Deck Specialist - Fall 2019

DRONES IN DECK CONSTRUCTION • GLASS OR CABLE RAILINGS? • DECK EXPO PREVIEW

DECK SPECIALIST Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals

Easing the Labor Shortage

Fall 2019

DECK

SPECIALIST

Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals FEATURED STORIES

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Easing Labor Shortages

How to work around the worker shortfall

Drones in Construction 8 ways drones are changing the game

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

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Test Plan

Distributor experiments on his home WHAT’S HOT

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Ipé Still Going Strong

Supplies stay sturdy as fears fizzle

Scenic Views Cable railing becoming more popular

BUILDING TIPS

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Shattering Myths

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Getting real with glass railings SHOW PREVIEW

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DeckExpo in Kentucky

Deck builders will head to Louisville

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Minimize the impact of the skilled-labor shortage with these recruiting tips. (Image by Deckorators)

ALSO INSIDE 8 Editor’s Note 10 Industry News 38 Product Reviews with Marv Johnson 42 On the House with the Carey Bros.

44 The Bottom Line with David Elenbaum 46 Set the Standard with Brendan Casey 50 New Products 60 Date Planner 61 Ad Index 62 Idea Book

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Cover Story

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YOUR REPUTATION IS OUR REPUTATION We understand the importance of delivering a product that lives up to your name. That is why DeckoratorsÂŽ decking and railing are backed by industry-leading warranties including removal, replacement and labor.

We stand behind our products, and we stand behind you.

See what’s new at Deckorators.com

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DECK SPECIALIST

OUR MARKET MOVES QUICKLY—SO DON’T GET LEFT BEHIND!

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info@526mediagroup.com (714) 486-2735 DECK SPECIALIST is published quarterly at 151 Kalmus Dr., Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 486-2735, www.building-products.com, by 526 Media Group, Inc. (a California Corporation). It is an independently owned publication for U.S.-based builders and contrators that specialize in decking and other outdoor living projects. Copyright®2019 by 526 Media Group, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved.

Deck Specialist reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it.

is available on a qualified requester basis to senior management of U.S.-based builders and contractors specializing in decking and other outdoor living projects and to others at the rate of $22 per year. Subscribe now by emailing info@building-products.com or calling 714.486.2735.

Fall 2019 • Volume 3 • Number 3

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Fall 2019

Sub2019_DS_4.5x10.indd 1

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BEAVER-PREFERRED. The most experienced builders instinctively know a five-star backyard made from YellaWood® brand pressure treated pine can turn the next project into more referrals. As the most recognized name in the business, homeowners seek out contractors who use the YellaWood® brand. It’s preferred by expert builders of all kinds. Especially those with leather tails, buck teeth and nature’s highest building standards.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Time for a hand-off

This may sound contradictory, but sometimes, the more a deck builder can do, the less the company gets done. Most small deck construction businesses are started by high-energy contractors with diverse skill sets; they are proficient at most aspects of their business. On the jobsite, they’re expert craftsmen at every task. In the office, they prospect, sell, hire, fire and otherwise manage all aspects of a successful small business.

These All-Star quarterbacks of deck building do, however, lack one trait: they frequently think they don’t need any help.

Occasionally they try to “spread the ball around.” But they typically measure the results against how they think they would have done. They assume they would have done better, because they already know exactly what will please them. They set the bar to a height they know they can attain, and consequently they (almost) always attain it.

But here’s what a reluctance to pass can cost us: Everything we do has a ceiling, capped by our limited time and abilities. And if we insist on doing every task ourselves, we have less time to devote to those we really excel at.

We limit our own effectiveness. We limit our company’s growth. And, we stunt the growth of our teammates. They never get the opportunity to try new things. Maybe they’ll end up doing just adequately—but you’ll be freed up in other areas. Maybe they’ll end up doing better than you. Or maybe they’ll do

poorly, and at least you’ll have a clearer idea of how best to utilize them.

But perhaps most importantly, you build trust and confidence. So long as you’re always stepping in and finishing their work, they’ll go on thinking that you don’t believe in them. The ones who know they can do better often quit to look for a new team that will give them the opportunities you won’t.

Certainly, I’ve lost a few talented associate editors over the years, perhaps in part because I didn’t give them more important responsibilities sooner.

That said, it’s time for me to live by my words. It’s time for me to start sharing the ball more. Starting next issue, my colleague Stephanie Ornelas will be taking over lead editor duties on Deck Specialist, as well as on our website Deck-Specialist.com and our other quarterly magazine, Surface and Panel.

Stephanie is talented, knowledgable and passionate about this magazine, its audience, and our industry. You will love her fresh perspective.

I will continue contributing to Deck Specialist, but now in support of Stephanie.

Our parent company, 526 Media Group, is expanding rapidly, and I’m anxious for the opportunity to lend my hand in new areas.

What about your business?

Is it time for you to find out what the rest of your team can do?

David Koenig is managing editor of Deck Specialist. Reach him at dkoenig@526mediagroup.com

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Every project deserves a signature.

Available in a range of elegant neutrals and backed with the durability of aluminum, Trex Signature® Railing is a testament to the refined beauty of negative space. Blend into your surroundings with our sleek metal balusters. Make a statement with the industrial design of our mesh railings. Or, shatter expectations with our stunning glass rail options. No matter which style your customers choose, our wide selection of modern railings will turn any project into an eye-catching masterpiece. To learn more, visit trex.com.

© 2019 Trex Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trex® is a federally registered trademark of Trex Company, Inc., Winchester, Virginia

INDUSTRY NEWS OrePac Taking Over Fiberon in West

Oldcastle Acquires Canadian Concrete Products Manufacturer

OrePac Building Products, Wilsonville, OR., has entered into a new exclusive distribution partnership with composite wood-alternative decking manufacturer Fiberon, leaving current distributors suddenly without the line.

The agreement, expected to go into effect later this year, will place OrePac as the sole distributor of Fiberon products in the Western United States once the current agreement expires with its existing supplier, AZEK/ TimberTech. Current distributors of Fiberon in the West include Weyerhaeuser, Western Woods, and BlueLinx.

While the exact timeline of product availability remains unclear, a Weyerhaeuser Distribution manager in Fontana, CA., indicated that Weyerhaeuser would stop offering Fiberon products at the end of August. Western Woods is currently evaluating its situation and how quickly it will drop the line, and Denver is the westernmost market to which BlueLinx supplies Fiberon products, as well as other decking lines.

Oldcastle APG, Atlanta, GA., has acquired Abbotsford Concrete Products, expanding product offerings and manufacturing capabilities in western Canada.

Founded in 1989 by Clifford Leach, Abbotsford has established itself as a leader in the hardscapes industry in western Canada under the direction of sons Chris and Bob Leach.

In addition to gaining a market-leading hardscapes brand, Oldcastle APG also adds two top tier production facilities, strengthening its ability to service western Canada with a full line of pavers, slabs, and retaining walls

Modified Wood Heating Up

The worldwide market for thermally modified wood is expected to grow at approximately 3.0% annually over the next five years, to increase from a value of $328.5 million in 2019 to $380.6 million in 2024, according to a new study by SplitStop_3.25x4.875_Wood_Expo19.pdf 1 8/29/19 3:04 Global Info Research.

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Based on geography, the global thermally modified wood market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Europe remains the primary market “due to the expansion of construction and siding and decking industries in the region.” The heaviest increases in investment, however, are coming in Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Injunction Denied Against Bamboo Decking Producer

A U.S. judge has denied Dasso International’s motion seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent competitor MOSO International

from selling compressed bamboo decking.

According to the ruling, the plaintiff was unable to establish proof of irreparable harm or evidence of wrong-doing. Dasso made claims in four areas, including loss of goodwill and disparaging statements. The motion for preliminary injunction was filed over a year after the original infringement complaint was filed.

“It’s always good when the truth comes out,” said MOSO North America CEO Brett Kelly.

“Their assertions are baseless and, in the end, we know that the court will again agree with us.”

MOSO founder Arjen Veltman said, “Although the suit continues to be a nuisance, our team continues to grow our brand.”

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How deck builders can ease their labor shortage

By Troy Johnson

While demand for new outdoor living spaces is strong, the scarcity of skilled workers has many deck contractors booked out for months and losing out on significant revenue opportunities. Often there is not enough capacity available for follow-up on new leads, stunting business growth.

“Every year, fewer young people consider careers in the building trades,” says Kat Williams, senior business manager for Deckorators, a leading manufacturer of composite decking, railing and related products. “Today’s society pushes high school graduates toward a traditional college environment, no matter what their interests. This trend has led to a costly trade skills gap in our industry—and we’re all looking for ways to narrow that gap.”

Following are three ideas to create capacity for deck builders feeling the effects of the labor crunch: 12

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1

. Apply for an apprenticeship program.

Williams says members of the Deckorators Certified Pro deck contractor program have repeatedly raised concerns about the skilled labor gap—at builder workshops, during the Deckorators Pro Summit, and on jobsites around the country. Her team wanted to be part of the solution to the issue.

That’s why the company recently launched the unique Deckorators Deck Builder Summer Apprenticeship Program, which matches Deckorators Certified Pros with vetted and trained local apprentices. To land apprentices who can extend their crews and boost production, Certified Pros go through a straightforward process including application, recruitment, training and the apprenticeship period.

The HR team at parent Universal Forest Products helps approved Certified Pros with recruiting local apprentices by:

• Working with the Certified Pro to develop a job description.

• Advertising locally on Facebook, LinkedIn and Craigslist.

• Reaching out to colleges, universities and tech schools.

• Performing in-depth interviews.

• Reviewing references.

Pros have the option to conduct their own final interview prior to approval. Mike Brueggenjohann, a consultant at California Custom Decks, St. Louis, MO., participated in the apprenticeship program this summer. The Certified Pro says the program helped address his two biggest labor challenges: recruiting the right people and providing proper training.

