Does Composite Decking Get Slippery in the Fall and Winter?

Trex Picture Frame Deck with Step

One of the big selling points of composite decking is simple: you don’t have to stain, paint, or oil it every year. As a result, that’s a big reason homeowners may choose products from Trex, TimberTech, Deckorators, and other major manufacturers. And I get it. Who wants to spend a perfectly good Saturday refinishing a …

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How Long Does Hardwood Decking Last? Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak & More

Decks by Kiefer Stowe Vt DECK 14

One of the first questions customers ask us when they look at hardwood decking is pretty simple: How long is this stuff actually going to last? Honestly, it’s a fair question. After all, if you’re spending the money to build a deck with Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak, or another premium hardwood, you probably don’t want …

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Why Hardwood Decking Can Outlast the Deck Framing Underneath It

deck with ipe oil sm1

Here’s a situation we’ve seen more than a few times over the years. A homeowner builds a beautiful Ipe or Cumaru deck over a traditional pressure treated wood frame. Then, ten or fifteen years later, they look at the deck boards and think, “These still look pretty good.” And I mean really good in some …

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Cumaru vs. Tigerwood: Comparing Two Affordable Ipe Alternatives

cumaru vs tigerwood decking

If you like how Ipe looks and performs but the price pushes your project budget a little too far, you may have several tropical hardwoods worth considering. In particular, homeowners often compare Cumaru vs. Tigerwood when deciding between alternatives. And really, who doesn’t have a budget to think about? In particular, two of the most …

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Ipe vs. Teak Decking: Which Premium Hardwood Fits Your Project?

ipe vs teak decking

Look, I’ll just say it up front: I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count. Teak carries a reputation that boat builders built over centuries. Indeed, they reached for it because the oils kept hulls from rotting in salt water. At the same time, furniture makers reached for it because the boards stayed …

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What Is Thermowood? A Contractor’s Guide to Thermally Modified Wood

adv thermal ash sidingrainscreen

If you’ve been looking at premium siding, decking, saunas, or outdoor ceilings lately, you’ve probably run across the term Thermowood®. And if you haven’t yet, you probably will. I’ve noticed it coming up more and more whenever someone wants real wood but also wants to know what newer options may be out there. At first …

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Avoid Common Mistakes When Ordering Lumber Online This Season

cali new mill pic web

Ordering lumber online has changed quite a bit over the years. I can remember when ordering specialty lumber often meant making phone calls, waiting for someone to check a rack, and hoping they actually had what you needed. In fact, you can now order everything from Ipe decking and Western Red Cedar siding to hardwood …

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