Maintenence of Wood Decks – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Do you know why Winter is actually the best time of year to build a new deck?

Archadeck of Columbus explains when is the most opportune time to build your new deck and why.

Large_Columbus_deck_with_hot_tub_pergola_and_planter — Imagine this beauty ready and waiting for you to enjoy with the first blooms of spring, after overwintering has seasoned it perfection

Many of our Columbus homeowners ask me when is the best time to build a new deck? Many of you may think that the best time to build a deck is the spring, but the truth is, the best time to consider building a new deck may be in the winter. The best way to explain the reasoning behind a winter deck construction is what i would refer to as the “give and take” of the project. Give and take refers to the use of pressure treated wood during the winter months. The give refers to the woods expansion, and the take refers to the woods contraction that is caused by the effects of varying outdoor temperatures on the wood itself.

Double low to grade deck in Columbus OH with fire pit

The first thing you have to remember when considering building any type of deck or other outdoor structure, whether the decking boards you choose are composite, PVC, vinyl, IPE or hardwoods the foundation of your structure will be constructed using pressure treated pine or another pressure treated wood. Wood curing is important to understand in relation to the wood’s natural tendency to “give and take”, and curing which occurs over the winter months offers many important benefits.

Pressure treated wood has a 50% moisture content when you initially build. This fresh lumber is sometimes referred to among builders as “green”. The winter has less humidity and thus the pressure treated wood will stabilize itself and dry more consistently and evenly when you build in the winter. On the other end of the spectrum a summer deck construction exposes the pressure treated wood to higher humidity conditions. In addition, when drying in the hot sun, pressure treated wood will undergo expansion and contraction which can cause cracking, warping and other damage to the wood itself. Due to the orientation of the sun during the winter months, the sun doesn’t beat down on your deck, and the pressure treated wood that holds the key to your project’s structural integrity will not undergo these negative effects.

timbertech deck and screen porch — TimberTech composite deck and screen porch by Archadeck of Columbus

Another benefit of building in winter is you will also experience less wait time and backlogs which are typical in spring and summer projects. Our typical waiting list is 8 weeks in the height of the season, during the winter you are likely going to cut that wait time in half. A winter project also causes less lifestyle interruption because homeowners typically spend less time outdoors and less time participating in outdoor activities during the colder months of the year. You will also experience less deterioration of the ground, and less turf damage during the winter months because of the dormancy period that Columbus landscapes experience through the cooler months.

Keep in mind that Archadeck of Columbus can also build your outdoor structure combination in stages. Winter is the perfect time to start the first stage of your desired outdoor living project. If you are considering a deck and patio combination for example, you can take advantage of our staged building option and build the deck this winter and then we can add the patio later into the spring. With Archadeck of Columbus’ staged building the choice is yours. Contact us today to learn more, call us at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Screen porch flooring options and considerations in Columbus

Archadeck of Columbus takes it down the wall and to the ground focusing on the abundant flooring choice and styles available for your screened porch.

Columbus_screen_porch_divider_rail_patio_and_firepit — This stunning screen porch uses a divider rail, which conveys from and function in the design.

Screened porches can be finished with as much panache and flair as any other living area. Just because the screened porch is considered an outdoor structure as opposed to an interior structure doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style. You have to take into consideration the livable space an outdoor room such as a screened porch can add to your home, as well as your lifestyle. Last week we published a piece on the choices in interior screen porch ceilings https://columbus-decks.com/2011/09/14/interior-designs-on-screen-porches-so-many-choices/ this week we are taking it down the wall and to the ground by turning the spotlight on screen porch interior floors, from finish options to styles and everything in-between.

Screened porch divider rail with floor of diagonal decking boards — This screen porch by Archadeck of Columbus shows the use of diagonal decking boards and a divider rail.

