Deck Specialist - Winter 2020

Digital Edition Sponsored TINY by DECKS FOR TINY HOMES

• ALTERNATIVE DECKING HAS ITS DAY • CONTRACTOR Q&A

DECK

Winter 2020

SPECIALIST Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals

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DECK

SPECIALIST

Ideas & Strategies for Outdoor Living Professionals FEATURE STORIES

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Contractor Q&A An interview with Infinite Decks

Alternative Decking Alternative decking and railing have their day

WHAT’S HOT

18 27 33

Micro Outdoor Spaces Tiny homes are increasing in popularity and so are tiny decks

Insta-Decking Social media is impacting the industry

Top Tools of 2020 This year’s best of the best in tools

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

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DeckStars Regal ideas is connecting contractors

14 ON THE COVER: Mark King, president and founder of Minnesotabased Infinite Decks, talks about the labor shortage, his approach to serving customers, and building a solid, trustworthy team.

ALSO INSIDE 8 Editor’s Note 10 42 45 48 52 54 56 61 62

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Industry News Parks & Deck Creation with Bobby Parks Set the Standard with Brendan Casey Product Review with Marv Johnson On the House with the Carey Bros.

Bottom Line with David Elenbaum New Products Ad Index

Idea Book

ADVENTURE AWAITS

EXOTIC. Pathway

Ridgeline

Canyon

Introducing Trailhead Decking NEW Entry-level decking Durable cap through the groove

Meet Vista Decking.

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Deckorators.com/Vista

Compatible with Deckorators Pro Plug® Fasteners 25-Year Removal and Replacement Warranty Learn more at

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Deckorators.com/Trailhead

Ironwood

Sandalwood

DECK SPECIALIST

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Winter 2020 • Volume 4 • Number 4

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EDITOR’S NOTE

The Bright Side I experienced my first digital DeckExpo last month and I have to say it was a stark reminder of the current state our country—and the world—is currently in. As I made my way towards each “booth,” it seemed as though everyone had the same feeling about this new, and hopefully temporary transition.

But what I also took away from the experience is something I’ve found pretty fascinating, and that’s the humanization of it all. There’s something about seeing a highprofile CEO/president run a team meeting, but also be a parent. We know they have lives outside of their profession, but now we’re actually seeing it.

There’s something about having a raw conversation with a client about how much you miss seeing each other and how some of us may have taken “the good old days” for granted. If you really think about it, you could argue that the pandemic has brought us all closer, but perhaps in a different way.

I had the pleasure of “meeting” with Mike Beaudry at NADRA’s virtual booth. He agreed that if there’s one thing he’s come to enjoy, it’s seeing colleagues in a new light.

There has been a lot of talk about the pandemic and new solutions. In this issue, you’ll read all about how deck contractors are utilizing social media to stay connected and different ways the pandemic has affected them and their businesses.

Something I’ve truly come to be thankful for is our amazing team of columnists, who each

have their own voices and their own messages to share with the industry. I’m excited to announce a new columnist to our Deck Specialist family— Bobby Parks!

I’ve greatly enjoyed meeting up with Bobby at past shows, and I’m beyond thrilled to have his expertise in our publication. Bobby is a wealth of knowledge to the industry. Be sure to check out his column on page 42!

With regulations constantly changing, it’s hard to say what the new normal looks like.

But what I’ve come to learn is that every situation has a bright side. For me, it’s seeing the industry do everything they can to stay connected, and in that, we’re learning new things about each other, things we may not have learned otherwise. And if that’s not enough of a bright side, at least we’ll all be experts in Zoom when this is all over. Here’s to hoping that we can all find the bright side during this time of uncertainty.

Stephanie Ornelas is managing editor of Deck Specialist. Reach her at sornelas@526mediagroup.com

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FIFTY YEARS OF

FIVE-STAR BACKYARDS. CELEBRATING OUR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. As we celebrate our milestone anniversary year, we’re grateful to all our loyal building professionals and express our most sincere thanks.

IF IT DOESN’T HAVE THIS YELLA TAG, YOU DON’T WANT IT.

YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/ warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks their respective|owners and are used with their permission.

Springof 2017 Deck Specialist |

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INDUSTRY NEWS Green Bay Adds Marina Division

Green Bay Decking, Green Bay, WI., has launched a new National Dock & Marina Division to service the growing demand for composite decking in dock-related applications.

The new division will provide a direct channel through which dock and marina suppliers and installers can connect with Green Bay Decking, providing product, sales and installation information to downstream partners.

Trex and Albertsons Team up with Recycling Program

Trex and Albertsons are teaming up to keep plastic out of landfills.

Albertsons has collected more than 54,000 pounds of bulk medication dispensing bottles, the contents of which are used to fill individual prescriptions. Trex then recycles the plastic bottles to produce its industry-leading woodalternative, environmentally friendly composite decking. The new effort expands upon a decadeslong partnership in which Albertsons has contributed more than 200 million lbs. of recycled plastic film—the equivalent of more than 5,000 truckloads—to the NexTrex plastic film recycling program for retailers and consumers.

TREX has partnered with Albertsons’ nearly 1,700 pharmacies to collect over 54,000 lbs. of medication bottles to recycle into composite decking.

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The Trex medication bottle recycling program launched at ACME pharmacies along the East Coast, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions pharmacies in Southern California, and Albertsons and Safeway pharmacies in Oregon and Southern Washington. Jewel-Osco pharmacies in the Chicago area also participate in medication bottle recycling.

“NexTrex is an integral component to Trex’s sourcing efforts and Albertsons is one of our original and most dedicated retail partners,” said Dave Heglas, senior director, supply chain excellence for Trex. “They aren’t content with simply participating. Rather, they advance their commitment and find new ways to make a difference.”

Brands Sign with New Distributors

Coinciding with the free-agent periods for professional baseball and basketball, several top manufacturers of decking and railing have opted to move to or add new regional distributors.

Vista Railing Systems is now having its product line distributed by Snavely Forest Products, Liberty, N.C., to dealers in the Carolinas and parts of Georgia and Virginia.

Vista’s railings have also been picked up by Wholesale Millwork’s branches in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

BlueLinx has expanded distribution of MoistureShield decking to its branches in Sparta, Wausau and Madison, WI.; Grand Rapids, MI.; Monroe, LA.; Frederick, MD.; Kansas City and St. Louis, MO.; Omaha, NE.; and Nashville, TN. Russin Lumber, Montgomery, N.Y., is expanding its partnership with Deckorators, adding the new Trailhead composite decking line, as well as additional sales staff to service the Northeast and mid-Atlantic markets.

Wolf Home Products, York, PA., which has been distributing Fiberon decking and railing in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Carolinas since 2018, has expanded its distribution into Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and upstate New York.

Wolf will also start carrying Fiberon’s Promenade premium PVC line.

Northeast Marketing Associates, LLC, Groton, CT., is now repping Patwin Plastics’ line of American Pro Building Products—including PVC mouldings, decking, fascia and porch board—in the six New England states.

Sherwood Lumber, Melville, N.Y., is now a Premier distributor of Regal ideas’ railing systems in the Northeast.

Regal Ideas

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INDUSTRY NEWS Podcast Previews Deckorators’ Newest Products

Without a live trade show to springboard from, composite deck and railing manufacturer Deckorators pivoted to social media to launch its latest batch of new products.

Deckorators partnered to create an exclusive Instagram Live episode of the “Ultimate Deck Podcast”—the 100th installment of the popular show. During the show, hosts Shane Chapman, Wade Laurent and Bryce Wolaniuk reviewed the new decking and railing products with Deckorators senior marketing manager Jase DeBoer, while also interacting with dealer and contractor viewers on Instagram Live.

Among the introductions, set to hit the market in early January, are Trailhead entry-level composite decking, new Vista decking color options, new Voyage decking sizes, new railing accessories, and expanded warranty coverage for the mineral-based composite (MBC) decking family of Voyage, Vault and Frontier decking, picture frame boards, and porch flooring.

For those who missed the live event, a video of the Deckorators 2021 Product Launch Party Extravaganza can be viewed on YouTube.

IBS Transitions to Virtual Event

After months of preparing for the 2021 International Builders’ Show to be held in Orlando, NAHB made the decision to transition the in-person show to a virtual event for Feb. 9-12. This decision was the result of countless hours of research, meetings with NAHB member leadership, talking with exhibitors and surveying attendees.

“Ultimately, the health and safety of International Builders Show attendees and exhibitors, as well as the ability to produce a signature event experience, outweighed all other considerations,” NAHB show officials said.

Information and updates on the virtual event can be found at online at www.buildershow.com.

Barrette Outdoor Living Gets Investment from TorQuest

TorQuest Partners and Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec have made a majority investment in Barrette Outdoor Living Inc., a Canadian-based manufacturer of woodalternative fence and railing products.

TorQuest and CDPQ are partnering in this transaction with BOL’s owner, Les Entreprises Barrette Ltée., who will retain a significant share in the company, and BOL’s management team.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AZEK Launches PVC Recycling Program for Contractors

“ULTIMATE DECK PODCAST” hosts invited the Deckorators team to present a sneak peek of its new products on the show’s 100th episode.

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AZEK has launched a new PVC recycling program for dealers and contractors.

The company’s Full-Circle PVC Recycling Program will work directly with dealers, contractors and mill shops to collect, return and recycle scrap PVC to divert the material from landfills.

The Full-Circle program will divert materials that would otherwise be disposed at landfills, while reducing contractors’ overhead disposal costs. The program is made possible in part by AZEK’s vertically integrated recycling center, Return Polymers, combined with its product technology and network of distributors, dealers and direct customer mill shops. The program complements its existing integrated polyethylene (PE) recycling initiative used in the TimberTech Pro and TimberTech Edge decking lines.

As of now, the company reports that it’s on track to collect more than 2.5 million lbs of

RECYCLER Return Polymers, acquired by AZEK in February, collects PVC, grinds it, characterizes the material in a lab and turns the material into a mechanical blend that OEMs can use for decking.

PVC scrap this year from direct customers and construction sites. AZEK’s Return Polymers sorts and processes the PVC and supplies clean recycled material back to the company’s manufacturing plants for reuse across multiple product lines.

In February, AZEK acquired Ohio-based Return Polymers to help the company’s supply chain. The recycler collects PVC, grinds it, characterizes the material in a lab and turns the material into a mechanical blend that OEMs can use for decking and other products.

scheme. According to reports, Elizondo issued reimbursement checks in recent weeks that his bank then refused to cash.

Rachel Rosas is one of 12 people who provided records in recent months showing they hired Elizondo without knowing his criminal history and paid him for fencing, deck and lawn care work that was either never completed or never started.

Elizondo, if arrested, would face an elevated felony charge in that case and any other theft case because of his prior convictions.

In Huntsville, Al., handyman, Johnny Ray Jordan was arrested Oct. 15 after being accused of posing as a fake lumber company and stealing thousands from residents. Per his rap sheet, Jordan has racked up years of theft charges, deception charges, and citations.

Unfortunately, Jordan has also picked up a new name and a new a trade—building decks under the business name Huntsville Deck Builders. When a business owner with a similar name was getting contacted for Jordan’s crime, he contacted police immediately. Jordan is currently being held at the Limestone County Jail in Athens, AL.

Simpson Strong-Tie Moves Minnesota Warehouse

Simpson Strong-Tie has relocated its warehouse facility in Eagan, MN., to a bigger facility in Inver Grove Heights, MN. The company has invested in the move as a commitment to future growth and to better serve its customers with faster product delivery and Will Call access. The new location provides more dock and office space, a larger training center, more efficient order picking and enhanced warehouse safety.

Scammers Pose as Deck Builders

Disreputable contractors posing as deck builders are suspected of swindling homeowners out of big money in Alabama and Texas.

In San Antonio, TX., Carlos Elizondo is being accused by multiple local residents of carrying out a fencing, deck and lawn care Winter 2020

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PRO Q&A

Infinite Possibilities Minnesota deck builder Mark King talks about building in the new normal, having a trustworthy team, and rising to the challenges facing the industry.

Infinite Decks

Service Area: Minnesota Specialty: Curved decking, speciality decking Founder/President: Mark King Year Founded: 2013 Website: Infinitedecks.com Instagram: @InfiniteDecks Facebook: Facebook.com/InfiniteDecks Video Profile: Interview with Infinite Decks Founder, Mark King - Youtube.com

Photos by Infinite Decks

Mark King, founder and president of Minnesota-based Infinite Decks, always knew he was going to be a deck builder. But what he really wanted was to run his own show.

Having worked under several professionals throughout his career, he knew he had what it took to build his own operation. That business would soon be called Infinite Decks, the award-winning, nationally-recognized brand.

Q. How did you get into building decks?

A. Back in high school, I wasn’t much of a class kind of guy. I was involved in my school’s work program and got credit. I also did jobs like brick laying and working with concrete and siding. I remember I got an assignment to write a letter to my future self about where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted a nice truck and my own business with my own crew.

Once I started, I never gave it up. I love all aspects of deck building and I sort of always knew this was what I was going to do. You end up developing a lot of trades when you’re a deck builder.

After I graduated, I began working for a local decking/fence company and climbed the ladder.

Then I moved to working specifically on decks for a number of companies before I began thinking of starting my own operation.

Q. Can you tell us about the team at Infinite

Decks? Who are the members who lead your business?

FOUNDER and president of Infinite Decks looks to experienced builders like Bobby Parks for inspiration.

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A. We have a handful of really great guys.

And we just brought on a few more to help build another crew. My main guy Carter is a good guy and very talented. They work really hard and we’re all very close.

Over time I think we’ve built up a crew of solid carpenters we’ve trained, but it gets challenging because a lot of the best ones eventually move

on. It happened with one of the better guys I ever had. And he still does work for us. He knows what I like, and he knows I want quality-minded people. We only take on high-end custom deck builders.

Q. How would you describe your approach to serving customers?

A. From the beginning, it’s very clear that I’m passionate about this and that has really helped me. About two years ago, we got so busy that I started charging for consultations. As the years went by it just made more sense for us. We don’t always get the project, but at least my time is accounted for. And I never assume we have the project.

I go over everything with the client—what they should be looking for when searching for a contractor and how we separate ourselves from the rest. From there, an honest relationship is created. They can tell I have nothing to hide. If something’s more expensive, there’s a reason.

I go over with them how they want to use the space and what they expect, and I take those notes back to the office and create a 3D design estimate. My closing rate is really good—70 to 90% of people who meet with me. The way I see it is people who want to pay to meet with me are already invested in us.

KING performing heat manipulation at the 2019 International Builders Show in Las Vegas with Dr. Decks.

PRE-PANDEMIC, King would regularly speak and even “perform” curved decking demos at shows.

Q. What do you look for in products and companies you partner with?

A. Partnerships are so important. They are an extended part of your team. We use a lot of the same brands. We’ve been using TimberTech AZEK for so long and I’m really happy with them.

A huge thing for me is the relationship I have with local reps. Having people who stand behind their products and own up to their mistakes (though there are very few) really means a lot.

During the few times we’ve had issues, they have always backed us up.

Warranty is a big deal too. By law, a contractor has to warrant their project for ten years, so I want to use the best products available with an endless warranty. As builders and contractors, we need to feel good about everything we put out and that starts by partnering with people and companies you trust.

We partner with a lot of great companies from TimberTech, to FastenMaster and Simpson Strong-Tie. They treat us well and they’ve always been there for us.

We also have an awesome relationship with Winter 2020

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“CROP CIRCLES” was a NADRA Award winner, and one project that King was most proud of.

our lumberyard. They are a great family-owned operation and they’re growing. We know their whole team and they treat us like family. More importantly, loads are delivered swiftly and on time and they’re efficient. They get the job done and that is what’s most important.

Q. Are there any specific design trends you’ve

noticed that you’re trying to work into your current projects?

A. Curved decking is our specialty. We’re seeing that style more and more. People like the aesthetic design it brings. I’m always trying to bring more fire to my projects.

I’ve been trying to push more natural elements into my projects. Things like natural gas and torches are becoming extremely popular. Water elements, too—waterfalls and features that tie in well with landscaping.

nitely use other projects as inspiration. It’s nice to see the community grow. The more they grow, the more we grow.

Q. How has the labor shortage impacted your business?

A. It’s been tough. That’s probably one of the biggest challenges we’ve had to face and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Like I touched on earlier, when you DO come across great talent, it’s hard to keep them. So we have no choice but to find creative ways to recruit people.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration from

when it comes to building and design decks?

A. A lot of it comes from social media.

Instagram especially has become a cool new way for all of us to connect and share our projects.

I also get a lot of inspiration from fellow deck builders. Jason Russell aka “Dr. Decks,” Sean McAllister and Bobby Parks are all huge inspirations to me.

They have a lot of talent, like so many deck builders out there. I never like to copy, but I defi-

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BRANDING is a big deal for Infinite Decks, whose logo is simple, vibrant and easy to remember.

Having a solid brand and pasting your logo on anything and everything has always helped.

We have merchandise with a bright logo that’s really easy to recognize and that people remember. So, when times like this come around, where shows are being canceled and we’re forced to limit our personal connections, people will think of your brand first.

Q. What advice can you give to aspiring deck builders or builders just getting started?

KING has emphasized the importance of photography, which is why he’s been utilizing drones more when marketing his projects.

We partner with local high schools and community colleges and get kids out on the jobsite. The only way for them to discover their passion is to do the craft. When you see that finished project, it changes everything. It makes you want to keep going. That’s exactly how I got started.

Companies today need to think outside of the box when it comes to hiring. There are lots of talented builders out there. Some could even be working in a completely different industry right now, and maybe they just haven’t discovered their love for building yet. We just need to find them.

A. Start working under other deck companies.

Try them out. Get first-hand experience. I worked for a handful of companies in the beginning and had both good and bad experiences. By doing that, I found what I like and don’t like about the way other people do things.

That’s really helped me shape my own business. I would also say reach out to a lot of landscapers. For some reason, a landscaper can sell a deck for more than a deck builder. I’ve always found that really fascinating.

Most of all, envision what you want to do and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If you’re your own operation, develop a brand that will stick in people’s minds, something that’s easy to remember but reflects your vision and values.

Network with people locally and nationally. Reach out to high end homebuilders. More importantly, don’t let fear motivate you, because it’s never too late to make a name for yourself.

Q. What project are you most proud of?

A. I would have to say Crop Circles, which won a NADRA Award last year, is my favorite project.

It was the first residential deck to have a multiwidth perimeter and the first deck to bend the 8” board. I’m really proud of that project.

Q. With recent show cancellations, how are you marketing your business during the pandemic?

A. Social media is a big one. I constantly share photos and videos of my projects and my crew.

PERHAPS THE ONE thing that King is most proud of is his crew, something he’s been wanting since the beginning.

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AZEK was featured on FYI’s hit Tiny House Nation for its Arbor Collection in Brazilian Walnut.

Living Big in Small Spaces

By Stephanie Ornelas

Tiny homes are increasing in popularity and so are tiny decks. Anything smaller than 400 square feet is considered a tiny home. Just a few years ago, we saw what many refer to as a tiny home movement, but what does the outdoor living experience look like?

AZEK Building Products has been featured on FYI’s hit series Tiny House Nation more than once. The show follows renovation experts and hosts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin as they travel across the country to show off ingenious small spaces and the inventive people who live in them.

In an episode titled “400-sq. ft. Amplified Tiny House,” American violinist and travel presenter Asha Mevlana incorporated AZEK Deck’s Arbor Collection in Brazilian Walnut on her Fayetteville, AR., home. The install also used the company’s ConceaL fastening system. The design 18

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not only helped extend Asha’s outdoor living space, it also showcased the beauty and flexibility of the product, no matter the size.

“Our decking perfectly complements the tiny house trend because our premium product’s benefits nicely align with the values of tiny house owners,” said Julia Fitzgerald, AZEK Building Products’ CMO. “Instead of spending time staining and sealing a wooden deck, tiny house owners can spend time simply enjoying life, which is why they have a tiny house in the first place.”

The brand’s products are ideal for the construction—and maintenance—of tiny houses in all climates since AZEK decking is designed to stand up to harsh conditions and the highperformance material is proven to resist mold, mildew and moisture damage in addition to resisting stains, scratches and fading.

“After being featured on Tiny House Nation last season and seeing our products used in 84 Lumber’s tiny house collection, we understand that this trend is only going to gain popularity over the next few years,” said Fitzgerald.

“Because of our commitment to innovation and investment in material science, we know that AZEK’s premium products will continue to be used in the building of these homes. Our products are proven to stand the test of time, no matter the home they complement.”

A 224-sq. ft. tiny house trailer in Seattle, WA., has a versatile, eye-catching outdoor living space that resembles a regular-sized house, thanks to a few decisions owners Shelley and Joshua made before starting, and with the help of the crew of Tiny House Nation.

The deck was built with movable capability and comes with six main sections to make it truly portable. The homeowners eventually decided on pressure treated lumber as a base and Trex Gravel Path board for a finish.

A common challenge among most microhomeowners is having to deal with changing weather conditions. A Fire Sense XL-Series

WASHINGTON STATE mini-deck features an outdoor bar designed to fold down during transit.

Mocha-Wicker patio heater was installed on this deck, as it tends to get windy.

Finally, the homeowners wanted to find the perfect way to connect the indoors and outdoors, so they had an outdoor mini bar installed, which accommodates up eight people. The small bar was designed to be folded down during transit, and the accordion window opens up the house, giving it a spacious feel.

The owner of this home ended up selling this project with both decks and stairs included.

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When micro-homebuilder Jenna Spesard, also known as the “Tiny House Girl,” wanted to build a porch for her tiny house, one major challenge she faced was leveling the ground. Much like the Washington deck, Spesard had to deal with inclement weather conditions that set her back.

“There was a lot of rain and I was not expecting it to take as long as it did. The hardest part was making sure the ground was level so that we could start the build-off right.”

Spesard originally imagined a covered deck that was separate from the house itself. Since she stopped traveling with her tiny home back in 2015, she thought it would be easy.

“Unfortunately, the places where I have parked in the past years have never allowed me to have an outdoor garden or a covered porch. So, I had pretty much accepted that my yard would never be anything more than a fire pit and a picnic table,” things to consider when opting for the tiny lifestyle, she explained. But it all changed last year when Spesard found a new parking spot on a wooded farm on Whidbey Island, WA. Still, she had to work with the farm owners

A COMMON challenge when building a deck for a tiny house is the fact that you may have to work with the owners of the property you park on.

throughout the build to make sure they approved of the structure. “I mentioned I wanted to build a covered deck, and they were 100% on board.

I was so excited that they agreed, I wasted no time.” Spesard began building in December of last year and just a few weeks later had a

AFTER CONSULTING with professionals and other builders, Spesard ultimately decided to build her porch with hardware from Simpson Strong-Tie.

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finished porch equipped with Simpson Strong-Tie hardware.

While many will argue that the idea of constant travel and mobility means that a permanent outdoor living space isn’t necessary for “tiny living,” micro-homeowners still want a deck, even if it’s a quarter (sometimes much less) of the size. And builders are finding that certain products are more suitable than others when it comes to catering to these small spaces.

“Cable rail is the way to go.

You already have a small space, and you don’t want to make that space look even smaller by enclosing it,” said contractor Devin McCloud.

“If someone’s living in a tiny house, more than likely it’s because they want to see the world. They want views. For them, it’s so much more than just a house. It’s a way of life.”

BUILDERS will argue that cable rail is the best for tiny decks, as they lead to unobstructed views.

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Alternative Decking & Railing Have Their Day

By Toby Bostwick Photos by Fortress Building Products

Outdoor living is

booming. Trends in this space have grown more pronounced, as people are spending more time at home and looking at structures like decks with fresh eyes. Instead of getting away for a weekend, they’re seeking to create relaxing retreats in their own backyards that they can enjoy year-round.

Your lumberyard and big box store suppliers have already been capitalizing on this opportunity, and products built for the outside continue to fly off shelves.

While beneficial for many dealers, the sky-high demand for products like decking has also contributed to a diminishing lumber supply. We’re seeing the current shortages driving decking trends on a macro level. As projects have halted and material purchasing needs have changed, many are reevaluating their stocking options, bearing decking price point, personalization and framing trends in mind.

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Greater Demand for Alternative Decking at Lower and Higher Price Points

In 2018/2019, there was a shift towards the lower-end alternative decking category. Now, with today’s shortages coupled with the pent up demand resulting from staying at home, homeowners and DIYers have become increasingly interested in readily available and cost-effective alternative materials.

Checking both boxes, easily obtainable traditional composite deck boards are less expensive, while affording strength, usability and beauty. What’s more, the price

ABOVE: Alternative materials continue to take a larger share of the decking and railing markets. Shown here: Fortress’ Apex PVC decking with FortressCable V-Series cable railing.

gap between composite and wood has narrowed significantly, making it an easier conversion for the channel.

As for alternative mid-range products, these will always have a play. After all, for the person participating at a low-end price point, there’s an opportunity to upsell to the middle ground.

We’ve also seen a migration to higher-end decking offerings. For example, as lead times have extended due to material scarcity, more customers are considering readily available options like capped PVC decking. With this material, you get a true, natural look delivering weatherability, slip-resistance and UV protection. Contractors who can’t get enough treated products can upsell these options instead as the price gap between composites and lumber continues to close.

Growing Interest in Personalized Decking

Along with availability, interest in higher-end alternative decking is climbing thanks to people’s design-oriented mindset. While functionality was the main driver of sales in the past, today’s customers are also seeking great looking, fully customizable products. And with everyone spending more time closer to home, it follows that many want to differentiate their outdoor areas more than ever before. Decks are now considered to be real living spaces, and they present another opportunity for homeowners to reflect their own individual styles and preferences.

While the interior look transitioning to the outside is a continual trend, high-design concepts that used to be less commonplace are now inching Winter 2020

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Contractors are finally giving a look at alternatives to treated wood for their deck framing, including Evolution Steel Deck Framing.

towards the norm. These elements can help turn the deck into a piece of artwork that tells a story, and can include: • Intermixed board widths (such as 3”, 5”, 7”) • Variegation • Embossing • Varied colors (such as dark boards mixed in with light) • Bending, curving • Inlays • Picture framing There are a lot of craftsmen currently creating statement decks incorporating these aesthetic components versus the standard straight-edge approach, and this is driving higher demand at a higher price point. They can rest assured knowing that they can still meet customer customization needs with versatile composite and PVC decking, while sidestepping project delays as the future of the lumber supply remains uncertain.

Shifting Mentalities on Steel Deck Framing

Like their deck board counterparts, alternative framing solutions have similarly gained traction. Ahead of the wood scarcity challenge, there was a mentality shift within the category.

With composite and PVC deck boards lasting 25 to 30 years, more people started to think about where their boards were resting. Contractors also tired of getting callbacks when traditional frames popped up, twisted, rotted or dried. Against this backdrop, steel deck framing’s price point started to make sense, especially as more homeowners viewed buying a larger purchase like a deck akin

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to buying a car or buying a house. As a result, the framing material experienced a pick-up in the residential market.

While we were already seeing growing demand for light-gauge steel, the lumber shortage really changed the game with built-up demand on projects. It brought awareness to the fact that builders don’t have to stop their projects even without access to wood. People know they have to keep running their businesses, and many are seizing the moment to educate themselves and their customers about the merits of steel. Homeowners are seeing just how beautiful the framing material can be, and contractors are less intimidated as they find that steel installs similar to the way they’re used to, with posts and joists.

Contractors are also taking this opportunity to promote an entire deck package as a value add, making the case for a more unified exterior and a smoother build. More attention is being paid to total systems, to ensure a long-lasting outdoor living space from top to bottom.

The current moment has encouraged many to try something new. As availability surpasses brand loyalty in importance, the playing field has leveled for alternative building products.

Toby Bostwick is vice president of product & brand at Fortress Building Products (www.fortressbp.com).

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MAKE YOUR DECK A DESTINATION WITH PAKARI. Sunset

Pakari Thermally Modified Decking is the innovative choice for your next decking project. Pakari TMD begins its life as clear moulding grade Radiata Pine; each piece is sourced exclusively from FSC certified tree plantations.

Then, with the help of a cutting edge Thermal Modification technology, our raw lumber is brought to extremely high temperatures - improving the wood on a molecular level. The result is a product that is more durable, straighter and lighter than unmodified wood.

Better still, it is all natural and chemical free.

Âť Learn more about Pakari at westernwoodsinc.com.

Pakari TMD is a Wildlands Urban Interface Certified Product. Get this great product and more exclusively at Western Woods.

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Call (800) 822-8157 Click westernwoodsinc.com I Like + follow Deck Specialist | IWinter 2020

Left: BROLAWS use social media to market all their appearances. Right: Dr. Decks has been utilizing social media since the beginning, and now boasts over 100,000 followers on Instagram.

Insta-Decking

How social media is impacting the world of decking With the Pandemic lingering and

events being cancelled through the middle of next year, builders are finding that social media has been the one thing keeping them connected.

But even before the pandemic, social apps like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook have been growing in popularity.

“I would say without a doubt social media is important to the industry. It helps connect contractors, to manufacturers, to DIY people.

It’s not only a great way to connect, but most importantly to teach,” said custom deck builder Nazih Kuehnle. Kuehnle regularly posts demonstration videos of his projects.

“As far as connecting, it’s great. Thanks to social media, I’ve met so many people from around the country/world with different construction backgrounds that all can appreciate quality craftsmanship. And the same applies to me. I’ve found so many accounts that I can

appreciate and learn from. Social media has also helped me take much more pride in my work because it’s helped me realize that I’m not the only one who thinks decking is cool. There’s a whole world out there that does,” he added.

The rise of social media has also helped bring those who weren’t as familiar up to speed on virtual interpersonal communication.

“I was a dinosaur when it came to social media.

Had zero interest,” said Brendan Casey of Casey Fence & Deck. “But now that we have become involved, it’s helped us immensely. I believe social media has provided a superhighway for today’s tech savvy consumer to connect, research, find us, ask questions, and initiate contact in ways we never dreamed.”

Casey went on to explain that social media has given clients more immediate access and has validated the value of proposals. “Take that a step farther, most homeowners associations now Winter 2020

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have their own private access forms of social media. A contractor’s reputation (good or bad) can spread through one of those like wildfire.”

Social media is becoming more useful for marketing as time goes on, but according to Bobby Parks, founder of BP Consulting, it doesn’t take the place of having an optimized website that shows up in local searches that displays your work and messaging.

“In my view, social media is an enhancement tool and pathway to your website, but I also think it serves more as an expanded internet presence and provides secondary branding,” said Parks. “It’s the website that provides you a set up that you have full control of that communicates with local prospects.”

Still, even Parks agrees that the social media options at our fingertips such as Instagram, FB and LinkedIn, provide opportunities to communicate, share ideas, and inspire each other in a way that was not possible before they existed. “Many businesses such as millwork, subcontractors, and other trades can be connected with builders and remodelers as FB and IG serve as a networking portal. It’s an advertising platform within the building community,” he said. “The learning curve for many is shortened because of the technical assistance that exists due to comfort levels shared between contractors who are more open about discussing approaches and techniques with those considered to be outside their markets and not in direct competition.”

Perhaps the most successful social media journey has been that of Jason Russell, aka Dr. Decks, who boasts over 100,000 organic followers on Instagram and thousands on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Dr. Decks was one of the first builders to push the social media movement and features demo videos and updates daily. He’s even developed a fan base, with followers coming to see him at expos.

“Despite many who thought my early adoption of social media was a complete waste of time, I’ve realized that I’m glad I continue to pursue world domination of outdoor living through my Instagram and YouTube channels as it has provided me with more opportunities than I could have ever realized including selling some of my greatest work,” said Russell. “I’m planning my retirement from revenue generated from social media and related endeavors. It is a crucial part of my business and I’m a firm believer in it.”

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ITS NOT uncommon for builders, such as Nazih Kuehnle, to share demonstration videos to their profiles.

BUILDERS also use social media to show support to their favorite brands, like what Brendan Casey did for Fiberon.

NADRA has been using social media to tease the upcoming deck awards, since builders can’t be together right now.

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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

ABOVE: Elaborate new outdoor living space features an under-deck drainage system to allow for year-round use. (All photos by Trex)

Score!

Underdeck system transforms at-home fan experience

The NFL boasts some of the most

passionate sports fans in the world. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has called a time out on live sporting events, fans are finding new ways to root for their favorite teams and relive iconic games from home while socially distancing outdoors. After a Baltimore Ravens fan watched a game from the comfort of a friend’s covered outdoor patio, he knew an under-deck drainage system was a must-have for his house.

Bobby Poore of Highland, MD., turned to the area experts at ProBuilt Construction to craft and construct the two-story tailgating terrace of his dreams. Owner Ed Pacylowski, a TrexPro Platinum contractor with more than 40 years of experience, personally oversaw the project.

“Mr. Poore had a clear vision of what he wanted for his two-story outdoor living space,” said Pacylowski. “On the upper level, he sought an enclosed porch with an interior feel along with outdoor space for grilling and gathering. Below

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the deck, he envisioned an outdoor viewing oasis complete with a wide-screen TV, comfortable furnishings and heaters for year-round use.”

To bring Poore’s vision to life, the ProBuilt team utilized the innovative under-deck drainage system Trex RainEscape. Using a network of troughs and gutters, the system captures and diverts water away from the deck and the substructure allowing homeowners to virtually double their outdoor space by protecting the area below the deck from rain, sun and other elements. Once protected, the dry space beneath the deck can be used for storage or as additional living space and outfitted with everything from furniture and decorative accessories to lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, gas lines and entertainment components.

Unlike other drainage systems that install below the joists of the deck foundation, RainEscape is applied over the joists before the decking is laid to shield the entire foundation

BEFORE AND AFTER: Furniture and TV are all weather-protected and ever-ready for use.

from moisture penetration and deterioration.

The system, according to Pacylowski, “is a nominal upgrade that adds tremendous protection, value and enjoyment to a home’s outdoor space. The majority of our customers with walk-out basements opt to add it to their projects. Even if they don’t decide to use the space below as a patio or for storage, the added protection it provides to the deck substructure ensures greater longevity and peace of mind.”

Upper Level

For the upper level decking material, Poore chose Trex Transcend in Island Mist. This topof-the-line composite pairs a natural woodgrain pattern with rich color and realistic streaking that delivers the look of wood without the hassles of ongoing maintenance.

Seamlessly integrated along the border of the second-story deck is Transcend railing.

Traditional white posts and frames are paired with black round balusters to optimize the surrounding views. Trex OutdoorLighting is discretely integrated into railing post caps and stair risers, enhancing both the ambiance and safety of the outdoor space. The weatherproof LED fixtures use 75% less energy than incandescent components and are cool to the touch, making them safe for children and pets.

Other highlights of the upper level include an enclosed three-season room along with a curved built-in grilling station surrounded by stone and covered with a handsome pergola in white

to complement the railings and house trim. An elegant curved staircase leads to the lawn and patio area below creating synergy between the upper and lower areas. “It adds more than just curb appeal,” noted Pacylowski. “We like to call it curve appeal!”

Lower Level

Upon descending the staircase from the upper level, the transformational impact of the drainage system is unquestionable. The dry space the system creates beneath the deck area allows for wiring to power a number of electronic components essential for a watch party. In this case, the space is equipped with a television, speakers, low-voltage lighting, multiple ceiling fans and a heating tower. The wiring for all of these components is hidden between the deck surface and a decorative soffit ceiling. In addition to giving the space a finished look the ceiling also helps to prevent birds, squirrels, spiders and other animals and insects from nesting in and causing damage to the deck frame.

As an added bonus, a portion of the area below the deck is designated as a walk-in storage space, which the Poores utilize for storing lawn equipment, gardening tools, and other outdoor essentials.

“We couldn’t be happier with how our outdoor space turned out,” the homeowner said. “We spend as much time out there as possible and I love being able to watch my Ravens outdoors — rain or shine!”

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Safety the top priority? Railing is your choice.

Railing vs. Fencing Use the right product for the job

By Jim Wahl Photos by Superior Aluminum Products Co.

Many people will freely alternate

between the terms “fence” and “railing.” While not technically correct, it’s often not terribly important. However, when it comes to building with one item or the other, it is critical. Installing fence when desiring railing or vice-versa can lead to a finished project that does not match the needs or expectations of the homeowner greenlighting the work.

So, What Is Railing?

The simple,10-cent definition of a railing is a barrier providing fall protection or separating two locations. While the intended use of the product does ultimately play a big role in naming conventions, most manufacturers will go a bit deeper when defining the product.

From a technical standpoint, railing will always have a defined top rail and bottom rail at a minimum, and possibly a third (or further) horizontal line. Railing can often be found with

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a wide variety of infill options, from pickets/ balusters to cables to rod or pipe, all the way to custom infills such as glass, mesh or grid. Infills within a railing family will always terminate at a bottom line and one of the top lines, never extending beyond the topmost horizontal line.

Typically, a railing system will stand between 36” and 42” from the ground to the top of the top rail, rarely extended higher than 42”. Railing is most commonly found on elevated surfaces such as decks or balconies, but is also used on ground level to denote separation between two areas such as a restaurant patio. Additionally, railing is used on stairs and ramps to assist in safe passage, something a fence will never be found doing.

Finally, it is important to note that the structural integrity of a railing system is designed to bear weight if being leaned on.

A typical railing application would be something along the lines of a single-family or

Barrier?

Think fencing.

multi-family balcony or porch, hotel, educational facility, commercial building, municipality, or water treatment plant to name a few.

So, What Is Fencing?

Merriam-Webster will tell you that a fence is an upright structure enclosing an area of ground to control access. As with railing, the intent of the product is important, but a manufacturer will look a little deeper.

Fence will always contain a minimum of two horizontal lines and often more. However, infills will frequently run past both the top and bottom horizontal lines. Oftentimes, pickets extending beyond the uppermost horizontal line will feature a spear or other finial-type feature. And pickets often extend below the bottom rail close to the surface, for security reasons. For infill, fence almost always features pickets/balusters and won’t be compatible with items such as cable.

Fence can run on both level and uneven ground, but cannot be utilized on stairs/ramps or by code used as a handrail.