“Deckorators found our apprentices and helped us give the right people a chance— without bogging us down when we were busy and unable to invest the time into recruiting,” Brueggenjohann says. “Then, the individualized apprentice training with an experienced Deckorators representative was invaluable. It instilled skills and confidence under the best conditions possible.”

Just 60 days into the apprenticeship period, Brueggenjohann hired an apprentice on fulltime, removing the apprentice label due to the employee’s attitude, work ethic, and development. He recommends that contractors strapped for labor consider applying for an apprenticeship program.

“Our experience has been very successful,” he

says. “The goal with our apprentices and hiring in general is to recruit the right people with the mindset of learning and applying their skills so they can develop into the best carpenter they can be. This program feeds right in to that approach.”

Williams says the inaugural year was just the beginning for the apprenticeship program, with significant program evolutions coming in 2020.

“Many contractors lack the resources to recruit quality labor, so they take the help that’s available, regardless of fit,” Williams says. “This forced approach to hiring can lead to turnover and jobs taking longer to complete. The addition of quality labor through an apprenticeship program can help deck builders bolster their crews, increase production, and devote more time to closing interested leads.”

2. Seek help in unusual places.

Cass Brinkman has managed to avoid the labor woes plaguing so many of his peers. The owner of All Weather Decks, which builds around 350 decks per year in the Kansas City, MO., metro area, he attributes part of his success with finding good help to thinking outside the industry.

“One of my best deck builders had never built a deck in his life before I hired him,” says Brinkman, another member of the Certified Pro program. “I brought him in from the stone masonry industry, trained him on the job site, and positioned deck-building as a new career opportunity for him. He took that very seriously, and he’s been with me for 10 years now.”

Apprentice programs help recruit and train aspiring deck builders.

(Photo by Deckorators)

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“An apprenticeship program can help deck builders bolster their crews, increase production, and devote more time to closing interested leads.”

Kat Williams, Deckorators

“(Apprentice training) instilled skills and confidence under the best conditions possible.”

“I can’t grow if I can’t get enough crews, so I refuse to accept a labor problem as my fate.”

Mike Brueggenjohann California Custom Decks

Cass Brinkman All Weather Decks

Brinkman regularly asks crew members for referrals, and pays referral bonuses of $100 for a helper and up to $500 for each lead that comes and stays aboard. All Weather Decks currently has 15 two-person crews with each crew lead providing continuing education to the helper.

Once quality workers are in the fold and training, Brinkman focuses squarely on providing them with steady hours and a consistent paycheck. “I know if I solve those two problems, they will stay with me forever,” Brinkman says.

“They feel such stability and trust that they don’t have a reason to look anywhere else.”

His commitment to finding—and retaining— good labor has helped make All Weather a top custom builder in the area, a 20-time winner of the Angie’s List Super Service Award, and a perennial Best of Houzz winner for service and design.

Despite an extremely slow start to the deckbuilding season due to an extended winter, All Weather Decks is ahead of last year’s sales pace.

Brinkman says his sweet spot is being booked out between six to eight weeks. Any longer than that, he searches out another crew; any shorter, he steps up advertising and sales training.

“I try to create a situation where I don’t have a labor shortage,” Brinkman says. “I can’t grow if I can’t get enough crews, so I refuse to accept a labor problem as my fate.”

3. Use more labor-saving components.

As the trade skills gap continues to challenge the decking industry, manufacturers are working

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to incorporate more ease of installation into their product designs. Contractors can benefit by adding more of these products to their portfolios.

“There are more products out there than ever before that help pros build faster, close jobs more quickly, and create capacity,” says Jase DeBoer, senior category marketing manager for Deckorators. “The exciting thing is that aesthetically these same products are still very much on-trend.”

Examples of attractive products that speed up installation include stronger, lighter composite deck boards; pre-assembled railing systems that come to the site with the top rail, bottom rail, and balusters already installed together; and low-voltage lighting offering simple wiring. Some lighting offers a straightforward clip system in which each component’s clip simply plugs into a junction box, making installation as easy as connecting a telephone cord to a phone jack.

Many builders would embrace the opportunity to meet rising demand for personalized decks—if only they had the qualified labor to build them.

Signing up for an apprenticeship program, broadening the search for help, and using contractor-friendlier products can help.

Troy Johnson is a writer at Performance Marketing. For more info on Deckorators’ programs for deck builders, visit www.pro.deckorators.com

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Traditional pressure treatment process leaves a majority of the interior of the wood unprotected.

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Klear Gard | 25™ retains the wood’s natural appearance, while providing full interior and exterior protection.

termites). It provides excellent durability for products like railings, steps, decks, exposed beams, and glulams. This unequaled treatment product is metal free and contains no more VOCs than the wood product itself.

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Contact us to learn more.

Phone: 503.648.4156 | Toll Free: 800.828.0222 | Fax: 503.648.6383 | info@permapost.com | www.klear-gard25.com Fall 2019 | Deck Specialist | 15

8 ways drones are

changing construction

By Ethan Smith

Drones, once a hobby for a few enthusiasts, are now prominently featured across a number of professional fields. Today, delivery and cargo drones transport goods across increasing distances, military drones spy on enemy combatants, and ag-drones engage in precision farming. More than any other industry, however, drones are being put to use on construction worksites, with drone use surging by 239% from 2017 to 2018. Infrastructure work now makes up 35.5% of professional drone-use, far ahead of the next two biggest drone-using industries, agriculture (25.5%) and transportation (10.2%).

Construction drones have many functions, as they can be used in every phase of the project lifecycle. Equipped with GPS technology, as well as cameras and sensors that can capture images, video, thermal readings, and infrared data, drones can help improve project conceptualization, planning, measurement, 16

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building, management, reporting, monitoring, inspection, safety, security, and even marketing.

Drones are revolutionizing construction at a breakneck pace. Here are eight ways drones are changing construction:

1. Preconstruction Surveying & Mapping: For largescale construction jobs, drones have the ability to survey and map wide geographic areas, quickly helping building planners get a sense of a site’s topography. With highresolution drone imaging, construction teams can develop 3D models to help them identify constructability challenges ahead of time, make accurate estimates, and sufficiently prepare for the job. Drone mapping and modeling can also be conducted throughout a project and the data can be used by architects, engineers, and others in conjunction with leading construction software programs, including AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Civil 3D, BIM 360, Procore, and others.

NO NEED to rent a helicopter to get that perfect beauty shot, thanks to drones. (Photo courtesy Kebony)

2. On-Site Measurements: On a smaller scale, drones can additionally be used to make various measurements on a worksite, including measuring stockpiles of materials, such as piles of fill dirt, sand, or gravel. Increasingly, builders are using drones in coordination with ground control points (GCPs), which are ground markers equipped with GPS to calculate exact global positioning. This approach to making site measurements has skyrocketed in recent years as it achieves up to 99% accuracy when measuring distance, area, and volume.

3. Progress Reports: Drones’ ability

to observe and record almost anything on a worksite makes them a valuable tool for keeping all relevant parties up-to-date with accurate information about the project’s progress. Clients appreciate a high level of access and visibility that helps them feel assured of quality-control, and everyone from owners to managers to laborers are able to stay updated, on the same page, and able to identify anything that looks wrong or out of place.

4. Workforce Monitoring: Many project managers have also turned to drones for the general supervision of their workers. Many places of employment record the day-to-day activities at their business, but mounted cameras don’t always work on a construction site where structures, equipment, and materials are frequently moved around and could impair visibility. Drones may soon allow for the mobility necessary for supervisors to fully oversee the workforce, which is especially helpful if there are specific concerns that a particular person or group is not adhering to protocol.

5. Structural & Equipment Inspections: The maneuverability of drones, which can easily fly around project structures, makes them useful for examining and evaluating stability and repair needs. High-resolution images can provide finer visual details, measurements can determine if a structure is straight or leaning (and by how many degrees), and thermal sensors can identify heat leaks, cold spots, and electrical malfunctions.

Similarly, a drone may be able to quickly analyze Fall 2019

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DRONES can greatly benefit managers of construction projects both large and small.

(Photo courtesy Equipment Trader)

a broken-down piece of machinery and send equipment data to the technician to begin their diagnosis before the equipment even reaches them.

6. Safety Improvements: Increasingly, drones are additionally being used to make measurements and to even perform simple maintenance on structures like towers, roofs, and scaffolding that can be more dangerous for human workers to reach. Regular worksite monitoring with drones can also help managers be on the look-out for on-site safety concerns, such as employees not following safety regulations or structures and equipment that may be loose or unstable. As an added bonus to protecting workers, construction companies that use drone inspections and patrols as preventative and responsive safety measures may be eligible for risk-mitigation insurance discounts, depending on the provider.

7. Securing Equipment & Worksites: The construction industry loses $1 billion every year due to equipment theft, and 83% of equipment owners have been the victim of theft. A flyover of the worksite is a fast and easy way for supervisors to ensure that machinery is secure and located where it is supposed to be. Likewise, drones are able to be the eye-inthe-sky that can surveil the site and check for unauthorized trespassers. Even the presence of patrolling drones may serve as an effective 18

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deterrent against thieves. As of now, drones cannot autonomously fly nighttime patrols on their own—they’re currently limited by battery life, an inability to judge if they are sensing authorized or unauthorized personnel, and federal regulations about flying drones at night in certain areas—but the day is soon coming that self-flying drones will be able to surveil and secure the worksite.

8. Marketing & Promotion: Drones are a great way to promote your business. Expert aerial photography can help you show-off finished projects with captivating shots that enhance and elevate your company’s portfolio and marketing materials. Drone images, as well as scale models and 3D rendering using data from drone surveys and mapping, can also help prospective clients visualize what you can offer them.

