AL FRESCO LIVING
Homeowners go all-in on backyard sanctuaries, emphasizing natural looks that are engineered to last
Written by Lisa Gordon
As we move into the summer of 2024, more and more people are enjoying their outdoor spaces to the fullest. Whether it’s time for a complete makeover or just a tweak by adding some teak, homeowners continue to bring inside comforts outside to create stunning al fresco spaces.
That trend is holding strong this year, as backyard enthusiasts move away from cheaper patio furniture to fortify their outdoor oases with sturdier and longer-lasting furniture. Gardens – both vegetable and decorative – are producing fresh food and a back-to-nature feel. Smart lighting and fire tables bring the warm glow of a resort to private backyards.
Here, Contractor Advantage connects with a variety of Castle vendor partners to tap into the latest products and trends for outdoor living.
Photo courtesy of Taiga Building Products
HIGH QUALITY, LOW MAINTENANCE IS IN DEMAND
Taiga Building Products, a North American supplier with 15 distribution centres across Canada, has seen a significant shift in consumer preferences. Yanick Miron, the company’s Director of Allied Products, observed that Trex and Hoft have become two of their better-selling products, as homeowners increasingly look to composites for their outdoor sanctuaries.
“People are more apt to renovate over relocate,” said Miron. He believes consumers will most likely spend on their outdoor spaces for a couple more years, but noted, “it is all dependent on interest rates and the housing market.”
Trex is one of the largest sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and deck railing brands with over 25 to 50-year warranties, depending on the product. “Trex has one of the best warranties in the market.”
Miron also pointed out that hiring a TrexPro contractor to install the Signature product line ensures that both the product and the labour are covered under warranty.
“We are seeing people do bigger projects with more square footage and larger budgets,” he added.
As consumers become more educated about various products, they are seeking the highest quality with the lowest maintenance. This consumer knowledge has led to higher sales for top-end offerings.
Photo courtesy of Taiga Building Products
“Trex sells the whole system, so they will buy decking but also the railing, for example.”
Trex offers a comprehensive range of products, including deck drainage, LED lighting, outdoor kitchen components, pergolas, spiral stairs, fencing, lattice, outdoor furniture and fire features, all marketed under the Trex brand.
Aluminum railings and privacy walls are preferred for outdoor spaces, according to Miron. He says privacy panels made by Hoft, a Montreal-based company, are often used in conjunction with Trex decking.
“Hoft is really popular in cities on smaller projects, especially for multi-unit housing like townhouses. Hoft systems add style while creating privacy.”
Miron also noted that Hoft is a great complement to composite decking because the system includes the posts, and then homeowners can fill it in with the deck boards. “You can use wood or composite decking, so it gives homeowners lots of options, including mixing and matching colours and materials,” he told Contractor Advantage. “Most people tend to match the privacy screen to the deck.”
Photos courtesy of Taiga Building Products
When it comes to current colour trends in decking, Miron mentioned an increase in light browns. “For about the past two years, there is a trend toward lighter, natural colours,” he said.
Although greys and mid-browns remain popular, the trend leans toward lighter brown products.
Eco-friendly options continue to be a priority for homeowners. Trex, made from 95 percent recycled material, appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
“We are proud to offer environmentally-friendly products at Taiga,” said Miron.
MONEY IS A FACTOR, BUT LOOKS ARE THE BOTTOM LINE
Jeff Morrison, Vice President – Lumber & Building Materials (LBM) for Goodfellow Inc., has over 22 years of experience with the company. Goodfellow, a publicly-traded Canadian company founded in 1898, specializes in manufacturing, re-manufacturing and distributing lumber and wood building materials.
Goodfellow supplies products coast-to-coast in Canada, including Eva-Last and Fiberon decking, Barrette outdoor products, and Fortress Railing systems. Morrison explained that the company offers many products through its peer distribution business.
He described the trend in outdoor living spaces as “the extension of the indoor living space to the outside.” While there are price-conscious buyers in the market, he noted that many are willing to spend on specialty products like decking, railings, and structures such as pergolas.
“People are spending money and they want ‘WOW!’”
