PVC Decking – 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

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

Archadeck of Columbus adds curves of distinction to custom decks in Dublin, OH

Archadeck of Columbus talks about previewing an upcoming deck in the Muirfield Village community in Dublin, OH. We also show you the innovative process of achieving radius edging when installing a deck.

Columbus Dublin custom TimberTech deck — Custom TimberTech deck with radius edging by Archadeck of Columbus

Homes within this Columbus suburb of Dublin, OH include a multitude of beautiful custom-built homes with the widest array of custom features inside and out. Archadeck of Columbus will be profiling one such residence in Muirfield Village later this month where we are installing a stunning new deck. With custom-built homes of this quality and stature it is important to hire a custom deck builder to install your decking as well. Custom deck builders, just like custom home builders have the experience, knowledge and capability to ensure your new deck has quality materials and workmanship poured into the structure. Custom deck builders also stay “in the know” when it comes to unique custom features that become popular.

The world of decks is constantly changing to include many new features and innovative design concepts. One of the custom deck features that have become quite popular recently include a custom radius edging. At Archadeck of Columbus, we really enjoy using radius edge decking. This story details the whole innovative process from beginning to end.

We mold the decking boards into a curvilinear radius edging by heating the boards to a certain temperature in order to make them pliable. This process is fascinating to watch and we actually have video footage detailing the entire process. In this video, we show you how we heat the boards themselves.

Once the boards are heated to the accurate temperature they are then carefully remove

Then, while the boards are still hot, we install the boards within pre-determined curved framing to achieve the distinct curvilinear design that is tops among custom decks today. This video shows the installation in real-time

This entire process is fascinating to witness from start to finish, and ends with breathtaking results. With custom deck design, gone are the days of being confined to straight lines and edges in landscaping, patio designs, and deck designs. Flower beds now take on wondrous edging, and curving paths. Retaining walls even enjoy meandering curved paths down the sides of patios and landscape showcases. There are so many more options available to homeowners now.

If you are ready to add a deck worthy of distinction to your home contact Archadeck of Columbus to learn more. (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

You can also visit our photo galleries to view many more innovative and beautiful deck designs at http://columbus.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/Decks.html

Wood Plastic Composites vs. PVC Decking

What are the differences between composites and pvc decking and how to keep composites clean?

Timbertech XLM Desert Bronze, Columbus, Ohio

When we began designing and building decks and screen porches, the majority of customers were interested in wood with a small percentage intrigued about composites, or low maintenance decking. In the last 10 years, we have seen exponential growth in the low maintenance decking class in brands, color choices and styles.

Over the past 5 years, we have built approximately 70% of our projects in composites or with the newest technological advancement….PVC decking. If you are not familiar with wood/plastic composites or PVC decking options, here are some differences to consider including a couple recommendations on products and cleaning solutions.

Wood/Plastic Composites

Composite decking is nothing more than wood flour mixed with plastics and extruded into a “low maintenance” decking board. Please note I did not say “no maintenance”. Most composites contain 50% wood and 50% plastic. Natural products such as wood are affected by the elements. This equates to fading, scratching and contending with dirt, snow, rain, etc. which necessitates some cleaning. This may sound somewhat counterproductive, but it surely is easier than stripping and staining a wood deck every year.

My wife and I have 2 young boys, so we are constantly in man to man defense and they still spill drinks all the time! The simple answer is when it gets dirty, or you or someone else spills something, hose it off. Most soap and water solutions will remove the grime. You can use a power washer, but it is not recommended (have you seen what a power washer can do to concrete?). Should a “stain” go unclean for a longer period, it may need more “elbow grease”. Some recommended cleaners are:

CorteClean
OxiClean
Cabot’s Composite Deck Cleaner
Jomax

Mold and mildew is a different issue. Mold can grow on anything. The quality composites contain mold inhibitors which hinder mold spores from feeding. For more information on mold and how to remove it refer to this article written by the North American Deck and Railing Association. http://www.nadra.org/consumers/understanding_mold.html

Our most requested wood plastic composite is Timbertech. We have used many composites around the country and by far Timbertech is the top of the class in the category of wood/plastic composites. Their three products in this series are:

Reliaboard is their newest product to enter the market. Colors are Cedar and Grey.
Twinfinish is the standard and comes in 3 colors, Cedar, Gray and Redwood.
Earthwood series is beautiful and includes black streaking within the product to give a look of exotic hardwoods. Colors include Teak, Walnut and Rosewood.