Interior flooring finish choices

Wood, Tile or Synthetic? Most of the time we put a decking material down like pressure-treated (PT) pine, cedar or synthetic flooring. Considerations that come into play when choosing your flooring material may include plans to use the area for perimeter seating or dining. Most often the flooring material that is chosen by the homeowner reflects what is used on the interior ceiling or on the posts. Wood is a favorite plus, since it is under the cover of a roof you don’t have to worry about damage caused by rain, or sun exposure, as you would if the wood was used in an “open” porch setting. Some customers like to use area rugs to define seating or dining areas. The use of rugs is purely a cosmetic element used for aesthetics to convey the intimacy, unity and warmth of the structure.
Synthetic or composite flooring may be overkill on your screen porch floors because the area is already protected from the elements. Synthetic and composites do offer a tongue and
This Columbus, OH screened porch shows the use of a decorative divider rail and post patterns

Tile floors– Homeowners always ask about using tile floors inside their screened porch. Tile can be beautiful and we are more than happy to put in a tile floor. Keep in mind that tile expands and contracts with the weather and temperature, and over time the grout will undoubtedly crack . Pavers are a good choice for people seeking that “old world” stone look without using tile. Pavers can be installed with less risk of cracking because we use a sand bedding as opposed to grout for installation.
Keeping it real– When it comes to patterns, and which way to run your flooring it is a good idea to replicate the same pattern on your new screen porch that is used in the adjacent structures. Whether you use the same color or one that contrasts your existing structure, remember you want to make your porch look as though it was built when the house was constructed.

Columbus_screen_porch_wrapped_column_matching_kneewall_and_roof — This screen porch by Archadeck of Columbus uses wrapped columns and a matching kneewall.

Kneewall vs. rail vs. divider rail

Building codes– In most jurisdictions, any structure or floor that is 30″ above grade or more requires a barrier, which can be a rail or divider rail at 36″ tall. The view from your screened porch is important and at 36″ the rail will block your view somewhat when in a sitting position. Rails can either be mounted on the inside or outside of your screen porch. If kids and pets are part of your scenario then it is usually best to mount the rails on the inside.
Kneewalls– Kneewall height is commonly set at 24″, in order to be completely accurate check with your screen porch builder or your particular jurisdiction for the proper code requirements regarding approved height. Both the inside and the outside of the kneewall can be trimmed to match your house. Another plus to using kneewalls is that it allows space
This Columbus, OH screened porch has wrapped posts as well as a beadboard or plybead kneewall and a tile floor.

for electrical outlets. Putting outlets in a rail is much more difficult and is not attractive. Kneewalls can also be finished in plybead and with a wainscoating design to add style to the kneewall itself. Some homeowners take advantage of the kneewall in regards to it’s shelf effect and display small decorative items as well.
Divider rails– Divider rails allow for maximum visibility and also allows for an area to “break” the screen adding more strength. This added strength is especially helpful for families with small children and pets to protect the screen from damage.

Knotty_pine_24_in_kneewall_Columbus_screen_porch_builde — This screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus shows the beautiful use of a 24" knotty pine kneewall.

Open posts vs. exposed posts

To wrap or not to wrap– Choosing to wrap your posts gives a beautiful finished effect. Posts can be wrapped in a wide variety of materials including PT which can be painted in a color of your choice vinyl, cedar, pine and other rustic woods to allow continuity of design within the structure itself. Leaving the post exposed can lend to a more rustic and natural effect as well. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and your posts can be finished in the medium that best suits your individual tastes.

Screen_porch_Columbus_knotty_pine_kneewall(2) — Another view of this gorgeous screened porch with knotty pine kneewall.

Choosing the most appropriate interior flooring finish for your screened porch doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using an experienced porch builder your journey of watching your screened porch reach fruition can be a magical experience, alive with design elements and textures to tantalize your senses.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus to learn more about our screened porches and the many ways you can customize your structure to truly make it one of a kind. (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

To see more gorgeous images of screened porches, and the wide selection of mediums used to create an unforgettable space visit our screened porch gallery at http://columbus.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/ScreenedPorches.html

Top 5 Reasons to Build a Composite/Synthetic Deck by Archadeck of Columbus.

Archadeck of Columbus gives you the top 5 reasons to build a composite/synthetic deck.

Composite deck Columbus — This composite/synthetic deck by Archadeck of Columbus says it all.