Fence commonly is seen as a larger product compared to its railing counterpart, usually ranging 60�-72� in height. Fence is used at ground level primarily, with the intent of safeguarding an area either to keep animals or people in or out. For example, fence is used in backyard applications to provide an area for a pet to roam freely without worry of running off.

Finally, fences often feature a welded hinged gate for entry and exit purposes.

Typical applications for fence usually include swimming pools, athletic venues, backyards, parking lots, public areas, and venues where security is a concern.

So, What Is the Difference?

In general, the application for the finished product is a key to determining whether railing or fence is what you require. However, key design elements can still dramatically alter a project. Specifically, the way infills interact with horizontal lines will make a significant difference in both aesthetics and functionality. These terms often can be used interchangeably, but when small details are important, care should be taken to use them correctly!

When being asked for the difference in fence and railing, the right answer is also the easy one.

In an application where providing safety is the goal, railing is the solution. If creating a barrier is your objective, fence is your go-to.

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

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HEADING SESSIONS is Regal ideas’ celebrity HGTV team, the Brolaws.

Connecting Contractors through DeckStars

What started as just an idea

and some hope for a little “southern” exposure, turned into the fastest growing installer network in North America with over 1,000 trained contractors in less than a year. Regal ideas’ new program, DeckStars, is designed to help contractors grow their marketshare and drive business back to local dealers during COVID-19.

“Once our railings debuted on The Vanilla Ice Project, our demand from consumers skyrocketed,” said Andrew Pantelides, VP of marketing for Regal ideas. “We were getting requests from all over North America, which was great and amazing, but we just didn’t have the network in place to facilitate all of these demands.”

Knowing that there was strong demand from consumers, Pantelides figured the best way to meet those demands was to create a network of trained Regal installers. Developing a pathway to the contractor would also lead a path to the local distributor/retailer.

As the company began to invest in other home improvement makeover shows such as the Property Brothers and Scott McGillivray, host of Income Property, they found that on more than one occasion, Pantelides would have to provide a local installer of Regal on set to make a cameo appearance. It was at this point where the “A DeckStar Is Born” idea started to set the foundation of something bigger.

To head up the newly coined DeckStar certi-

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fication project, In late 2019, Regal enlisted the talents of Joe Jacklin, top retail executive from a major Canadian LBM chain. Jacklin had to quickly develop a training program with a rollout during winter 2020.

“We put an ambitious list of 35 cities across North America and included our celebrity ambassadors, Dr. Decks, Chris Palmer, Wes Kain and the Brolaws as our trainers. No better way to get trained, than the industry’s best,” he said. “We had strong attendance for our first nine sessions, and we were gaining momentum until... COVID.” The Regal team had no choice but to deliver a next level entertainment and education program.

The investment was made in hardware, software, and remote filming locations. The result was a “live on location” training event that was fully interactive and engaged all participants. Sessions are set for one hour-long modules.

The response to the training has been incredibly positive, according to Pantelides. DeckStars was recently awarded the 2020 Davey Award, an award program that honors the best in web, design, marketing, and social media from companies worldwide.

“Our attendance in five webinars has now surpassed our physical sessions but what has been really rewarding has been the positive comments we receive from the contractors and how they’ve embraced the technology,” noted Pantelides. “It’s really a new way of training.”

THE BEST DECKING IN THE WORLD IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE FRAME THAT SUPPORTS IT.

Quality Since 1922.

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8 tips for safely operating battery-powered tools

By Power Tool Institute

Battery-powered tools make it con-

venient and efficient to tackle chores around the job site. While batteries eliminate the risks associated with electricity, they come with their own requirements for safe use and handling.

You can take additional steps to ensure your batteries are up to the task and operating safely with advice from the experts at the Power Tool Institute: • Only use batteries and chargers designed for use with the original tool manufacturer’s system.

Each manufacturer uses unique control circuity that allows the system to communicate properly.

This system monitors and controls critical functions, such as cell balance, energy levels, flow of energy and temperatures.

• Inspect your battery regularly for signs of damage, such as crushing, cuts or punctures. Do not use a battery that has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or is in poor condition.

• A battery pack will short-circuit if a metal object makes a connection between the positive and negative contacts on the pack. Avoid storing or transporting batteries in a container with loose metal objects such as coins, keys or nails that may come in contact with the terminals.

• Do not immerse a battery or allow fluids to flow inside. Conductive liquid ingress can cause damage resulting in fire or explosion.

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• Be mindful of abnormal battery behavior, such as a failure to fully charge or hold a charge, longer-than-usual charging times, a noticeable drop in performance, unusual LED activity when placed on a charger, liquid leakage from the battery or melted plastic anywhere on the pack.

These are indications of an internal problem.

• Use and store your battery within the temperature limits stated by the manufacturer. Do not store in a closed location where sunlight may cause elevated temperatures, such as near a window or inside a vehicle.

• As a general practice, unplug battery chargers and remove battery packs when not in use.

Do not store batteries on their chargers.

• If you suspect your battery may have a problem, do not use, ship or discard it as normal trash. Dispose of your battery according to federal, state and local regulations. Contact the recycling agency in your area for recycling locations.

A battery that is visibly overheating with signs of smoke, smoldering or melting requires immediate action. If the overheating battery is connected to a battery charger, always unplug the charger first. Pour water on the battery until it is cooled down and flames are extinguished. Then keep it submerged in a sturdy container filled with water, outdoors at least 15 ft. away from any combustible items, for at least 24 hours.

WOOD YOU BELIEVE? Who knew ultra-durable top rails could look this good? DesignRail® from Feeney® makes it easy for your customers to bring their vision to life with its wood grain powder-coated top rail finish that provides an extra layer of durability, coupled with the beautiful look of wood. But don’t take our word for it, discover how Feeney can elevate any project with a Cherry, Walnut or Weathered Gray wood grain top rail.

Become a believer at FeeneyMakesItEasy.com.

Feeney Makes It Easy

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AWARD WINNERS

Top Tools of 2020

The 8th annual Pro Tool Innovation Awards honored innovative products from outstanding manufacturers, in particular highlighting the latest advancements in cordless equipment.

This year’s awards brought a realization that even in a challenging year, manufacturers are

coming up with new innovations to change how builders and contractors tackle a jobsite. That includes bits and blades that last longer and drill more quickly, and groundbreaking power tools, hand tools, and pneumatic tools.

Some of the winners included:

PNEUMATIC TOOLS & NAILERS Cordless Finish Nailers: Milwaukee Tool 2540-21 M12 23ga Pin Nailer Framing: Everwin Pneumatic Corp. FSN3490 3 1/2″ Framing Nailer

Duplex Framing Nailers: Metabo HPT NR3675DD 36V MultiVolt Brushless Duplex Nailer Cordless Staplers: Milwaukee Tool 2447-21 M12 3/8″ Crown Stapler

CORDED POWER TOOLS Cordless Decking Systems: Simpson Strong-Tie PRO200SG2C2K Quik Drive Battery Chargers: Bosch Power Tools GAL18V-160C 18V Connected-Ready Lithium-Ion 16-Amp Battery Turbo Charger with Power Boost Software & Apps-Tool Control: Milwaukee Tool One-Key Cordless Circular Saws: DeWalt DCS574W1 20V Max XR Brushless 7-1/4” Circular Saw with Power Detect Cordless Cut-Off Tools/Multi-Material Cutters: RIDGID R87547B 18V SubCompact Brushless 3” MultiMaterial Saw

Judges noted the Quick Drive cordless autofeed screw driving multipurpose system has “includes everything you need to get started except the fasteners you choose while keeping you cord-free and giving your back the relief of a standing position, making their stand-up decking system even more convenient.”

HAND TOOLS

Not only is CAMO Lever board bending and locking tool “more effective at holding even warped boards straight thanks to its job-specific design, but it also reduces the number of people you need to get quality results.”

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Pry Bars: CAMO Lever Concrete/Masonry Hand Tools: Milwaukee Redstick Concrete Levels Chalk Lines: Crescent Tools CLO100 100’ Professional Reel Levels: Kapro Tools Condor Magnetic Digital Level with OPTIVISION Multi-Tools: Hart Tools HHCTMT04 4-in-1 Folding Knife Multi-Bit Screwdrivers: Wiha Tools 28789 11-PC Insulated TorqueControl SlimLine Blade Set Marking: Milwaukee Tool 48-22-3100 – INKZALL Jobsite Markers Tool Sets: MAC 7-pc. T-Handle RBRT Star Key Extraction Set

CONCRETE & MASONRY Cordless Specialty: Metabo HPT VB3616DA 36V MultiVolt Brushless Rebar Bender/Cutter Cordless Power Cutter Saws: Milwaukee Tool MXF3141XC MX Fuel 14″ Cut-Off Saw

Cordless Rotary Hammers: Craftsman CMCH233B Craftsman V20 Cordless Brushless SDS+ Rotary Hammer

BEST ACCESSORIES/FASTENERS Metal Hole Saws: DeWalt Bi-Metal Hole Saws Concrete/Masonry Hole Saws: Lenox Multi-Material Carbide Tipped Hole Saws Wood Hole Saws: Milwaukee Tool Big Hawg with Carbide Teeth Table Saw Accessories: Rockler Precision Miter Gauge and Miter Gauge Fence Wood Screws: Beck Group Decking Scrail General Adhesives: DAP Tank Bond Heavy Duty Advanced Epoxy Cleaning Accessories: RotoScrub Multi-Purpose Scrub Brush

Makita Impact XPS is a premier line of bits and fastening accessories designed for maximum performance

Other categories highlighted included painting and tiling, test and measurement, workwear and safety and toolbags and storage.

