Deck building tips and tricks. Discussion about wood and much more!
If you’re looking for pool decking, hardwoods offer excellent benefits that will keep you, your guests, and children safe. Many times, people who settle for plastic decking have to pay extra attention to the decking that surrounds their pool. It’s not hard to imagine that wet plastic composite decking could act more like a “slip …
Cumaru is a Brazilian hardwood with more benefits than Teak.
Cumaru:
Not many people know this, but Brazilian Teak aka Cumaru has very similar properties to ipe. With a Janka hardness rating of 3540, Brazilian Teak is almost as strong as ipe and is a lot more affordable, too!
By far, the biggest reason why Cumaru is gaining in popularity is the cost.
Most people are led to believe that only metal, or plastic decking are viable waterproof decking solutions. Frankly, I think the manufacturer’s of these products are missing the point. When a mother is searching online for waterproof decking, she’s not looking for material that allows water to sit idly on its surface. She’s looking for material that is proven to keep her kids safe around the family pool. It’s hard to imagine a more slippery surface than a metal or plastic deck. There’s a reason why hotels and cruise ships use wood decking species like Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru or Garapa around their pools.
Hardwood decking is perfect for your in-ground, or above ground pool for a number of reasons. Not only is it more affordable Contractors across the country know that these species have benefits that composite and PVC materials just can’t match.
Hardwood waterproof decking will:
According to the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA), the majority of the decks were installed over 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the large majority of those deck owners fail to adequately assess the structural health of their deck. It makes perfect sense to make sure that the structure under your feet was built properly and is maintaining its structural integrity. If you have never inspected your deck, then now is the best time to take a look “under the hood.” By measuring the health of your outdoor living area, you’ll give yourself peace of mind in knowing that your deck is safe and sound. NOTE: It doesn’t matter what deck you have, these deck inspection tips apply to all decking material.
With the recent string of bad weather in the United States (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and even dust storms!), the following deck inspection tips are a great way to ensure that you can not just enjoy your deck, but be safe on it as well.
1. How are the fasteners that run through the ledger holding up?
If your deck was installed with at least 1/2″ diameter lag screws your deck should be in good shape. If you or your deck builder ran nails through the ledger to the rim joist, you should, one by one, replace them with the stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized lag screws and be sure to use washers for a more secure fit. Using nails to fasten your deck to the home is a disaster waiting to happen.
If you, after a recent storm with heavy winds and/or flooding, you notice the screws and ledger starting to loosen up, reinforce them immediately with 1/2″ diameter lag screws.
These days, being green and using eco-friendly products is more than a trend. Our whole economy is starting to recognize and value materials and items that have been manufactured and/or promote a healthy, green, and eco-savvy lifestyle. Even the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has shown us that there can be a heavy price to pay when we rely too much on environmentally problematic and damaging resources and materials.
What does this have to do with wood decking?
Well, there is a huge marketing push led by composite decking companies to cast all wood decking as non-eco-friendly. These companies want you to believe that all wood decking comes from illegal logging and that it decimates the world’s forests. Here’s the truth, as an FSC certified lumber supplier, the wood decking that we sell here at Advantage comes from eco-friendly forestry practices.
Here are 5 things you need to know about Green Decking:
Wood decking is the best material to use for garden and outdoor decks. Period. Case closed…
Not buying it, are you? Are you still thinking that composite decking is a viable and better choice? After all, it IS “eco-friendly” and “maintenance free”, right? What makes wood decking any better?
Here are 10 Reasons why Wood Decking species like Tigerwood, Cumaru, Garapa and Ipe are better choices for your deck: