Useful Deck Information

Many people ask the same thing when we’re bidding decks, screened porches, and pergolas this time of year.  “Can you build a deck in when it’s cold outside?”  Actually, our deck builders prefer the cool weather over the warm.  It’s much easier keep the human body warm when doing physical labor than it is to cool it down.  That doesn’t mean they enjoy the brutally frigid temps that get hover near zero.  However, the thirty and forty degree temps are nothing if the carpenter knows how to dress right.

Some customers are worried about the concrete curing properly in temps below freezing.  Concrete will create its own heat.  If the deck builder or contractor covers the pier, footing or pad with plastic and then burlap, the heat will hold long enough to allow the concrete to cure fully.  When the ambient air gets below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit, we accelerate the curing process by adding Calcium Chloride or TriMix – NCA.  These chemicals help ensure the concrete cures enough before it freezes. 

The deck builder has to make sure that the concrete is cured before putting all of the deck’s weight on the piers.  I’ve seen a number of decks and screened porches sink down in concrete because the deck contractor assumed the concrete was ready.  They simply felt the surface to see if it was hard to the touch.  However, the concrete was actually frozen.  If concrete freezes before it cures, it will not continue to cure until it thaws back out.  You can tell the difference by drilling a small, inconspicuous hole, at least six inches down.  If you get a dry dust or powder, the concrete is most likely cured.  If you get any kind of paste, sludge or moisture, it needs more time.  If the deck builder is unsure or it’s borderline, temporary supports should be left on for a few more days.    

More and more Kansas City deck builders are using TXI’s Maximizer because it’s a “high/early” mix.  It has a very high strength at 5500 PSI and sets up to 3000 PSI in twenty-four hours.  This makes a big difference when time is a factor.  And if a deck builder plans on being successful, time is always a factor. 

Most Kansas City deck builders do work year round.  Just make sure you hire one who knows what they’re doing!

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks – Kansas City deck builder)

As great of a Kansas City deck builder that we advertise to be, we’re not perfect.  Sure, we wish we could build every deck perfectly the first time.  That would always make for a profitable business.  The deck we build today is still ten times better than the one we built ten years ago, and there’s very little that goes unnoticed.  Our attention to detail is something we preach to our crew all the time.  However, once in a while we miss something. 

Maybe we left a screw out of the decking or forgot to sand the edge of a railing top cap.  The call back is usually something very minor and never compromises safety or function of the deck.  Even so, these call backs need to be taken care of with the same urgency as any project on our schedule.

As a homeowner myself, I realize the customer does not view their deck complete until every last part and piece is addressed.  That’s why it’s imperative that deck builders and other contractors jump on their call backs as soon as they come in.  Especially if the job has already been paid for.  By doing so, the deck builder displays their level of service and professionalism.  This helps build a business name faster than anything.  And in this economy, a company’s reputation may determine their success or failure.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks)

Most deck builders in Kansas City and around the United States would agree on at least something.  Almost all would say that treated decks have few, and only a few, advantages over cedar decks, composite decks, tropical hardwood decks, and PVC decks.  They are inexpensive, durable against wear and tear, and very low maintenance.  Actually, the manufactured chemical injections in the treated wood make these decks virtually maintenance free.  That is, unless the deck builder, homeowner or other contractor decides to stain.

First off, any type of treated deck should not be stained for at least one full year from the end of construction.  MCQ, ACQ, and CCA lumber are all saturated with their own chemicals for protection against rot and insects.  Any sealant applied within the first year of exposure will simply run off or not penetrate deep enough into the wood’s grain to do any good.

Once time for staining that treated deck does arrive, the deck builder, painter, homeowner or whoever will need to power wash the deck first.  Then the deck should be allowed to dry out for a couple of days.  When choosing a stain, many Kansas City deck builders and contractors use a brand called Super Deck which is sold at your local Kwal paint store.  It’s specially formulated to interact with treated lumber’s makeup of southern yellow pine and the preservatives which are injected into the wood.

Apply at least two coats to all surfaces and three to all flat surfaces such as decking, stair treads, handrail caps and bench seats.  Most stain manufacturers recommend following up with another application a year later to give a solid base coat.  Then applications would follow every three to four years or as needed depending on climate and deck usage. 

