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beyond-lumber
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Beyond Lumber

Introduce Your Clients to Alternative Decking Materials​

Higher lumber prices and restricted lumber supplies are two reasons more and more homeowners are looking for alternatives to wood for building decks. People are spending more time at home and there’s a greater willingness than ever to invest in a deck that will not only last long but also keep looking good with minimal maintenance. Teach your clients about the alternatives to wood for decks that you’ll learn about here and it will lead to better projects, fewer callbacks and a better financial bottom line for you.

3 Types of Decking

The walking surface of a deck is the most obvious place to use an alternative to wood, but you need to understand the selling points of the different options so you can help clients make informed decisions. Begin by explaining that there are currently three main alternatives to wood decking: wood/plastic composites (WPC); mineral-based composites (MBC); and poly vinyl chloride decking (PVC).
Wooden
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WPC was the first type of deck wood alternative to become widely popular and it’s still an excellent option today. Made of a 50/50 blend of wood fibres and plastics, the most environmentally attractive examples are made entirely from post-consumer recycled sources such as shopping bags and ground up shipping pallets. WPCs are made by different companies and come in one of two forms: either as hollow extrusions (less expensive and lighter in weight) or solid lengths (looks and works more like real wood). Both types come in the same widths and thicknesses as conventional lumber. ​​

Mineral-based composites (MBC) are a newer option for deck surfaces and offer distinct advantages. Made from a blend of plastic and minerals, the best MBCs have a fibrous structure similar to wood, with virtually no expansion and contraction from changes in temperature. Stronger than wood/plastic composites, being entirely inorganic means there’s no chance of rot and surface growths.
PVC decking is another wood alternative and it’s taking a larger piece of the Canadian deck building scene. If you’ve used PVC products for making maintenance-free exterior trim, then you already know something of what’s involved in cutting, drilling and fastening PVC decking. Unlike first-generation all-plastic lumber from the 1980s that were heavy, extremely expensive, prone to melting when cut with a saw, and slippery when wet, PVC is different because of the way it’s formed. Instead of just solid plastic, top brands include small amounts of air entrained into the extrusions as they’re made. This creates better working properties, lighter weight and better traction under foot.
Gardden
Steel racks

Steel Deck Frames

The biggest part of any deck is the support frame, and this is currently the leading edge of wood-free deck design. Steel deck frames are made of various extrusions by a handful of companies, each with their own proprietary design and fastening system. The steel in these systems is relatively thin so it can be cut on site with a steel-cutting carbide blade in a low-rpm metal cutting circular saw or chop saw. Even if you’ve never worked with steel before, the learning curve is shallow and simple. It’s not that different from building a wooden deck frame. ​

Accessories

Few novice homeowners understand the amount of work involved in finishing and refinishing all-wood deck railings, so be sure to explain this to your clients. Homeowners who know what a hassle wooden railings can be are driving an increase in the popularity of aluminum railing systems.  Factory finished and maintenance free, aluminum systems are easy to install solidly with lower chances of callbacks than with site-built wooden railings.
House out
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Are you building a deck with a great view? Use glass instead of a conventional railing with spindles. Special glass is available for use on decks and creates a clean appearance along with safety. Today’s best aluminum deck railing system sometimes include built-in lighting, but lights can also be installed separately on the deck floor.

While high wood prices are currently driving consumer demand towards wood alternatives, the main advantage of alternatives to wood is quality. These include extended deck life, reduced ongoing maintenance chores, and retention of good looks and are the reasons alternatives to decking are taking off. Helping homeowners realize these facts before they build is a win-win for both you and your clients.

Inspiration is always handy

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