Composite Decking Brands

Deckorators, the nation’s leading brand of deck balusters and decorative railing accessories, has introduced another industry first called VersaCaps™ — decorative post caps with nested inserts that allow for a snug fit over the most common size deck and fence posts.

With new VersaCaps, post size is no longer a barrier when choosing the right post cap for your project. VersaCaps come with three inserts perfectly nested inside the base, making them adaptable for virtually any post ranging from 3-1/2”x3-1/2” to 4-5/8”x4-5/8”.  The true-fitting nested inserts take the guesswork out of matching up proper post cap size. VersaCaps are compatible with wood, composite and vinyl posts and are available in traditional solar, solar band and high point pyramid options and in a variety of colors.

Deckorators full line of VersaCaps will be available in the spring of 2012 and showcased in the Deckorators booth (W429) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Deckorators deck, railing and fence accessories are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada. Visit www.deckorators.com for complete information.

A graspable secondary handrail is an important component to consider when planning a deck with stairs. So whether you're constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck or a deck made from other decking material, you're typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck's stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.

Key Residential Stair Handrail Requirements (IRC - International Residential Code)

1. Stairways having four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches in height, whichever is less, must have at least one grab rail.
2. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1-1/4 inches and not greater than 2 inches. If the handrail is not circular it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches and not greater than 6-1/4 inches with a maximum cross section of dimension of 2-1/4 inches.
3. The grab rail must terminate at the newel post (top and bottom posts).
4. Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be a minimum of 1-1/2 inches.
5. The height of handrails must be installed 34 inches - 38 inches from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread.

Graspable secondary handrails are required by more and more building codes / deck codes in areas across the country. Both Deckorators and Latitudes brands feature a secondary handrail system in their respective deck railing products lineups.

These attractive and highly versatile graspable handrails are ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy gauge aluminum and durable PVC, these systems include five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in three colors (adobe, tan and white) to complement a homes exterior.

Check out the American Wood Council's "Design for Code Acceptance" document for complete details. Stair handrail requirements are outlined on page 18.

Looking to distribute secondary handrails or components? Look to Waymark to supply all your fence and railing accessories.

Choosing the right hidden fastener for composite decking is pretty simple, but it's important to choose a system that allows each deck plank to expand and contract for varying weather cycles. Some of the more popular hidden fasteners systems are made of UV resistant plastic or metal. These hidden fasteners brands include the Equator hidden fastener (made specifically for composite decking), TigerClaw, Eb-Ty, Phantom and Lumber Loc.

When installing Latitudes slotted composite decking or other decking products that have a 5/32” groove, the patented Equator hidden fastener accommodates for the expansion and contraction in the boards width and length which occurs naturally in composites / synthetic deck boards. Read my blog post on how the Equator hidden fastener can even be used with the extra thick Latitudes Marine decking.

The Equator fastener installs in the grooves of the slotted composite decking and virtually eliminates the need for pre-drilling. What's more, the system automatically gaps each board with the proper spacing—ensuring a painless, easy installation. The fastener is not exposed, so your deck surface remains eye-catching and uninterrupted by screw patterns.

With a hidden fastener system, you'll give your deck an extra-clean touch without any visible blemishes such as nail pops or mushrooms. And when you choose the innovative design of the Equator hidden fastener, it’s what you don’t see that makes all of the difference!

Check out another one of my blog posts on hidden fasteners.

Great deck railing ideas start with Deckorators! Deck building season is here and style calls for a look that enhances at a glance. Deck railing and deck railing accessories dial up the visual interest, whether designed-in or retrofitted. Deckorators offers decorative and functional metal deck railing systems and accessories to make your deck stand out from the crowd.

Put the sizzle on your composite lumber deck or treated wood deck with signature metal balusters in an array of colors and styles. Decorative glass balusters let the view come through. Solar post caps accentuate and illuminate. It’s easy to offer great suggestions when you know what’s available. There’s some very cool outdoor accessories in the Deckorators lineup.

The Deckorators brand of deck railing accessories offers decorative and functional balusters by style. It’s also a mecca for metal, glass, wood and illuminated post caps.

For even more deck railing ideas, check out the Deckorators deck visualizer and start designing your dream deck!

Deckorators, the originator of the round aluminum baluster, has designed and launched the Duo Connector™, a patent-pending baluster connector that broadens the deck baluster / infill category for deck railing.

Arched Duo Connector allows deck builders to create distinct infill designs using existing Deckorators Classic round deck balusters. Square Duo Connector allows you to create a unique modern infill design using Estate square aluminum balusters. Duo Connector installs easily into both the Deckorators 2x4 code-compliant aluminum railing, as well as on wood and composite deck railing. Connectors are available in powder-coated black, white and bronze, and have compatible stair rail adapters.

