Universal Forest Products

Preventing mold and mildew growth on composite decking

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Chris Fox

Mold and mildew can be a nuisance on any exterior building surface, regardless of the material. If the conditions are right, they will spawn on wood, plastic, concrete, metal and other surfaces. Mold formation is most prevalent in consistently wet, shaded areas. Spores from the natural environment are carried by the wind and commonly land on decks surfaces. It is important to note that the appearance of mold and mildew is a function of nature, not necessarily a deficiency with any of the material on which it grows.

Deck Cleaning
Periodic washing with soap/detergent and water will help remove surface dirt. This will also help prevent the buildup of pollen, debris and spores that can cause and accelerate mold/mildew growth (it also helps to remove deck mold). Caution: A pressure washer should not be used to “blast” mold/mildew or soils from a deck surface. The abrasive nature of the water stream can potentially damage the material by driving the spores into the material, which may create a more

Mold on composite deck before/after cleaning

challenging problem to remediate. A pressure washer with a fan-tipped nozzle should be used only to lightly wet or rinse wood or composite deck surfaces.

There are many deck wash and exterior cleaning products available at retail. It is important to make sure you use a cleaner specifically intended for your application. After selecting a product, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Some cleaning products and inhibitors may be more effective than others, depending on the environmental conditions your deck is subjected to. Additionally, it is always a good idea to test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to the entire deck.

Mold Inhibitors
As with deck washes, there are several mold-inhibitor products available from paint stores, hardware stores, online outlets and home centers to help prevent long-term mold/mildew growth. For any product selected, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer. Depending upon the environmental factors affecting your composite lumber or treated wood deck, some preventive cleaning products may be more effective than others. It may be necessary to try more than one product. For ongoing preventive maintenance, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Decking and Railing Demand Expected to Increase to $3.1 Billion in 2010

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 by Chris Fox

The North American residential decking and railing market dropped from $4.6 billion in 2006 to $2.8 billion in 2009 reflecting a 40% decrease over this time period. These changes have been caused largely by the deep economic recession which has dramatically reduced the homeowner`s ability to finance a new deck or replace an existing deck.

About 2.5 million decks are expected to be built on residential structures in 2009, and over 90% are on existing homes as part of a remodeling project or replacement (R&R) of an existing deck. Job losses, tight credit, devalued homes, the inability to tap into home equity to finance home improvement projects, and record lows in consumer confidence have combined to push decking and railing demand back to levels that have not been seen since the early 2000s.

Click here for the complete article

ProWood Micro treated wood wins more green praise.

Friday, October 9, 2009 by Dick Gauthier

The process used to make the micronized copper formulation found in ProWood Micro CA was awarded Environmentally Preferred Product (EPP) status by Scientific Certification Services in December 2007. This was the first pressure treated lumber formulation to earn such status.

We are now pleased to announce that this same formulation has recently earned Green Approved Product Certification from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center. Now, ProWood Micro CA pressure treated lumber products are eligible to receive points toward a building being certified under both the National Green Building Standard and LEED. Go to the ProWood Micro CA Web site to read complete details.

Another legal victory for micronized copper wood preservatives

Friday, October 9, 2009 by Dick Gauthier

There are interesting new developments in the Osmose vs. Viance court battle. Viance, a maker of treated wood chemicals, has claimed publicly competitor Osmose’s wildly popular pressure treated lumber formulation MicroPro, which is used by Universal in its ProWood Micro brand, doesn’t work as advertised. Not sitting still for this, Osmose sued, and on March 24 a judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), forcing Viance to cease its attacks.

On September 29th, Osmose was granted a motion for preliminary injunction reaffirming that Viance must stop its negative marketing campaign against the MicroPro technology and micronized copper wood preservatives. Viance tried hard to get the judge to lift the TRO and was denied with this ruling. By continuing the restraining order the judge has affirmed the court’s position that Viance must discontinue their attacks on MicroPro.

Both Osmose and Viance have sought injunctions against one other. They are almost mirrors of each another, both accusing the other of misleading statements and false advertising. The judge said “yes” to Osmose and “no” to Viance. Emphatically so, if you read the court order, available here: http://www.treatedwoodtruth.com/pdf/09-29-09-USDC-188-Order-on-Preliminary-Injunction-Osmose-vs-Viance.pdf

Of significance is the fact that Viance does not have any details of this latest ruling, with the exception of their own press release, on their Web site. The fact that the latest court order cannot be found there raises the question, "Why not?"

