Useful Deck Information

On Tuesday, October 20th, Principia Partners publishing department released their predictions for the deck industry in 2010. Principia Partners is a strategy consulting firm for companies in material related industries.  They estimate that decking and deck related sales will rise from $2.8 billion in 2009 to $3.1 billion in 2010.  This is obviously great news for us Kansas City deck builders and deck related companies throughout the country.

PVC and composite decks have steadily risen in demand since their inception.  However, wood decks gained back substantial ground in 2009.  This was due mainly to the combination of falling wood prices along with the increase in cost of petroleum based products.  The impact of our deep recession has also forced customers to choose deck products which are easier on the pocketbook.  Principia is predicting the trend to shift back in favor of PVC and composite decking as wood prices begin to recover.

Cautiously optimistic, Principia hopes that a greater ability to tap into home equity to finance home improvement projects along with more confidence in consumer spending will result in substantially more deck sales.  “The increase in housing starts and modest growth in repair and remodel activity will increase the demand for decking and railing,”   Principia said.

There will be about 2.5 million decks built on residential homes this year.  Principia says we should expect about a 6% increase in deck sales.  That’s about 150,000 more decks next year.  As a Kansas City deck builder, I sure hope they’re right on target with this forecast.  And I’m sure my fellow deck builders, retailers, and wholesalers are crossing their fingers that these numbers come to fruition.  Because like many industries throughout the United States, the American deck industry could sure use a banner year in 2010!

For more info on this report, here’s a link to Principia Partners.

Hope this helps,

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

As I’ve posted before, we’re a huge proponent of FastenMaster’s Cortex hidden fastening system.  It retains the simple engineering principle of keeping two face screws per board per joist.  Many Kansas City deck builders use other methods of concealing their screws.  However, most structural experts will agree that the Cortex system provides a much more stable deck than any hidden clip or tongue and groove method.

Earlier in the year, I spoke highly on how well Cortex’s core and plug operation worked for AZEK Deck®.  I was amazed at both the ease of installation as well as the consistency of its appearance and performance.  However, when I heard FastenMaster had created one for EverGrain Classic Colors*®, I was somewhat skeptical. 

As a professional Kansas City deck builder, our company installs more EverGrain decking than any other product.  Therefore, we know its characteristics very well.  I love the value EverGrain delivers.  It’s both low cost and durable as well as not harboring mold and mildew.  Sorry for the digression.

The main reason for my skepticism was the raised dense grain pattern pressed into EverGrain’s surface.  I didn’t picture those plugs being very easy to install or blending in very well with such a pronounced and defined texture.  Then the EverGrain rep showed me a demo that quickly forced me to swallow my presumptions.  The plugs were easily set even with the raised parts of the surface and simply conformed to and became part of the texture.  I guess that’s why I’m a deck builder and not in the manufacturing business.  I was both surprised and impressed.

If you’re a deck builder or consumer who prefers using another type of decking, FastenMaster has also extended the Cortex line to other brands.  It is now available for Trex® Accents and Escapes and TimberTech® TwinFinish Decking.  They’ve also come out with the new Azek Kona and Fawn colors.

For more info, here’s a link to FastenMaster’s Cortex Fastening System

Hope this helps,

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

NADRA (The North American Deck and Railing Association) just launched a new search help deck builders find what they need easier and faster.  They have partnered with MultiView, Inc., an Irving, TX, publisher of Digital Buyer’s Guides and E-News Briefs, to launch the NADRA Deck and Railing Product & Service Guide.

Basically, it’s a new online search program that you can access from NADRA’s home page (www.NADRA.org).  The vendor search is specific to the deck industry.  It should help refine the very broad and too generalized method of searching for deck related items on the big search engines.  Deck builders have the choice to either search by keyword related terms or via an alphabetized category and sub-category directory search.

With the use of this new search, a deck builder or homeowner can look for specific items or companies relative only to the deck industry.  Also, if you click the “Desktop Search” located at the top of the main page, you can easily download a toolbar for faster access to the Guide and NADRA, even when offline.  They’re also taking recommendations for other vendors, companies, products, services, etc. that you might be using as a professional deck builder, contractor, or consumer.  You can suggest them to NADRA.  They’ll take a look and see if it can be added to the guide and thus create an even deeper resource.
 

Here’s a link to their search page:

http://deckandrailingproductandserviceguide.com

Hope this helps,

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

About a month ago, I posted how Azek was ready to show off their new darker decking colors to the deck builders in Kansas City.  Well, I missed the introduction due to family obligations.  However, my partner was able to attend and grabbed a couple of samples so I could relay my opinions on this blog.

One of the new colors is called Fawn.  Fawn is a deep dark tan or milky brown.  Actually, the name is very fitting because it’s exactly what color you’d think a young deer to be.  I’m not a huge fan of any light brown and cedar color decking.  No matter what brand it is.  That’s not so much a knock on the colors the manufacturers created as it is my personal taste.  I wouldn’t put the Fawn Azek on my deck either.  However, I think it’s a more attractive tint than most of the other decking colors close to the same shade.  I also think it will definitely have a stable spot amongst deck consumers since it’ bold enough to be different while still remaining fairly natural and neutral.  Not bad.

The other color has been named Kona.  I’d say it could best be described as cocoa or dark chocolate.  It is right in line with what I thought Azek was going to have to put out in order to compete.  Timbertech and Gossen have developed some creative and sharp decking colors.  Darker colors are definitely the trendy choice with many deck consumers in Kansas City and around the country.  Fawn is sure to gobble up its fair share of those purchases.  It probably already is. 

When it comes to the darker deck colors, deck builders should inform their customers about hot temperature surface.  Some of the dark composite decks can actually feel unbearable when exposed to bare feet.  I guess that depends on how tough you and your feet are. 

Personally, mine aren’t nearly as callused and leathery as when I was a kid.  I use to spend all day playing outside with my dogs unprotected.  Not so much today. 

Cellular PVC, like Azek and Gossen, have an advantage.  The technology of PVC restricts much less temperature change than composites.  That can make a big difference with small children.  Especially in direct sunlight and in the middle of summer.

Helpful links:

Azek decking

Gossen decking

Timbertech decking

Evergrain decking

Hope this helps,

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