Your Deck Company

Getting Outside

2011-04-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

As many of you may agree, this year Spring is long overdue. Everyone I chat with is so anxious to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and good weather.

Over the past several decades I have been fortunate to have a career that allows me to work outside, but what is it that draws me outside?

The buzz of a saw with the scent of freshly cut lumber? The snap of a nail gun? For me this really signifies spring is here. I also love the summer heat and rain. When it's time for the season to wind down I get to enjoy the extreme cold and snow. There is a great satisfaction for me that comes from working outside.

I think the biggest draw for me is that getting outside is where I go to relax, unwind, breathe deep, enjoy the fresh air and daydream of what can be created. The rooms within our homes all have a specific purpose. Such as, we go to the kitchen to eat, the living room to read or watch TV ...you get the idea. Outside can become anything you want, and together we can design and create a unique space that will bring your daydreams to reality and satisfy what may be missing from your indoor spaces.

Being able to design and construct the spaces that bring so much enjoyment to people is what really brings me outside. Whether we create a unique little arbour in the garden, a pergola for some shade, a sheltered dining structure, or a deck for entertaining. Those spaces draw us outside and allow us to relax and keep dreaming. So get outside and enjoy your outdoor space.

Todd Mounsey

Owner / Designer

Your Deck Company

http://www.yourdeck.ca/

2011-02-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

Abaco Decking and Railing

I have been working with several different decking materials for over 25 years. I have always enjoyed working with hardwood compared to traditional cedar or pine. The end result for me has always been very satisfying to look at and I find the crisp appearance and finish of hardwood cannot be matched. If you are familiar with and enjoy Ipe or Kayu decking than you will also appreciate the qualities of Abaco decking. Abaco tropical hardwood is a stunning deck material that can be used to create a furniture quality finish to any outdoor project. Abaco is fairly new to Canada however for myself working with hardwood is nothing new.

What is Abaco?

Abaco is a tropical mahogany hardwood decking material that has a very rich appearance and texture. It has characteristics that are very close to that of Ipe. If you were wondering about the strength of the material....

• Abaco has a density of 60lbs/ft sq Ipe is 59lbs/ft sq

• Abaco has a crush strength of 11619 psi and Ipe is 9920psi

• Abaco shear strength is 2798 psi and Ipe is 2396 psi

• Janka hardness test of Abaco is 3190 lbs and Ipe is 3680 lbs

• Abaco bending strength is 29200 psi and Ipe is 22500 psi

Abaco decking is a very strong and dense material, it also naturally resists rot and has a very good abrasion and dent resistance. As well it has a very smooth feel in a warm reddish brown tone.

Why Choose Abaco?

Hidden floor clip & Ribbed floor surface

Abaco is available with a traditional smooth surface on one face of the board and the other face has a ribbed texture. This ribbing or milling on the one face is actually a very popular European style of decking finish. It provides additional slip resistance and an interesting texture that is not very common here in Canada. Currently Abaco is only available in a few dimensional sizes for flooring, skirt and stair applications. There is a basic railing kit available as well. For me as a designer and carpenter that is a bit of a drawback. I like to have a selection of dimensional sizes that provide me with more versatility for projects I create. I am sure as the product becomes more popular the availability and selection will increase.

Abaco is a kiln dried product so it is quite a bit more stable from the start than an air dried product such as Ipe. However you will still expect to see some minor cracking and checking of the material. The milled ribbing in the one side of the board actually relieves some stress from the board and will help reduce or eliminate twisting and cupping. If you choose to leave the material unfinished, Abaco will weather out to a silver grey patina much like any other natural wood. (Have a look at the bark on all the different species of trees, they are all a similar silver grey tone.) However if you do choose to maintain your Abaco deck with a stain or sealer it will need to be oiled regularly to keep the rich luster and tone of the wood. I also recommend periodic washing of the material with a mild deck wash product. **always test your cleaners first**

Working with Abaco

Your Deck Company has installed thousands of square ft of tropical hardwood decking materials such as Ipe, Kayu and Abaco.