Various industry publications are lining up with Osmose on this issue. Their comments can be found here:

http://www.prosalesmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?referer=rss427&sectionID=427&articleID=1087411

And here:

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/blogs/postdetails.aspx?BlogId=tedsremodelingblog&postId=89675

Documents related to this case can be found on the treatedwoodtruth.com site, here: http://www.treatedwoodtruth.com/index.php

Wood Treatment Basics

Friday, October 2, 2009 by John Wagner

ProWood Micro Pressure treated 4x4 lumber

We are seeing some real innovation with wood treatments these days; whether it’s wood for decking, siding, or part of the structural frame. At the root of this topic is the fact that, when left untreated or when unprotected, wood can rot. Even premium species like cedar and redwood—which are naturally decay- and rot-resistant—require treatment to extend their useful lives.

Today’s wood treatments range widely from chemical treatments to heat treatments (a.k.a. “thermally modified wood”). And if you are looking for the green angle here,

the simple fact that wood treatments can dramatically extend the life of the wood is a very “green” attribute indeed—in a life cycle analysis, it lowers the environmental costs of re-harvesting (and re-treating, and re-shipping and re-installing) replacement wood products. However, each wood treatment method has its merits, and each one has features that can make it more or less green. Let’s take a closer look by first reviewing a brief history of wood treatment.

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)
For a long time, Chromated Copper Arsenate, or “CCA” was the formula for treating lumber. For decades, it was common to see “green” CCA decks – the green was the color of the oxidized copper. And CCA-treated wood was also commonly used in most ground-contact situations. In the ‘90’s new alternatives to CCA were introduced. None took meaningful market share from CCA because none could match its performance and value. As the millennium approached, there was increased scrutiny regarding the perceived safety of CCA as reported by various “consumer advocate” reporters and environmental organizations. In 2003, treaters voluntarily stopped using CCA for residential applications and newer, more expensive formulations replaced CCA. One bright spot that emerged from the demise of CCA was that the pace of innovation in preservative development quickened.

Alkaline Copper (ACQ) & Copper Azole (CA-B)
The replacement wood preservative treatments were ACQ and CA-B. Let’s first look at ACQ. ACQ is a treatment consisting of alkaline copper, a fungicide, and quaternary ammonia (sometimes called quat), which serves as an insecticide. On the other hand, CA-B is a treatment containing mostly copper and azole; the azole is a fungicide that appears in various chemical forms. If you step back and take notice, there are two consistent elements in these approaches to wood treatment. One, they all are aimed at stopping rot, decay, fungus, and insects from getting to the wood. And two, they all overwhelmingly contain copper, a natural, harmless wood preservative. As wood treatments have evolved, some wood treaters (and the chemical companies that license their formulas to these wood treaters) have stayed with copper. But they have eliminated other chemicals in their wood preservative formulations.

Micronized Copper (MCQ)
Among the most positive result was the recent introduction of a new micronized copper wood preservative. Developed by Osmose, Inc., and marketed as ProWood Micro (MCQ Treated Wood), the new process bonds microscopic copper particles to the wood cells. Because of this there is no need for a solvent (which is still used in most other non-micronized formulations) . These

Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) statement

attributes have earned the ProWood Micro formulation Envinronmentally Preferrable Product (EPP) status from Scientific Certification Systems, a leading third party certification firm. This is the first and only such preservative to earn this recognition. To earn EPP certification, a product must demonstrate reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose as measured by guidelines published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Non-metallic
There is another relatively new product out today that is offered by Arch Wood Protection. The treatment is Wolmanized L³ Outdoor wood. It contains no copper as part of the preservative and uses a proprietary non-metallic preservative.

