Americans continue to rein in the outdoors by building decks in their back yards, but lately they have upped the ante.
“For the past few years, decks have been getting bigger, and people have been spending more money on them,” says Carl Widder, residential product manager for Timber Holdings.
Decks were traditionally made of relatively inexpensive pressure-treated wood and were modest in size, but now bigger and more beautiful decks are definitely better.
“People began to realize that pressure-treated wood was difficult to take care of and their decks didn’t look very good anymore,” explains Widder, “so it makes more sense to spend more money on better materials on the front end and make it a nice usable space with enough room for a table and chairs and lawn chairs.”
Todd Witte, vice president of the building products division of Design House Inc., points out that many decks now have several levels, and may feature built-in benches, lamp posts and even hot tubs. “People don’t want a `me too’ deck . . . without any ornamentation,” he says. “They want an individualized look with a richer appearance.”
While a deck beckons to be used for immediate gratification in order to enjoy the pleasures of the warm months, people who add decks to their homes can see clearly what the financial future has in store. Says Widder, “An attractive deck adds to the resale value of a home.”
A variety of products for building, accessorizing and maintaining decks are described below, along with suggested retail prices. Contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
– A natural choice. Those looking for something more fashionable than the traditional pressure-treated wood deck now have a natural choice: cedar. While Design House does not sell cedar decking, it does offer a line of cedar accessories that include spindles, newels, posts, rails, balusters and post caps.
Although cedar can be painted, or left to weather to a gray color, it is especially attractive when it is merely coated with a clear sealant or a stain so that it retains its natural reddish shade. In addition to its rich appearance, cedar has the advantage of being a naturally decay-resistant wood that does not warp.
For an additional aesthetic touch, Design House also offers metal-covered tops in white as well as in copper that can be sealed to keep its natural color or allowed to weather to a verdigris patina.
Design House has also introduced two lines of Easy Drive Fasteners, called Trim Ease and Deck Ease, that can be used for constructing decks. The manufacturer points out that they won’t strip, that they provide stronger clamping ability and that they resist corrosion. The tips of the fasteners are pointed enough to act as a drill, which eliminates the need to make a hole before installing them. Prices: $3 per spindle, $4 per cap, $10 for metal-covered post caps, $10 for a package of fasteners. Design House Inc., P.O. Box 1001, Germantown, Wis. 53022-820;1 800-558-1919.
– Paper or plastic? Trex is putting old plastic grocery bags to good use. They are using them, along with wood scraps, to make Trex Easy Care Decking boards. Trex is not only environmentally friendly, but it is user-friendly as well.
The manufacturer points out that because Trex is not affected by water or UV rays, it will not warp, split or rot, and what’s more insects won’t be tempted to gnaw away at it. Its smooth surface means that it’s safe to walk barefoot on it because there is no fear of splinters.
While Trex can be painted or stained, the extra work isn’t necessary. The boards come in a Winchester Gray, which weathers to a deep color, and in natural, which becomes a light, driftwood gray. Trex balusters and cap rails are also available. Trex cannot be used for the understructure of the deck, which should be made out of pressure-treated wood. Price: $1.45 per linear foot. Trex, 20 S. Cameron St., Winchester, Virginia 22601; 800-289-8739.
– Cool idea. Not all decks are made in the shade, so CertainTeed Shade Systems (formerly MarvinGardens Co.) is offering retractable canopies, called ShadeTree, to keep everyone cool. One or more of the 5-foot-3-inch-wide sections can be extended when needed, and retracted when the sun isn’t glaring, because they run on overhead aluminum tracks. The system can be installed on wooden posts that match the wood of the deck or on an aluminum support system. The manufacturer assures do-it-yourselfers that ShadeTree canopies can be installed without any problem by using the easy-to-follow instructions. The shades are available in more than 25 fabrics. The most popular colors are solid forest green, a Southwestern stripe with forest green, red, navy and yellow and a taupe and green stripe. Price: beginning at $449 for a system that covers a 10 by 10 foot area. CertainTeed Shade Systems, 6293 Busch Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43229; 800-894-3801.
– Knot-free. Iron Woods hardwood decking is cut from several different tropical trees. (As a member of the Certified Forest Products Council, the company is involved in reforestation so that this natural resource is not depleted.) According to Iron Woods, this decking does not have any knots and has a clean, smooth surface. It doesn’t need any chemical preservatives or water-repellent sealers because the wood is naturally resistant to rot and insects. It will weather to a silver patina while a clear finish will preserve its natural reddish-brown color. Price: $5 per square foot. Timber Holdings Ltd., 2400 W Cornell Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. 53209; 414-445-8989.
– It’s a snap. The size of the new Deck Box from Rubbermaid is just right for storing standard lawn cushions, but it can also be used to keep other outdoor accessories protected from the weather. It comes in taupe or taupe and dark green to coordinate with the color of the deck and is also available in white and cobalt blue for use near a swimming pool. The molded plastic pieces of the box snap together without the need for any tools. Price: $79. Rubbermaid, Consumer Service, 1147 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691-6000; 800-643-3490.
