Deck building tips and tricks. Discussion about wood and much more!
Uh oh. The local fire department just put out the fire that engulfed Doug’s truck. What happened? Science happened. Doug left dirty rags soaked with deck oil in the back of his truck. His truck bed was basically an oven that had heat, no wind, dry air, and rags soaked in oil-based products. This is …
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From the looks of it, it’s safe to assume that Doug forgot to contact his local building department to check his plans. If he had, he probably wouldn’t look so upset.
To avoid Doug’s fate, it’s important that you know what parts of your deck building plan need to be up to your local building codes.
Here are some critical parts of the deck construction process that you should pay close attention to.
Be sure to inspect and/or repair the following:
You might have heard about the latest type of composite decking. There are multiple decking brands using what’s known in the plastic industry as “capstock.”
What is Capstock decking? Basically, Capstock is a new kind of composite decking material that combines composites (plastic and wood fiber core) with a “durable” exterior layer of vinyl (PVC). Think of it as a composite and PVC deck hybrid.
Like with most new products in the decking market, the companies that sell this kind of synthetic decking are doing their best by spending millions of dollars to convince you that, FINALLY, this is a composite wood product you can trust. These brands are also trying their best to convince you and deck builders across the country that it is “as good as, or better” than natural hardwood decking in terms of durability and looks.
They even offer a 25-year warranty on their product. However, if you’ve done research, you will learn that, for many, composite decking warranties aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. Many people complain and have sued these artificial decking companies for not complying with the terms of their warranties.
Ironically, even a reputable publication like Professional Deck Builder says about the latest trend in capstock composite decking, “The lengthy warranties – most up to 25 years – indicate that manufacturers stand behind these products (though perhaps you’ve heard that before).” That’s a direct quote, folks. Even the home-building press is skeptical about these products and for good reason.
Another interesting fact that arose out of our research is the resistance of all composite decking companies to disclose the chemical makeup of their new decking materials. In fact, when FineHomebuilding Magazine was conducting their own research into these products for their article entitled “In Pursuit of the Perfect Plank” the author noted, “None of the manufacturers I spoke with would reveal what was in their proprietary polymer.” Why is that?
As you can see, poor Doug has had an accident while cutting his wood decking. Can that guy ever catch a break!? Clearly, great care must always be taken when it comes to building a deck.
“Of course, I knew that already!” is probably the first thought that pops into your head when you read the above sentence.
But, please don’t be like this guy, or Doug:
Man severs thumb in DIY decking accident
It can happen to anyone. The deck tools and accessories you use to build a deck are meant to be treated with respect. So, here are some helpful tips that will give you peace of mind, while also saving a limb, or two:
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