Boric Acid
Yet another class of wood treatment is focused on boric acid, as well as its oxides and salts which are called borates. Boric acid is a very-effective wood preservative. Conveniently, it is toxic to insects, but it has low toxicity with humans. That said, the problem with boric acid has always been that it is water-soluble. That means that they can be floated into wood with water-based pressure treatments or applied with surface applications. But the boric acid will eventually leach out of the wood. That leaching process is dramatically accelerated if the wood is exposed to the elements. All of this means that wood treated with borates isn’t generally good for ground contact, and in any application, it has to be re-treated repeatedly with borate applications to ensure that the wood is preserved. Now, because borates have gotten another look from consumers, due to the perceived toxicity of alternative wood treatments, borates have seen some innovative uses. One company floats borate deep into wood fiber by mixing it with glycol, a kind of alcohol. The glycol flashes off, leaving the borate behind, and until the borate leaches out, it is a good termiticide, insecticide, and wood preservative. But here too, the wood has to be re-treated regularly.

Thermally-Modified Wood (TMW)
Another kind of wood treatment that you see gaining wider acceptance, and that is heat treatment. Wood that is treated with heat is generally referred to as thermally-modified wood or TMW. This treatment process contains no chemicals or additives at all. Like its name says, the thermally-modified process uses high heat and steam to change the very nature of the wood. In fact, the thermal process removes the aspects of the wood that serve as food. With no insects, fungus, or mold attacking the wood, the thermally-modified process can prevent for rot and decay. Specifically, the process removes or de-natures the sugars in the wood, leaving behind aspects of the wood that cannot be digested by insects or eaten by fungus and mold. After the wood is thermally treated, it can be stained, sealed, joined, and glued like regular wood.

No matter what type of treated wood you see, you should be aware of its code acceptance. Some treatments are not code compliant, even though they have been around for a number of years. To get code approval, preservative companies can either work with the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) to have their treated wood listed in the AWPA Standards. Or the preservative company will work with the International Code Council (ICC) Evaluation Service to earn an Evaluation Service Report (ESR). Without the support of either an AWPA listing or an ESR, there is no guarantee that a local code will allow a product on the job where treated wood is required. So, check the fact sheet from the wood provider or the wood treater to see if the wood is approved for use.

Outdoor improvements offer great return on investment

Thursday, October 1, 2009 by Chris Fox

With the real estate market slowly rebounding from its plunge and credit still tight, housing figures show that more homeowners are staying put. But that doesn’t mean they’re sitting idly by. People are investing in affordable home upgrades that not only make an immediate impact, but make their property more attractive should they decide to put it on the market later.

Today, when it comes to upgrades for your home, it’s all about bang for the buck. Homeowners are looking for the best return on investment as well as simple, inexpensive ways to make dramatic improvements to their homes. Outdoor living spaces, landscaping, decks and patios all make a big difference -- not only in how comfortable your current home is now, but how buyers see it when you’re ready to sell.

The trend in outdoor living space has moved toward creating outdoor living “rooms,” and the options available to homeowners have grown with the number of available products on the market.

When you’re looking at homes in a certain price range, you tend to see a lot of the same things. The features that make a home stand out and make people want to live there are often the outdoor spaces.

Outdoor living products, including composite lumber decking and deck and fence accessories, have continued to sell well in this economy, even as new construction remains slow.

Decking products, such as Latitudes Composite Decking, continue to be desirable for homeowners who are staying put and updating their existing homes rather than moving. Deck updates and upgrades are projects that make sense in this economy and that create added value for the future, as well as enjoyment and added living space for right now.

Composite decking products are low maintenance and eco-friendly. Latitudes is made from 70 percent recycled materials. And “green” home improvements can make a difference when buyers are comparing properties.

Homeowners who already have decks find that swapping out balusters or adding decorative post caps or lights can also make a dramatic difference that adds beauty as well as value to their outdoor living space.

Deckorators offers aluminum and glass balusters in a variety of styles to accent virtually any architectural look. Deck railing balusters can be installed on a new deck or can be used to update the look of an old one.

In neighborhoods where every home has a deck, the nicer decks can help sell the home faster. Typically, it’s about the details even more than the size. Designer rails, lights and finishes make all the difference.

Homes are sitting on the market longer, and that causes property owners to look for things they can do to set their property apart. In many areas, that means adding more living space to docks or replacing tired-looking wood decks with long-lasting composite material.

Whether you’re looking to update an existing home for personal enjoyment or preparing it for sale, outdoor living spaces present opportunities for improvement. Turning a generic deck into an inviting and attractive space to spend time sets a home apart, which is what real estate experts say home buyers will look for when the real estate market improves.