Abaco can be a challenging and difficult material to work with that requires experience and patience. Its extreme density requires the use of special drill bits for pre-drilling and a variety of high quality carbide tipped saw blades and router bits for cutting. It can easily take 2 to 3 time
s longer to install a complete Abaco deck compared to a typical cedar deck.

Hand nailing into Abaco is almost impossible and using pneumatic nail guns is not a good idea either. When you are fastening Abaco I recommend using stainless steel fasteners Abaco is such a durable and long lasting material you need you fasteners to last just as long.

Hidden clips can be used for installing the decking and are very effective if the correct type is used. I do not recommend the use of under-mount bracket systems. Any shrinkage
of the Pressure Treated framing will generally cause the small screws to snap. The use of hidden clips will allow the floor to be installed faster and look much cleaner than surface screwing the product down. Spacing is also necessary to allow for any expansion and contraction in the material.

Abaco looks great when fasteners are also plugged. Plugging is a method of hiding visible fasteners. It is when a fastener is deeply countersunk from the surface of the wood. A specific size of plug of the same wood is then glued and tapped into the hole to conceal the fastener. Once the glue has dried the plug is trimmed with a chisel and sanded smooth. This is a very time consuming option that provides an excellent finish however it will also add to the final labour bill.

I have the pleasure of being equipped with an extensive and complete woodworking shop. Having a shop is a definite plus to overcome some of the challenges of working with premium hardwood decking materials.

If you require further information regarding any of our products feel free to contact me directly.

todd@yourdeck.ca

www.yourdeck.ca

TimberTech Decking and Railing

2011-01-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

TimberTech Decking and Railing

I am sitting here on this very cold Canadian winter day (-26c) thinking about some of the different projects I have worked on over the past 25 years. I started Your Deck Company back in 1986, long before anything other that Cedar and Pressure Treated lumber were used to build a deck. I have seen a great evolution of decking products over the years. The other day I met with a good friend of mine. We were looking at all of the new samples of decking and railing that have been coming into my shop the last few weeks. It truly is amazing the amount of choice there is today.

One of the products that I really do enjoy working with is TimberTech. I like the fit and finish of the product line as well as the comprehensive choice of materials. Below you will find a little information on almost all of the TimberTech line that is available today. I have had the pleasure of touring the different manufacturing facilities of TimberTech in Ohio. The tours gave me a great insight into what really goes into creating products like these. It really is fascinating. As a side note I have also toured lumber mills and the difference really is dramatic.

What is TimberTech?

TimberTech offers a complete line of low maintenance outdoor building products that are durable and made with high quality materials. TimberTech offers a wide variety of color choices and styles, designed to fit your life and design preferences. From traditional recycled wood plastic composite to PVC decking material as well as capped composite; from railing and
lighting to under an deck drainage system and fastener free flooring options, TimberTech is your one-stop for outdoor living building products.

TimberTech XLM Sandridge decking

TimberTech is driven by innovation and have award-winning, industry-recognized, top-selling products to prove it! TimberTech was the first alternative decking manufacturer to introduce a patented lighting system specifically created for its railing and fencing systems, providing the best fit and finished look.

You can rest assured you’re buying a deck from a leading, global manufacturer and expert in the industry when you buy a TimberTech deck installed by Your Deck Company! Your Deck Company is a certified TimberTech Premier Contractor installer. This is the highest standard of certification that TimberTech offers.

Other TimberTech Advantages

• 25 year residential warranty

• 10 year commercial warranty

• Low maintenance materials

• Splinter free

• No painting, staining or sealing

• Your Deck Co. is a registered Premier Contractor Installer

TimberTech Products

• Decking- ReliaBoard, TwinFinish, XLM, Earthwood Evolutions

• Railing- Radiance Railing, Ornamental Railing, Builder Rail

• Lighting- DeckLites

• Fencing- FenceScape

• Underdeck Drainage- Dryspace

• Hidden Fasteners- CONCEALoc

TimberTech Decking

There are 3 dominant categories for decking. Traditional Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), PVC and Capped Composite (wood/plastic composite with a protective poly shell). Both Capped Composite and WPC decking have a high recycled content. PVC decking generally has no recycled content. Traditional WPC decking will require more periodic cleaning using a deck wash product. However PVC and capped composite products have a higher protection level due to the cap shell technology. Cleaning is generally with household soap and water.

