projects, pressure treated wood, like Wolmanized Outdoor Wood, is still the number one choice for its sustainability, versatility, and affordability. According to data from the Farnsworth Group, 40% of contractors and DIYers look to the store associate for information on pressure treated lumber prior to purchase. This is a great time to offer advice on the wood to choose for each application. For example, when thinking about the sub-structure of the deck, posts and joists should be treated to Ground Contact retention and the right dimensions selected to support the weight of the deck. This attention to detail at the
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n The Merchant Magazine n April 2022
point of purchase helps to ensure the deck’s longevity. Other parts of a deck project can be made from treated wood. For example, pergolas and benches add character and dimension to a deck. Railings, which are not only necessary for building code compliance on a raised deck but add a decorative element, can be made from treated wood or various other materials such as metal, wire, etc.
Tools for the Build
While most of the necessary tools such as a drill, a level, and a circular saw used to build backyard projects are already found in a contractor’s or DIYer’s workshop, it’s important to mention more obscure items that may not be on the DIYer’s radar. Prior to construction, it’s necessary to include power tool accessories such as fresh saw blades and drill bits, measuring tools such as a chalk line and builder’s line, and personal protection equipment such as gloves and safety glasses to avoid needing to stop work in progress to replace a broken or missing item. The store associate checklist for deck projects should include quick drying cement for setting posts, deck screws and joist hangers, and end-cut solution to brush on the ends of treated wood as it is cut to size on the jobsite. It’s also imBuilding-Products.com
