Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Deck Builder Digest: What to Expect with Large Deck Projects!

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Massive projects such as the Secrets Resort in Jamaica can be a challenge.
Massive commercial projects such as the Secrets Resort in Jamaica can be a challenge.

What is Better For Business, Large Deck Projects or Small?

If you want to have a business that flourishes, offering specialized services that your competitors cannot offer is key. So, if you’re a contractor who specializes in deck building, remember there is less competition when bidding on large projects than small ones.  If you settle for bidding on smaller projects, not only will you be faced with the challenges of setting yourself apart, you will also have A LOT more headaches. You will have to juggle multiple projects at once, pull permits, generate HOA letters and material takeoffs, order dumpsters and portable toilets for each job. If you are doing fifty small jobs a year, this is a process that seems never ending!

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Deck Builder Digest: Make More Money with Landscaping Added to Your Services!

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You have finished the deck project of your customer’s dreams and it is quality workmanship! What more could they ask for? The answer is easy, a beautiful yard to match the spectacular deck that has been built! So, don’t load up your tools and drive away too quickly! Offering landscaping to your customers is something …

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Deck Fastening Methods: Choosing the Right Fastener

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There are many different methods when it comes to fastening deck boards. Some say that surface screwing is simply the best fastening process, and all other techniques are a waste of time.  Those who do choose to use hidden deck fasteners, sometimes rely on cheaper, generic brands. Fasteners that are drilled straight through the joist …

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Deck Maintenance – How to Prevent Mold

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Keeping your deck clean will keep it from looking like this.
I looked all over for moldy hardwood decks, but all I could find were composite decks like this one.

Unfortunately mold is something that we have to deal with. Mold is everywhere, all the time, but only under the right conditions can it cause a threat. While mold itself is not always bad (think of it as nature’s way of recycling), it can be detrimental to older decks made of soft wood and composites.

Mold only needs a few things to grow: food, such as dirt and pollen, water, and favorable weather conditions. When these three elements are all met, the mold begins to have a feast on whatever it’s sitting on.

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