And finally, simply the fact that your firm uses drones can attract customers who are interested in all the benefits we’ve described above, including receiving those dynamic progress reports, and want to contract a cutting-edge company that uses the latest technology.

Ethan Smith is a content curator for Trade Interactive, serving the brands Commercial Truck Trader, Commercial Web Services, and Equipment Trader (www.equipmenttrader.com).

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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Test Plan

Distributor samples unique new decking on his own home As a longtime building material distributor, Steve Rhone figured he was familiar with most types of decking on the market. But he was so impressed with one versatile new product that he not only used it for his own deck, he agreed to distribute it to his customers.

Rhone, the president of Weston Forest Products in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, lives in a 20-year-old custom home about 45 minutes north of Toronto. It had a large wood-plastic composite deck off the back, terraced into three sections at different levels.

“The original owner of the house was behind one of the first composite decking companies, and he used their product mix,” Rhone says. “It was a real 20

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By David Koenig Photos by Jeff McNeill, McNeill Photography

ABOVE: Custom home in Palgrave, Ontario, utilizes a revolutionary new type of capped PVC decking.

LEFT: Old multi-level composite deck was inefficient and starting to show its age.

RIGHT: New Capped PVC Tivadek was used in Charwood black for the border and Ashwood gray for the main deck.

BELOW: The decking is embossed on all four sides to look its best from any vantage point.

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showpiece, extending all around the backyard.

It had a three-tiered, angled-patterned deck that looked beautiful, but functionally it was not as great. And after 19 years in the field, it was starting to look pretty tired.”

He and his wife considered resurfacing the old structure, but ultimately opted for a new design.

After researching a number of builders, they settled on The Deck Store, Oakville, Ontario.

Among the wares on display at the installer/ retailer’s showroom was a unique product that was produced locally by Tiva Building Products and just sneaking into the market.

Rhone recalls, “We were looking for something that was very durable, and fade and crack resistant—something that wasn’t going to be guilty of the shortcomings of the earlier product.

My wife picked out three different pieces—and all three were Tiva products.”

Most composite makers now offer a capstock line, covering their WPC core with an all-plastic outer layer. Tiva has gone one better—capping its PVC core with ASA (acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile), a tough, rigid plastic known for its heat resistance, color retention, and weatherability.

Tiva’s originators, Rhone explains, “went looking for a proven technology, something that provided greater durability, fade resistance,

and richer colors. They ended up stealing a little bit of technology from the automobile industry, which conquered these problems decades ago. Remember the car dashboards of the 1980s, which used to fade, crack and split?

The difference today is the development of ACS plastics.”

Tivadek was developed about four years ago, but just secured North American distribution this year—through Weston in Canada, and Sherwood Lumber in the Northeastern U.S. The decking is extruded and molded in China from North American plastics and resins.

The Rhones selected medium-gray decking with black borders (Tiva was the only textured black they could find). They approved a simplified, 1,200-sq. ft. deck design, squaring the edges and creating a single level with clean, straight lines. It is framed by aluminum railing from Ultra Aluminum Manufacturing.

The project, completed last fall, took about three months. The extended build time came in adding a louvered roof system and having to relocate one of the support systems for the canopy so it didn’t block a window. As well, the hot tub had to be moved over about five feet.

The result: a new showplace that will not only last a lifetime, but will look good doing it.

The deck was installed with a nailed system, providing a look that rivaled hardwood flooring. Outside edges were face-screwed and covered with color-matched plugs.

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INDUSTRY TRENDS

Ipé supplies stay strong as fears fizzle

By David Koenig

Heading into the summer, one of

the largest U.S. importers of ipé encouraged dealers to quickly ramp up their inventories of the durable Brazilian hardwood, warning that supplies were expected to run “very dry” for a second summer in a row, possibly leading to double-digit price increases.

But over the next months, the opposite seemed to occur. “I have had no issues with ipé supply this year,” noted Sean Burch, Redwood Empire, Morgan Hill, CA. “We have also had one of our better sales seasons. Harvest season is going to start up soon and bring more supply to market.”

Jim VanPelt, Lumber Timber Group, Cape Canaveral, FL., agreed: “Surprisingly, ipé has been coming through this spring, more so than previous years during high season. The new

Beautiful and durable, ipé decking remains readily available amid concerns of an uncertain future. (Photo by OHC)

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production season in Brazil is now just underway, the mills are just now into the bush. So wood will be replenished again, for a good six months anyway. We’ll see how pricing fares, it’s all about supply/demand, global markets (particularly Europe), exchange rates, etc. But there is ipé available; I know—I have wood to sell.”

Any dramatic change in supply and price would lie further down the road. Some had sensed that changes were imminent after, this spring, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) agreed to weigh a proposal to list ipé. The country of Brazil had submitted the proposal in response to illegal harvesting and trading.

If listed by CITES, a species would be severely restricted in—and under certain classifications outright banned from—commercial trade.

Soon after, the proposal was withdrawn.

VanPelt suggested that since “the whole ‘ipé/ CITES’ vote thing fell apart, this won’t be revisited for at least another two years, even if then.” Others anticipate enivironmental groups will grow more aggressive in trying to regulate the trade of ipé, such as through the enforcement of the Lacey Act. In recent years, some architects and builders have moved away from the species due to environmental concerns. WalkGreen, Poulsbo, WA., is the largest holder of FSC tropical hardwood decking and siding inventory in North America. Tess Lindsey explained, “Given our continued commitment to responsibly sourced wood, we have been unable to find a consistent legal origin for ipé. In light of that, we’ve chosen to pursue alternative species with a proven track record and leave ipé out of our sourcing and offerings.” She senses a shakeup could be coming, but for now ipé remains in ample supply.

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RIGHT: More consumers are demanding railing systems that will not stretch or sag over time.

A good example is Superior Aluminum’s stainless-steel cable made from 19 strands for high tensile strength with no stretching.

[All photos courtesy Superior Aluminum Products]

Making the most of a scenic view

Cable railing becoming increasingly popular

By Jim Wahl

Fall is a great time to spend time on the deck. Whether you’re overlooking a beach, lakefront, rolling hills with vibrant fall colors, or other scenic vista, getting out on the deck in the cooler autumn temperatures can be downright therapeutic.

But regardless of what you’re overlooking, the vista is the focal point, which is one reason that cable railing systems are gaining in popularity. One manufacturer reported that their cable railing system sales were up 300% over the prior year. Here are some of the reasons that consumers are increasingly turning towards cable railing over other railing systems.

Naturally, any option considered must meet applicable safety criteria (OSHA, ADA and ICC Building Code). Railing systems, after all, are a barrier to keep people and pets from falling off the deck.

Aesthetics. It’s all about the view. While some may suggest wooden railing to match a wooden deck, the sheer view-blocking bulk of the cross bars could Fall 2019

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TRENDING: Contemprary designs that fit well into modern architecture styles are becoming increasingly popular.

compromise the outdoor living experience. There are other options that work well with all kinds of deck architecture, offering an aesthetically pleasing, modern look which is ideal for many high-end deck projects.

Cable railing, which offers a virtually unobstructed views without the daily maintenance of glass railing systems, is becoming increasingly popular. Stainless steel cables combine with aluminum posts and rail assemblies to form a strong, durable, maintenance-free system that will last for a lifetime. But not all cable systems are the same—those with bulky turnbuckle systems for tightening the cables or with mid-rail vertical support pickets added are falling out of favor with consumers who’d prefer to the see the view that those items obstruct.

A major component of cable railing systems is (drumroll please...) the cable. Smart consumers demand those that will not stretch or sag over time, especially on the lower rungs, which make inviting footrests. While many cables are maintenance-free, it’s important to confirm that before installation. No homeowner wants to buy a chore or ongoing maintenance of their railing.

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One step at a time. When extending cable railing down steps, it is important to communicate the exact slope for step railing prior to fabrication. That way, pre-drilled holes can be elongated to accommodate the angle and ensure that the cable runs in a straight line down the side of the steps.

Ease of installation is important to both consumers and contractors, but for different reasons. Railing systems that are pre-assembled to exact project specifications make on-site installation fast and easy. That is especially important on new construction projects which always seem to be under tight completion timeframes. Finish elements like railing, flooring, and trim, which offer quick installation, are much preferred to comparable elements which require on-site construction.

Consumers appreciate pre-assembled railing systems not only for the ease of installation, but for the ease on the wallet, as they are not charged for time-consuming cutting, fitting, joining and other details by the contractor on-site. They also appreciate the speedy installation of preassembled projects—especially as they approach closing and move-in day.

Surface finish is another item to confirm beforehand. Maintenance-free aluminum railing systems come painted, anodized, or with duranodic finishes in a variety of colors to provide years of maintenance-free service.

It’s always best to confirm your finish before specifying.

And finally, back to the view. Whether you choose cable railing with a square post or a round pipe framework, ask for a system that locates the fasteners inside of the posts to enhance the aesthetics of your project, and keep the focus on the vista beyond.

With features that appeal to both homeowners and contractors alike, it’s easy to see why cable railing systems are becoming increasingly popular for residential and commercial deck projects of all sizes and types. With their clean, contemporary, modern look and unique styling, the weather won’t be the only cool thing on decks as autumn approaches.

Jim Wahl oversees communications at Superior Aluminum Products Co., Russia, Oh. For more info, visit www.superioraluminum.com.

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RIGHT: The loudest sounds generally come from the road or nearby highway. It’s important to build the sound barrier as close to those sources as you can—without violating any codes.

[All photos courtesy CertainTeed]

Designing quieter yards with a solid fence

By Doug Mucher

Choosing the right fence has become an integral part of creating those outdoor spaces that homeowners crave. Not only does a good fence frame the yard and add to a home’s curb appeal, but also it can provide an element of privacy and safety, including noise reduction.

Sound minimization is becoming especially prevalent as more houses are being built on the same acreage as previously built developments, according to the Census Bureau’s 2018 Characteristics of New Housing data.

Neighborhoods are packed tighter as more people flock to city centers to be in good school districts. This means more noise and less privacy—unless a home has a great fence around the perimeter, that is. You might have to be creative to construct a useful sound barrier on a property. Here are some factors to consider when recommending fence products: Material and structure

The heavier the fence the fewer disturbances that will make their way into a yard. Different materials will interact with sound differently, but generally speaking, the more rigid a material, the better it will handle sound. Brick or stone masonry are clearly the most “rigid” choice, but can be cumbersome and expensive.

Products reinforced with steel or other materials are also a good bet for blocking sound. When the

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sound has more layers to go through, the fence material is less likely to vibrate and amplify the sound waves when they hit it.

However, a fence doesn’t have to be a brick wall to be impervious to noise. Materials such as layered wood, vinyl and polymer are also effective at dampening or blocking noise, assuming the fence provides coverage from the ground up and there aren’t any gaps or slats for soundwaves to slip through. Hedging and shrubbery can also help to absorb sounds if planted in front of the fence inside the yard.

Landscaping features with running water, like fountains or constructed waterfalls, can help drown out some noise too.

A taller fence also blocks more sound, but be sure to check zoning or HOA regulations for height restrictions before recommending a product. Solid sound barriers 8 to 12 ft. in height can reduce ambient noise by up to 10 decibels, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, which will sound like half as much noise.

Proximity to the sound’s source

In most neighborhoods, the loudest sounds come from the road or a nearby highway. The trick is to build the sound barrier as close to those sources as you can—without violating

any codes. The closer the sound barrier is to the source, the sooner the sound waves are absorbed or deflected, depending on the material. In neighborhoods where zoning prevents building too close to the road, build a fence as heavy and as tall as allowed, and add some landscaping, such as hedges or trees, to help absorb the noise.

Curb appeal

Building an effective sound barrier doesn’t mean sacrificing style. If a classical stone wall will look like an eyesore next to a contemporary home, a steel-reinforced vinyl or polymer that’s molded to look like stone is sleeker and will still effectively reduce noise. Plus, vinyl is much easier and less expensive to install and maintain over the years. Vinyl fences come in a variety of heights, textures, colors and styles—from classic to traditional to contemporary—to complement all different types of architecture. And if a homeowner wants to maximize or personalize curb appeal, adding accents and other design elements—such as spindles, lattices, gates, post caps or solar lights—can liven up the look without forfeiting its practicality.

As outdoor spaces are now being considered an extension of the home, it’s important to think

A FENCE doesn’t have to be a brick wall to block noise.

Wood, vinyl and polymer can also dampen sounds.

about how they can be as safe, quiet and stylish as the home itself. With educated product choices and creative landscaping, you can make clients’ outdoor livingspaces truly relaxing retreats.

Doug Mucher is product manager for CertainTeed (www.certainteed.com).

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Shattering myths about commercial glass railings No matter how you look at it—or through it—glass is a clear choice among today’s commercial architects and designers. From sports arenas and shopping malls to hotels and healthcare facilities, savvy specifiers are increasingly looking to incorporate glass into their project designs.

However, taking on projects involving glass railing can be challenging due to lack of familiarity with the products or concerns related to engineering.

Following are three common myths architectural railing suppliers have encountered over the years, along with expert insights to help clear up confusion.

MYTH #1

Architectural Plans Are All-Inclusive While architects may have a distinct vision for a project, it’s nearly impossible for them to think through every little detail when preparing

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ABOVE: Colorado State University Health & Medical Center in Fort Collins, CO., utilized Equinox fascia-mounted glass railing on its spiral staircase and topmounted railings on the overlooks.

OPPOSITE RIGHT: Trex Commercial Products worked with Standard Bent Glass and Cardinal Glass to provide glass railings for the eye-catching, five-story staircase and overlooks at the Accenture office located at the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco.

(All photos by Trex Commerical Products)

renderings. Finishing specifications often are left up to the general contractor and sub-contractors.

“As a glazier, this can put you in a challenging position, particularly if you’re less familiar with the intricacies of glass railing systems,” explains Dan Stachel, vice president of Trex Commercial Products. “To ensure you have all the pertinent details, ask your supplier to provide you with a comprehensive proposal, including detailed takeoffs with specific inclusions or exclusions for each railing style within the project scope.”

These details should include aspects such as finish, linear footage, structural attachment and makeup. Trex Commercial Products provides color-coded takeoffs to help define the project scope by railing style and location along with

a proposal to plans and spec. Additionally, Stachel suggests requesting a submittal package that includes 3-D renderings based on the architectural and structural specifics for the project.

High definition surveying (HDS) technology offers tremendous benefits over conventional surveying. It allows for the capture of thousands of critical measurements with precision accuracy, thereby significantly reducing the need for fabrication rework. It also offers a much faster track to the manufacturing process by eliminating the risk of human error and saving weeks of manual field measuring.

“A good supplier understands that its role is more than just a fabricator of the designer’s

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TRACK RAIL system with split panels of mist fog glass optimize views at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

concepts,” notes Stachel. “Our engineering team leverages its extensive experience to ensure the railing’s design allows for a successful final product.”

MYTH #2

All Calculations Are Created Equal When it comes to analyzing glass for commercial building construction, there are a variety of methods and programs that may be employed. As a result, glass design and engineering analysis can be inconsistent across projects. There are several possible reasons for this including the treatment of guardrails as a product rather than an engineered structure, general inexperience with glass as an engineered material, and limited access to glass design software in the U.S. Regardless of the method selected for analysis, there are two key principles that should be considered when specifying glass railing: the elastic properties of laminate interlayers (and how they change with temperature and load duration), and understanding that local stresses—e.g., contact materials, support size and hole size—are critical. In light of these varying factors, it’s highly recommended that a good finite element program be used to accurately determine glass stresses instead of any manual analysis.

“We have had a number of instances when architects and specifiers have requested proposed pricing for projects using 9/16-inch glass for point-supported systems when our analysis

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has determined that 13/16-inch glass would be required to meet IBC stress requirements,” notes Stachel. “Without the right experience and specialized equipment, glass can easily be inaccurately calculated and misquoted.”

Glass analysis is the most critical aspect of specifying point supported glass due to life safety factors. It’s essential that those who have a stake in a project understand this and take appropriate measures to ensure that building code requirements are met.

MYTH #3

Railings Are a Finishing Touch As one of the most visible elements of any building project, railings serve an important aesthetic and structural role—adding support, safety and style. While they may be one of the last products to be installed, their specification should be considered early in the design process.

“Particularly when glass railings are being considered, architects and glaziers should enlist the help and expertise of a qualified manufacturer at the beginning of design planning to best understand their options and what’s possible,” Stachel advises. “We like to work with architects during the preconstruction phase to ensure their desired look meets structural requirements and fits within budget.”

Ideally, manufacturers will offer designto-delivery support services with a focus on simplifying glass railing projects and providing a refreshing, thorough and stress-free experience for glaziers and installers.

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Deck Specialist’s trends panel at last year’s DeckExpo.

2019 DeckExpo landing in Louisville This year’s Deck Expo will offer even more insight as builders head to Kentucky

Deck builders and outdoor living experts will be heading to Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville to submerge themselves in all things decking and outdoor living at this year’s DeckExpo & Remodeling show.

The four-day event will consist of new product displays, networking receptions, and educational seminars, allowing deck builders and contractors to connect with more than 5,000 industry professionals.

Attendees will be able to participate in live on-floor clinics, product demonstrations, and an expo hall filled with over 300 products from leading manufacturers.

Among the presenters, Deck Specialist contributors will once again take the stage to discuss key ideas impacting the industry. In “Smoke the Competition with Your Deck Presentation,” outdoor living expert David Elenbaum will share how to deliver a quote prospects love in a quick, easy-flowing presentation that allows deck professionals to close a sale without going back to the office.

A panel of Deck Specialist contributors will then participate in a discussion titled “Get Found: How to Keep the Calls Coming,” highlighting the best ways 36

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Seminars – Day 1 Wednesday Nov. 6 8:30 a.m. – Negotiating for Building Pros 8:30 – The Remodeler’s Guide to Modern Sales and Marketing 8:30 – Deck Frame Design: Sizing & Installing Support Posts, Beams, and Joists 11:00 – The Details of Decking 11:00 – Instagram has its Pulse on Your Market: 3 Things You can do to Attract Customers 1:30 p.m. – How Can Contractors & Architects Work Together 1:30 – How to Maximize the Productivity and Profitability of Your People 3:30 – Advanced Framing Techniques for High Performance Design 3:30 – Strategic Planning by the Numbers 3:30 – Marketing Strategy Scaled to Your Business Size

to make sure your business is the first one to call.

Other seminars include crash courses on deck frame design and framing techniques, details of decking, and minimum code for budget decks.

There will also be learning sessions about team management, like hiring and training the right people to manage your projects, maximizing the productivity and profitability of your associates, increasing jobsite productivity, and effective time management.

Prominent keynote speakers like David Mullins, CEO, Tek-Rail; Glenn Mathewson, MCP, deck industry consultant and building plans analyst; Leslie Shiner, MBA, owner & principal, The Shiner Group; and many more will be gracing the show floor and various receptions. Some will deliver motivational and inspirational speeches, and others will highlight specific business practices.

Concurrent with DeckExpo, the North American Deck & Rail Association will be hosting its annual awards dinner Nov. 7 at Copper & Kings, Louisville, KY. The ceremony will highlight the best of the best decking projects as builders and contractors from around the country are honored for their greatest works. This will be the 10th anniversary of the famous deck competiton.

In addition, NADRA will host several deck evaluation/inspection programs on Nov. 5. Members can have the option to get a three-year certification upon passing an exam, or simply learn more about evaluations using the NADRA checklist.

This year the show has choosen “Connect. Learn.

Elevate Your Craft” as a theme surrounding the event. It makes sense seeing as how there will be nearly 50 learning sessions to choose from and countless opportunities to connect, making it a great opportunity to elevate your decking business.

Seminars – Day 2 Thursday Nov. 7 8:00 a.m. – Understanding How to Manage Your Multigenerational Workforce 8:00 – Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce 8:00 – Profit Begins with Planning 9:30 – Get Found: How to Keep the Calls Coming presented by Deck Specialist 10:00 – Increasing Jobsite Productivity 10:00 – Positioning Your Deck Building & Remodeling Business for Success 10:00 – OSHA, Is this Okay? Failure as Seen on the Jobsite 12:00 p.m. – Executive Roundtable Luncheon Production: From Packet to Punch 3:30 – How to be a Nice Hard Ass 5:15 – Welcome Party | Sponsored by Feeney

Seminars – Day 3 Friday Nov. 8 8:30 a.m. – Remodeling Housing Market Trends & Forecasts 10:30 – Efficient Project Planning and Scheduling 10:30 – Understanding Your Real Labor Costs 10:30 – Selling Your Why: Clearly Communicating Why Potential Clients Should Hire You! 12:00 p.m. – Women in Construction Meetup 1:00 – Process Building 10: Simple Practices to Boost Profits, Minimize Stress, and Create Clients for Life!

1:00 – Minimum Code for Budget Decks 1:00 – Smoke the Competition with Your Deck Presentation presented by Deck Specialist 1:00 – Using Your Proposal as a Sales Tool

LEFT: A lively tradeshow floor will feature hundreds of product manufacturers in nearly 20 categories.

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PRODUCT REVIEWS

National Nail’s CAMO Drive Retail Price: $169.00 www.camofasteners.com

CAMO Drive fastening system I remember as an apprentice, watching

my journeyman strap on his clunky, felt-lined leather knee pads. For comfort, the pads had been augmented by two doubled-over chunks of foam rubber carpet pad, liberated from the carpet guys who were chasing us around the subdivision, rolling out and stretching the carpet as fast as we could run the base.

At the time, I thought my knees were tough and those knee pads looked far more uncomfortable to wear, than my bare knees on the subfloor—which was pretty much true, until I came across the errant loose drywall nail or the 8d ring shank that the head was left proud by the subfloor nailer. Eventually the ignorance of youth gives way to the wisdom of age and I wound up with my own set of those same leather knee pads, complete with my own chunks of foam rubber carpet pad. While they helped protect me from jobsite injury, they did little to stop the wear that results from years of board sports and dirt bikes. This, along with so much time spent kneeling during the performance of our jobs as deck builders and it’s easy to see why knee pain and stiffness become the new normal.

Thankfully, the creative idea folks at National Nail have heard the sounds of grinding, creaking and popping knee joints emanating from deck builders all over the country. Their answer was to develop a practical, versatile solution to get

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us up off of our knees and work more efficiently.

Judging by the response from tradespeople everywhere, they are on the right track.

Deck Fastening Evolution After using many of the hidden deck fastening systems on the market, we have mostly found them to be cumbersome and tedious. The additional parts and pieces are expensive and a pain, and installing them always feels like an impediment to workflow efficiency. It’s hard to get into a groove when the clips fall out or get knocked out inadvertently, the screws don’t want to start into the clips, and even when you manage to get the clip with the fastener started and drive it quickly, the clip winds up out of alignment. The result is an exercise in frustration. Additionally, the cost of the different proprietary clips and fasteners adds up quickly.

Our solution for wood-surfaced decks was simple. We would use HDG casing nails and toe-nail the boards to the joists, making for an attractive, fastener-free surface, installed quickly, methodically and efficiently. As we began to install more engineered decking and focus more on the heat-forming of radius and arc-shaped designs, the need for a new hidden fastening method developed. During the search, one system stood out: the CAMO Pro Guide (formerly known as the Marksman Pro).

After purchasing the Pro Guide and spacer tools, all that was left was to purchase the CAMO fasteners. After years of constant use, these robust tools have held up exceptionally well. To date, we have yet to replace any of them.

We always use the CAMO brand fasteners, as they are no more costly than any other fasteners and they work with the system flawlessly.

So with all this going for them, why wouldn’t National Nail choose to just leave well enough alone? I suspect that even as good as the Pro Guide system is, they saw the following room for improvement. The Pro Guide requires the user to be either bent over at the waist, or on their knees while using it. So with overcoming that shortfall as the goal, they set out to build a product that retained all the Pro Guide’s positive attributes, with added capabilities for speedy surface fastening, and faster production clip installation.

(Up)standing Versatility The CAMO Drive, coupled with the user’s own cordless drill, is a versatile tool that facilitates edge, clip or surface fastening of wood, composite, cellular PVC, and capped acrylic PVC decking to

any deck substructure, both perpendicular and at angles. It enables the user to accomplish all of this while remaining in a standing position and does so with speed and efficiency.

The tool is comprised of an anodized aluminum upper tool body, housing a hardened steel drive shaft, clutch assembly, and driver bit chuck.

Along the bottom edge of the body is the collated fastener feeder channel and the reverse tension follower spring that feeds the plastic collated fasteners to the nose of the tool, where the driver bit contacts the screw, driving it to the correct depth with the cycling of the tool when configured for surface fastening. The lower tool body also houses the dial for setting the exact depth of drive and also the release button for changing out the drive guides for the different configurations.

There are three interchangeable drive guides: the edge, face and clip. The tool is made from robust, premium quality materials, and feels quite good in hand. It adjusts and cycles easily and functions very smoothly. Just for comparison, we used it in surface fastening mode alongside both a Makita and a Senco auto-feed screw gun and the CAMO cycled smoother, allowed for

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In addition to the new tool, there are also new clips—the EdgeClip and the EdgeXClip— designed to cut deck installation time in half.

more accurate fastener placement, and engaged/ disengaged the fastener much more cleanly, which enabled the user to develop a working rhythm easier than with the other tools.

The edge guide was installed on the tool next.

This guide acts much the same as the Pro Guide does. It serves to both provide the required spacing between deck boards and also hold the board down and in place, facilitated by a presser foot attached to the guide as well as to keep the tool and fastener at the correct angle to drive through the edge of the board and effectively fasten it in much the same way as the Pro Guide.

The advantage here, though, is that the fasteners are collated and automatically fed into the correct position with each tool cycle. This alone give it a huge speed advantage over the Pro Guide—not to mention the fact that this is all happening from a standing position. Faster and much more comfortable to use... plus no knee pads required. I call that a win-win.

After some time using the tool, we decided to compare the cost efficiency of using the CAMO Drive vs. the Pro Guide. The question was whether the increased productivity was great enough to offset the additional costs for the collated fasteners for both surface fastening and edge fastening. The result was the CAMO Drive holds a two-to-one advantage over the Pro Guide in edge fastening and, for surface fastening, was 37% more cost effective than the Makita and 33% more cost effective than the Senco.

The Clip Guide & EdgeClip/EdgeXClip Not content with just improving two of the three methods for decking installation, National Nail set out to improve the clip-fastening process—utilizing the same CAMO Drive tool

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platform. First, they redesigned and reengineered the clips themselves. They developed two distinct types of clips, an EdgeXClip for running the decking at odd angles to the framing and an EdgeClip for use where the decking is run perpendicular to the framing. Both types incorporate the patented CAMO fastener already inserted in the clip, so as to remove one of the more tedious tasks associated with using any clip system.

From there they looked at the other frustration usually encountered with clips: falling or being knocked off or slipping out of position, requiring replacement or reset constantly. They overcame this deficiency by designing clips that use heavy friction and balance to their advantage for positioning. The EdgeXClip has wings that squeeze together as it is placed into the deck board groove, and they expand and hold the clip tightly in the groove, fastener in place and ready to be driven. The EdgeClip accomplishes something similar by having two legs that straddle the joist holding the clip and pre inserted fastener in the correct position for driving after the deck boards are placed. This creates huge time savings, while comfortably remaining flat-footed and in an upright position.

The system works fantastically, with the only real downside being the extra cost of the clips and pre-inserted fasteners. A quick internet search revealed an average cost of roughly 50¢ each, depending on the quantity. Both types are available in boxes of 90, 450 and 900. One item of note is that when compared to the unit cost of many competing deck clips, the CAMO clips can be had for 42¢ each in the largest quantity, while most competing clips cost 67¢ to 69¢ each.

That difference will save you about $243 on a box of 900. So using the CAMO Drive in clip configuration will not only net you a marked increase in efficiency, but will also save you a couple of hundred bucks on the cost of the clips.

That creates a very powerful value proposition for the CAMO Drive system. You get an expertly designed, pro-grade tool that will improve production and make producing that work more comfortable and less stressful on the body.

Marv Johnson is the principal of Deck Envy LLC, Gig Harbor, WA. Send comments, suggestions for product reviews to emjaybuilding@mac.com.

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DECKING | FENCING | RAILING | TIMBERS

ON THE HOUSE

Safety first!

If there’s anything that we’ve learned over the years as pro builders, it’s that job safety is job number one! There is simply no task that takes precedence over safety. Period!

Safety is a broad term that encompasses many elements. There’s personal safety, project safety, and business safety and they are all related.

Personal safety is the most apparent. A hard hat and safety goggles are a couple of the most obvious personal safety items that one should have in his or her safety tool kit. Equally important are ear protection, gloves (where required), and work boots (with steel toes, where appropriate). Dust masks and respirators are essential when creating dust or working with vapors that shouldn’t be inhaled.

Personal safety equipment is only the first step. Knowing how to properly use the equipment and using it regularly is the real key.

Regular safety meetings are essential to keeping your crew, your projects, your customers and your business safe and healthy. These meetings provide a forum to reinforce the importance of safety; instruction on how to properly use safety gear; and steps to maintaining a safe job site.

Every project should have a well-stocked first aid kit and EVERYONE—direct hire personnel and subcontractors—should know where it’s located. Crewmembers can also benefit by having knowledge of basic first aid such as treating a wound, dealing with heat stroke, and CPR—until emergency responders arrive. The location of the nearest hospital should be posted at all job sites.

Project safety involves any condition or object that can lead to injury. Ladders, scaffolding, temporary supports, and safety rails should be in tip42

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top shape, on solid footing, and inspected often.

Walking surfaces—inside and out—should be as level as possible and free of obstructions. Uneven soil can be an ankle-twister that can result in a nasty fall, which can lead to more serious injury.

All tools and equipment (hand and power) must be regularly inspected for proper and safe operation, and, where deficient, should be immediately taken out of service, and repaired or replaced.

Teach crewmembers how to use equipment properly and safely and NEVER to use a tool for anything other than its intended purpose and in strict accordance with manufacturer directions.

Business safety can save your business. Even with the best safety program and practices, accidents will and do occur. Without proper insurance coverage and limits, your business and personal assets could be at significant risk.

Your best defense is a strong offense. Make sure that you have worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, vehicle insurance and that you review the coverage limits with your agent at least annually or when operations change. All subcontractors who set foot on your projects should have the same. Require subs to have certificates of insurance sent directly to you by their carriers and ask to be notified should coverage lapse or is renewed.

Always remember: safety first!

The Carey Bros.—James and Morris—are nationally known home renovation experts and hosts of On the House weekly radio program and syndicated column (onthehouse.com).

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BOTTOM LINE

Overcoming prospects’—and your—fear and uncertainty We’ve all been there. Just the other day, I caught myself concerned about my business because we have slowed down a little and the phone hasn’t been ringing as much. I had to remind myself that we are knee-deep in the summer slowdown.

I call these times “trend periods.” Business dips, changes, goes haywire, etc. It just moves around a lot. It’s easy to start wondering why the phone isn’t ringing this week. Why have I struck out on the last 10 jobs I quoted, despite telling myself, “I need to sell this job I am bidding today!”? Many times, your emotions are taking over and creating fear.

When this happens to me, I go back to the numbers; the reporting of this time last year, the year before, and so on. Keeping good records— including sales over time—is critical for a business. It helps you plan for the future based on the past. It helps put your mind at ease when something changes.

Here are some important things to remember: If you haven’t sold a job in a while, you must ask why, but not attack yourself with fear. No force other than you doing something really stupid that involves the cops and the 5:00 news is going to kill your entire business overnight. Long-term death is created by complacency and lack of evolution, 44

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and takes a long time, so it is not that. It’s probably a trend period.

Some of the top reasons for jobs not going to contract inside of a trend period are that people are on vacation. Where I live, weeks at the beach are super common between June 15 and August 15. Many people will not purchase materials or contract a deck project during this time if they have a summer vacation in play. Plus, before and after they go there is a period of spending fatigue that impacts their purchasing decisions.

Political climate is another. Regardless of political bent, people tighten up when the news cycle is politically negative or during election periods. In my 20 years of doing this, election years have always been a little off. Weather has a huge impact on the deck business. Too cold or too hot will make a prospect question why they would want to build a deck.

Many of you already know this stuff, and many will use it as an excuse for why your business is down. I hear it every day. The real question is how are you using these trend periods in your sales and are you allowing the periods to have an effect on your confidence? I’ll come back to that.

On the sales side, you will want to discuss these periods with your prospects ahead of time and try to sell the jobs before they come. Remember, if you

keep data on your sales over time, you will be able to forecast the periods—perhaps so well that you can send your salesman (yourself) on vacation.

For weather periods or vacation season such as summer months, sell the jobs you will build during this time three months before for a discount in between the normal sales that are getting in line now. If you are selling late summer builds in March already, then you have a whole different set of problems such as production control or you don’t charge enough, and you don’t need this article’s advice until the economy turns down.

Selling ahead of election and political climates is a little more difficult because they can drag out for up to 18 months. This area requires you to have a political climate closing technique.

I always bring up political climate during an election year with my prospects, avoiding the actual discussion of candidates, but taking a position of “waiting to see is putting your life on hold” in my sales presentation. In other words, I sort of kick the dog instead of pretending it’s not there. During the sales warm-up I may say something like, “So, it’s an election year and without telling me who you’re going to vote for,

do you think it will have an impact on your timing of the project? Because unless you are selling TV ads, it’s easy to have a little unrest about where this is all going to go. I have found that in the end it doesn’t really matter who wins and I waited to do something for no reason.” Dog kicked. Your prospect will respond with comments regarding their decision-making at this time and will tell you if it is a factor.

Now, for the main reason I wrote this article: When you allow trend periods to take emotional tolls on you and make you worry, you must stop for no other reason than it shows up when you are selling. People can smell fear a mile away, and your uncertainty betrays a lack of confidence. You need confidence to permeate from your soul to sell decks. If you have fear and uncertainty, get rid of it.

It’s all in your head.

David Elenbaum has been in in the deck industry since 2000, serving in distribution, retail, manufacturing and, of course, contracting.

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SET THE STANDARD

Our wheels are more than transportation—they’re calling cards.

Setting yourself apart Every day as contractors and custom

deck specialists, we seek out new ways to not only make ourselves better, but also to set ourselves apart from the masses. Clients will do their searches and call on half a dozen or more local (and sometimes not-so-local) companies to get their price quotes, estimates or proposals in an effort to maximize their purchasing dollars.

The reality is there will always be someone cheaper, generally offering the same prospective client a lower value, while leading them to believe they are getting a better deal. As we get older and realize that that there are only so many hours in a day and a limit to what we can accomplish, we too must maximize our time, efforts and offerings to garner the most we can as we turn labor hours into profits.

Most companies have set their own business philosophies of competing, whether it be competing on price or selling their product as a high quality investment. I always say, “Do what works for you.” Every town has companies that are extremely successful in either of those categories, so I have absolutely no judgment on what makes various businesses succeed.

Personally, I don’t concern myself with price battling every young pup in town—instead our focus is strive to outclass our competition.

Being the best that you can be has nothing to do with acting like you’re better than anyone

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else; it’s just simply holding yourself to the highest standard possible. Striving to raise the bar on team members, crews and of course yourself on a daily basis.

As you do this, you also need to remember to reward the people around you for their efforts.

A little bonus here and there—pizza lunches on Friday, and a “thank you for a job well done”— goes a really long way.

I’m also a big believer in entering our completed projects into local, regional and national contests. When your crew knows you thought enough of their work to put them up for an award, it becomes a tremendous morale booster, not to mention a great way to keep people focused on excellence. You don’t have to win, just participate—you really never know which one of your projects will gain recognition.

Recognition will set you apart from the competition.

On that note, I want to give a big shout-out to our main crew leader, Rob Blanton. This year, Rob won our local builders association award as Outstanding Craftsman of the Year.

Needless to say, his crew feels like they are in competition with the world every day to be the best crew in town. On top of that, having an accolade of that nature and being able to put it on your marketing paraphernalia really helps substantiate your proposals and your position

when explaining the difference between what you and “Bob in his Beater” are offering the prospective client. Anyone with a lick of sense would want to have the top guy in the area build their project. Combined with other awards, families will begin to seek you out since you have something better to offer. Your standard of excellence will have already received validation by recognizable entities before the client has even made first contact. In short, do yourself a favor— pull out those photos and get them entered in any contest you can find.

For the last 12 years, we have also participated in our local home builders association’s spring show. Each year, we spent thousands of dollars and hours upon hours of labor, and when it was over, we donated the display materials to a charity. We reap a good 20-25% of our annual sales from the show, so it’s something we always look forward to doing. The only problem was that when we went on the appointments and would refer to something in our display at the show, customers often said they didn’t remember the specific item, just that they liked us. Although flattered that they liked us, it was a little heartbreaking to spend time and money on what we thought were show-stopping displays, only to find they had not left an impression after all.

So a few years back we decided to shake it up a little. Since the day I started the business, I always wanted an antique truck. Some old Walton’s era-looking work truck with bubble fenders, a flatbed replete with all of the nostalgia

that goes along with it. We envisioned an eyecatching rolling billboard that would grab the attention of everyone it passed, young and old alike. I always thought it would be a great way to make us stand out in a crowd. After doing some number crunching, we reached the conclusion that for what we spent on two home shows, we could purchase something really cool and actually come out financially ahead in the long run.

We contacted the local home builders association and obtained permission to use the truck at their spring show. After an arduous search, we found a truck that had potential. After some hard work and long hours during the winter doldrums, we were able to get the truck going as a “rolling project.” We then contacted our local sign shop, and commissioned them to create a decal/wrap that emulated an old-style brushpainted logo in a style that matched our main vehicle. Everything fell into place. The truck was transformed and looked amazing.

The truck display was an absolute hit at the spring show. Thankfully, we had the foresight to invite my friend Tony to come along with us to the show, whose sole purpose for the weekend was to discuss the truck. He may have actually been busier than the rest of us. It was fascinating to realize how many people who needed a new deck were also into the truck. Some spoke of how it reminded them of when they were young, or of their father or grandfather. It was great. We gained more potential clients than ever before as a result of that show. A lot of the families asked

RIGHT: Our vintage 1937 Ford starts conversations and helps customers remember us.

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Rolling in our antique truck is a lot more cost effective—and memorable—than our former home show displays.

me if I would drive the truck to the appointment.

Naturally I agreed. We even offered to take them for a spin around the neighborhood when we got there. No more forgetting what was in our display—it was a great big 1937 Ford truck.