Circular Saw Blades: Spyder Tarantula Demo Blade for Circular Saws Metal/Chop Saw Blades: DeWalt DWAFV8901 9” FlexVolt Diamond Cutting Wheel Metal Multi-Tool Blades: Imperial Blades IBSLT362 Carbide Extreme Storm Titanium Metal Blade Reciprocating Saw Blades: Spyder Products Black Series Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Kit Grinder Cutting Wheels: Hart HACG02 4-1/2″ Metal Cutting Wheel Jigsaw Blades: Hart HACJ01 10-pc. Jigsaw Blade Set Cutting & Routing: Rockler 55010 Router Bit Center/ Depth Gauge Metal Drill Bits: DeWalt Titanium Hex Shank Drill Bit (DD5116 & DD5128) Driver Bit Holders/Extenders: DeWalt Premium Magnetic Bit Tip Holders DWA3HLDFT / DWA6HLDFT / DWA12HLDFT Step Bits: Milwaukee Tool Shockwave Impact Duty Step Bits Impact-Rated Driver Bits: Makita Impact XPS Driver Bits: Crescent Tools Augset-30 30-pc. u-Guard alphaCase Set Concrete/Masonry Bits: DeWalt SDS Plus Rebar Cutters Specialty Driver Bits: DeWalt DWADEND-2 Double-Ended Cleanable Nut Drivers Drill/Driver Attachments: Rockler Companies 63057 Portable Drill Guide with Vise Winter 2020

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AT THE SHOW

INSTRUCTOR Mike Guertin led a session on “Mounting Secure Deck Ledgers,” sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie.

Virtually the same?

Hits, misses at online DeckExpo

What a difference a year makes.

The 2020 edition of DeckExpo bore minimal resemblance to the show thousands of outdoor living professionals have come to know in years past. Instead of an in-person event, planned for October in Baltimore in concert Virtual Exhibitors

Composite Prime co-founder and sales director Charles Taylor chats with Deck Specialist’s Chuck Casey (inset).

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with the Remodeling Show, the pandemic forced DeckExpo to be held online, in November, in conjunction with the Pool - Spa - Patio Expo.

Some Expo attendees felt fortunate that the show went on at all. For many, typically unable to travel cross country to the live version, it was

their first opportunity to attend.

For others, it opened the door to a new form of showgoing—one they may not have had otherwise. “I’m always getting pulled into so many different directions when I come to these shows. So to be able to sit down and have backto-back-conversations with people is actually kind of cool,” said NADRA president Michael Beaudry. “I feel like I’m meeting people I may not have met otherwise.”

Beaudry looked at the bright side: “I’m not having to run across a show floor and chase people down, or risk being late to meetings. It’s also been really neat to see some of these folks in a different light. High-profile executives are basically inviting us into their living rooms and home offices, being parents, running their households. It’s pretty amazing to see.”

DeckExpo organizers meanwhile did everything they could to provide a similar show experience in a digital format. In place of live presentations, several webinars were made available to attendees and remain available for all who registered. Among them: Simpson Strong-Tie’s demonstration on mounting secure deck ledgers, and “Basic Engineering Considerations When Building a Deck” by Engineering Express. There were also general

business presentations, such as speaker Mario Rossetti on managing through effective leadership.

Of course, no trade show would be complete without exhibitors. At the online Expo, attendees were given access to “virtual booths” where they could schedule appointments and share information. Through the platform’s “business card” feature, attendees could also send digital business cards with the click of a button.

Unfortunately, the virtual show floor appeared to be lightly trafficked, leaving a number of exhibitors to pine for the days of in-person events. “It’s good to see the industry doing everything they can to come together, but the whole experience is just a little weird and I think we’re all going to be more thankful when things go back to normal,” said Deckorators’ Michelle Hendricks.

Deckorators typically uses DeckExpo as its annual product launch event, in past years unleashing as many as 30 different products at one time. This year, it incorporated other venues—including an Instagram Live episode of the Ultimate Deck Podcast—to get the word out (see page xx).

Nonetheless, a return to a “normal” DeckExpo is a hope that visitors appear to share.

Simpson Strong-Tie product manager Lydia Poulsen

Deckorators category marketing specialist Michelle Hendricks.

Lanai Outdoors sales and marketing director Alan Victor.

North American Deck & Railing Association president Mike Beaudry

Southern Forest Products Assn. communications manager Julia Milrod.

Deckorators senior category marketing manager Jase DeBoer.

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PARKS AND DECK CREATION

Increase Profits without Increasing Your Buildout Capacity Whether you run multiple crews or you’re part of the only crew, most contractors have a predictable if not limited “buildout capacity.” At the end of the year, your profit is based on an achieved percentage of not what you sold, but the dollar volume you built out in a year. Outside of deposits, the money for any contracts you have are only collected once a job is delivered to the customer. So even if you sold $1 million in a calendar year, if you can only deliver $700,000, there’s a limited benefit from a profitability standpoint.

To an extent, your buildout capacity determines the size of your company. So the trick is to figure out how to maximize profits on what you can deliver and create balance with both sales and production. But with the right approach, it may be possible to be more profitable with the $700,000 year than some contractors might be with a $1 million sales year.

My former business was founded with simple margin-based principals instead of a pure production-based plan. It was about quality over quantity and upping my game to sell at a higher price so I could maximize profit. It was about adopting a specific building philosophy and simple marketing approaches that separated me from others. It was about making more and doing less.

It was about recognizing my buildout capacity limitations in a given year with a goal to fill my job schedule with premium margined jobs instead of doing more production with an aver42

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age profit margin. I couldn’t have done it if I was perceived to be like everyone else in my market.

But through the use of photos, website, reviews, referrals, and a quick quote pricing system, along with building and maintaining a good reputation, I was able to do it.

Some of the key aspects of a business plan are determining the cost of delivery, how much you require to sell to be profitable, and what your buildout capacity is during the course of a year.

You also have to determine what your gross and net profits and cost of overhead need to be to make the plan work. In today’s market, the sales side is easier to accomplish for most than the production and delivery side, especially if you’re selling at low margins. Labor shortages being what they are, expanding this production capacity to increase profits is the most challenging it’s ever been. But there is a simple approach that can turbo charge profits even with a small workforce.

It’s based on margin growth instead of production growth.

Industry gross margins average from 20% with new construction to 45% for remodeling and specialty work. Too many contractors price at the lower end of this scale, but motivated contractors could raise their prices by 10% or more, depending on how they currently operate. For many, implementing a few simple aspects to their business that either don’t exist or are currently minimized could be a game changer. It involves establishing a solid brand and reputation in your

market. It requires building an effective website, building up good reviews, leveraging off good photos, and most importantly, raising your prices.

But the latter can’t be done without the other elements in place. Just having a website isn’t good enough. It has to be an effective illustration of your company through photos and simple messaging, and is fully optimized. Because many contractors are “busy,” they may not think they need to make any changes. In the long run, this is a mistake.

No doubt the lower the margin and job price, the easier it is to sell, so more focus has to be applied to the marketing, sales, and presentation side of the game. But it’s not complicated, and is easier to do, in my opinion, than beefing up the production side of a business. With a higher price, your closing ratios will go down, but it’s not about selling all you can at lower “easy to sell” prices. It’s about selling all you can build at a higher price with more profit.

So how much difference would selling jobs for 10% more make? As an example, I’ll use a 25% mark-up for calculation purposes, although it should be significantly higher for deck builders and remodelers as a 25% markup is only a 20% margin. Again, let’s say you sold $700k in a given year. Your gross profit on a 25% markup is $140,000 or 20% gross margin ($560k actual cost x 1.25 = $700k). Let’s say your average cost of overhead is 15%, your net profit is 5% and (after paying yourself and company overhead) your company nets $35,000.

By implementing simple but game-changing elements, you could increase the $700k sales number by at least 10% to $770k, adding $70,000 to your gross profit ($210,000 or 27.27% GM or 1.375 markup) with most, if not all, of this surplus falling to the bottom line as net profit ($105,000 or 13.6% NM). The actual cost of delivery of a job doesn’t change nor should overhead.

And the actual number of jobs you’re building stays the same.

In essence, you could achieve a better gross profit doing what was a $700,000 year that’s now a $770,000 a year in sales and buildout with a 27% gross margin ($210,000) as a contractor doing $1 million a year at a 1.25 markup (20% margin; $200,000). Again, it’s likely that general overhead stays the same for both but the net margin contribution is significant.

In our current market, most are overwhelmed with job opportunities, referrals are strong, and

IMPLEMENT a few simple aspects to magnify your business, whether it’s building your brand or partnering with others on social media. Parks hosts roadshows with Versatex.

they’re already charging more than in the past due to simple demand, increased material prices, and labor. But, the market will shift back to the normal conditions and that’s where the elements I discuss here position you for better operations.

Believe me, some of the better contractors I know are doing much higher margins than I’m using as examples here. But others who are recognized as really good builders are not, and still work at lower margins with some even struggling during a good building market. Selling at low prices and giving deals is easy and more like order taking. Selling at full price and higher margins requires a better focus, confidence, and laying down the groundwork of credibility and leveraging off of it.

So why not implement a plan to improve your sales skills and put better focus into the few elements required to separate yourself in a way that allows more profitability? Is it better to work longer hours and increase production? Or would it be worth adjusting the way you do business outside of field work to increase profitability?

I don’t have a marketing degree, nor have I ever had proper sales training. But I learned many lessons during my 30-plus years in the market and I was able to accomplish a lot by just using simple, common-sense approaches. If I can do it, you can too.