Morrison acknowledged that this is a different economy post-pandemic, noting the current cost of living. However, he believes that people view outdoor living spaces as an investment in their homes. “They are not only getting use out of it, but they are going to get more value out of their home if they have to sell it,” he stated.
Photos courtesy of Goodfellow Inc.
Both Eva-Last and Fiberon offer composite and PVC decking with entry-level to high-end options. Eva-Last’s Pioneer line, a wrapped product with the realistic look of exotic wood, is quite popular, Morrison said.
“Higher-end products are for those looking for richer, deeper colours and textures to enhance their outdoor living space,” he continued, adding that high-end composite is very popular for its maintenance-free qualities, especially among those with secondary rural properties and cottages.
“People want to enjoy their cottages and not be working on the maintenance all weekend.”
Composite manufacturers are watching these buying trends to project their future investments. “They base their 10-year projections not so much on sales increases, but on consumers changing from treated lumber to composite,” explained Morrison.
When it comes to railing and privacy trends, he noted that preferences depend on location. “In urban areas, they are looking for more privacy,” he explained, leaning toward privacy screens, panels and solid railings. “People with a lot of sun are tending to move more toward pergolas or outdoor structures for shade and privacy.”
In contrast, rural and cottage country dwellers typically prefer a clear line of sight.
“They are looking for unobstructed views and want to go with glass railings or cable rails to create an outdoor space that matches their property,” said Morrison.
Fortress Railing offers numerous options, all designed as a panelized system mainly intended for contractors. “You don’t have to build it; you put the posts in and just pop in the panels you choose, so it saves the contractor a lot of time,” said Morrison. Panels could be glass, pickets, or cable rail with many options for top rails, including a bar rail.
Photos courtesy of Goodfellow Inc.
Photo courtesy of Goodfellow Inc.
When matching composite decking and railing systems, Morrison sees lighter shades and multi-chromatic deck boards paired with matte black railing systems as the most popular combination.
“Consumers purchase what they like the look of, first and foremost,” he said. “While money is always a factor, people won’t purchase something they don’t like the look of, just because it is cheaper.”
Morrison explained that Goodfellow understands consumers’ environmental concerns and is progressive in this regard. “We’re a company that makes our income from selling wood products, so we always look for products that are ethically harvested,” he said.
Morrison expects 2024 to be another solid year for outdoor product sales, with affordability and home investment being key considerations for consumers.
SOFT WEATHERED BROWNS ARE TRENDING IN COMPOSITE DECKING
Matt Lipskey is National Product Manager for Timber Tech Deck and Rail at Gillfor Distribution, a national organization with 13 locations across Canada. The company offers siding, roofing, insulation and drywall, in addition to decking and railing.
“We cover all of Canada and specialize in quality, in-demand LBM products,” said Lipskey.
When asked about outdoor trends, he said the outdoor “escape” is still going strong.
“We are seeing homeowners with budgets for their outdoor projects equal to those that were typically saved for kitchens and bathrooms,” he told Contractor Advantage. “People want a fashionable product for their outdoor escape that they can show off to friends and family.”
Consumers are more willing to spend on eco-friendly products now than in the past because they are long-lasting, added Lipskey.
“The fact that most of Timber Tech decking is made from recycled material that won’t fade means consumers don’t have to replace it as often.”
Photo courtesy Gillfor Distribution
Timber Tech has its own recycling plant and is the largest recycler of PVC in North America, noted Lipskey. That means that fewer materials end up in landfills, thanks to the durability of the company’s decking products.
“Timber Tech has always been a leader at the forefront of technology development and green initiatives, positioning them ahead of the curve,” he said. “Since they manage much of the manufacturing process internally, they are less vulnerable to product disruptions.”
Timber Tech decking comes with warranties ranging from 25 years on entry-level products to lifetime on high-end PVC products. Lipskey feels this is a major reason for the growing consumer preference for manufactured decking over lumber. Timber Tech also offers a one-time transferable warranty, giving homeowners an added selling tool if they decide to move.
“I think with the inflation on home prices and the current interest rates, people understand there
is a lot more equity built into their properties and aren’t afraid to invest in their homes,” he said. “One deck that could last you a lifetime is obviously very appealing.”
Timber Tech offers a variety of colours and textured grains with greys remaining popular, but subtle browns and a more “weathered look” are trending, noted Lipskey.
“Light browns with a grey undertone and a weathered-stressed grain are becoming increasingly popular. The weathered look offers a less uniform pattern and a more natural appearance.”
Timber Tech also offers PVC, composite and aluminum railing systems.
“Aluminum railing is still the most popular choice to surround a Timber Tech deck,” said Lipskey. Homeowners desire a modern, sleek top rail with a satin finish and slim posts to increase visibility. Glass railing panels are also a popular choice.
Photo courtesy Gillfor Distribution
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People want to see what’s beyond the rails; they don’t want to see the rails.”
Lipskey said aluminum railing is popular because it complements modern home aesthetics, but still works for homes built 40 to 50 years ago.
“It really fits well with homes built even in the 70s and 80s because they are very streamlined looking, and the modern look is interchangeable.”
When asked if a DIYer could install Timber Tech decking, Lipskey suggested that although entry-level products used on smaller projects can be handled by experienced DIYers, it is still best to have a contractor perform the work, especially for higher-end products.
Photo courtesy Gillfor Distribution
PICTURE THIS: TWO-TONE COMPOSITE DECKS ARE A COOL TREND
Doman Building Materials is a North American building materials distributor, major treated wood manufacturer and forestland manager, with over 30 years in the building supply industry.
Pierre-Olivier Thouin, the company’s Director of National Accounts for the Canadian division, has spent over seven years with Doman, the last three with the National Accounts team supporting all specialty products. He said MoistureShield decking and Century aluminum railing have become very popular for outdoor relaxation and entertainment spaces.
Thouin believes the pandemic significantly influenced this demand.
“The price of lumber went up dramatically during the pandemic, which opened consumers’ minds more to alternate products,” he said. While sales have slowed a bit over the past two years compared to the record-setting sales of the pandemic, Thouin attributes this mainly to the rise of interest rates and inflation in general.
MoistureShield Vision composite decking is unique in the market and popular with cottagers or those in low-lying areas, says Thouin.
“It is the only product on the market that can be installed at ground level, underground or even in water because every fibre of the board is encapsulated.”
Photos courtesy of Doman Building Materials
MoistureShield composite decking offers a 30-year warranty against fade and stain on its entry-level Elevate product, 40 years on its mid-level Meridian products, and 50 years on the top-end Vision product. Vision also features CoolDeck technology for the lighter shades, which is billed as being 35 percent cooler than competitors’ products.
Thouin told Contractor Advantage that he notices a trend among younger generations to find a blend between cost and low maintenance.
“The younger generations don’t want to re-paint or stain their deck every couple of years, so they are willing to pay a little more for that convenience,” he commented. He feels this has contributed to increasing sales of low-maintenance products over the past few years.
When designing outdoor spaces, a “picture frame” deck look has become popular.
Photos courtesy of Doman Building Materials
“Homeowners will have a darker outer edge in our entry or mid-level product, and then use a lightcoloured decking in the interior with the CoolDeck technology,” explained Thouin.
Even with a one-colour deck, he added that variations in tone are highly desirable. “People want that natural look; they want it to look like real wood.”
On top of the deck, Century Railing is a popular choice, with textured black being the preferred option. Thouin said consumers like Century because it has added features that many competitors do not.
“It is very easy to install, because it has a pre-punched bottom rail for pickets along with hidden fasteners and welds.”
Century Railing warranties its paint within a mile of salt water, which is unique in the industry and popular with those in coastal regions, he added.
“Century also offers the scenic option which has no bottom or top rail, with only glass between the posts, for a mostly unobstructed view.”
Thouin said this is a popular option for those who don’t want great views obstructed by top or bottom rails.
Photo courtesy of Doman Building Materials
NATURAL CEDAR PRODUCTS INTRODUCE
TIMELESS BEAUTY AND DURABILITY
Getting back to nature is at the heart of a line of handmade cedar and pine pieces sold at two Castle Building Centres in Victoria, B.C.
Store owners/operators Vicki Hagel and her husband, Frank, acquired the Cook Street location in 1986 and the Bay Street store in 2015. Since the late 1980s, Hagel said the stores have been proud to offer a line of quality cedar and pine accessories for the home.