However, remember that a treated deck is pretty much maintenance free as is.  It does not need staining or sealing to keep it from deteriorating.  But once you apply that first coat of new stain, you’ve now turned that maintenance free treated deck into one that’ll have to be cared for continually in order to keep it looking consistent and the color of stain you put on.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks – Kansas City deck builder)

Yesterday, I posted about Deckorator’s Classic round aluminum baluster.  I also mentioned Deckorator’s Estate baluster.  They’re essentially the same thing as a Classic round aluminum spindles except for square and not round.  Doesn’t sound much different but they definitely are.  As a Kansas City deck builder, we built a cedar deck in our showroom using the Estate balusters, and I’m sure glad we did.  It definitely looks very different from the round balusters.  Deck builders also still have the option to add baskets, knuckles, finials, etc. to the spindle by a slide on attachment that holds tight with an inconspicuous set screw. 

If you’re a deck builder who likes to bore your round spindles into the deck railing framework, you won’t be able to do that with the Estate baluster.  However, the connectors for the Estates are much stronger and secure than the ones used for the Classics.  They go on the outside of the spindle and have a channel to sit in so the baluster is cradled and locked in place.  The caps also have nubs that press into the railing framework to prevent them from turning.

If the deck builder is imaginative, they can create some unique looks with the square balusters.  Turning the spindles at an angle creates even more of a contemporary look.  Installing them with a pattern of three in a bunch and then a normal space puts off an on old world wrought iron look.  More or less, Deckorator’s Estate baluster simply gives the deck builder and homeowner more possibilities and options.  They are definitely a nice change of pace from the monotony of Classic round balusters which area on nearly every deck in Kansas City.

 Here’s a link to Deckorator’s Estate Balusters.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks – Kansas City deck builder)

It wasn’t all that long ago when aluminum spindles were first introduced to deck builders, and in turn, the entire deck industry.  At least in Kansas City, Classic or round balusters quickly grabbed the attention of deck builders and their clients.  Today, they are still most popular deck baluster used on decks in Kansas City by a country mile.  This transgression occurred for a few simple reasons.

They are inexpensive.  A little more than a cedar spindle at the time at the time of inception but not outrageously priced.  Today, they cost even less than a cedar spindle.  They are maintenance free.  Anyone who’s ever stained a deck knows the spindles are definitely the hardest part of the deck to finish.  Aluminum balusters also provide a more transparent view from inside the deck.  At three quarters of an inch wide, they are half the width of a two by two wood spindle.  This provides more open viewing area to see through when sitting on your deck looking out.  With these key attributes characterizing the round aluminum spindle, there is still a more important reason they became so widely used by Kansas City deck builders. 

The number one reason these balusters are so trendy is because they are so trendy.  By that I mean they are very different from the decades of wood spindles that bordered nearly each and every deck in Kansas City ten or more years ago.  Driving down almost any street in Johnson County, Kansas or Kansas City, Missouri, or Desoto or Lawrence, all you could see is wood decks with wood spindles.  Sure, there was some separation by creative deck builders in the patterns and styles of railing some had designed.  However, they sure had to work at it to make their deck unique.

Now days just about every deck builder in Kansas City uses Deckorator’s Classic round baluster.  As a matter of fact, they’re as common on decks as wood spindles were previously.  These round balusters are definitely something Kansas City deck builders rely on to dress up their decks without breaking the bank. 

Tomorrow I’ll tell about Deckorator’s new Estate baluster.  They’re a nice change of pace from the round balusters.  And who knows, they may even soon take their place amongst deck builders and homeowners alike.

Here’s a link to Deckorator’s Classic aluminum baluster. 

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks – Kansas City deck builder)

I can’t tell you how many composite decks I’ve looked at recently where the deck wrap hasn’t been properly installed.  It seems there are a lot of Kansas City deck builders who’ve not been told or instructed how to correctly install composite deck wrap.