The uniquely-designed Duo Connector is another example of how Deckorators continues to be the industry-leading deck railing products brand.

For more details, see the Duo Connector news release in the Deckorators Newsroom.

Create the look of your dream deck in minutes with the latest deck design tool.

The sky’s the limit with this new Deck Visualizer deck design software. The Deck Visualizer lets you explore your imagination by selecting from hundreds of decking and railing combinations, designed with two industry-leading brands in mind: Deckorators and Latitudes.

Deck Visualizer deck design software lets your imagination take over. Simply select a deck scene, then begin to drag and drop (or click) endless combinations of decking and railing products to create your custom deck design. Along the way to your finished design, you can find out more details on any of the products simply by clicking the information icon.

Choose from wood decking, composite decking, deck railing and accessory options. Before you’re done, add some pizzazz with deck railing accessories such as baluster baskets or centerpieces and solar post cap lights. Want to know what your selections look like on a different deck scene? It’s easy. Simply select a new deck and any compatible product selections will transfer to the new scene.

The Deck Visualizer is compatible with most any computer or mobile device and allows you to print your custom deck design, save it, e-mail it to your contractor or share it with friends and family. Your Deck Visualizer print out will generate a summary of the products you’ve chosen as well as a final image, so you’ll know exactly which decking and railing products you’ve selected for your project.

Universal Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Universal Forest Products, Inc. and maker of Latitudes Composite Decking and Railing, announces that professional golfer Matt Richardson will be sponsored by the company and will promote its Latitudes brand during the 2010 U.S. Open golf tournament.

A native of the United Kingdom, Matt Richardson qualified for the U.S. Open by shooting a 67 at the MetroWest Golf Club local qualifier in Orlando, Fla., on May 10. He followed up by shooting a 68, 69 in a 36-hole sectional qualifier at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore., on June 7. Richardson sank a 35-foot putt on the final hole to save par and to secure his U.S. Open position by one stroke. This will be the 25-year-old’s first performance at this premier Pebble Beach, Calif., event, which begins June 14.

“UFP and Latitudes have a proven track record, and that’s what we have in common”, said Richardson.
“I appreciate the support of UFP and all of my sponsors for enabling me to continue to strive for perfection and to continue my dream as a golf professional.”

"Like Latitudes composite decking and railing, Matt is a top performer,” said John Hess, Director of Composite Sales for Universal Forest Products. “We’re proud to sponsor Matt, a proven performer who has an exceptional track record, and we wish him luck at the U.S. Open.”

There are many brands of wood plastic composite decking on the market, and in my opinion, only a few should be considered "high quality". The best composite decking brands share three common traits:Made using finely ground wood flour that has very consistent particle size which mixes very well with other ingredients. Many composites use very large wood particles which create the rough surface and voids or open areas in the product which allow dirt and debris to collect.  These open areas may allow the decay to start and to attack the wood.

Superior raw material
Top quality composite decking contains very carefully selected, consistent engineered high density plastics. Some of the plastics used in the best composite decking are recycled from other industrial sources where the key characteristics and purity of the polymers used can be relied upon and checked for incoming quality. Other composites contain various mixtures of recycled plastics from many sources and other foreign matter which lead to product inconsistency.

Proven process technology
Strandex extrusion process and die technology improves and assures the dispersion, mixing and proper processing of all ingredients in the formulation. Strandex has a long and proven track record of durability and strength including years of technical development of products for US Naval waterfront facilities. Strandex provides nearly 20 years of composite development experience and is solely focused on new research which will help maintain its technology leadership position in the composite decking industry. 

Product uniformity
Finished product is uniformly mixed and is very consistent in density. No voids, or open areas are present on the surface or throughout the depth of the product. Many voids exist on the surface and throughout the cross-section of other inferior composites creating a loss in properties and durability.
 

Virtually all composite decking brands are different, so it's important to know and understand what makes a quality composite deck board. And when it's time to shop for the best composite decking, make sure you consider these common traits.

Top performing, proven composite decking brands from Universal Forest Products, like Latitudes composite decking and Veranda composite decking, employ Strandex technology and should be considered when you want to buy composite decking.

Making your home the hub for fun and entertainment can be as easy as creating the space and inviting folks in. But it’s important to make sure your outdoor living spaces are as safe as they are fun. If you already have a deck, give it a thorough spring checkup. See if you have any loose railings or balusters, and inspect the structure of your deck for rotting wood, corroded or loose fasteners and any mold and mildew.

