| A deck is something home owners build with the | | | | resistant, insects have no place to begin their |
| intent of it being a gathering place, a centerpiece that | | | | onslaught, they pack up the kids and move on to |
| connects the inside of our homes directly to our | | | | your neighbors gathering place. Try to be supportive |
| yards. A place to sit with the morning coffee, read | | | | and not smile when they tell you the nightmare the |
| the paper and wave to our neighbors. The deck is | | | | termites have caused on their beautiful deck. Karma |
| the main entertaining area for our backyard | | | | will be kind to you for this. |
| barbecues on those summer get togethers we so | | | | 4) The new generations of composite decking come |
| look forward to. For this reason, a deck is perhaps a | | | | in a variety of colors. They also come in reversible |
| little more personal than other home addition | | | | grain enabling you to create a pattern to your design |
| projects. There is no right or wrong in the type of | | | | by simply turning the boards over. For instance, the |
| product or brand. However, because it is so personal, | | | | style of decking I used had a smooth grain on one |
| you should gather as much information on what is | | | | side and a "wood" grain on the other. By simply |
| available and ensure you will be satisfied with the end | | | | turning certain boards over, I was able to create a |
| result. | | | | look that was diversified. This may not be something |
| Composite decking was generally referred to as Trex | | | | you would want to do, but it is nice to have the |
| decking due to its early foothold in the industry. | | | | option. |
| Nowadays it is called by a multitude of names | | | | 5) Finally and I know this is not everyone's main |
| reflecting the many different product brands on the | | | | concern, but it is a plus. A percentage of composite |
| market. Each company claims to have something the | | | | decking is made from recycled material. When I look |
| others do not, that is something you will have to | | | | out on my deck and I see this beautiful surface, that |
| determine yourself. When you do your research, you | | | | I know I do not have to sand and seal, that I will no |
| will find today's composite decking comes with a | | | | longer hear the theme from Jaws, that there will be |
| great number of benefits, so let's get started. | | | | no insects feasting on my gathering place, and that |
| 1) LOW MAINTENANCE. Properly constructed and | | | | its make up consists of recycled materials.... I love it |
| installed, a composite deck will relieve you of the | | | | all the more. |
| misery of sanding and sealing. I know personally, as I | | | | In your research you will find drawbacks to |
| dreaded the process of waking up on a beautiful | | | | composite decking, let's face it, there is no perfect |
| spring day and saying " I have to refinish the deck", | | | | solution. The initial cost will be more compared to |
| especially the pickets on the railing. Yes, you know | | | | some wood products. The construction specifications |
| what I mean. | | | | are more demanding than wood products, in regard |
| 2) Durability; composite decking is a very sturdy and | | | | to the span of your joists, further adding to the cost. |
| weather resistant product. Winter rain and snow will | | | | I promise you though, on that beautiful spring day |
| not cause it to rot. Summer sunshine and heat will | | | | when you are headed out to the golf course, and |
| not cause it to peel and splinter. It is so much nicer | | | | you look over at your neighbor refinishing his deck, |
| to walk out in your bare feet and not have to hear | | | | you will feel the beauty of a composite deck. And |
| the theme from Jaws in your head, fearing the rogue | | | | this is way before the termites stop by to pay him a |
| splinter that awaits you. | | | | visit. |
| 3) Termite resistant; due to the fact it is weather | | | | |