Over the years, the outdoor cedar catalogue has grown from lattice to fence panels, trellises and planters. Customers can buy standard sizes in-store, but Hagel said custom orders are always welcome. In addition to the cedar line, the Cook Street and Bay Street Castle Building Centres in Victoria also sell hand-crafted pine furniture,
including night stands, book cases, dressers, blanket boxes, benches and more. Again, custom orders are always accepted.
“We started with cedar lattice in the 1980s and 1990s when lattice was becoming popular,” recalled Hagel, adding that all products are handmade at their nearby fabrication shop. “The thing about our products is we control the quality of the goods that go into them. So our lattice is a bit thicker, and we glue and staple all of our cross pieces. We do a full line of lattice, both diagonal and square.”
The shop also produces three kinds of cedar fence panels – solid, plus options topped with either diagonal or square lattice. These, too, can be customized for jobs where standard sizes just won’t do.
Photos
courtesy of Cook Street
Castle Building Centres
“Let’s say someone has to work their fence around a tree, or there is an odd shape,” said Hagel. “We do custom all day long – we can cut to size or build to size.”
Cedar trellises are popular with gardeners who want to support vegetable plants or decorative greenery. They are available in different patterns and sizes, with or without stakes that go into the ground.
During Covid, Hagel said their cedar planters were in demand. Available in four styles and different sizes, the planters typically last 10 to 15 years. Aside from the two Castle Building Centre locations in Victoria, they are also sold at some local garden centres.
These outdoor products are made from natural cedar, all of it sourced in B.C. While cedar prices rose during the pandemic, Hagel said they have been normalizing over the last couple of years. She also pointed out that cedar is both natural and durable.
“Cedar has its own natural longevity so you don’t have to treat it,” said Hagel. “It’s a beautiful wood – when it’s graded, the show side is rough. So that means customers have a choice of displaying
the rough or the smooth side. Most people choose smooth, but it depends if you want a really rustic look.”
The indoor pine furniture line sprang from a need to keep craftsmen busy all year round. Pieces are fully assembled and sold unfinished, so customers can leave them as is or stain them if preferred.
Hagel said her team spent a lot of time updating the website with information about their custom cedar and pine products. In addition, the two Victoria stores also stock a full range of outdoor furniture and accessories, including Orgill dinettes, chat and bistro sets, gazebos and pop-up tents.
“We’ve done business with Cathay Importers out of Vancouver for 25 years for acacia wood dinettes, bistros, benches and garden stands. We’re fairly big in the outdoor living category, selling pottery, bird baths and feeders, and fire pits.”
As for 2024 trends, Hagel said the season got off to a chilly start in Victoria. However, when things heat up, she predicted there will be a huge demand for umbrellas and other shade material, along with outdoor dining accessories.
“Certainly, in our town, anything garden is popular,” she said. “We always promote water efficiency. We sell a Raindrip micro-irrigation system that can control the amount of water that goes into any pot or planter. It’s wonderful.”
Hagel said she thinks it’s important to their customers to buy local, and that’s one reason
the handmade cedar and pine products are in demand. From the wood itself, to the hand-crafting process, to the distribution network – it’s all made in B.C.
“Buying local is important in Victoria. I feel our customers go out of their way to support us,” she concluded.
A WEALTH OF OPTIONS TO PERSONALIZE ANY OUTDOOR SPACE
As we navigate through 2024, the focus on enhancing outdoor living spaces continues to grow. Consumer trends point toward larger projects, higher budgets and a preference for quality and sustainability.
With companies like Taiga, Goodfellow, Gillfor, and Doman leading the charge, homeowners have a wealth of options to create beautiful, durable and
eco-friendly outdoor environments. Innovative vendors such as Victoria, B.C.’s Cook Street/Bay Street Castle Building Centres create hand-crafted, bespoke products that enhance any outdoor space with the beauty of natural cedar.
With more Canadian homeowners investing in their backyard oases, Castle is their connection to a full range of quality, durable products that will transform vision into reality. —
Photo courtesy of Cook Street Castle Building Centres
