With warm weather on the horizon for much of the US, now is the time to look at the look, feel, and texture of outdoor spaces in 2020. To that end, we’ve listed some of the latest additions to the deck and industry railing product catalogs, from boards and filler panels to advanced fastening systems:

MoistureShield

High-deck wood composite decks are designed and geared towards the entry-level market. The composite is 95% recycled and has a protective cap that protects the panels from bumps, corrosion, and damage from inclement weather. The boards are also designed to protect against moisture absorption, deformation, rot and insect damage. At the start, the line is available in two colors: sea fog, a soft gray, and Kanu, a forest brown. wetureshield.com

Fence district

The pre-assembled rail inserts from Fence Quarter can be installed on site in all existing posts and rails. Each rail insert kit contains all of the tools required for installation. Insert styles include Landmark, a classic vertical railing style. Torrey Pine, a clean design with two rows of grid squares on top; and Bellevue, an elegant geometric pattern. They are pre-primed, pre-painted in white or, of course, available on site for stains or weathering. Zaunquarter.com

National nail

The CAMO Starter Clips provide a face mount solution for the first and last boards of grooved deck projects designed for use with the CAMO EdgeClip and EdgeXClip, as well as the CAMO Drive deck mount tool and tool guide. Taken together, the CAMO-Clip products are designed so that they are not visible above the surface of the deck. To install, users align the clip with the back edge of the beam and the center of the cross beam, attach the clip to the cross beam, and tilt and insert the deck board into the clip. camofasteners.com

Nova USA

The ExoShield Wood Stain provides a protective layer against fungus, water and UV damage for wooden decks, sidings or garden furniture. The stain consists of a mixture of tung oil, UV blockers, fungicides and transoxide pigments, which together result in a naturally durable, color-stable finish that improves wood stability and reduces cracks and warpage. It can be used on both hardwood and softwood surfaces. novausawood.com

Deckorators
Deckorators Voyage Composite Decking, shown here in Khaya.

Deckorators

Deckorators has expanded its Voyage Composite decking line with a different plank option as well as a fifth color – Khaya, a true brown chosen to meet contractor and homeowner demand for a darker brown option. Voyage flooring with a variety of planks brings an existing trend towards indoor flooring to outdoor living spaces and includes planks in widths of 3½, 5½ and 7 1/4-inch. Both new options will be available from 2020. Deckorators.com

Burger & Cie

New to the U.S. market this year, the GRAD lower deck structural system uses a range of aluminum rails, grade clips, and pedestals to secure wooden or composite deck boards in place without screws or separate fasteners. The degree clips are pre-assembled on the aluminum rails, with a variety of panel width configurations available, and can withstand pressure of up to 396 pounds per attachment point against warping. The rails resist moss, algae, salt, water, UV, insect and fungus damage and do not decompose or shrink. Pedestals can be mounted on earth, solid foundations or raised deck posts. gradconcept.com

AZEK construction products

New products for 2020 include additions to the TimberTech AZEK, PRO and EDGE decking boards. TimberTech AZEK’s multi-width decking offerings add two new 7.25-inch wide boards to the Harvest Collection: Brownstone and Slate Gray. TimberTech PRO’s Reserve Collection offers four new colors – two shades of gray and two shades of brown – with a matte finish. TimberTech EDGE now includes the Prime + collection, which includes two color mixes with a wave profile and a tight, straight embossed pattern. azekco.com

Fortress building products

The Infinity-I series uses a bamboo compound formulation to increase strength, durability and performance. The series was developed to meet the need for decking that can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh climates. According to the manufacturer, the panels are characterized by increased slip resistance, improved heat dissipation and higher moisture resistance. The line is available in a choice of earth tones. The panels are double embossed to ensure that no two panels have the exact same grain pattern. fortressbp.com

Havwoods International

The Trekker collection offers a range of composite decking and cladding panels that are made entirely from recycled wood and plastic and are also fully recyclable. The boards are available in three color classes – chocolate, oak and volcano – with a choice of wood grain, corrugated or fascia surface textures. The collection is very impact-resistant, UV-treated and lightfast and offers low water absorption in damp environments. havwoods.com