Become a Latitudes fan on Facebook.

Lattice—a versatile deck add-on

Thursday, September 17, 2009 by Chris Fox

If you have a deck or are planning on constructing a deck, then consider installing wood lattice or plastic

lattice as an accent or barrier.

Installing lattice on your deck is a great way to accent your outdoor living area and add privacy. Commonly used as skirting, lattice is a perfect solution for keeping pets and other animals from digging or nesting under the deck. Adding lattice to your composite lumber deck or pressure treated decking frame also allows you to create a hidden storage area and helps conceal the otherwise exposed wood deck support posts.

Lattice can be used in a variety of ways—from decorative to practical. Other common uses include:

Gates
Hot tub enclosures
Fence tops
Arbors
Gazebos and trellises

Plastic lattice and pressure treated wood lattice are typically sold in 4x8 sheets in both large and small diamond or square patterns. Plastic lattice comes in many different colors to complement your deck or home. Most big box retailers carry lattice in a variety of colors and styles.

Add a custom color to wood lattice by applying exterior paint or stain to the surface. If you have a treated lumber deck that has been stained, be sure to apply a matching or complementary stain on newly installed lattice.

Installing lattice is a simple DIY project that is very affordable and won’t take all day to install.

UFP reacts to supplier's misleading press release

Friday, September 11, 2009 by Dick Gauthier

As the nation’s leading pressure treated lumber producer, we’re often contacted by fledgling companies seeking to gain a market foothold with a new wood preservative product or technology. Our staff of chemical engineers and wood technologists evaluates each new product opportunity with close scrutiny given to the efficacy, safety and value inherent in the new process or technology.

We manufacture for our customers only those products that pass our own very rigorous testing methods. Those products include the ProWood family of pressure treated lumber brands. Some products that don’t meet our high manufacturing and selling standards – whether for reasons of effectiveness, value or warranty concerns – end up in the general marketplace, regardless of our judgment.

Occasionally we receive an inquiry from one of our customers to quote a job that requires a product we have previously tested and don’t necessarily recommend. As a loyal supplier to that customer we will supply the job, while specifically disclaiming any liability in the event of the failure of that product to perform.

A recent example of this is our single-order agreement to sell a product called BluWood to one of our customers. BluWood is not a product we would recommend for its intended use but the specification in the building plan called for it. UFP will ship lumber to a BluWood facility for treatment and from there it will be shipped to UFP’s customer. Without our prior knowledge, EcoBlue, the company that makes BluWood, put out a press release announcing the order for this one job, while intimating an ongoing and growing relationship between our companies. This is not the case and we have asked EcoBlue to retract those statements that would lead the reader to infer that the two companies enjoy an ongoing partnership. We sold the product to our customer because it was specified and not because we advocated its use. Finally, there is no distribution agreement between EcoBlue and UFP, nor are there plans to create one.

Composite Decking: Part of an (Green) Outdoor Living Environment

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 by John Wagner

This alternative to pressure treated wood is surprisingly sustainable. The decking market offers dealers and contractors a clear opportunity that is growing in a number of ways. First is market size: The Cleveland-based Freedonia Group says that decking is expected to grow by about 20 percent annually to become a 3.6-billion-lineal-foot industry by 2011. Secondly, the decking market is growing in sophistication. Decking contractors are no longer banging galvy 10d nails in CCA #2 southern yellow pine, as we did in the 1980s. Today decks are part of so-called outdoor living space, and that has even developed into a designer specialty.

For dealers and contractors alike, decks and deck building material offer good-margin, low-maintenance products to customers, who are increasingly willing to pay premiums for products that they will proudly display in high-profile areas of their homes. Today, although decking is still a product that most general-contractors offer, you are seeing an increased number of specialty deck-only operations, and there is a great opportunity for dealers to cater to them.

Decking in the broadest sense of the word now includes four category of products: All-plastic decking, Wood, Composites, and – increasingly uncommon – Aluminum.