When considering which type of decking material to construct your new deck from the number of choices, this otherwise easy task can turn into a quite daunting one. It can seem sometimes like there is a little person on each shoulder, one of which is shouting “wood” and the other is shouting “composite”. Archadeck of Columbus is here to help you silence the shouting. Composite/synthetic is definitely the way to go for many reasons. The low maintenance, the beauty, and the consistency to remain looking like new are just a few reasons to choose composite/synthetic decking for your new deck. We have compiled a list of the top 5 reasons to build your new deck out of synthetics. The list is in no particular order of importance and was compiled to assist homeowners in making the daunting task of choosing their decking material a little easier.

columbus TimberTech Earthwood — TimberTech's Earthwood composites have the look of wood without the headaches.

1) No staining or painting, ever– with any wood deck you’re going to need to take care of it. Wood is also a natural material therefore, eventually, with any wood, it will rot. Depending on the deck’s location in relation to the sun, you might have to maintain a wood deck more readily if it is facing west with the sun’s rays beating down onto it constantly. Wood needs to be treated at a minimum of once per year. Wood decks also require power-washing to remove staining prior to sanding. It is also recommended to pre-treat a wood deck to ensure cleanliness before you apply any stain or paint. An average 300 sq. foot deck can cost between $500 to $900 per year to maintain properly. If your wood deck has a lot of details such as railings it can take a tremendous amount of time to stain or paint as well.

2) No more tweezer torture– Okay, we can all relate to this one. You or the kids get a splinter by simply walking barefoot across your wooden deck or one of the kids inevitably picks up a splinter every time they chase each other around the deck. You’re yelling stop running but it’s not because you’re scared of a fall. It’s because you dread putting your kids through tweezer torture to get splinters out. If your wood deck is not kept up to par, splinters will become an issue. Wood will move and expand with heat, and when it expands, it will not always shrink back and this causes splinters. Splinters can be a real headache, especially when you have to get out the tweezers to painfully remove the splinter and put yourself or your child through an instant replay of pain. Splinters hurt as much coming out as they do going in. Who wants a deck you can’t enjoy in your bare feet anyway?

TimberTech Earthwoods with Aluminum railings Columbus — This composite/synthetic deck by Archadeck of Columbus will retain its beauty for many years to come.

3) What you see is what you get– Synthetics retain that “like new” color and feel , so what you see is what you will still have years from now. Synthetics won’t fade like wood. Wood can fade gradually and over time you no longer get what you paid for, sort of like that expensive pair of designer jeans that fade out in the wash over time, one day you look down and think “wow” what happened?

4) 15 year warranty for wood VS 25+ year warranty on composite/synthetic– This one is really a “no brainer”. Usually the 15-year warranty on wood has a clause about “normal wear and tear”, which includes the pains of naturally aging wood like splintering, twisting, cupping, checking not to mention the other aches and pains of naturally weathering wood like fading among others. Today’s composite/synthetic decking has a 25+ year warranty, and they’ve only been around for close to 20 years, so the product could exceed the warranty by years beyond that.

Azek Harvest Series - Brownstone — This AZEK deck entails quality, beauty and a warranty to match.

5) A smart investment– If you’re making an investment in your home, it should be a smart investment. You wouldn’t buy a brand new car only to anticipate the transmission falling out after only 1,000 miles would you? Of course not, then why invest in a deck that is going to decay and fade over time when you can invest in a deck that will be like driving it off the showroom floor in 10 years?

With so many positive attributes in composite/synthetic decking nowadays, it is easy to make an informed and smart decision. Another great choice is pure PVC decking products such as AZEK, TimberTech XLM and TimberTech Earthwood Essentials. These pure PVC products are non-porous , so stains won’t happen at all. You can also learn more about composite/synthetic decking materials by reading a wonderful story written last year on the subject https://columbus-decks.com/2010/02/11/wood-plastic-composites-vs-pvc-decking/

To learn more about the joys of owning a composite/synthetic deck contact Archadeck of Columbus (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net We can create a deck that is made to enjoy, not to constantly worry about maintaining.

You can also see photos of other stunning composite/synthetic decks in our photo gallery at http://columbus.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/composite-and-vinyl.html

Pressure Treated Pine – A Maintenance Nightmare?

: Un-maintained Treated Pine Deck

I just returned from visiting a client whom inherited a pressure treated pine deck and was disgusted with its condition. His initial intent was to tear down the entire deck and start over. He truly liked the look of wood and understood maintenance was involved but he didn’t realize that treated pine does have advantages. At the end of our meeting we agreed that removing the entire deck was not necessary and we just replace the flooring and rails. I thought it might be useful to share more information to you about Pressure Treated Pine (PTP).