What I most commonly see is composite deck wrap which is wavy and buckling all around the perimeter of the deck.  This is caused by two factors.  The main reason for the waviness is the inadequate amount of screws used.  All composites should be screwed off with no more than eight inch spacing between screws.  I must say that being a Kansas City deck builder, we didn’t used to install screws this close for fear of looking too peppered with fasteners.  This was before the composite manufacturers informed us that we had to put them this close in order to keep a warranty intact.

The other reason composite deck wrap or even composite decking will buckle is too little or no space left between boards for expansion.  Gapping of composite decking looks aesthetically right.  However, I know why most deck builders don’t like to leave gaps in their composite deck wrap.  It’s because the homeowner will almost always point it out and ask them to make the joint tighter and less noticeable.  Generally, when you tell a consumer, paying a fair amount for a quality composite deck, that the joint is supposed to be gapped for expansion, they tend to think the deck builder might be making excuses for not wanting to replace the board.

Unless you want to spend much of your time going back and trying to suck in bows and twists in all your deck wrap, stick to your guns and put the gap in there.  Do it relative to the climate.  Leave one eight to three sixteenths of an inch gap in the very coldest of temperatures (below freezing).  A weak eight inch gap about this time of year, for most of fall and springtime, is just about right.  In the midst for summer, only about a sixteenth of an inch is necessary.  

Mushrooming around the screw heads is another major problem.  Not only with composite deck wrap, but even more so with composite decking.  Some Kansas City deck builders try to convince consumers that Deck Mate screws or any kind of exterior grade fastener is sufficient for installing composites.  I won’t mention any names, but you guys know who you are.  Wise up a little.  You can’t establish yourself as a reputable deck builder when every composite deck you put up looks like it picked up an outbreak of the chicken pox and mumps at the same time.  I know, you hammer them down to show the homeowner that they just help cover the screw heads and tell them those appendages will stay down forever.  But why?  Then you just have to deal with the headache when they don’t stay down for one month and that customer is complaining about their rocky road of a deck surface.

Fasteners such as Trap Ease composite deck screws should ALWAYS   be used when installing any composite deck or PVC deck.  Better yet, do as we do and pilot every single hole on your decking, wrap and railings.  It will remove all the unnecessary material and allow that screw head to sit nice and even with the board surface.  Just make sure the pilot bit shank is about the same size or less than the shank of your screw shank and smaller than the head.  An eighth of an inch or five thirty seconds is about right for a composite deck screw.  Trust me, you customer will be much happier, and it’ll be much easier to build your name as a quality deck contractor.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Deck – Kansas City deck builder)

As a Kansas City deck builder, we’ve built a higher number of screened porches this year than ever before.  I’m pretty sure it has a lot to do with the fact that a lot of homeowners are investing more in their current home rather than upgrading to a new or bigger house.

Talking with other Kansas City deck builders, the consensus is the same.  Many deck contractors in Kansas City say that their clients overall are purchasing larger projects overall.  Bigger decks, covered deck, screened porches, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces seem to be more common this year than in years past.  Yeah, sure the price point is down some with the bear market, but larger deck investments seem to be the mindset of many Kansas City consumers.

Being a deck builder in Kansas City, we’re not complaining about the trend swing.  Larger decks and screened porches help compensate profit loss from dropping our bid quotes.  The bigger the deck, the less set up, travel, collection, and cleanup cost the deck builder spends per dollar received.  This helps us Kansas City deck contractors bend a little to keep our deck builders busy until we have a full economic recovery.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks - Kansas City deck builder)

The North American Deck and Railing Association developed this very honorable program back in 2007.  Sergeant Thomas contacted a deck builder who was a NADRA member.  The deck builder by the name of Sawdust, Ltd of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was contacted through NADRA.org.  The soldier hoped she could get on the deck builder’s schedule upon returning home from serving her country.  This began the idea for the “Deck for a Soldier’ program.

NADRA explains the service as:

“This is a community effort that expresses our appreciation for the service and dedication of the men and women of our armed forces.”

There are some criteria to be eligible for the “Deck for a Soldier” program:

• You must own your own home
• The home must be in our serviceable area
• You must be in active service with the armed forces in the last 2-4 years
• Candidates property must have setback requirements & surface available to complete the project
• You do not have an existing deck, or have one that is less than 150 sq. ft. & at least 10 years old
• There must be readily available access to property – subject to on site review

Such an honorable program needs all the help it can get.  If you’re a deck builder or other contractor, maybe you can afford to give a little back.  Contact NADRA and see if you can expand their serviceable area.  Then we can reach out to more of our fine volunteers who give so much and risk everything for our safety and freedom.