Timbertech Twinfinish - Cedar — Timbertech Deck Columbus, Ohio

Earthwood Walnut with Teak colored border — Timbertech Earthwood Deck Columbus, Ohio

The products are listed according to price point, Reliaboard being the least expensive. Feel free to read their user-friendly website (link above).

PVC Decking

This category of decking entered the market about 5 years ago and has grown in popularity. The main difference is there is no wood mix. They are solid core cellular pvc, or in other words, pure plastic. The advantages of this is they are more stain and scratch resistant than wood/plastic composites. With the lack of wood in the products, they are denser and less porous which means lower maintenance; simply clean periodically with a soap and water solution. Another advantage is they will fade less compared to composites (no wood in them).

The disadvantages of this type of decking is cost and, to some, appearance. They do have the look and feel of plastic. In addition, color choices are limited but lately we have seen additional darker colors choices including streaking to enhance the appearance.

Timbertech XLM (extreme low maintenance) entered the market 3 years ago. They have the most beautiful board, Desert Bronze (streaking included) but it is the most expensive. Other colors available in XLM are Sand Ridge, Mountain Cedar, and River Rock.

Timbertech XLM - Sand Ridge and Mountain Cedar border — Timbertech XLM Deck, Powell, Ohio

Azek is another option to consider. The Harvest Collection series offers basic colors, but in my opinion, are a little bland. They introduced two new series, the Terra Collection (2009) and the new Arbor Collection (2010) with darker colors. The least expensive is the Harvest Collection up to the Arbor series. Check out their website for more information.

Azek Brownstone with White Vinyl Rail, Columbus, Ohio

There are many more choices to consider, such as Evergrain, Fiberon and Trex. We at Archadeck are the largest conglomerate of design and build services in the Decking and Screen Porch industry. The recommendations of Timbertech and Azek are Archadeck’s definitive favorites, especially Timbertech. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions!

Michael

Plan earlier for Spring!

Planning earlier for your deck, screen porch, pergola, gazebo to attain maximum use for warm weather.

Outdoor living is almost here! We in the industry eagerly await the “season” to arrive. We are implementing marketing plans, preparing or participating in home shows, developing action plans, meeting with potential customers regarding their plans and signing contracts.

It surprises me every year that more people don’t plan earlier for their project(s). I know, like you we are caught up in the daily challenges of life; kids, work, homework and American Idol (I have to admit, it’s addicting). Typically the phones really begin to ring (off the hook) by mid March and continue through October in this region of the country. On average, by the time we meet, draw optional designs, implement contracts, submit for permits (including home owner associations and zoning requirements) and manage logistics, we typically cannot begin construction for at least 3-6 weeks once a contract is approved.

On average a typical deck project takes about a week to construct. For those that do plan in March, they can begin using their new addition by mid to late April. What about the majority of our customers who wait till late April or May when it truly begins to get warm? Unfortunately for those, it can be late June or July before they begin to use it. Beware of contractors whom can start tomorrow!

My suggestion is to plan earlier. If you are planning graduation parties, birthday parties or other events, please contact us earlier (or whomever you are thinking about contracting with). Hopefully, contractors want to ensure they meet your deadlines. I can assure you it’s vitally important to us.

Did you know that Archadeck of Columbus can build year round? Even though we experience cold weather, it doesn’t impede us from completing decks, screen porches, etc. Annually we are fortunate enough to have business throughout the winter and build them.

Good Luck and I hope you attain your outdoor project this year and can use it all season!