The all-plastic decking products are different from “composite decking,” which contains plastic and fiber (more on that below), and plastic decking breaks down into sub-categories by differentiating themselves from one another by the source and type of plastic, and sometimes by the plastic’s recyclability. The most popular choices of deck plastics break out into five categories:

1) Common HDPE (#2, milk jugs);

2) Recycled high-density polyethylene plastic (ReHDPE);

3) Polypropylene (think Tupperware);

4) Solid polyvinyl chloride a.k.a. PVC;

5) Cellular PVC (polyvinyl chloride with a foaming agent).

(It important to know the difference between the types of plastic, because they are also used in composite decking material.)

With so many kinds of plastic, manufactures of all-plastic decks will point out differences in the plastics they use, especially where the plastics come from. Marketers of decking will take great pride in features like “virgin plastic,” or a high percentage of “post consumer resins” (PCR), and even “100% recyclable.” Also, since plastic decking can be manufactured through extrusion (that is, product that is pushed through a mould), even the speed of extrusion can be a selling factor, because a product that is extruded too quickly is considered poorer quality.

Whether you are dealing with all-plastic decking or composites, HDPE is the most commonly used product. It performs very well in most situations, and expands only along its length, like vinyl siding. Plus, it does not swell, as many lumber products will. Manufactures argue that it retains color well. Plus, the all-plastic product is entirely recyclable.

Another product, all-plastic PVC decking generally has resistance to scratching, staining, and fading that is superior to composite decking. But PVC decking has been getting slammed for the toxicity of the manufacturing process, which can release mercury and dioxin. That said, there is a green case to be made for PVC’s performance and durability, and it goes like this: If you use PVC (in all-plastic or composite products), you are less likely to harvest, manufacture, and ship replacement products, which therefore makes PVC a viable alternative to wood. What’s greener: a 30-year plastic or PVC deck…or a wood deck that has to harvested, shipped, installed and shoveled into the landfill three times in those three decades?

Now, on to composite decking. It’s called composite or synthetic decking because it has more than one component, and this class of decking has some characteristics of wood and some of plastic. Most composite wood decking is created when wood is added to plastic resin (usually polyethylene). Since the properties of composite decking vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, marketers will differentiate their products using various metrics or features, most notably:

The source of their plastics (“post-consumer” is considered greener),
The percent of recycled plastic (for those who want to use recycled products),
The percent of virgin plastic (for those who don’t want to use recycled plastics
because of perceived quality issues),
The source of the non-plastic components used (recovered wood is the
greenest alternative),
The quality of the post-consumer resin used in the plastic (you don’t want chopped-up
milk and vitamin labels in the deck boards),
The color-fast properties of the decking (fading is so common among some
manufacturers, it’s sometimes called a “mellowing process”),
The surface feel and slip-resistance,
The structural performance of the product (look for 16 o-c span-ability),
The UV-protection the decking (anything to frustrate the sun’s punishing rays), and
The deck board’s weight per board food (for transportation, easy handling during
installation, and span loading).

For a good composite example, let’s look at a popular product and see how it presents itself in these categories. Latitudes Composite Wood Decking is made with both recycled and virgin polyethylene, and 100% of the wood additive is reclaimed product. Indeed, Latitudes is made from approximately 70% recycled materials. It’s “barefoot friendly,” slip-resistant, and reversible with a brushed finish on one side, and a wood grain look on the other, so you can choose look-and-feel. Latitudes comes in six colors – gray, cedar, redwood and walnut, and the specialty colors of Koa and Adobe in the tropical wood-look Latitudes Capricorn.

No matter what composite deck boards you're looking for, be sure they can span 16-o.c. joists, and that they comply with the all the crucial codes and standards. Look for a warranty of at least 10 years, and it should cover splintering, corrosion, as well as rot, warp, cupping, checks, or damage caused by termites or fungal decay. And finally, urge your customers to purchase premium products, for their own sake. If they always use low cost as the ultimate metric of value, they risk their reputations, as well as the prospect for annoying callbacks that are hard to solve without painful and costly tear-outs.

Add function and beauty with post caps

Thursday, August 20, 2009 by Chris Fox

Post caps are ornamental accessories that serve a dual purpose — they add beauty to the top of the post while providing cover from the elements, which helps prevent cracking and splintering.

Standard 4x4 and 6x6 post caps are the most common size post caps and are ideal for covering the top of cedar, pressure treated wood, composite deck lumber, vinyl and metal posts on decks, fences, porches, mailboxes or anywhere a finishing touch is desired.

