Decks – Wood and Composite Materials

Deck and Patio Cedar Deck

Decks are typically, but not always, attached to the back or side of a house. They are designed to work with the elevations of the house access and the lay of the land. Multi-level decks are not only functional, but they are beautiful and enhance the enjoyment of outdoor living experiences. The Deck and Patio Company has won many awards for its deck designs and installations, many of which included integral Hot Tubs.

When you visit our design center, you can see actual samples of materials – various types of natural wood and composite materials in many varieties of textures and colors. We will help you select the right type for your installation, based on the design of the project, the surroundings and landscaping.

Additional detailed information about the types of deck materials and our construction techniques can be seen below the gallery – simply press the “Read More” button.

We invite you to look through the Deck Portfolio Gallery below.

Visit Our Design Center

Come see our outdoor display of a wide variety of deck materials, colors and styles.  Our Outdoor Living Experts will be happy to explain the benefits of the different materials and construction techniques available, and show them to you. This is the best way to get the information that you need to start your outdoor living project.

Decking Material Alternatives

Deck surfaces are available in a variety of materials. Natural Wood, Pressure Treated Wood, and Capped Composite materials are all the possibilities a homeowner needs to consider for their deck. Obviously there are advantages to each, and each has its limitations.

Deck Design and Construction

When we design a deck, we take into consideration, proper space planning to allow room for tables, chairs, barbecues, food prep areas and other features you would like to incorporate into your deck. We also take into consideration the size of the property and the ability to maintain views. We employ the use of wide stairs, called wrap around stairs, to keep that open air feeling to the area. The beauty of the landscape beyond can be brought onto the deck through the use of built in planters. Socializing is made simple and beautiful through the addition of custom seating built into the deck in a “L” Shape or 3 sided bench. Railings can be tailored through the use of manufactured rails and modifications that we have custom designed ourselves.

All of our decks are built to code including concrete footings 36″ deep and 12″ diameter. Our decks are designed to be safe and unique. For those clients not wishing to go with the traditional rectangular deck, an angular (octagonal), rounded, or curved deck and rails can be designed to suit their outdoor needs. Decks are built to bring the outdoor space up to the same level as the home. When faced with a steep slope, a higher deck can lead down to a lower deck creating multiple levels. A deck built around a portable hot tub gives the appearance of a built-in spa and grants easy access to the spa.

Wood decks can be installed with ringshank stainless steel or galvanized buglehead nails. An alternative method is coated or stainless steel deck screws.

It should be noted that the underlying deck structure is built with pressure treated wood for any of the decking surfaces mentioned. This is required for strength, rigidity, and long life.

Natural Wood Decking

Decking made of natural wood has a beauty unmatched by other materials but has regular maintenance requirements.

Cedar, Pressure Treated Lumber, and Iron Wood (IPE) as a decking surface, requires some maintenance on a regular basis. All can be stained to the owners color preference.

Cedar Decking and Pressure Treated Decking

Western Red Cedar is one of the most beautiful, natural deck materials you can use. It is largely straight grained, reddish in color, and has a soft burnished look. Cedar has natural insect and decay resistance properties. Cedar is quite dimensionally stable and lies flat and stays straight.

Your cedar deck will also have sound suppression and absorption qualities. However, it does require some additional TLC to remain beautiful. This is a choice for those who are willing to go the extra step in maintenance to retain the beauty of a soft looking, wood deck.

Pressure Treated Wood is always used for framing all decks , it is sometimes used for the deck and rails when cost or longevity is important.

More Information: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

 

Cedar Deck

Iron Woods Decking

Iron Woods, also called IPE, is the leading brand of an incredibly durable hardwood. It is highly rated for strength, hardness and durability. These qualities have been proven in demanding commercial applications, including a 25+ year life on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It is strong, dense, and hard. It was tested by the US Navy in a Panama Canal study and was shown to be the top performer commercially available.

Iron Woods decking remains smooth and virtually splinter free for many years. Iron Woods naturally resists the most common problems to deck surfaces: it has excellent insect resistance, fire resistance, wear and chemical resistance. It has the unique properties that make Iron Woods one of the choices for your decking project.

During construction, we build the deck with hidden screws or hidden fasteners, and although it may cost more because of its labor intensity, it has furniture like grade and a 25 year warranty.

More Iron Woods Information: Cecco Trading Inc.

 

 

Iron Woods (IPE) Deck

Capped Composite and PVC Deck Materials

Capped composite and PVC decking requires much less maintenance, although it still requires some. The material is generally a composite of wood and a plastic with a “coated shell”. These materials come in variety of colors, wood grains and profiles. This material has minimal maintenance and is the choice of many homeowners.

The Deck and Patio has a number of many different materials for both decking and rails on display at their Design Center from various vendors.

Advantages of  Capped Composite Decking

  • No cracking, rotting or splitting
  • No need for sealants
  • Protected from UV rays
  • Surface is slip resistant
  • No damage from insects, water, sun
  • Easy to keep clean

 

 

Trex Deck

Trex Decking

Trex decking is the capped composite material that is often used by Deck and Patio. It has the longest history of use and experience and has shown its durability and adaptability. Trex is also our choice since the Deck and Patio Company is only one of eight contracting firms, nationwide, that provides advice to the manufacturer as a member of the Trex Advisory Board. We know the quality of the product and the care the manufacturer uses in its production specifications. Trex also shows its environmental concerns by using recycled materials in the manufacture of its decking. The Deck and Patio Company is also a Certified Trex Pro Installer meaning we have been thoroughly trained and judged skilled enough to hold this position.

All Trex Transcend decking is available for viewing in a variety of colors such as the new Tropical colors which have the look of real wood and the durability and low maintenance of composite materials. All of the choices can be seen on display in our new Design Center.

Other Capped Composite Decking

The Deck and Patio Company is pleased to use other composites of the client’s choice. We can install deck materials made by Fiberon, TimberTech and Azek.

Fiberon Deck

Timbertech Deck

If there is a particular desire to use an alternate brand, Deck and Patio’s expert installers can and have used these products to their best advantage.