TimberTech XLM

• Solid colours as well as distinctive hardwood like streaked colours

• Comfortable underfoot

TimberTech XLM Riverrock Decking

• Premium decking material

• Ultra Low maintenance

• High performance, no sanding, staining, painting

• Fade, stain, scratch and mould resistant protective shell

• PVC Decking

• Solid or grooved flooring

• Light weight

Earthwood Evolutions

• Capped Composite to resist fading and stains

• 25 Year Fade and Stain warranty

• Durable outer shell

• Slightly lower price than XLM

• High scratch, stain and mould resistance

• Subtle wood grain

• Soft underfoot

• Splinter free

• Low maintenance

• Recycled composite core

TimberTech Reliaboard, Twinfinish

• Recycled content

• Periodic cleaning with a deck wash

• Not resistant to mould or mildew, scratching or fading

• 25 year warranty

• Lower price

TimberTech Railing

The railing on your deck can help to define specific areas or zones. TimberTech offers the high-end Radiance rail with smooth lines and no visible hardware. Alternatively the Ornamental Railing offers a more traditional look to your decking project. With several colours and unique styles to choose from TimberTech offers great mix and match options for your deck project.

RadianceRail

• Several colours

TimberTech White Radiance Railing

• Strong and sturdy look and feel

• Modern square balusters in several colours

• Easy to clean

• No visible hardware

• Colours match XLM decking

• Mix and Match colours

Ornamental Rail

• Composite recycled

• Sturdy

• Several colours

• Wood like appearance

• Square balusters

• Clean with a deck wash

Builder Rail

• Composite recycled

• Round aluminum balusters

• Traditional style

• Clean with a deck wash

Lighting

It’s about setting the atmosphere. DeckLites let you and your guests enjoy your deck into the evening. DeckLites add a sense of ambience and safety by illuminating the steps and areas of your deck. Deck Lighting is the finishing touch that will make your deck great.

TimberTech DeckLites

• Post cap light

TimberTech Bronze Accent Post light

• Accent Post light (white or Bronze)

• Riser light (bronze)

• Durable

• Can be retrofitted into an existing deck

• Long life bulbs

• Weather-proof

For further information feel free to contact me directly or visit us at http://www.yourdeck.ca/

Thanks

Todd Mounsey
Owner / Designer
Your Deck Company
todd@yourdeck.ca

How To Clean a Composite Deck ...Step by Step

2010-05-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

     Currently about 80% of the decks we install at Your Deck Company are "Low Maintenance" materials such as Trex and Timbertech. There are many different brands and kinds of materials on the market today, and not all of them will require the same amount of care or cleaning methods. Today I would like to get a little more specific and talk about how to clean a "Composite Deck".

     Composite decks are a composition of recycled plastics and recycled wood fibre. Usually around a 50/50 mix. This category of decking will perform much better than a wood deck and last much longer. What I mean is that when a composite deck is installed properly it will not rot or splinter, crack or twist like a wood deck will. Composite decks will however absorb a stain like a wood deck. The wood fiber that is exposed on the surface of the composite decking will capture a stain and hold it like a wood deck will. So if you spill red wine or drop a hamburger on your composite deck it will leave a stain. The same wood fibres can and will capture mould spores and create a spotted look on your deck. The benefit is that composite decks do not need to be sanded, stained or painted like a wood deck will require.

     An alternative material to composite decking is a product like Timbertech XLM. This is a cellular PVC decking material that has no organic fibre in the decking or on the surface. This type of product has excellent stain, scratch and dent resistance. Although any material can have mould grow on it. Timbertech XLM is very resistant to mould and mildew due to the fact that there is no organic fibre exposed. This type of decking is very easy to clean....Soap and water will generally remove most spills.

     Now back to how to clean your composite deck. Soap and water will generally not be able to clean a composite deck very well. Generally a deck wash will be needed. I highly recommend using Corte Clean deck wash. It does a great job on Trex, Timbertech and many other composite decking products. I also recommend you try the product first in a small area to test the results prior to cleaning your entire deck. Also check with the manufacturer of your decking product to see if Corte Clean is recommended for your type of decking, or contact your contractor that installed your deck.

