Trex vs. TimberTech vs. Deckorators Railing: Which System Is Best for Your Deck?

Trex Select Railing

When homeowners start planning a new deck, they usually spend most of their time choosing the decking. They’ll compare colors, look at wood grain patterns, research warranties, and debate whether to go with composite, PVC, or natural hardwood. Then comes the railing. I’ve been in the decking industry for 20 years, and I can tell …

Read more

How Much Ventilation Does a Deck Need?

deck with ipe oil sm

When planning a new deck, it’s easy to get caught up in choosing the right decking, railing, and layout. But there’s another detail worth thinking about before construction begins: how much airflow the deck will have underneath. Without enough ventilation, moisture can linger around the boards and framing, potentially leading to wood movement, decay, and …

Read more

Happy Halloween! The Scariest Deck Problems We’ve Seen: 10 Deck Building Mistakes That Can Come Back to Haunt You

rotting pressure treated wood framing web scaled

Halloween is here, and while most people are busy decorating their homes with skeletons, cobwebs, and jack o’ lanterns, we’ve got something a little scarier to talk about. Deck Building Mistakes… After more than 20 years in the decking industry, I’ve seen some pretty frightening things. I’m not talking about haunted houses or ghosts hiding …

Read more

Should You Use Joist Tape Under Hardwood Decking? Here’s What 20 Years in the Decking Industry Has Taught Me

Joist tape install

When homeowners invest in premium hardwood decking like Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, or Teak, they usually spend a lot of time comparing wood species, board sizes, and finishes. However, there’s one part of the deck most people barely think about until something goes wrong: the framing underneath it. After more than 20 years in the decking …

Read more

PVC vs. Composite Decking: What’s Actually the Difference?

TimberTech Coastline Vintage

When comparing low-maintenance decking, PVC and composite boards can look pretty similar. Both come in a range of colors and wood-grain finishes, and neither requires the regular staining or sealing that traditional wood decking often does. So, what actually sets them apart? The biggest difference is what they’re made of. Composite decking typically combines wood …

Read more