| Decking Options for Your Summer Deck Project - Chicago and Suburban Contractor |
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Summer is here and for many that means outdoor entertaining. Many property owners will be starting deck and patio projects and now have many options when it comes to choosing decking materials. Composite Decking is product made from recycled waste fibers and plastics like grocery bags and milk containers. Wood decking requires maintenance but can be constructed at lower costs and comes with many options in wood types, color, stains,and treatments. When it comes to decking board lumber there are several choices, including 2X4 and 2X6. Also popular are 5/4 X6 and 5/4 X4 with rounded “bullnose” edges. While redwood and cedar are attractive, as well as insect and weather resistant, pressure-treated lumber is also a good option. Another popular choice is re-cycled plastic fiber decking. Re-cycled plastic decking looks like wood, but is virtually impervious to weather and insects; it requires no wood deck stain or maintenance. Although this type material has adequate strength for decking, traditional lumber is required for the posts, box frame, and joists. Whatever decking material you choose our trained professionals will insure that it is correctly secured to the joists and box frame.    For a more decorative look, we can also install the decking on a 45-degree angle to the joists and box frame. This will increase stability and minimize racking. This method requires a little extra skill and precision; to insure proper cutting and fit, made easier by our vast experience in the field. Decking boards should be fastened to joists with the best side up; boards do not require spacing unless they are “kiln dried” lumber or man–made material which will not shrink. If so, it should be spaced at about 1/8-inch intervals. All other deck lumber should be tight, to allow for shrinkage. Fasten deck boards to joists with galvanized or stainless steel spiral or ring-shank nails, or deck screws. Two spaced at about ¾-inch from board edges on each joist is adequate. Torx head deck screws are much less prone to stripping. These are just some of the facts that a 123 Remodeling representative can provide you with. Composite Decking
New Composite material like Trex, Nextwood, TimberTech are made from recycled waste fiber from lumber milling, agricultural processes, polyethylene or high-density polyethylene from plastic grocery bags and milk containers do not rot, bugs will not eat, never warps or splinters, and require no maintenance. The process to create the composite material is a mix of fibers with plastic and is molded into boards for decking. Composite decking is a new, recycled option to the traditional solid wood product that comes in many colors, requires no maintenance other than cleaning, and will last forever. The only downside to building a composite plank deck is that once the boards are created by the manufacture, the product cannot be recycled again. Wood Decking
When choosing the look of a wooden deck there are many options. Redwood, Larch, Cyprus, and Cedar are standards that most decks will be built with and pressure treating or Thermally Modified options will help prevent weathering, rot, and insect infestation. Pressure treated lumber is ideal for outdoor construction and is much less than many alternate options. Treated wood is created with a process that places a load of lumber in an air tight cylindrical chamber and forces waterborne chemicals into the wood under intense pressure. Thermally modified or heat-treated wood is created using a process that uses heat to improve dimensional stability and decay resistant without the use of chemicals. The heat converts the wood sugars into a natural substance that cannot be digested by insects or support the growth of mold or fungus.
Bamboo DeckingBamboo Deck Tiles are made out of compressed strand woven bamboo over an interlocking base. Raised bottom allows for water drainage, they are easy to install and last a long time. Bamboo Composite Deck Tiles are a new type of composite made by mixed natural fiber; bamboo, wood powder, HDPE, and a few other additives. The material produced is a strong, moisture-resistant composite, engineered to endure harsh weather and heavy traffic.
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