To apply for the “Deck for a Soldier” program, click here.

To contact NADRA about helping out with the “Deck for a Soldier” program, click here.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks - Kansas City deck builder)

Just about three years ago, MCQ (micronized copper quaternary) treated lumber was introduced to the public.  Being a Kansas City deck builder, we immediately start using the product.  We had been stuck with ACQ treated lumber after the ban on CCA because it contained carcinogens.

 As any deck builder or contractor building outdoors knows, ACQ forces the deck builder to constantly fight the ammonium in the wood.  Almost any metal coming in contact with ACQ would corrode at an accelerated rate.  This includes patio furniture, any type of accessory hardware, and even saw blades and decks.  And of course, all hangers, brackets and fasteners used in construction have to be double hot-dipped galvanized for safety reasons.

MCQ actually has a contact corrosion rating even less than the old CCA treated lumber.  Therefore, just about any metal rated for outdoor use will not be damaged by coming in contact with MCQ.  It also costs the same if not less than ACQ.  Every customer, retailer and deck builder I’ve spoke with prefers MCQ’s appearance over ACQ.  MCQ is a light yellowish tan pigment that seems to blend in pretty well with the rest of the deck.  ACQ has a dark muddy green tint that often stands out and clashes in outdoor living areas.

 If you’re a deck builder or contractor, you’ll no longer have to spend the extra money for double hot-dipped galvanized framing nails, lag bolts and other hardware.  Surface fasteners used for appearance such as decking, railing, and wrap, should still be hot-dipped, stainless steel, or another metal that won’t bleed and streak the wood.

Pro Wood and Yella Wood are just a couple of popular brands being used by a some Kansas City deck builders right now.  With all the great benefits of MCQ, there’s certain to be many more manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon in the near future.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks - Kansas City deck builder)

Ever heard the phrase, “Jack of All trades, Master of None?”  I’m pretty sure this saying originated from a do it yourselfer or roundabout handyman.  But, believe it or not, there are actually some deck builders in Kansas City who boast this characteristic.  I’m sure there are deck builders in every town who brag about their vast general knowledge of remodeling and construction.  It helps the hungry contractor find work easier by simply expanding their field of qualified work.  However, is that really important to the consumer looking to purchase a high quality deck?

No, as a matter of fact, it’s exactly the opposite kind of deck builder they should hire.  A deck builder who dabbles in several different trades never really perfects deck building.  That’s because they build a deck, then finish a basement, then erect a fence, then hang some siding, then shoot some paint, and then maybe build another deck.  The problem with that routine is there’s very little detail retention and quality progression from one project to the other.

Being Kansas City deck builder for more than ten years, we’ve literally built thousands of decks.  I can certainly tell you the deck we build today is head and heels above the deck we built ten years ago.  That’s because we have always, and still do, look for ways to improve our decks.  We often have two or three decks under construction at the same time.  Our crews are coordinated within themselves and with each other when we add carpenters on large projects.  That’s because decks, screened porches, pergolas, and hard scapes is all we do.

We once also did full scale remodeling such as room additions and finished basements.  But we were never the best at any one trade.  We were a good fence builder, a good flatwork company, a good remodeler, and a better than average deck builder.  Then one day we decided that we really just wanted to be the best at one thing.  We thoroughly enjoyed building decks as did our crews.  So we decided to pursue being the best deck builder in Kansas City. 

It was scary at first because we cut so many of our potential consumers out of the picture.  However, we soon discovered that necessity is truly the mother of all invention.  We were forced to think outside the box and reinvent our marketing and advertising approach.  We also found that our crews quickly became more efficient and our quality improved significantly simply from repeating the same processes over and over.

It’s something to think about whether you’re a deck builder or potential deck purchaser.  A Jack of All Trades will never build a better deck than a Master Deck Builder.

Hope this helps,

Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks - Kansas City deck builder)