| With every home improvement project that is | | | | prominent advantages of engineered decking is that |
| completed, a sense of accomplishment is felt. A job | | | | it greatly helps in the conservation of woodlands and |
| well done can now be enjoyed and shown off. If the | | | | animal habitats and it is much more durable than |
| home owner isn't quite the handy man then perhaps | | | | traditional wood deck boards. Each material, whether |
| that enjoyment is few and far between in coming. | | | | wood or engineered, possesses different |
| This doesn't mean that the new decking addition | | | | characteristics which the decking contractor should |
| should wait any longer. A top quality deck can be | | | | be able to discuss with the homeowner. |
| designed and crafted in about half of the time it took | | | | Deck fastening hardware has undergone somewhat |
| 15 years ago. This is because of advances in | | | | of a revolution from the simple days of nailing the |
| engineered and composite decking as well as | | | | deck board to the joist. In the past problems with |
| hardware and types of fasteners that have been | | | | nails or screws popping up created safety hazards |
| invented in recent years. | | | | that caused falls and cuts. The only way to correct |
| The problems with most decks assembled in the past | | | | this problem was to install more unsightly screws in |
| is that they were vulnerable to rot, expansion and | | | | the top securing the board to the joists again. Today |
| contraction, fading and are now safety hazards. | | | | hidden deck fasteners have gained in popularity. |
| Everyone has seen the decks with split and warped | | | | These hidden fasteners have even been improved |
| boards. As the temperature changes throughout the | | | | upon and now there is a large variety and |
| seasons, wood expands and contracts. This | | | | functionality. Some deck fasteners require that |
| expansion and contraction acts to loosen the screws | | | | installation be done from underneath the deck joists |
| or nails holding the deck boards to the joists ever so | | | | while others can be installed topside. The most |
| slightly. This is enough to allow moisture down into | | | | immediate benefit of all of these hidden deck |
| the screw holes. After the deck has endured its first | | | | fasteners is that the beauty of the deck itself can |
| winter, the rotting process begins. | | | | be enjoyed without the constant repetition of ugly |
| To help combat the short life of traditional decks and | | | | screw holes. |
| improve safety, engineered or composite decking | | | | Although these advances have made the assembly |
| was invented. Now the homeowner has a myriad of | | | | process faster and much more durable, they have |
| choices from composites, which are recycled wood | | | | not made the actual design of the deck itself easier. |
| and plastics molded together with resins, to full plastic | | | | Another challenge to do-it-yourself decking is the |
| decking lumber. One might think that the plastics | | | | type of soil and drainage that may cause problems if |
| would be tacky and flimsy like vinyl siding, but not so. | | | | not addressed correctly. Unless the homeowner |
| Plastic deck boards are very dense and have been | | | | possesses basic carpentry skills and some knowledge |
| molded to look exactly like regular lumber boards | | | | of foundations or footings, decking is best left to the |
| with a variety of color choices. Two of the most | | | | professionals. |