When it rains, it pours

ASA NATIVE Californian, I’ve personally witnessed wooden piers fall into the ocean after being pummeled by rain, wind and 20-ft. waves. I’ve also lived through hot, dry seasons with Santa Ana wind-whipped wildfires visible at night in the distant mountains.

Yet, this year has been one for the record books. Summer is just around the corner and we’ve already doubled our yearly rain totals and have nearly reversed a 10-year drought.

This is the exact opposite of what we were told to expect in 2023. Erroneous long-term forecasts advised us to hunker down, conserve water and expect another long year of drought. At the same time, economists advised us to restrict spending, pay down debt, and expect a sluggish year.

So far neither has shown to be correct. In fact, if you ask some deck specialists, it has not only been raining work, it’s been pouring.

Builder and Deck Specialist columnist Brendan Casey said the work flood gates broke for him earlier this year. He wrote in the Facebook’s Elite Deck Building Professional group, “It will be a decent year for those of us who have reputations for high-quality work and competitive pricing... It’s an ever-evolving industry—gotta be ready, willing, and able to adapt and adjust to the economic environment.”

Mike Stinson, co-owner of Timber Pro, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, commented in the same thread: “Upping the customer service game, and giving a bit more of your personal time to be attentive and communicative to the serious customers will keep the business going.”

If new to the industry or an established builder with a solid track record, you shouldn’t be overly worried about negative predictions—the industry takes care of its own. There is always someone you can reach out to help you grow your business.

You’ve got the North American Deck and Railing

Association (NADRA), which provides essential education, and enables the top deck specialists to showcase their best work, as evidenced on page 30 and 32. You also have a tight-knit, online community that is willing to encourage, support and share knowledge with one another.

Dan Pettit, owner of Northern Outdoor Living, Hastings, MN., said recently that he is new to the industry’s social media community, but has met some amazing builders at industry trade shows. In addition, he said he is particularly excited to have entered his projects featuring his custom fiber (privacy) walls into NADRA’s 2022 National+ Deck Competition for the first time. See one of his sample projects on page 32.

“We are very excited about taking our creativity to the next step in its evolution for 2023!” Pettit exclaimed.

So regardless if the forecasts spell gloom and doom, and the skies are gray, builders can be assured that their solid work ethic, comradery and overall sunny attitude will shelter them in any storm.

Fortress Expands Partnership with R/W Specialties in Midwest

Fortress Building Products is expanding its distribution partnership with R/W Specialties ahead of peak building season. Fortress will increase its offerings with R/W Specialties to deliver the Total Solution (decking, railing, fencing, framing, lighting, fasteners, cladding and pergolas) to the Midwest market.

“A longtime Fortress distributor, R/W Specialties is everything that we could ask for in a partner,” said Jeff Schulz, senior VP, sales and marketing at Fortress Building Products. “Their commitment to providing incredible dealer service has not wavered over the last 20 years, and it’s why we’re confident that expanding our distribution agreement with R/W Specialties is the right move. Their strong reputation and solid dealer network in the Midwest will be invaluable to Fortress during this next phase of growth.”

R/W Specialties has been a Fortress partner for over two decades and has dealer locations in Festus, Jefferson City and Clinton, MO.

“Fortress’ reputation for delivering category-leading products and their people-first approach to business makes them an ideal partner,” said Marty Borquez, executive VP of R/W Specialties. “We are excited to take this step—it will bring tremendous value to our Midwest dealers.

MoistureShield Expands Presence in Utah, Colorado and Idaho

MoistureShield is partnering with J.M. Thomas Forest Products to expand distribution of the manufacturer’s full composite decking portfolio at all branch locations in Ogden, UT.; Denver, CO.; and Boise, ID.

“We’re excited to partner with J.M. Thomas Forest Products as we continue to expand product distribution across North America,” said Matthew Bruce, VP of Sales at MoistureShield.

MoistureShield’s Meridian line features a TruTexture Surface, a low-profile wood grain pattern with reduced pattern repetition that evokes the look and feel of real wood. Rounding out the capped product offering is the entry-level Elevate line; while Vantage uncapped composite decking provides workability beyond wood, with composite performance.

MoistureShield is backed by a 50-year transferrable structural warranty and has stood up to the elements for more than 30 years with no structural field failures.

Oldcastle Integrates Products into Yardzen’s Outdoor Design Platform

Oldcastle APG has acquired Yardzen, a technology-enabled landscape design and build platform. The integration of Oldcastle APG’s signature products into Yardzen’s custom design platform will provide contractors access to a full suite of high-quality and durable materials for creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.

Signature Oldcastle products that will be integrated into the Yardzen platform include Belgard hardscapes, wall systems and fire pits; Barrette Outdoor Living’s fencing and pergolas, and PebbleTec pool finishes.

“Given our shared passion for creating amazing outdoor living spaces, our partnership with Yardzen presents new and exciting opportunities to best serve our customers,” said Tim Ortman, president, Oldcastle APG. “Our portfolio of outdoor living solutions will supply a broad range of options for creating personalized designs that deliver form, style and function. We look forward to working with Yardzen on this new, innovative approach to bringing people’s visions for their outdoor spaces to life.”

Yardzen is an innovative online landscape design and build platform that uses technology including satellite imagery, 3D rendering software, and the technology on modern mobile devices. Without visiting a property, the company’s platform creates a custom design that factors in the homeowner’s aesthetic preferences and style; the unique characteristics of their property and the plants and building materials that will thrive.

Yardzen connects homeowners with vetted landscape designers. Yardzen’s team then connects homeowners to local, vetted contractors, ensuring a timely and highly communicative bidding and installation process that homeowners trust. For more information, visit oldcastleapg.com and yardzen.com.