If you find that your deck needs repairs, consider updating it with new composite decking and railing. Latitudes, a leading composite decking brand, offers several unique decking and railing combinations, each offering superior strength and resistance against the rotting, fading and warping that typically occur with wood due to varying weather cycles.

Low-maintenance composite decking never requires staining or sanding, and is available in several natural-looking colors. Latitudes Capricorn composite decking offers the rich look of tropical hardwood. From a safety standpoint, all of the deck surfaces are slip-resistant and splinter-free—definitely a consideration when you’re designing a space to entertain.

Are you planning to build a new deck this year? Before you begin construction, think carefully about how you’re going to use your deck. Create a space for an outdoor kitchen or barbecue area, and perhaps a place for relaxing and keeping an eye on the kids. You might even want to consider a place for dining.

You could also consider installing deck stones by Latitudes. Use these self-draining, real stone tiles to create a fire or grease barrier under your grill. You can also use these stones if incorporating a fire pit into your deck plans—making it a favorite hangout for teens and late-night marshmallow roasting.

When safety is paramount, be sure to plan for lighting. There are many new products that provide direct or ambient lighting to help make your deck and outdoor living area safer for you and your guests, even late into the night. Latitudes and Deckorators both offer low-voltage, LED recessed deck lights, which can be set to turn on automatically at dusk, adding a measure of security to your home.

Deck lighting using eco friendly solar lighted post caps come in styles ranging from the basic to the dramatic. The new Dynasty copper post cap light offers Asian flair in a Craftsman-inspired copper and gunmetal that offers illumination and high style. Post cap lights are designed to fit on virtually any railing post on your deck. And with solar caps, no wiring is required.

If your existing deck simply needs to be refreshed—or needs sturdier rails to make it safe—the easiest way to update is with new balusters or rails. Deckorators offers a durable, powder-coated aluminum exterior railing system that is sold in kits, complete with rails, post sleeves and post caps to help put a whole new face on a tired-looking deck.

This deck building season, consider spending some of your home improvement dollars on the safety of your deck and the outdoor living areas of your home. These entertainment spots not only beckon to friends and neighbors, but add safety and value to your home.

I’m often asked, “How much does composite decking weigh compared to pressure treated lumber decking?” On average, composite decking weighs 1.5X or 65% more per board than pressure treated deck boards. Composite decking weight will vary per brand, but with Latitudes brand composite decking you can use the chart below as a guide:

Latitudes Intrepid™ Composite Decking weighs approximately 2.64 lbs/ft. 

• Composite board length: 12' = 31.7 lbs
• Composite board length: 16' = 42.2 lbs
• Composite boardslength: 20' = 52.8 lbs

Latitudes slotted (grooved) composite decking will weigh slightly less than 2.64 lbs/ft, but you can use this weight as general reference.

So when constructing a new composite deck, or if you’re refacing / reskinning an existing deck with new composite lumber decking, make sure you take these weights into consideration when framing. Or in the case of reskinning a deck, you may need to add extra structural support to compensate for the added weight.

• past performance – does the product have a proven track record?
• color – will the colors offered complement your home's exterior?
• appearance – is the surface aesthetically pleasing?
• texture – does the surface look and feel like real wood (not like plastic)?
• durability – how well has it performed for builders and other homeowners?
• price – the most expensive composite deck board isn't always the best composite deck choice
• warranty – will the manufacturer stands behind it's warranty?

Composite decking is a great alternative to wood decking. And because synthetic decks are made with wood plastic composite material, you need to take precaution when clearing off snow and ice during the winter season.

Here are three key tips for cleaning off snow and ice from your Latitudes composite deck:

• Shovel all loose snow off with a plastic shovel. Shovel parallel with the grain. Make sure there is NOT a metal blade at the end of the shovel as it could scratch the surface.
• After the snow is gone, spread rock salt or calcium chloride over the deck surface and wait for the ice to melt; then simply shovel away using a plastic shovel. Never chop at the ice as it may gouge the surface.
• Once the weather is consistently above freezing, rinse off the deck surface and lightly broom off remaining salt residue.

Just as wood decking materials can get marred or gouged, composite deck surfaces can be scratched just the same. If scratched, I recommend allowing normal wear marks to fade, as they will blend in with the weathered color over time.

I am not aware of any adverse effects from the temporary use of ice melting products on Latitudes and other composite decking brands; however, I recommend using an ice melt product that has a less harsh effect on the surface. These types of ice melt products may indicate "will not harm concrete" or "will not kill grass" on the packaging. Be sure to brush off any residual ice melt product after the ice and snow melts.