Almost every one of those leads turned into a sale for some rather significant projects. It was truly our best show ever.

After two years, the bubble-fendered vintage vehicle has morphed into an iconic symbol of old school craftsmanship and longevity in a world where mediocre is fast becoming the millennial standard. We now drive our beloved antique truck with its original flathead V8 puffing and chugging all over town. We take it to appointments, out to dinner, or even just the grocery store. It’s amazing when you come out of the store; there is a always a crowd around the truck, people are taking photos (more free advertising) and trying to climb around on it. We have friends who want to use it in local parades, and we are regularly asked to bring it to car shows. Every time the truck leaves the driveway it is marketing our company and it sure as heck looks a lot nicer than some clunker with a magnet on the door. We can’t drive it more than a block without someone waving or stopping to chat. This was a magnificent investment.

Let’s move on to the contractor’s daily work vehicle. Like so many of you, I have a rolling office. I need it for everything from carrying about 100 different decking, railing and framing samples along with lighting, pergola, fasteners and tools, to making runs for special supplies,

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more lumber, and other miscellaneous project materials.

Since a large part of my daily routine consists of sales calls, I personally like to show up in a big clean truck decked out with my logo as bold as I can get it, along with my slogan, phone number, website, some brand affiliation, and, last but not least, the NADRA logo proudly displaying my membership. When my clients see my rig pull up, they know they have a proper Deck Specialist, a businessman, and someone who pays close attention to details, all wrapped up in one package. They know the advice and designs are coming from someone who is intimately familiar with making it right. Again, the look and style leave them with a memorable impression. Rare is the visit where a client doesn’t make a comment.

The cost of a really nice wrap, decaling or, like in our case, the antique truck can be far less than that of a missed opportunity.

One little side note: I’m compiling a picture portfolio of all the creative ways our colleagues have “decked out” their vehicles and trailers, so please send me copies of yours.

With 35+ years experience in construction, Brendan Casey, with his wife Dianna, launched Frederick, MD.-based Casey Fence & Deck, fulfilling a need in the outdoor living market for an innovative and creative custom builder. Reach him at brendan@caseyfenceanddeck.com.

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NEW PRODUCTS

Deckorators is introducing a new composite picture framing board designed specifically for use as a picture frame or breaker board that complements Deckorators decking.

Featuring patented Eovations technology, boards are available in a dark slate color and a 21-ft. solid profile to acheive a continuous picture frame in a 20-ft. deck. Matching fascia is available in 12-ft. lengths and both 8-inch and 11-Âź-inch widths. [www.deckorators.com]

The new PWC acrylic caulk by Bostik offers an advanced formula, fortified with silicone for long-lasting flexibility and excellent adhesion, ensuring a protective barrier against moisture both indoors and out.

The caulk provides a watertight seal around most building materials and common household surfaces including trim, windows, door frames, sinks, tubs, shower surrounds, countertops, ceramic tile, and natural stone. [www.bostik.com]

Simpson Strong-Tie’s enhanced online tool, Deck Planner Software is designed to help deck builders quickly create a homeowners’ dream deck.

Featuring 3D software, design guides and an in-app user tutorial, the free web-based design center provides a suite of intuitive tools and resources for designing and building stronger, more beautiful decks [www.strongtie.com]

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DeWalt’s new 20V MAX yard and landscaping Pole Saw comes with compatible batteries across power tools and outdoor products.

The saw is ideal for storm damage cleanup, brush clearing, branch pruning, and clearing lots to ready them for construction. [www.dewalt.com]

Bogs’ newest waterproof work boots deliver comfort for tough jobs. Their Rebound midsole provides all-day cushioning and energy return to keep tradesmen on the go.

Seamless heel-outsole construction protects against outsole separation. [www.bogsfootwear.com]

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DuraLife’s Step-Clip is now designed to fit Kebony decking. The product uses easyto-install strips with custom profiled deck boards to minimize the time and labor spent surfacing decks. Strips are placed onto the joists with a pneumatic nail gun.

Strips protect the top of the joists, eliminating the need for joist protection tape.

It properly spaces each deck board and once the strips are laid, the installer steps on the Kebony deck boards to snap them into place. [www.kebony.com]

MFM Building Products is now offering a new roof flashing membrane, GreenWeld PVB, enhanced with an aluminum scrim for superior flexibility, strength and weathering.

The product is comprised of recycled PVB and applications include flashing for pipe penetrations and support beams, water barrier for cavity walls, liner for valleys of shingle, tile and aluminum metal roofs, and through-wall flashings. [www.mfmbp.com]

Deck Building Solutions • 866-767-1850 • www.suredrive.com • sales@suredrive.com

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CAMO’s new Starter Clips are designed to be a solution to face-fastening the first and last board of any grooved deck project.

Using the product with CAMO’s EdgeClip and EdgeXClip helps create a fastener-free deck surface that installs in half the time of other clip systems.

Each package covers 30 linear feet and contains 25 clips and 25 screws manufactured with 304 stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance.

Milwaukee Tool’s M12 FUEL Installation Drill/Driver is developed specifically for the installation phase of construction and for MEP service contractors. The versatile new tool features four dedicated solutions that can attach in 16 different positions to reach uniquely challenging locations.

Its four-in-one functionality, combined with the tool’s compact size and ability to deliver up to 300 lbs. of max torque, provides users with unrivaled access and control, and maximum productivity

[www.camofasteners.com]

[www.milwaukeetool.com]

What Will You Build?

Nature often produces the best materials.

Humboldt Redwood is one of those materials.

Derived from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C013133) certified timberlands in Northern California and handcrafted by a skilled workforce earning family wages and benefits, including Humboldt Redwood in your building plans is something you—and your clients—can feel good about.

Said another way, what won’t you build with Humboldt Redwood?

GetRedwood.com/Products

Bourne Photo ©

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The Tradesman Pro Tool Master rolling tool bag by Klein Tools enables professionals to easily transport tools and materials through harsh jobsite conditions with rugged 8-in. wheels.

The bag is perfect for use on or off the jobsite and has the ability to keep items cool for up to 30 hours thanks to the Tough Box cooler. [www.kleintools.com]

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D&D Technologies has added a new powerful hinge-closer option to their SureClose ReadyFit line.

A patented two-part hydraulic hinge and closer system efficiently self-closes and softcloses gates up to 180-lbs. from a complete 180â ° swing.

This allows the user to fully open heavy gates for unobstructed passage. The twocloser system is designed to maximize the life and performance of the SureClose 180â ° by reducing stress and wear on components [us.ddtech.com]

Extech’s new MO55W is an advanced pin and pinless moisture meter with wireless data streaming for remote monitoring and datalogging. The new meter is designed for use in all building moisture measurement applications—from moisture and restoration to lumber testing and building inspections.

Decking professionals can remotely view real-time moisture readings and datalog using the ExView W-Series app on smart devices. [www.extech.com]

Spyder Products’ Tarantula line of carbidetipped hole saws provide up to 50 times more cuts than standard bi-metal hole saws.

The saw’s carbide-tipped teeth allow users to make clean cuts through even the toughest materials, including stainless steel, steel, cast iron, nail-embedded wood, and cement fiber board. [www.spyderproducts.com]

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Superior Aluminum Products’ Series 9H Horizontal Railing system combines aesthetics and engineering to provide a modern, unique look.

Ideal for corner platform decks, to differentiate an exterior from adjacent buildings, and other residential, multi-family, and commercial projects, the non-traditional horizontal railing is both safe and stylish. [www.superioraluminum.com]

Specifically engineered for exterior, abovegrade masonry, Loxon Self-Cleaning Acrylic Coating from Sherwin Williams provides a clean, attractive look with high-performance dirt upon contact with rain or water for greater curb appeal.

It provides advanced durability, defends against wind-driven rain, and inhibits the growth of mildew on the surface of the coating. [www.sherwinwilliams.com]

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deck specialist Magazine

The industry s leading decking & outdoor living publication! ake sure all of your key staff receive this leading information resource!

www.deck-specialist.com

Industry s eading News & Information website.

edeck specialist

The industry s most read and trusted publication now at your fingertips anywhere!

deck specialist eWeekly Newsletter courtesy of the sansin corporation

A lot happens in our industry! Get the hottest news delivered to your inbox every week!

Bring Your Team On Board!

Deck-Specialist.com or Fall 2019 | info@526mediagroup.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS Decking Manufacturers Bring on New Distributors

Several decking manufacturers have welcomed new distributors, increasing the availability of their products and services.

AZEK/TimberTech has enlisted Great Southern Wood Preserving to carry its decking at its Rocky Mount, VA., and Hagerstown, MD., distribution centers, increasing its total representation to 12 Great Southern locations.

Fiberon decking has been picked up by Weekes Forest Products, distributing the lines throughout the upper Midwest from its DCs in St. Paul, MN.; Green Bay and Jackson, WI.; Fargo, N.D.; and Riverdale, IL. Cascade Capital Lumber, Tacoma, WA., will distribute MOSO’s compressed bamboo product line throughout Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.

MoistureShield composite decking is now being distributed throughout New England by Cardinal Building Products, Leola, PA., and by the four distribution branches of Mid-State Lumber Corp., Branchburg, N.J.

Tuscany

MoistureShield will also have BlueLinx distribute its full decking line from its Atlanta, GA., and Chicago, IL., distribution centers.

Seven D Wholesale will be distributing MoistureShield decking from its Newmanstown, PA., regional distribution center throughout central Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

As well, Wurth Wood Group’s six branches in Alabama and Tennessee are now distributing Vista Railing Systems’ exterior railings.

CAMO Clips Okayed by Deckorators

Deckorators has approved CAMO’s EdgeClip and EdgeXClip fasteners for use with its grooved deck boards.

CAMO Edge Screws are also on Deckorators’ compatible fastener list, having previously been approved for use with its square profile boards.