     As for the amount of time it may take you. I am usually able to clean my deck which is around 850sq ft in around 2 hours from setup to clean up. Your first time may take you a bit longer until you are comfortable with the process.

I also recommend watching our video on how to clean your deck.

What You Will Need
1-Corte Clean
2-Hose with a good sprayer
3-Rubber gloves
4-Safety goggles
5-A clean bucket (at least 2 gallons in size is good)
6-A soft to medium bristle brush to gently scrub the deck floor with
7-Pump sprayer (2 gallons or larger is great)
8-A deck (just thought I would see if you were paying attention)

Step 1:
     To use Corte Clean your deck must be dry and free of any debris. Sweep off your deck and clean out the gaps between your deck floor to allow proper drainage of your deck. Also move any furniture or other items off the deck or away from the area to be cleaned.

Step 2:
     Corte Clean comes in a powder format. It is necessary to pre-mix the product. Only mix what you are going to need. Once it is mixed it cannot be stored for use at a later date. Corte Clean comes with a small measuring cup in the package. I have found that a good mild solution to clean your deck with is 3 scoops mixed with 1 gallon of clean water.
     If your deck is heavily soiled you may need to use a stronger mixture. The Corte Clean package has mixing directions on the back of the package as well. Always wear gloves and goggles when using any deck wash product.

Step 3:
    Stir the Corte Clean product until it is completely dissolved. I have found that generally around 4 gallons of this mix will clean about 700 sq ft of deck surface. Once it is mixed pour it into your pump sprayer.

Step 4:
     Spray an even amount of Corte Clean onto the deck surface until it is quite wet. The product will start to foam slightly and begin to lift the mould, mildew and dirt off of your deck.

Step 5:
     Only spray one area at a time. Generally I spray about 200-300 square feet at a time. Start at the highest points of your deck and work your way down. It is important to not let the solution dry onto your deck before it is rinsed off. If the solution starts to dry simply spray a little more onto the area and keep it wet.

Step 6:
     After the product has sat on your deck for about 10 minutes (and is still wet) gently scrub the deck to agitate the mould, mildew and dirt.

Step 7:
     After gently scrubbing your deck. It is time to rinse it off. It is best if Corte Clean has been on your deck floor for a minimum of 20 minutes, so you may need to let the product sit a bit longer after you have scrubbed the deck. Remember to always keep it wet until you are ready to rinse it off. Use a hose and rinse the Corte Clean off your deck. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the product from your deck.

Step 8:
    After rinsing your deck if there are any areas that may still be dirty apply some more Corte Clean and repeat the cleaning. As I mentioned earlier the 3 scoops to one Gallon mix is fairly mild and good for general cleaning of your deck.

Your deck should now be clean and ready for use.

     The only thing I have noticed when cleaning my own deck is that if my mix is too strong and I do not rinse it off well enough it leaves a white soap like residue on the deck surface. I simply use a brush and remove it after the deck is dry. It comes off like a powder. Also the colour of your deck may lighten slightly. I have not noticed this with mine although it is possible.

     Although you may have to clean your deck a few times a year to keep it spotless, the time involved is marginal to what it will take to maintain a wood deck. The sanding and staining involved for a wooden deck is a large commitment of time and energy. Also staining your wood deck will not prevent the cracks, splinters and rot that will occur. Now don't get me wrong. I love the look of a freshly stained cedar deck. After all I have been a carpenter for well over 2 decades (since 1986) and I do love lumber and what I can do with it. However I do not like the work that is involved in keeping a wooden deck looking good. Also don't forget, you still need to clean a wood deck as well. Wood decks are exposed to the exact same elements as composite decks are. A deck, is a deck... and they should all be cleaned regularly

Enjoy your outdoor season.

