Why Be Locked Into Any One Brand of Decking Materials?

If you’re interviewing a deck builder, and they tell you what brand of composite decking they want you to use, walk away or hang up the phone.

One brand? Why? There is more than one brand of excellent composite decking out there. Why should you be locked into one brand? We could ask why that builder was locked into one brand, but that’s not our concern.

At Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio, we work with several different brands of composite and synthetic decking. When we design and build your outdoor living structures, we want you to have the option of using the brand that appeals to you most. When we meet with you, we will tell you what we like about certain manufacturers’ brands, and where—if anywhere—we think they fall short. The same is true for railings, pergolas, awnings and canopies. We offer an extensive menu giving you lots of options.

The composite decking industry is no longer new. The manufacturing processes and the various product lines have evolved over more than twenty years, and they’ve been getting better and better. Many of the manufacturers’ warranties have increased in duration as well. The strengths and weaknesses of each brand are fairly well-known. A reputable contractor will keep up with changes in the industry and know when a given brand has improved and when they have fallen behind.

As a Deck Builder, Archadeck Knows Composite Decking

Your Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio design professional has this product knowledge at his fingertips. As part of our deck design process, we help you select the right decking brand for your needs. We aren’t on any manufacturer’s payroll. We can make objective recommendations. We are also open to talking about any specific brands you want to talk about. If you’ve heard good things—or bad things—about certain brands from a friend, ask us.

Sometimes a brand’s downsides are their price points. If your budget enables you to select one of the costlier product lines, we can tell you which will give you the most for your money. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, we can tell you which product lines will give you the most for your money.

At this time, the composite and synthetic decking brands we work with the most and recommend the most frequently are the following:

• TimberTech decking
• AZEK building products
• Fiberon decking
• Armadillo decking
• Envision decking

As a Deck and Porch Builder, Archadeck Knows Railings

Today’s railing manufacturers offer an array of products designed to keep you, your family and your guests safe. We don’t want anyone falling off a deck or porch, whether it’s elevated or just a few feet from the ground. Building code even refers to railings as guardrails, so that tells you their primary purpose.

If safety were the only function of railings, you wouldn’t find such a vast selection of available designs. Anyone who’s looked at railing styles knows that your choice of railing can make a great difference, aesthetically, in the look of your deck.

As with decking materials, you have options when it comes to railings: styles, materials and colors. Traditionally, wood railings blocked much of the view from the typical deck. Today, railing manufacturers offer thinner balusters (or pickets) for a better view. Wire cables, horizontal or vertical, are another option. Some manufacturers offer the option of glass panels in place of pickets. You can also choose curved railing systems instead of the traditional straight lines.

Popular railing materials today include wood, aluminum, iron, vinyl, wire cable and composite and come in many colors. Homeowners often select one material for the railing posts, another for the balusters and a third for the top and/or bottom rail. For example, you might select vinyl railing posts (low maintenance!), aluminum balusters and a composite top rail cap that matches your composite deck.

At this time, the railing brands we work with the most and recommend the most frequently are the following:

• Deckorators
• Mt. Hope
• Keylink Outlook

To talk with a deck and porch contractor that isn’t locked into one specific brand of materials, contact Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio today at (937) 563-4847.

Let this be the year that Archadeck makes your outdoor living dreams come true.