Archadeck Plants New Location in North Atlanta

Archadeck Outdoor Living has a new location, Archadeck of Alpharetta, GA., that, starting this month, will offer outdoor living space design and building services to neighboring counties.

Owners Mark and Cinda Salazar plan to custom design and build outdoor living spaces for clients, including decks, hardscapes, patios, pergolas, porches, outdoor kitchens, and more.

System Pavers Heads for Texas

After 25+ years of serving California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, Santa Ana, CA.-based System Pavers has expanded to Texas.

The new Dallas location offers paving stones, artificial turf, outdoor kitchens, water and fire features, pergolas and lighting, plus consultation services, design and installation.

Deckorators 2020 Summit to Tampa

• Classic Design • Square and Round Baluster Options • Radius Sections Available

westburyrailing.com 800-446-7659 58

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Tampa, FL., will be the site of the third annual Deckorators Pro Summit. The all-inclusive trip for the top 10 point-earning members of the Deckorators Certified Pro program will take place Feb. 25-28, 2020, at Tampa Marriott Westshore.

Deckorators Certified Pros accumulate reward points by making qualified purchases between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, 2019. Those who earn the top 10 spots will enjoy a three-day, three-night trip to Tampa, including lodging, airfare and meals. The trip comprises half leisure time, half education.

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DATE PLANNER

International Pool & Spa Expo

Myrtle Beach Home Improvement Show When: September 20-22 Where: Myrtle Beach, S.C. What: Horry Georgetown Home Builders Association’s 7th annual home improvement and outdoor living event, featuring seminars, workshops and exhibits.

More info: fallshow.myrtlebeachhomebuilders.com

When: November 5-7 Where: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA. What: North America’s largest industry event covering all segments of pool, spa and outdoor living, with seminars, networking and over 525 vendors.

More info: poolspapatio.com

DeckExpo & Remodeling Show

When: October 5-6 Where: Colorado Springs Event Center, Colorado Springs, CO. What: 150 booths of lawn and garden and sustainable living products focusing on decking, siding, sunroom additions, and more.

More info: rjpromotions.com

When: November 6-8 Where: Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY. What: DeckExpo and the Remodeling Show bring together residential building professionals to network, learn and experience trending products.

A large percentage of the exhibits and educational opportunities are specifically geared toward outdoor living construction professionals.

More info: remodelingdeck.com

Building Industry Show

NADRA 10th Annual Awards Dinner

When: October 23-24 Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, CA. What: The annual Building Industry Show is designed for building industry professionals to promote relationships and discuss innovation with a vibrant community of builders, associates and suppliers.

More info: buildingindustryshow.com

When: November 7 Where: Copper & Kings, Louisville, KY. What: The North American Deck and Railing Association recognizes outstanding projects in decking and outdoor living. The association awards builders and contractors at a prestigious industry awards presentation.

Southern Colorado Sustainability & Outdoor Living Expo

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AD INDEX

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MOSO North America www.moso.eu

Page 11

Armadillo Deck www.armadillodeck.com

Cover II, 3

National Nail www.camofasteners.com

31

Atlantis Rail Systems www.atlantisrail.com

26

OHC www.ohc.net

11, 55

Avon Plastics www.armadillodeck.com

19

Pacific Woodtech www.pacificwoodtech.com

57

Deck-Specialist.com www.deck-specialist.com

15

Permapost Products Co. www.klear-gard25.com

Klear Gard | 25™ With Tru-Core® Technology is a revolutionary new pressure treating product that performs a unique physical-chemical process to rapidly and deeply penetrate difficult to treat wood species. No longer is the wood surrounded by a ring of treatment, Klear Gard | 25™ With Tru-Core® Technology fully permeates and protects, all while maintaining the wood’s natural appearance. Unlike other wood preservatives, Klear Gard 25™ can be specified to treat

Traditional pressure treatment process leaves a majority of the interior of the wood unprotected.

difficult to penetrate wood species including Douglas Fir, Redwood,

60

Deck & Rail Institute www.deckandrailinstitute.com

Cedar, and White Oak.

41

Lumber products treated with the Klear Gard | 25™ preservative system provides protection for above ground, exterior and interior

Klear Gard | 25™ retains the wood’s natural appearance, while providing full interior and exterior protection.

applications, under conditions when wood can be attacked by wooddegrading fungi and subterranean termites (including Formosan termites). It provides excellent durability for products like railings, steps, decks, exposed beams, and glulams. This unequaled treatment

Klear Gard | 25™ penetration sample: A red dye has been added to prove how much of the wood has been protected.

product is metal free and contains no more VOCs than the wood product itself.

59

DeckExpo www.remodelingdeck.com

ProWood www.prowoodlumber.com

25

RailFX www.railfx.net

Deck2Wall

51

Regal Ideas www.regalideas.com

Deckorators www.deckorators.com

23

Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com

DeckWise www.deckwise.com

52

Sure Drive USA www.suredrive.com

REGISTRATION Digger OPENSSpecialties IN JULY www.remodelingdeck.com www.diggerspecialties.com

56

3G Industries www.invis-a-rail.com

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Feeney, Inc. www.feeneyinc.com

54

Tiger Deck www.tigerdeck.com

7

Great Southern Wood Preserving www.yellawood.com

10

Titan Metal Werks wwwsplitstopcom

53

Humboldt Redwood www.getredwood.com

9

Trex Co. www.trex.com

Cover IV

Kebony kebony.us

55

TurboClip www.turboclipusa.com

43

Lonza Wood Protection www.lonza.com

Cover III

Viance www.treatedwood.com

39

MFM Building Products Corp. www.mfmbp.com

35

Wild Hog Railing www.wildhograiling.com

CONNECT. LEARN.

10

Contact us to learn more.

Phone: 503.648.4156 | Toll Free: 800.828.0222 | Fax: 503.648.6383 | info@permapost.com | www.klear-gard25.com

ELEVATE YOUR www.deck2wallspacer.com CRAFT.

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• Connect with thousands of industry participants, experts and influencers • Experience new cutting edge products & services from hundreds of building product manufacturers • Hands-on training through LIVE Building and Business Clinics • In-depth conference program with 50+ education sessions from 7 new seminar tracks • New! Financial and Leadership Boot Camps

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• Enjoy fun networking events and meetups

LOUISVILLE

EXHIBIT HALL: NOVEMBER 7-8 CONFERENCE: NOVEMBER 6-8

58

KENTUCKY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Deck Building Solutions • 866-767-1850 • www.suredrive.com • sales@suredrive.com

Welcome Aboard!

Deck Specialist is delighted to introduce to our readers two first-time advertisers: Pacific Woodtech is introducing the world’s first manufacturer-treated laminated veneer lumber, offering protection against fungal rot, decay and insects, with a 25-year guarantee and life expectancy of 50 years.

Permapost Products Co.’s Klear Gard | 25 with Tru-Core Technology is a revolutionary new pressure treating product that performs a unique physicalchemical process to rapidly and deeply penetrate difficult-totreat wood species. No longer is the wood surrounded by a ring of treatment, Klear Gard | 25 fully permeates and protects, all while maintaining the wood’s natural appearance.

Klear Gard | 25™ With Tru-Core® Technology is a revolutionary new pressure treating product that performs a unique physical-chemical

process to rapidly and deeply penetrate difficult to treat wood species. No longer is the wood surrounded by a ring of treatment, Klear Gard | 25™ With Tru-Core® Technology fully permeates and protects, all while maintaining the wood’s natural appearance. Unlike

other wood preservatives, Klear Gard 25™ can be specified to treat

difficult to penetrate wood species including Douglas Fir, Redwood, Cedar, and White Oak.

Traditional pressure treatment process leaves a majority of the interior of the wood unprotected.

Lumber products treated with the Klear Gard | 25™ preservative system provides protection for above ground, exterior and interior applications, under conditions when wood can be attacked by wood-

degrading fungi and subterranean termites (including Formosan

Klear Gard | 25™ retains the wood’s natural appearance, while providing full interior and exterior protection.

termites). It provides excellent durability for products like railings,

steps, decks, exposed beams, and glulams. This unequaled treatment product is metal free and contains no more VOCs than the wood

Klear Gard | 25™ penetration sample: A red dye has been added to prove how much of the wood has been protected.

When you’re in need of such products and services, please give them a look. product itself.

Contact us to learn more.

Phone: 503.648.4156 | Toll Free: 800.828.0222 | Fax: 503.648.6383 | info@permapost.com | www.klear-gard25.com

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IDEA BOOK

high screen Some rooftop decks are designed to maximize the view; others to minimize it, preferring privacy, such as a recent install

by Unique Deck Builders in Highland Park, IL. The homeowners wanted a 20-footby-30-foot custom ipe deck built on top of their garage. But they also desired seclusion and a wind break, without shutting out daylight. They went with pre-assembled 4x6 and 4x8 western red cedar panel screens on three sides of the garage.

Woodway Products’ Moderna Panel Screens were selected due to their visual appeal, with prominent directional lines, and durable construction. The preassembled panels cut installation time, and their high-quality construction has eliminated call-backs.

The biggest challenge, in fact, wasn’t really part of the deck at all—but reinforcing the roof. The garage’s roof framing had to be rebuilt and a steel support beam installed.

ABOVE: Other features included an ipe bar, cedar arbor, and custom lighting.

AT LEFT: Made from clear kiln-dried western red cedar, Moderna Panel Screens were durably pre-assembled with stainless fasteners and double-fastened (glued and stapled) at every intersection, to provide a 20-year warranty. They are 8-ft.-high, with 4x4 cedar posts framed with cedar 2x4s.

Submit photos of your latest and greatest project to ideabook@ building-products.com

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DECK

SPECIALIST 151 Kalmus Dr. Ste. E200 Costa Mesa, CA 92626-5959

Change Service Requested