Todd Mounsey
Owner / Designer
Your Deck Company
www.yourdeck.ca
http://www.youtube.com/user/yourdeckcompany#p/a/u/0/fixevsHqPm8

May is Deck Safety Month

2010-04-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! As our thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors, cleaning up our backyard and garden is all part of getting ready for summer fun. Part of being ready to enjoy the summer is making sure your deck is safe.

A well built and maintained deck is a great place to spend time outdoors with friends and family. However, a poorly built or unsafe deck can mean disaster. May being Deck Safety month is a great way to help people understand the need for a regular inspection of their deck old or new.

Feel free to click on any of the following photos to enlarge them for a closer look.

There are a number of areas of your deck that need to be inspected. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, I highly recommend finding a reputable, experienced contractor in your area to come by and perform an inspection of your deck. Your Deck Company services most areas in Southern Ontario for this type of inspection. Unfortunately Decks and especially wood decks do not last forever. Commonly, the structure of a deck will last longer than the exposed parts of the deck although the structure will eventually fail as well. There are protective membranes available for new deck construction that will help to increase the life of a deck's structure although routine maintenance and inspection is still necessary.

DECK FLOORING

The first and usually the easiest area to inspect is the floor of your deck. On wood Decks it is common to see decay on the ends of the floor boards as early as 7 or 8 years after installation. It is important to look for any signs of decay. Part of your spring maintenance should be to clean or clear the spaces between the floor boards. Any debris build up between the floor boards will prevent water from properly draining. This will lead to mould and the eventual rot of the floor as you can see in the photos to the right

The rot on the floor shown in the photo to the right is not new. This is a few years of decay. If this had been dealt with early it would not have been necessary to completely re-build the deck. I once went on a call where a person had fallen through the floor of the deck. This is unfortunately a scary reality. Once the wood starts to rot, it brings in insects then come the larger animals such as skunks and raccoons that come for a meal. It was a skunk that was seen tearing this rotten floor up.

If you have composite floor such as Trex or Timbertech, you will not experience the rot that we see with wood. You will still need to clean the spaces between the boards and any mould that is on the surface.

The key to inspecting your Deck is knowing where to look on your deck and what to look for. This only comes from experience. Over the past 24 years, I have ripped out more rotten wood decks than I care to remember. Through this experience I gained the knowledge of what seems to fail first and at what rate these failures occur. One of the problems with wood decks is that they can be a bit deceptive. What I mean by this is that on the surface the wood will appear to be intact and in good condition. What is happening below the surface is what you need to be concerned about. Generally most wood rot will happen from the inside. Left untouched it will migrate to the surface which is when you start to see it and now its too late to do anything about.

A QUICK TIP

One tip I would like to give you is to look at your deck after it has rained and mostly dried. Pay close attention to the areas that stay wet the longest. Do those spots seem to be absorbing the water most? Get a screw and poke around in those areas. If you are able to press your screw easily into the wood then you need to address that area.

SUPPORT POSTS

The giveaway on this post was the way the water was wicking up the base of the post. The outside looked fine otherwise. Upon closer inspection I was able to easily poke my key into the post without any resistance. I then proceeded to slide a stick right through the post. This deck is 9 ft in the air and is basically sitting on a sponge. This client called me just in time. I doubt there was another season on this deck before it collapsed.

Moving up from the foundation it is critical to check the post to beam connection on your deck. Many decks have improper connections at this point. This will show up when the deck moves due to frost. As you can see in the photo on the right the post has completely disconnected from the beam. Also look for any signs of rot or decay at this connection. Make sure any nails, screws, or bolts are secure. When you have a separation like this it means you have a larger issue going on with your foundations. Check for any frost heaving or excessive sinking in soft soil conditions. Most foundation repairs should be handled by a professional.

DECK RAILINGS

Next you should inspect all railing connections. First where the railing post connects to the deck and second where the hand rails (both top and bottom) connect to the railing post. Usually we see rot beginning at the ends of the boards. This is the same direction that the tree takes in moisture when its alive. The properties of the lumber remain the same, and by wicking moisture in from the ends of the boards, the connections begin to decay.
A great alternative to help solve this issue is to install a Trex Trancends or Timbertech Radiance rail system. These rail systems do not have any components that will decay. So the railing continues to remain strong year after year. The problem with wood it that it only becomes weaker over time. With a synthetic rails such as Trex or Timbertech there is no rot so the strength of the railing remains intact much longer than a wood railing. Although I still recommend periodic inspection of ALL railing systems

The first photo is of a Trex Designer rail system with Trex flooring and trim.