Bobby Parks is a nationally recognized contractor who has delivered over $40 million of residential and commercial outdoor living projects. He is the founder and former owner of Peachtree Decks & Porches LLC and current president of BP Consulting & Design LLC. Winter 2020

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SET THE STANDARD

The Finishing Touch I’d like to take a moment to welcome two of the brightest, sharpest and most influential minds of the deck industry to Deck Specialist Magazine. I can’t wait to read the Q&A with Mark King of Infinite Decks. He’s been creating innovative and beautiful decks for a while now and I never cease to be amazed when he posts photos of his work. Immediately I try to find ways to emulate his efforts. If you are not following him, you’re doing a disservice to your business.

The coup de gras is Bobby Parks. I’ve been following Bobby in every forum possible for at least 15 years. If you don’t know his name, you are either new to the industry or have been like Rip Van Winkle, asleep for the last 20 years. Bobby has been the standard bearer for what most deck builders today strive to be. His unique styling and perspectives are a must read and the craft reflected in his photos is pure art. If you don’t follow Bobby’s work, you are short-changing yourself.

So, onto this issue’s discussion on “Setting the Standard,” which by the way is not just a catch phrase. For us, the phrase “Setting the Standard in Excellence” is something we say everyday as a reminder to be the absolute best that we can possibly be. Maybe that’s easy for me since I love what I do. Mark Twain is famous for having said, “Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never work a day in your life.” When you enjoy designing, creating, building and delivering unique projects that you and your crews can be really proud to put your name on, obstacles become opportunities, and that’s what separates the good from the great. You will transform your customer from not

just satisfied, but into an elated client who will go out of their way to sing your praises. When you enjoy what you are doing, I think craftsmen (and women) tend to become a bit more artistic in their designs and their approach. I also believe it is safe to say that the majority of the deck builders reading this magazine are not “Bob in his beater” leading the race to the bottom with the cheapest priced, no-value projects in their towns.

Most deck builders forge ahead and find new and innovative ideas to make their companies the elite of their communities.

This brings me to the topic at hand, skirting below the deck. I know, it is a mundane little topic about an aesthetic that is generally overlooked or at best an afterthought with what are oftentimes not the best-looking options. More often now, many homeowners associations are requiring decks at a certain height to also have some sort of enclosure. A great deal of clients are also requesting some sort of skirting for a multitude of reasons from critter control, storage, or just to block what they consider to be an unsightly view of the underside and the ground below.

As deck designers, we simply see it as opportunity to create another level of finishing detail that allows us as deck specialists to “set the standard” in a neighborhood. We have noticed on many occasions that once you create a distinctive detail on a project in a new development, it becomes “follow the leader,” where everyone starts asking for it on their deck. When you are the first, everyone begins to mimic your design, but most clients tend to prefer working with the design originator. Even if clients have not requested a Winter 2020

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price for some sort of enclosure, do not be afraid to offer something for it in your proposal. Include an additional option for some ground cover under and around the footprint of your project.

Generally speaking, most consumers have not thought that far into the project nor have they considered these details. Many of them will thank you for your vision, especially when you can show them unique options. It’s great to see what others are doing, many of these ideas come from other contractors I spoke with while doing research.

Most are familiar with the old standby of lattice. Whether it is wood or vinyl, garden, privacy or English (square) style, it is the first thing that generally comes to mind when people discuss adding skirting below a deck. It is quite possibly the one that is most often used. That’s fine, and when it is the only option allowed in a neighborhood, many contractors have found an abundance of ways to make it look nice. You can “picture frame” the lattice with matching trim or contrast it with deck boards, or colored fascia. You need to be careful when installing vinyl lattice. It can tend to buckle with temp changes from cold to warm. When installed correctly, lattice can be a very attractive, low-cost accent to a project.

We also have vertical board skirting options and these can really enhance an already nice

looking deck design. The options in this category are endless from both vinyl, wood and composite products. Starting with vinyl, one of the simplest and very attractive options are variations extending from the use of vinyl fence materials. The 1x4 and 1x6 boards are fairly inexpensive and when cut to length can make a very nice enclosure. We generally recommend the 1x4s on smaller projects and the 1x6 on larger jobs.

Obviously wood can vary in price depending on treated, cedar or even a tropical hardwood depending on your project. One of the designs that really garners a lot of attention is where the contractor builds a deck using red cumaru and tigerwood. For the skirting, they use alternate full width deck boards and one-inch wide strips, maintaining a 1-inch space for airflow around the entire base. As if the boards themselves weren’t exotic enough, the pattern really takes it to the next level. This design even mimicked the triple border and inlay into the fascia. Very impressive.

Another project that I see pop up with quite some frequency is one where the builder uses composite deck boards for the vertical board skirt. In one case, I saw that the deck was built using an ipe-colored board with a rosewood-colored triple picture frame border and rosewood fascia. The builder then incorporated rosewood

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mfmbp.com

colored deck boards into the skirt. It has a very classy appeal but understandably all those deck board pieces added up to a tidy sum. Especially with matching fascia material for the trim.

A design we have been seeing more and more lately is where builders have the boards laying horizontally instead of vertically. Now this option requires a great deal more labor and prep work since you will want to create fastening points every 12 to 16 inches, depending on your boards, in order to avoid some unsightly bowing in years to come. Though this is more labor intensive, it is also a great option to explore if your client’s budget will allow.

We always offer this option when clients ask for matching composite skirt boards under the deck.

We have seen some really beautiful examples of both composite and wood horizontal enclosures. As a matter of fact, in 2018 at the NADRA Awards Banquet, the wood deck that took first place exhibited a horizontal skirt that was created using Brazilian Teak. It was quite the attractive deck and that was one more unique feature that made a bold statement. The option of using horizontal deck style boards has become so prevalent that several composite manufacturers have begun to develop “cladding” for just this purpose in both residential and commercial applications.

We have been seeing it used on multiple restaurants and other establishments in our area. looks quite nice whether installed horizontal or vertically. Thankfully the material side of the industry is doing a great job of keeping up with the design/builder side.

Another skirting idea I came across that immediately caught my eye and makes for an outstanding design detail is the use of white PVC bead board. The moment I saw this it got the creative juices flowing. The bead board delivers a very elegant look. Team that with white PVC fascia and trim, and this will make any passerby stop and take notice. Since a lot of builders will use the white PVC bead board on screen porch walls and ceilings, this will tie them together with the deck in a very well-planned fashion. And please make sure when using this option to take the proper steps to create adequate ventilation under the deck.

I could go on forever discussing skirt options for under the sides of a deck and may do so in a later article since we have just scratched the surface on the creativity exemplified by the artisans

THIS IPE deck features a bead board skirt and was provided by Bill Zinnert of Diamond Decks.

of this industry, but I would be remiss if I didn’t list one last option. This is a little bit of an outof-the-box example that was provided to me my good friend Bill Zinnert of Diamond Decks and it is on his display project.

Bill used a beautiful stone veneer product around the base of a project that stands roughly 4-5 feet above grade. At first glance it is somewhat difficult to tell this was a paneled stone veneer. The install was apparently fairly simple and turned out extremely attractive. Obviously this is a marginally higher priced option than most of the previous ones I listed. One of the beauties of this application is that you are incorporating another texture to your project, but it can be installed by a carpenter. You don’t need to bring in a mason. Bill dressed up this design by adding low voltage LED lights and some basic landscaping. What a beautiful project!

We all have great ideas on how to put shoes on the bare feet under the deck. Those finishing touches are what make us actual deck specialists, instead of just another member of the low-budget herd. So, crank up those imaginative juices and get creative—go set the standard and be the shepherd, not one of the sheep. And send us some photos of your wonderful examples. I’m always searching for new ideas to share with everyone.

With 35+ years experience in construction, Brendan Casey, with his wife Dianna, launched Casey Fence & Deck, Frederick, MD., fulfilling a growing need in the outdoor living market for an innovative and creative custom builder.

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PRODUCT REVIEWS

Wolf Home Products Wolf Serenity Decking www.wolfhomeproducts.com

Wolf Serenity Decking For the entirety of my career as a

carpenter, the fundamental principle of building square has been reinforced. Apprentice carpenters are taught to always build square. Square, aided by rectangle, act in concert to constrain everything we build. Organic design and freeform structures be damned. Craftsmen build square, hack nail benders do not.

For much of this rectilinearity, we have Pythagoras and his theorem to thank. Pythagoras would partner with Isosceles and his equilateral triangle. Occasionally, we have seen some square deviation. For instance, bullnose drywall corners are one example. Given a lifelong propensity for questioning authority, I began to remonstrate, incorporating arched doorways, barrel vaults and eyebrow dormers into my projects.

Despite my insurrection, there seemed to be only room for three-four-five right angles in home design. There have been exceptions. Take the Geodesic Dome, certainly not square. The design inspired by the Buckminsterfullerene, a polygonal carbon structure, shaped by the 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons that comprise it. Great geometry for carbon allotropes, but not homes. Who wants to live in a soccer ball? Neither do I. Here is another: Think of the Yurt—a circular dwelling, with a wood-framed floor and disturbingly reminiscent of a circus tent. The Yurt missed the mark for my target market. Then, with the introduction of composite materials and

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heat forming, this changed. I embraced it and began to incorporate these curvy details into my designs. I also wanted to test the limits of manipulating this material. Next, I started heat forming decking material. Finding deck boards made of the same composition, a cellular PVC core and acrylic capstock. I was amazed after heating a 16’ foot board, and then “tied” it into a double square knot (how ironic). I still use it to show people how radically the material can be manipulated with heat forming.

High-Density Technology

In this issue, we’re reviewing Wolf Home Products’ Serenity line of decking. After having to source a replacement decking no longer available when the manufacturer unceremoniously exited the market, I contacted Mark Fisher at Wolf Home Products. He suggested their SerenityOnyx as very similar. It was available as square edge 1”x5-1/2” boards in 12’, 16’, and 20’ lengths, and a matching 1/2”x11-1/2” fascia material in 12’ lengths. It can be ripped for use as stair riser boards or other trim. Mark then explained what made Serenity a better performing board than the product I would be replacing.