PTP still remains the #1 choice for outdoor structures. Whether used for decks, screen porches, playground sets, fencing or sandboxes, PTP is the best value for your buck. All PTP comes with a lifetime warranty against rotting (fungal decay) and termite infestation. The characteristics and maintenance of this species are integral to understanding its benefits and imperfections.

The term PTP means the pine when milled is infused with chemicals to provide the warranties discussed above. The wood will essentially not rot and can be placed in the ground. The chemicals used have been changed over the last 7 years. I won’t go into that as it’s quite convoluted. The main point is the warranties provided. The main characteristic about PTP is the susceptibility to changes in temperatures, humidity and overall weather. In a nutshell this species will expand and contract based on climate conditions. Remember the sun is your enemy. The hotter its gets, the more it will expand. Ever notice decks built with PTP where the floor, rail caps or stair treads are cracking? This is a result of the sun. Ever notice how decking boards appear to “cup”. Cupping occurs as the edges of boards are stretching towards the sun in hot weather. A misnomer about cupping, it is not because the grain of the boards were placed incorrectly upon installation. It is simply a result of expansion and contraction.

Another consideration about PTP, the material needs to dry for at least 3-6 months prior to sealing or staining. When first installed, most boards will be damp. This is due to the chemicals within the product. You may notice the top of the deck boards are dry within a week or two, but that does not mean the entire board is dry. Remember vaporizing (drying) goes up through the board. In addition, as it dries the boards tend to shrink leaving gaps between deck boards.

The best advice I can pass on about PTP, is to keep the deck wet in the summer months. This does not mean hosing your deck off daily, but be conscious and apply as needed. Factors such as exposure to the sun (i.e. orientation of your deck to the sun) and shade need to be considered. I would suggest keeping an eye on the floor boards. If they show signs of cracking, hose it down. Once the cracking occurs, you will never be able to reverse that trend. So keep it wet!

Maintenance such as staining, stripping and cleaning are an integral aspect with any wood product exposed to exterior elements. This maintenance, on average, depends on exposure to the sun. Usually I hear people say they have to complete the work once per year. Ever notice how PTP has a light hue to it when a project is first built outside? Look again 3-6 months later (if not stained or painted), it begins to turn grey. This is due to the UV rays from the sun. In order to maintain a PTP product you can apply several methods:

 Semi-transparent Stain

 Opaque Stains

 Transparent Sealers

 Painting

Semi-Transparent Stains have a small amount of stain in them combined with UV protection. Lots of staining products on the market indicate claims and warranties that their particular goods contain UV protection. Of course that doesn’t take into account, normal wear and tear. This includes high traffic areas. The slight amount of stain in these products assists with deterioration. I see the best results with this method.

Opaque Stains are simply a stain that will change the color of the wood. If you really like this look, go for it, but be aware that your high traffic areas will deteriorate quicker. Compare that to low traffic areas where the stain is holding up. Now what do you do?

Transparent Sealers have no stain in them and just provide UV protection. Remember the UV rays are powerful and the decking will begin to turn grey, eventually. This is the easiest of methods as the “stripping” phase is less time consuming.

Painting is a bad idea especially with “horizontal” surfaces. This includes deck flooring, rail caps, bench seats, planters and steps. Paint will begin to chip and deteriorate when exposed to the elements over time. Think about it, where does the water sit? If you want to paint “Vertical” components (i.e. railing posts, pickets, porch posts, that will last longer in most cases.

Here are some recommendations and websites of products we have had good feedback on. The best of these products is Cabot Stain http://www.cabotstain.com More expensive than most yet remember, you get what you pay for! I have seen success with Sherwin-Williams products as well. http://www.sherwin-williams.com Lastly, I must profess, we do not provide staining or painting services as part of our business, but we do recommend an awesome painter if clients inquire.

Does this all mean that PTP is awful? Of course not. Many folks still build with PTP but we want to ensure clients understand how the product will perform. If you like the look of wood, PTP is a decent option, but be aware the maintenance required to maintain the beauty. I hope this helps. Cheers!