The second photo is of a White Timbertech Radiance rail system accented with a Decorative Accent light and Timbertech XLM flooring.

DECK STAIRS

After the inspection of the rail all stair components should be inspected for any signs of decay. Also any mould or mildew should be cleaned from any walking surface. When mould gets wet it tends to become quite slippery. The staircase in this photo actually has gone well beyond the stage of mould and turned into moss. YIKES.... The treads on this particular staircase are ready to crumble and cause someone some serious pain.

NOT ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL

I am frequently called out to inspect decks that are in need of some help. It is not always the old and decaying decks that are a hazard. It can be and quite often is new decks, that quite simply do not meet the building code. Here are 2 photos of some "professional craftsmanship" Yes the clients at these projects actually hired a professional to install this.

The first photo is of a very interesting approach to installing a step. With the height of this deck there should have been 3 steps installed and not supported on a concrete downspout slab. This is so dangerous and careless.

If you are curious about the bench, NO it does not qualify as a railing. Due to fact that the bench is built into the deck, many building inspectors would interpret the bench seat as the "height of the deck", therefore the railing should be 36" above the height of the bench seat to meet code and YES this deck is over 2 ft high so it does require a proper hand rail.

This second photo is of a deck that at first very quick glance looked OK. It only took a few very short moments to see all kinds of issues. One of the issues with this deck is the top and bottom hand rails are made of 2x2. This is far to thin a material to meet the building code. Also the the height of the stair rail is to low and the attachment of the rail post to the stair stringer is incorrect and dangerous.

THE TOP 10 CHECK LIST

Below I will list the top 10 items to inspect on your deck. Whether your deck is older or new, it is wise to routinely inspect your deck personally or hire a professional. Some repairs are obvious and others need a professional with experience to detect but hopefully with a bit of what I have described you have a better understanding of what to look for.A top 10 quick check list includes the following items

1.Any decay on the flooring (check all board ends, any joints in the floor, rot usually starts here first)

2.All foundations at ground level

3.All post to beam connections

4.Connection of the plate to the house and the joists to the plate

5.Connection of the joists to the beams

6.All fasteners for corrosion or any nails that have popped up

7. All railing post connections to the structure of the deck

8. All railing to post connections around the entire deck

9.All stair connections and any signs of rot or decay on the stair treads, risers or stringer support

10.Under any planters or benches that may promote rot

After you have checked your deck out I hope you have a great outdoor season full of fun with your friends and family.

If you have any questions regarding anything mentioned here, feel free to contact me and I would be glad to try and help out.

Todd Mounsey

Owner / Designer

Your Deck Company
todd@yourdeck.ca
http://www.yourdeck.ca/

Deck Maintenance / Mould and Mildew

2010-03-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

This is one of the most common topics I am asked about. There is a lot of controversy over so called maintenance free decking...... Hopefully I can clear this up. There is no such thing as "maintenance free decking". However, there are materials that require less maintenance than others.

Wood Decks

Most people are familiar with traditional wood decks such as Pressure Treated and Cedar. I remember back in the early 1980's when the cost of cedar was really not much more than the cost of pressure treated lumber. However people were choosing to build with pressure treated lumber because they thought it was some kind of miracle wood that never had to be painted, stained or sealed. Clients were choosing this with a misunderstanding of what the pressure treating chemical actually did. The chemical was and is only used to help prevent the rot and decay of the lumber. The chemical does nothing to prevent the cupping, twisting, splitting and splintering of the wood. So to help prevent this damage it is necessary to maintain your deck with a stain/sealer. It is also recommended to use a stain/sealer to act as a barrier between your skin and the chemical in the wood.

Cedar on the other hand has natural resins within the wood that help to control the rate that moisture is absorbed and released from the wood. This natural control of moisture helps to reduce the amount of splitting, cupping and splintering in cedar. It is recommended to stain/seal cedar to help maintain its beauty and also to control damage to the wood.Beyond staining and sealing your deck I also recommend regularly washing your deck to help prevent mould and mildew from forming on your decking.