Today you can choose from hundreds of eye-catching post caps made from wood, vinyl, metal, composite and glass. Some post caps are simple and conventional, while others are more elaborate and display amazing detail. Deckorators' decorative post caps by Maine Ornamental include tiffany-glass or metal post caps with solar LED lighting. Solar-lit post caps add an intimate glow without wiring or electricity.

Tropical investment

Friday, August 14, 2009 by Chris Fox

Even with the economy woes, homeowners are still interested in improving their homes — whether to enhance resale value or personal enjoyment — and they’re looking for improvements with the biggest payback.

Decks remain a top renovation, often cited as delivering the highest return on investment and homeowner enjoyment. The outdoor living trend is likely to remain strong this year, and a great deck is the showpiece of your outdoor environment.

Now, one of the most popular looks in natural wood decking — tropical hardwood — is available in a composite form. Latitudes Capricorn composite deck lumber features two tropical colors, Adobe and Koa, that mimic the woodgrain and colors of mahogany and ipe.

Latitudes Capricorn – Koa and Adobe colors

Composite wood decking remains a leading choice for savvy homeowners who seek a low-maintenance, great-looking, eco-friendly deck. Latitudes Decking is a composite lumber material made from a mix of recycled wood fiber and high-density polyethylene.

So if you're looking to ride the tropical wave of ultra-low maintenance composite decking material, consider Latitudes Capricorn for your outdoor living space.

Visit the Latitudes page on Facebook.

A Closer Walk With Green

Monday, August 10, 2009 by Dick Gauthier

Your mid-summer outdoor pursuits may find you wandering pressure treated docks, boardwalks and nature path bridges. The posts supporting these structures are often sunk in water. Speculation regarding exposing aquatic wildlife to the chemicals used to treat the wood has led in some cases to concerns about the use of pressure treated wood in these applications.

In a recently published article, Dr. Kenneth Brooks, of Aquatic Environmental Sciences, presented his conclusions regarding this concern after studying the environmental response to pressure treated lumber over the last 17 years. As Dr. Brooks states in the article, “In 14 of 15 risk assessments, no significant adverse affects to the environment were documented. In fact, invertebrate communities were more diverse and abundant near these (pressure treated lumber) structures than at nearby reference locations.”

The newest, most technologically advanced pressure treatment formula—such as that used in ProWood Micro CA—is micronized copper azole. According to testing performed by Scientific Certification Systems, this new formulation has achieved a 90-99% reduction in copper release in aquatic and terrestrial environments. In addition, the copper in ProWood Micro CA bonds readily to organic matter in the soil. The copper becomes biologically inactive, thus causing no ecological impacts.

Continuous improvement through better technology is helping pressure treated lumber become an even more sustainable product, with no decline in performance.

Natural looking dock options

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 by Chris Fox

If you're thinking about having a new dock built or are about to replace an existing dock, then consider two popular types of decking material—natural lumber decking and composite lumber decking. Each type of dock / deck building material has it's own unique benefits, and each has passed the test of time in unforgiving elements.

Natural Lumber Decking

Pressure-treated wood decking is a great option for a tighter budget. The classic look of wood gives a more rustic feel, and can be stained or painted to match virtually any color scheme. Pressure-treated decking can be notched for installation of hidden deck fasteners for a clean, fastener-free appearance.

Tropical hardwood has a highly desired exotic look and is very durable. Hardwood species like Ipe have been known to last over twenty years. Tropical decking like Abaco can span greater distances to accommodate wide 24" on center joist spacing. Some hardwood decking comes pre-grooved for use with a hidden fastener system.

Composite Lumber Decking

Composite decking is manufactured from wood fiber and plastic to form a plank that requires less maintenance and typically has a longer lifespan than natural wood decking. Composite lumber is similar in cost to tropical hardwood and has many of the same benefits. Like tropical hardwood, Latitudes Marine composite decking allows for long 24" on-center joist spans. Latitudes Marine also incorporates a profiled edge specifically designed for docks, boardwalks and walkways. Additional benefits of composite lumber decking is that it's barefoot friendly, slip-resistant and comes in a variety of colors that never need to be sealed or stained.