DalTile

Daltile’s Xteriors program includes countless tile products in large-format editions that are suitable as decking. Delegate is a slate-inspired porcelain tile that comes in 20 x 40 inch pavers in light or dark gray. Three of Dignitary’s six neutral colors, patterned after French limestone, are available in a 24 x 24 inch tile. Commissary’s five wood-look colors and patterns are available in plasters measuring 24 “x 24” and 16 “x 48”. The natural stone look from Assemble is available in the sizes 30 x 60 inches and 32 x 32 inches and 30 x 30 inch formats. daltile.com

Century aluminum railing

Century Grab N Go Weld Panels are individually packaged, 72-inch fully welded railing panels that are easy to install between the posts. The panels are suitable for a variety of indoor or outdoor applications, including deck railings, fences, or guardrails, and can be cut on site with a chop saw or reciprocating saw. They come in three colors – black, white, and copper – or can be specified in custom combinations. Century brand posts, hardware and fasteners are sold separately. Centuryrailings.com

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COVID-19 caused many adult children to fly home to the family nest.

This proved to be the case for Rex Watson, whose son and daughter came home for the holidays last year, noting that their job opportunities faded when it was time to leave.

When his children’s household items took place in his garage, Rex needed a garden shed. Plus, he had long wanted to repeat their aging deck.

Fortunately, he had help on hand.

“I wanted some projects to be done,” said Rex’s son Chase Watson.

They tackled the shed first. Chase, a mechanical engineer, designed the 8 by 8 foot structure on his computer.

By May they were ready to get dirty.

“We had a lot of fun building from scratch,” said Rex. “We poured the concrete slab ourselves and then worked on it every day.”

Along the way, they added small details like plexiglass mirrors to let in natural light and a metal roof with a copper sheen.

“The shed is visually appealing. We thought a lot about the appearance, ”said Chase.

Neither of them had ever built anything like this, so the experience was kind of a learning curve for both of them.

“We decided to make the door instead of buying it pre-made,” said Rex. “We have learned a lot from our mistakes, but we are very happy with the end results.”

Chase said he made many trips to the Home Depot.

“One thing I’ve learned is that wood is never straight,” he said. “But I like to solve problems and figure things out. It was nice to have projects that occupy my mind and time. “

After the shed was completed in July, they started the deck the following month.

The original deck was made of fir and was rotten in places. This time Rex used weatherproof composite decking material. They followed the original design, but enlarged and deepened it.

“We figured the deck would be quick and easy, but it turned out to be a lot longer than expected,” Chase said.

For many days it was just too hot to work on the project so they took their time and continued when it was cooler.

“We tailored the steps and added additional steps on the side to link to the garage,” said Rex.

His and Chase’s personalities and skills mingled enabled them to create well-built projects.

“I’m kind of a perfectionist, and he’s more or a realist,” Chase said.

Rex laughed.

“It’s very likely that we’ve overhauled everything and that the shed and deck will outlive the house.”

If the Watsons ever move, the new owners will know exactly when the garden shed was built, as father and son etched the concrete slab in 2020.

Rex is proud of their projects, but he didn’t like the finished results best.

“The best part was hanging out with Chase,” he said.

Chase switched careers and started a new job last month as a wilderness guide for troubled youth in Bend, Oregon.

He’s looking forward to coming home for Christmas and seeing the shed decorated with Christmas lights.

“I haven’t been to Spokane in almost 10 years,” he said. “It was cool to spend a lot of time with my dad and give back a little while adding value to the house I grew up in.”

The post Pandemic initiatives: Father and son workforce up on shed, deck restore first appeared on DECKSAND FENCES DAILY.

Photo: istockphoto.com

A well-built deck increases your living and entertainment space and adds value to your home. If you choose to sell, the cost will be amortized by 70 percent. However, with heavy use and constant exposure to the elements, the wooden surfaces of a deck require a high level of attention and maintenance in order to preserve their appearance and to remain stable and safe season after season.