This is where the controversy begins. We are now seeing a wide variety of different materials to choose from for building a deck with. A large percentage of the marketplace is moving towards lower maintenance products. It reminds me a lot of the story I mentioned above regarding pressure treated being a miracle wood. Today many people are becoming frustrated seeing their high-end, low maintenance deck get mouldy. There is a misunderstanding of the materials and their limitations. Basically any material outdoors can and usually will get mould on it if it is not cleaned regularly. I commonly see mould on patio furniture, window sills, deck floors (wood and composite) stone patio's, fences, sheds, concrete etc...

The photo on the right shows the top of a concrete retaining wall that is badly stained with mould. This just shows that mould can and will grow on anything. The presence of organic materials such as wood fiber are not always necessary for mould growth. Once the presence of mould is found, it should be cleaned with the appropriate recommended cleaner.

Black Mould on a Pressure Treated Deck

The photo (above the concrete retaining wall) of the cedar fence has quite a bit of mould starting to form on the cedar. The mould initially shows up as spotting but is fairly quickly absorbed into the wood to become a consistent stain of black mould covering the surface of the deck. You can see this wood deck (to the right) that is just black with mould.

Composite Decks

The main difference between wood and composite decks is that the mould staining on composite decks does not penetrate into the material like it does with natural wood such as cedar. The mould grabs onto the exposed wood fiber in the composite decking and shows up as the same spotting that we see on wood decks . However it does not penetrate any deeper due to the layering and encapsulation of the plastics in the composite decking. Is it unsightly? Yes. Can it be cleaned off? Yes. Generally a deck wash recommended by the manufacturer of the composite decking will remove the staining. Usually a deck around 250 sq ft can be cleaned in about an hour or so. There is very little scrubbing involved with most deck washes. They are usually applied with a pump sprayer then rinsed off with a hose and water. With wood decks the sanding and prep work prior to actually staining your deck is a huge time commitment. So although there is still maintenance involved with a composite deck it is considerably less overall. The disadvantage to cleaning your deck is that it will generally lighten the appearance of the material. So if you have a dark composite deck you can expect that to become lighter after cleaning. I would recommend spot testing your cleaner to make sure you are going to be happy with the results.

Some of the newer products on the market today such as Timbertech XLM, Trex Trancends and Fiberon offer some great benefits. Trex Trancends has a 25 year warranty against fading and staining, Fiberon also offers a 20 year warranty against fade and stain on a few of its products. All three of these products have a protective layer on the surface of the planks. This protective layer has no organic fiber exposed so the chance of mould growth is greatly reduced. Also the cap layer on these products has excellent performance against scratching, denting, scuffing and they are very easy to clean. Most cleanups of these products would just involve soap and water.

I have only touched on a few of the many different products available today. There are pros and cons to each and every material. At the end of the day you need to choose what is going to be best for you and your family's lifestyle. Each and every deck will require some degree of maintenance. Some materials may offer a greater scratch resistance but look more artificial. Some materials may look more natural but offer less protection against mould and mildew. Take your time and speak to professionals such as myself that have experience with the different products on the market. If you have any questions or topics you would like me to discuss further feel free to contact me and let me know.

Thanks for your time

Todd Mounsey

Owner / Designer

Your Deck Company
todd@yourdeck.ca
http://www.yourdeck.ca/

Deck Material Choices

2010-03-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

It is simply amazing how many different choices there are today for decking. When I started back in 1986 there were very few choices and options for building a deck. Back then, it was a choice between Pressure Treated lumber and Cedar. Although there were a few different grades of cedar to choose from, the selection was still limited.
Today I find myself with too many products to review and select from. Included in the different types of materials is the original Pressure Treated and Cedar selections then moving forward there are a number of hardwood decking options such as Ipe (Brazilian walnut) , Kayu and Bamboo. After the natural wood material selections for decking there are a vast number of manufactured low maintenance products. Each and every one of these products have pros and cons. Hopefully today I can help you understand a bit more regarding the different deck materials available.