Make a splash with pool decking and railing

Friday, July 24, 2009 by Chris Fox

Composite decking is an excellent choice for above or in-ground pool decks. Whether you're a do-it-yourself or a professional deck builder, consider installing composite deck building material in your pool or spa area for its aesthetics, barefoot friendly, slip-resistant surface and its low maintenance performance. Most composite lumber deck boards now days are available with hidden fasteners and in several attractive colors to complement your home and outdoor living area.

When planning your new composite lumber pool deck, don’t let the deck railing system be an afterthought. There are several attractive options on the market that will complement your home and pool design, ranging from aluminum and composite to vinyl.

Metal deck railing, with an all glass panel infill or glass balusters, is one of my favorite styles, as it allows for unobstructed views of the pool area.

Throwing the traditional deck a curve

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Chris Fox

When custom homebuilder Scott Gregory decided it was time to put a deck on his lake cottage, he did what many builders do when they have the chance to work on their own property: He tried some new things. The result is an amazing outdoor living space with multiple levels, designated purpose areas, built-in seating, curves and innovative use of color.

His goal with his deck? To create a space his family and their guests could enjoy, while also perfecting innovative building techniques that he can incorporate into the outdoor spaces he builds for his clients.

The National Association of Homebuilders says trends in outdoor living continue to grow. It’s a niche that doesn’t look to be going away any time soon, with outdoor living areas remaining a major draw for home buyers and existing home owners.

Gregory’s summer home, located on White Lake in Whitehall, Mich., gets a lot of action during the summer. His family includes young children, and he and his wife often entertain at the cottage. Many of their most frequent visitors just happen to have large families, so having 12 to 15 people around over a weekend is common.

Because he wanted an expansive space for outdoor living, Gregory took the time to really think about how the space would be used and to plan for enough space for everyone.

He wanted separate areas for cooking, eating, sunning and partying. He also wanted to make sure the composite decking material he used would be low maintenance, slip resistant and splinter free, since tiny feet often ran across the deck on their way in and out of the water.

In addition, harsh winters in Michigan can wreak havoc on anything outdoors. Through the years, Gregory learned that cedar and pressure treated lumber often require yearly maintenance after being exposed to severe cold and moisture. Although he has built many cedar decks, he recently switched allegiances to man-made materials that offer lower maintenance and more variety in appearance.

For his own deck, Gregory wanted to visually separate the spaces. And with over 1,600 square feet of decking spread out over five different levels, composite materials allowed him the variety to do that. Gregory chose to use composite decking material from Universal Forest Products, a composite lumber product made from a combination of plastics and 100% reclaimed wood.

What Latitudes allowed him to do was to mix and match different colors,

use hidden deck fasteners and create interesting curves for seating, built-in planter boxes and other custom details.

“I’ve always wanted to experiment with curves on a deck, but oftentimes the homes I build for my clients have to conform to neighborhood conventions or a homeowner’s relatively conservative vision,” says Gregory. “With my own deck I had the opportunity to test the materials and see just how versatile they could be.”

Not only was Gregory able to incorporate twists and curves, but he also infused his deck with a nautical star inlay—a compass rose that accents the main deck area and creates a focal point attracting his guests’ attention.

“We’ve created a deck that accommodates a lot of people and several different purposes. We have a hot tub and sunning area, a grilling area that is near the kitchen, a bar area perched high up so that adults can keep an eye on kids and water activities, an eating area and a cozy fire pit for enjoying the chill of a Michigan evening,” he says.

Through his business, Scott Gregory Designer Homes, Gregory finds his outdoor living projects to be among the most enjoyable. It’s a growing part of his business, particularly as homeowners take advantage of low interest rates and a huge variety of innovative products for use in creating comfortable outdoor living areas.

“Outdoor stuff is fun to build. Not only does it offer an opportunity for creativity, but it adds true value to an existing home and my clients just love it,” he says. “More and more of the custom homes I build take into account large outdoor living areas. When we first started 20 years ago, we would build relatively small decks on the back side of homes. Today we are adding expansive decks and patio spaces that literally wrap a home with added living space. New building materials make it possible to be creative, and products like Latitudes are incredibly versatile for work of this type.”