Over time, a deck is subject to a number of cosmetic and structural problems. Has your deck seen better days? Are you wondering if it can be another season or do you think it’s time to scrap it completely and start over? Review this list of six common deck problems to determine what repairs your deck might need and to decide whether to make the corrections yourself or to call a professional to repair the damage.

Discoloration: Correct with a new stain.

Discoloration isn’t a safety issue for your deck, but it’s sure to be unsightly. To fix discoloration, you need to remove the existing paint from the boards, wash the wood and apply a top stain with good UV protection. This is a simple deck repair that even an inexperienced handyman can do. Since bad weather can thwart a patching project, it’s best to undertake this in late summer or early fall, when temperatures are mild (below 80 degrees Fahrenheit), humidity is lower, and the forecast doesn’t require rain.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Slippery surfaces: save with a high-pressure cleaner.

If you’re sliding around on your deck like it was a smooth block of ice, the problem is likely due to a large build-up of algae or moisture. This can easily be fixed with a good pressure wash to remove slippery areas that are unsafe to walk on. Wash your deck once a year in the spring after the snow has melted and before you unplug any BBQ and patio equipment.

Cracks: fill and seal.

While cracking isn’t attractive on a deck, it’s usually just a normal sign of aging. If the cracks are less than 6 inches long, all you need to do is fill them with latex wood filler and then seal the deck with sealant. However, if the cracks are longer, you will need to pry off the affected boards and inspect the underside for damage. When the underside of the board looks clean, flip it over and secure it back to the joists with deck screws. If the bottom is cracked, replace the board completely.

The wood on your deck is constantly expanding and contracting as the humidity and the seasons change. For best results, perform maintenance on cracks each fall before the dry winter air sets in. This can cause existing cracks to deepen and new ones to appear.

Rotten boards: replace immediately.

When boards rot, water damage or insects are the typical culprits. If ignored, rot can spread and cause serious structural damage. Therefore, you should treat wood rot individually. (This is a great advanced home improvement deck repair project.) First, use a hammer and lever bar to remove nails and screws, and then remove the rotted board. If necessary, use a circular saw to cut out the board. However, be careful not to slice the surrounding boards. Finally, measure and cut your new board and screw it into the beam. If wood rot is widespread, then this job is better left to the professionals as several boards – and even joists – may need to be replaced.

Large gaps between the boards: close them.

When your deck is relocated, to ¼ inch gaps are intentionally built for drainage. Over time, the wood inevitably shrinks, creating larger and more annoying gaps between the deck boards. These can lead to tripping hazards. So it’s best to fill in large gaps right away by replacing all of the boards with new ones that have been cut – a challenging deck repair, but one that can be done in a weekend.

To minimize future gaps between your deck boards, it is important to understand that wooden boards have different moisture levels (MC) depending on how they are treated and dried. The best wood moisture content for outdoor projects depends on the climate in your area. So when buying, ask the experts at your local lumber yard and check that all deck boards have the same MC so they dry evenly. When you’re ready to install, distribute the boards evenly on the deck, either tightly as they shrink or with about 1 cm space between the pairs.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Wobbles: Call a professional.

The last thing you want when you get on your deck is to feel the structure tumble. Feeling wobbly can be due to termite damage, persistent wood rot, or poor installation. Whenever you have structural damage in your home, the best thing to do is to contact a skilled professional right away who can fix the problem or help you install a brand new and, most importantly, safe deck.

Make sure you are properly reviewing your contractor by researching reviews online and getting recommendations from trusted friends or neighbors. Make sure the person working on your home is experienced with the type of deck repair you need so you can avoid the hassle and added cost of mistakes. If you’re not ready to do minor deck repairs yourself, find a good handyman you can trust to get the job done right without billing you for an arm and a leg.

The content is paid advertising created in collaboration with Puls. His facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

The post 5 Deck Restore Initiatives You Can DIY and 1 for the Professionals first appeared on DECKSAND FENCES DAILY.