Natural Wood

Cedar and Pressure Treated lumber are the most well known choices so I will not spend much time discussing them. What I do know from my 24 years of building decks is that wood rots. Any wood deck is going to require a great amount of maintenance including regular cleaning followed by sanding and staining on almost a yearly basis. Cedar and Pressure Treated lumber are very easy to sand and work with although the quality of cedar today really does not seem to last. I am regularly seeing cedar decks around 8 years old that are starting to show signs of decay and need repair. For health and respiratory reasons I recommend using a high level of caution when sanding any materials. The added benefit to both of these materials is that they are quite affordable and easy to work with. A few of the disadvantages are that these materials will crack, warp, rot and splinter over time.

Ipe, Kayu and other hardwood materials offer a few more benefits. Hardwood materials have a great rot resistance and will last much longer than any softwood decking material. Usually 2 to 3 times longer. These materials also require regular maintenance such as cleaning, sanding and staining. These materials tend to crack, warp and splinter much less that the softwood choices. The strength of Ipe is simply amazing. It is one of the hardest materials I have worked with in my career. The disadvantage of Ipe is the difficulty in working with it and the cost is also quite high. When installed properly a deck finished with Ipe or Kayu has a definite furniture quality to it.

Low Maintenance Decking
This can be a huge category. At Your Deck Company we are one of the largest installers of this type of decking. We use low maintenance decking in around 80% or more of our projects.

The first and original type of material in this category is composite decking manufactured by The Trex Company. Composite decking is a composition of recycled organic material such as wood, rice hulls or bamboo fiber mixed with recycled plastics. (some manufacturers us a virgin plastic). It is an eco friendly alternative to traditional wood decking. Traditional composites perform quite well and are priced fairly well. Composites are generally more expensive than Cedar although can be less expensive than Ipe or Kayu. Working with composite materials is fairly easy although the products are generally quite heavy. The controversy over these products is the misunderstanding of the maintenance required and the issues of mold and mildew staining. ( I think I just came up with my next blog topic) I will discuss this further in another entry although for now I will mention that any type of material used outside is capable of having mold form on the surface. Any and all decking materials should be routinely cleaned and maintained.

The benefit to Composite decking is the fact that the manufacturers warranty against rot and decay. The added benefits are no cracking, splitting or splinters. As well there is no need to sand, stain or replace rotten boards. The disadvantages are that it can stain fairly easily and scratch. Most staining can be removed with a deck wash product.

Another option that is used is a PVC decking. PVC is not a recycled product. Products such as Timbertech XLM and Trex Escapes are excellent choices in this category. Both companies have a very durable, scratch, dent and stain resistant shell that encapsulates the board. The cheaper lower quality products have either a very thin shell or no protectant shell at all. These products are lightweight and easy to work with. The cost on these products can start to get a bit high but in my opinion are well worth the investment. They are very easy to clean usually with just soap and water. There is a wide variety of colors and textures available to meet most tastes. The down side is these products generally look a little more plastic and less realistic.

The latest entry into the world of decking materials is Trex Trancends. This is a new type of decking material.....sort of. Unlike PVC decking it is about 95% recycled but gives the scratch, stain and dent resistance of PVC. Trex Trancends is the original composite decking (wood and plastic mixture) as a core then it is capped with a fairly thick layer of polymers and embossed with a deep wood grain. This is the only product on the market at the moment that actually gives a 25 year warranty against stains. I have actually put this to the test myself and have yet to find something that will stain this stuff. I have tried Mustard, Ketchup, Olive Oil, Red Wine, BBQ sauce, Ribs and Chicken. No stains yet. This seems to be a great eco friendly material that gives many of the benefits of PVC in a recycled product at a decent price.

There are many more decking materials available although I feel these are the main products to be discussed at this time. If you require further information on any of these products or any other products feel free to let me know. You can Visit our website at http://www.yourdeck.ca/ To view some examples of the different materials available today

Thanks

Todd Mounsey

Owner / Designer

Your Deck Company
todd@yourdeck.ca
http://www.yourdeck.ca/