For more information on Latitudes Decking and Railing and a wide variety of other products designed for outdoor living, visit www.latitudesdeck.com.

Visit the Latitudes page on Facebook.

Cool views by land or sea

Friday, June 26, 2009 by Chris Fox

Deck railing and baluster accessories have evolved over time to become featured highlights on a deck. These days, you can enjoy cool views from your deck with clear glass balusters.

Since the introduction of glass balusters, deck railing systems have

never been the same. Deckorators, the pioneer of deck railing baluster accessories, offers two elegant designs in their Scenic glass balusters series.

Latitudes composite railing with glass balusters

Scenic glass deck railing balusters are available in a straight, beveled-edge design as well as an hourglass-shaped design. These thick tempered glass balusters are an attractive alternative to standard treated wood pickets and offer a clear view to the pool or anywhere you desire an unobstructed view. Best of all, glass railing insets can be used on vinyl railing, composite lumber railing or wood deck railing.

Use Pressure treated wood for raised garden beds

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 by Dick Gauthier

With the recession in full swing home gardening is making a comeback. Vegetable lovers with diminished means are finding that a little more green in the pocket is worth a bit of toil in the soil. A good choice for many backyard growers is a raised garden bed. The perfect building material for raised beds is pressure treated lumber. It’s economical, easy to work and safe to use in gardening applications. The new micronized copper formulations, including ProWood Micro CA, use a treatment process that has earned Environmentally Preferred Product status from Scientific Certification Systems. This new formulation also has a lighter, fresher appearance compared to other formulations and is less corrosive to fasteners.

According to Becky Wern, Master Gardener with the Duvall County
Agricultural Extension Service and the University of Florida, today's pressure treated lumber "is safe to use around children and animals and for gardens with edibles."

Don’t burn or compost pressure treated wood. Once you’re finished building the bed, your pressure treated wood scraps and sawdust can be land-filled along with ordinary household trash.

Add flair to your composite lumber deck surface

Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Chris Fox

Create your own one-of-a-kind deck surface by adding a deck inlay or border accent. To add a personal touch of flair,

consider incorporating a unique deck design that uses multiple colors of composite lumber decking along with different surface patterns (woodgrain, brushed or smooth). Most composite wood manufacturers offer dual-sided boards that feature two distinct finishes on one plank. Whether you're looking to incorporate a sophisticated design, like a compass rose, or simply adding a contrasting border color or deck surface, composite wood decking is one of the most versatile deck building materials available. What's more, most composite deck material can be cut and shaped like typical wood for decking.

Spruce up deck posts with post covers

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by Chris Fox

Consider breaking up the wooden look of your deck with faux stone post covers. Post covers help match the look of your deck to a stone house, to a backyard with stone pavers or to a

stone wall.

Adding faux stone post covers provide a realistic high-end look. Post covers are an easy way to simulate dry stacked stone and enhance your decks appearance, and at a fraction of the cost of real stone. The high-density polyurethane covers realistically simulate the look of a dry stacked stone post. Matching deck post caps add a finishing touch.

Faux stone post covers easily install over 6x6 or 4x4 treated wood posts and are available in several colors.

Post covers integrate easily into virtually any deck railing system or porch design. They work perfectly with wood, vinyl or composite railing.

Deck post covers are also perfect for applications under a raised deck to disguise the plain appearance of pressure treated lumber posts.

Louisiana Pacific decking recall

Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Chris Fox

On May 13, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of 48 million linear feet of composite lumber decking made by Louisiana Pacific Corporation (LP). The

recall includes composite decking and railing made for the following brands: ABTCo, LP WeatherBest and Veranda.

The affected composite wood decking was sold under the Veranda name at The Home Depot stores only in the following Western states, from January 2005 to August 2008: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, and TX (El Paso markets).

IMPORTANT
Today Veranda composite decking and railing is made by two manufacturers, Universal Forest Products and Fiber Composites. The recall DOES NOT include products manufactured by either of these companies; it affects only product made by LP, delivered to stores in the states above, before August of 2008.

The composition, formulation and extrusion methods employed by the current Veranda suppliers are different from those that were used by LP, and don’t lead to the same quality issues that caused the recall.

For more information contact LP toll-free at (888) 325-1184, or visit their recall Web site at www.deckingnotice.com.