Durable deck fasteners from TimberTech resist corrosion and blend with various decking colors.
Meanwhile, Nader is optimistic about Azek’s newest lightweight decking product, which is a lot easier to work with and offers a number of attractive options.
TimberTech is another popular choice, recently introducing its capped Earthwood Evolutions product, claimed to be the industry’s first fully capped plank.
“What makes Earthwood Evolutions unique is the use of TimberTech’s HydroLock Technology, which fully encapsulates the board, minimizing the opportunity for moisture absorption, which causes warping. This translates into better capstock adhesion and reduces the need for aggressive embossing that creates crevices to trap dirt and debris,” explains Carey Walley, TimberTech’s director of marketing.
Low-Maintenance Railings
Moving on to railing systems, low-maintenance options and customized, decorative products are gaining traction.
“Trademark and Azek corner the market, while Fiber One is the up and coming player,” reports Moore. “All three are considered green building products.”
Another attractive offering to consider is TimberTech’s new Mix-and-Match selections for its RadianceRail line. With dozens of color combinations and different metal and glass balusters, the deck railing can easily be customized.
In addition, the individual components can be purchased separately as opposed to a complete kit, so builders can create shorter railing runs without buying unneeded parts, says Walley.
Also known for its decorative appeal is a full range of railing system offerings from Universal Forest Product’s Deckorators. In addition to balusters, post caps, post covers, post sleeves, and post base trim, some of the glass and metal post caps incorporate energy-effi cient LED lighting for illumination and aesthetics.
The company also offers a neat interactive desk visualizer tool enabling users to build their own “virtual” deck.
Although made of a controversial plastic, PVC railings from companies such as Fypon and Fiberon are also popular choices, but Nader recommends looking at actual samples, as opposed to pictures, “because the touch and feel vary; some products can be easily spotted as PVC from a distance, while others are taken for wood.”
Not to be left out, old-fashioned wood, particularly cedar, offers much appeal and is competitively priced.
“Although wood railings require some maintenance, compared to the man-made alternatives, they continue to be the right choice for the consumer whose home styles and personal preferences demand natural products,” states Nader.
Fabulous Fasteners
While there is a wide cost range when it comes to deck fasteners, experienced builders agree that you get what you pay for.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is basing decisions solely on sticker price and ending up spending a dollar to save a dime,” laments Winchester.
The least expensive and lowest quality option is galvanized fasteners, followed by pre-painted coated Zinc on the next rung of the price and quality ladder. Although stainless steel fasteners are the most expensive, builders recommend them for their durability and resistance to corrosion.
Stainless steel is well worth the cost, in Nader’s opinion. “Contractors should learn to charge premium for all stainless steel fasteners and hangers, especially in the case where deck manufacturers require them,” he says.
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