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We here at Decks R Us are big fans of the latest versions of Vinyl decking, especially the Azek brand. We began using Azek back in 2005 when it was still sold under the Procell brand. This decking is made much like the older composite type, but is 100% plastic. It is available in many colors and sizes. One of the things we love about Vinyl decking is how easy it is to work with. Unlike wood or composite decking it does not crack or split. Most Vinyl decking brands come with a lifetime warranty against cracking and rotting. It...

Pros & Cons of Composite Decking Traditional Composite decking, such as Trex, is a mixture of wood dust and plastic. It is extruded in a machine with lots of heat allowing the wood, plastic, coloring, and UV protectant to melt and mold together. This technology was first introduced to the decking industry in the 1990s. Today there are dozens of different brands of it available. The color selection has expanded considerably, but the technology has not changed much. Composite decking is still a cost effective option in low-maintenance decking, and for the most part will outlast wood. It has however...

In this second part of our five part series on the pros and cons of different types of decking, we will look at the more traditional wood deck boards. Wood Decking There are two species of wood traditionally used by deck builders. Cedar has been a staple of deck builders for a long time due to it’s high acid content and natural weather resistance. On the East Coast, Pressure Treated Pine is the #1 type of wood used for decks. Cedar Decking A beautiful wood that resists rot and decay, Cedar wood is readily available at most lumber yards. However...

Finding the right decking for your new deck can be a bit overwhelming. Hardwood or Pressure Treated wood? Composite or Vinyl? And if you decide to go with something man-made, there are dozens of options and hundreds of opinions out there. Decking can be be put into 5 simple categories, Hardwood, Traditional Wood, Vinyl, Composite, or Vinyl-Capped Composite. So this post is the first in a 5-part series that I will share with you over the next few months. Hopefully I can shed some light on the pros and cons of each type of decking. Hardwood Decking There are 3...

Low-voltage deck lights are becoming popular for some very good reasons. They provide a nice gentle glow to your deck and they also can also provide additional safety for steps and pathways. In Pennsylvania, for example, it is required by code that any outdoor steps are illuminated. If you don't have an outdoor light in your house near the deck steps, you may be required to install riser lights on your new deck steps. These Endurance lights are the perfect answer for you. They are much smaller than other step riser lights, but with their unique design, they provide plenty...

If you are looking for something to set your deck apart from the other decks in your neighborhood a pergola is a great choice. They can also provide a fair amount of shade depending on their configuration. If your new pergola will get a lot of sun, you may want to consider maximising your shade by adding a canopy underneath. We generaly install 3 types of pergolas, Cedar wood, Pressure Treated wood, or Vinyl. Wood pergolas are a good choice for some surrondings, but Vinyl ones are more poular because of their low-maintenance upkeep. Vinyl Pergolas are available in white...

One of the best improvements you can make to your deck is to add a bench or a waterproof storage bench. Our benches are usually made out of the same materials as the decking. They are all custom made to fit your deck, whether you just want a small 4-foot long bench to fit in a corner, or a 30 foot long curved bench that runs all the way along the front. Our waterproof storage benches are also made from the same materials as the deck. They are coated with a sealant on the inside and the lids have rubber...

As I sit inside today looking out at the frozen world around me, sipping on my cup of coffee I can’t help but get a little excited. Because I know that we are half way through January, and in another 6 weeks or so, winter will start to ease its icy grip on us. While you are stuck inside, this time of year is perfect to get started planning your new deck. So below is a list of questions for you to ask yourself to help get started. What will you use the deck for most often? Answering this question...

Over the years I have heard the familiar question often, so what do you do for work? My answer, I build decks, is almost always followed by another question, what do you do in winter time? To which I answer, I build decks. Here at Decks R Us we believe that building decks in winter is a great idea, we have been doing it since 2003. Despite its challenges, it has some advantages for us the builder as well as you the customer. One major advantage for us as a company, is we are able to specialize in one thing...

This time of year we get a lot of questions about ice and snow from our customers. Will it damage my deck if I leave the snow on it? What can I use to get the snow off my deck without damaging the floor boards? I will attempt to answer some of the more common questions for you guys. First of all, there are 3 basic types of deck boards, and the answer to the question may be different depending on which type you have. #1. CPVC decking, i.e. Azek, Clubhouse, Timbertech XLM #2. Composite decking (wood & plastic mixture)...