The line is made from a high-density core of pure, foamed PVC with a co-extruded acrylonitrile styrene acrylate resin ColorWatch100 capstock, imparting the color and grain to the board. It also provides exceptional UV protection from the sun.

This property is why ASA resin is also used in vehicle dashboards. Mark offered to send some samples. Arriving several days later, I opened the box and perused the contents.

Serenity was released in 2010, establishing a 10-year track record of reliability. Additionally, it has a limited lifetime material warranty, 50-year stain and fade warranty, and five-year labor warranty when installed by a WolfPro—one of very few companies that provide a labor warranty.

That tells me they stand behind their product.

The more I read, the more comfortable I felt.

It’s a Match

Samples in hand, it was time to see how close it matched. Initially, I thought I was looking at two samples of the old material. A closer look revealed I was not. The grain patterns were slightly different, but nonetheless my client was happy and signed off. I did the take-off and placed the order. Shortly thereafter, Mark called me to confirm the order and discuss the WolfPro certified training program. This would train my crew as Wolf Pro Installers, which extends the Wolf five-year labor warranty to the homeowner.

The program covers prescriptive requirements, best practices, thermal dynamic properties and material behavior, installation details, tips and tricks, and finally, the care and maintenance requirements. Even though the program is offered as a courtesy, it provides value. Consider it a worthwhile investment.

Storage and Installation

Cellular PVC decking can be challenging to work with, due to the thermal dynamic properties effect on the polymer composition (great for heat forming). Serenity Decking is therefore dynamically affected by temperature change. While changing little in width or thickness, dramatic temperature changes do effect length. According to the technical specifications, an unfastened 20” board can grow/shrink up to 5/16 of an inch. So, with heat, it grows; cold, it shrinks (sound familiar?). Understanding these properties is essential to minimizing their interference.

Accordingly, rule number one is to keep the material cool. For builders in the Sun Belt, store the material under a light-colored tarp or the shade. Another consideration is the installation of all field boards, run wild and fastened down in the center, leaving ends loose for trimming.

We do this first thing in the morning, when

the boards are cool, uniform temperature and length. We then trim them to final length with a cordless tracksaw and multiple track sections.

Alternatively, cool water can be used to achieve the same state.

Corners and changes of direction are made with mitres or alternating square cut courses, woven in a herringbone pattern. Wolf suggests that for miters, you pre-shrink the material beforehand with cold water. The joint should immediately be secured with three fasteners, 1/2” from the end, both sides of the joint. These require pre-drilling at temps near freezing, to prevent damage to the cold, brittle capstock. At this point we are ready to prepare for installation. The joists had been planed and aligned previously, only requiring a quick check with a long straightedge to confirm.

We normally use the CAMO Marksman Pro 3/16” tool and CAMO edge screws for hidden fastener installations. Where a surface fastener cannot be avoided, we use FastenMaster’s Cortex Plug System. The Cortex plugs are cut from the same decking material, before being grain-aligned and paper-collated. This makes installation smooth and efficient, resulting in virtually invisible fastening. With Cortex, the cleanest install is achieved with a high-speed, corded or cordless drill set to the highest speed, which makes for a cleaner cut in the capstock and a less ragged counterbore.

Next, we had to re-apply the Vycor self-adhesive bituminous flashing where it was damaged and compromised. Framing and flashing prep complete, it was time to move the stacks of decking material. An hour later the decking material had been relocated and was now “racked out” across the joist framing. At about half the weight of most wood scrap/polyethylene core deck boards, Serenity-Onyx can be ripped for use as stair riser boards or other trim.

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Managing Expectations

Wolf requires all joints to be supported by a minimum of 1-1/2” of bearing.

cellular PVC is noticeably less taxing to move.

Something I appreciate more and more every year. After installing the first course square and in plane, the CAMO Marksman Pro tools register against that initial course and build out each successive course parallel, while also providing a consistent reveal of 3/16” between them.

When installing the remainder of the field courses, we run them wild, while also leaving the ends unfastened. This allows us to trim the boards in place, using a cordless tracksaw and connected tracks. Afterwards, we fasten the ends and put a micro-bevel on all sharp edge cuts, easing the edge and providing a more intentional, finished look. We use a specialty Corner Easing Hand Plane by Woodriver to perform this quickly and cleanly without having to roll out a trim router. Performing this small detail provides a professional touch that is visually pleasing as well as more comfortable to walk across barefoot.

This same detail at the miter joints also makes any movement in the joint virtually imperceptible.

One more item of note: Wolf requires all joints to be supported by a minimum of 1-1/2” of bearing.

This may necessitate installation of flat blocking and Vycor-type flashing to support complex joints.

Overall, the material installed straightforwardly and efficiently with a modicum of planning. One unique characteristic of the decking that I did notice is that when edge-fastening with the CAMO Tool, the system seems to work considerably better with the Wolf product, outperforming many other materials we have used.

I took a hard, scientific look at why it worked better, and I found that the Wolf product has much smaller eased edges, leaving more side profile and a greater surface area through which to fasten. This makes for a higher quality attachment that is also less noticeable. In my opinion, the completed installation looks notably cleaner to my discriminating eye.

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Under-promise and over-deliver. I learned that lesson early on in business after setting a customer’s expectations so unreasonably high that meeting them was impossible. The fallout that results is destructive to the relationship. Moving forward, I remain hyper-vigilant, making sure my clients maintain realistic expectations about their project. Case in point is the “maintenance free” idea being pushed by some unscrupulous companies.

I start by reminding clients that any material exposed to the elements will require some degree of maintenance. Serenity is no different. I explain what is safe to use on the surface and what to avoid. Many organic solvents (such as lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, xylene, toluene, acetone and methylene chloride) will attack the acrylic surface and cause discoloration. Even the seemingly innocuous item left in contact with the deck surface can do considerable damage over time.

Rubber and more precisely the plasticizers used in its manufacture can attack the acrylic surface and once again cause severe discoloration.

Another of these items to avoid is rubber or plastic door mats. Wolf recommends that only natural fiber mats be used on the deck and garden hoses should never be coiled or stored on the deck.

Other items of note: avoid using insect repellents and some sunscreens on or near your new composite deck. Both will attack and discolor the surface if they come in contact with it. Apply them both somewhere other than on your new deck. Pitch and sap removal is almost universally encountered. It is most easily removed with application of a few ounces of ethanol and light scrubbing with a non-scratch pad or brush. The alcohol will loosen and dissolve the resinous glob before flooding the area with water, washing away the resin and the alcohol. Hand sanitizer can be used in a pinch.

Wolf also recommends an annual cleaning of the deck surface with mild dish soap, pump sprayer, non-scratch scrubbing pad or brush, plus a garden hose (with a woven fabric outer cover) with spray nozzle. According to Wolf, perform this routine just one time a year and you will have the spiffiest deck in town—an expectation that Serenity most certainly exceeds.

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

W OG LE E N AL LAB T AI A C AV W O N

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ON THE HOUSE

Technology: Working Smart We will soon celebrate our 40th anniversary in the home remodeling business.

Our business has changed dramatically over the course of almost four decades. We suspect that the same holds true for your business.

It goes without saying that there have been tremendous advances in building products that offer our customers more choices and, at the same time, a better, more efficient installed product. That’s a good thing.

Similarly, incredible advances have been made in management resources for small businesses, which were formerly available primarily to big businesses with big budgets.

It has been amazing to witness how communication, the exchange of information, and access to a host of digital solutions has provided small business with power like never before. And there appears to be no end in sight.

In addition to increased efficiency and productivity for our entire team, technology and operating in a digital environment has improved accuracy and provided regular access to our clients, crew, vendors, prospects, and more.

It has allowed us to streamline overhead and improve our bottom line.

Our love affair with technology began in 1981 with an IBM 8086 microcomputer with twin floppy drives, an amber monitor, and a dot matrix printer. Shortly thereafter we added additional computers, more sophisticated printers and peripherals, and lots of software.

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In short order, we were doing word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, and estimating on computer. We even created programs to manage other aspects of our business such as a customer relations management program, customer service management, and we automated contracts, subcontracts, and change orders—to name a few.

Since those early days, teems of digital solutions have been created that not only perform the tasks outlined, they continue to both simplify and take business management to entirely new heights. And thanks to smartphones, tablets and notebook computers, we no longer need to be strapped to a desk to be peak performers.

In fact, just the opposite is true. Portability and access to information “on the fly” offers the freedom to be “on the job” and interface with clients and crew without missing a beat.

Here are a few examples of how technology has evolved and changed the way we do business.

We began with clip-to-the-hip pagers, which required finding a pay phone or using the customer’s phone. We graduated to “two-way” FM radios—an improvement, but very pricey.

Then, ta-da, along came cellular technology—a total game changer! And now video calls and videoconferencing have cut down on behindthe-wheel time, lowering stress and improving performance.

Smartphones are the bomb! In addition

to making and receiving calls and videoconferencing, texting has increasingly become the preferred means of communicating with crew and vendors. Customers are gradually jumping on the texting bandwagon, too.

Smartphones have smart apps that will identify roof pitch, help cut a roof, convert measurements, figure the amount of concrete needed for a foundation—and that’s just scratching the surface.

Correspondence that once took several days to get to the recipient via “snail mail” suddenly could be in their hands the following day when overnight mail arrived on the scene. Then, along came the fax, which made overnight mail look silly. With email, letters, documents, photos, progress billings, and other important data can now be turned around in an instant.

In the old days when making a sales call we couldn’t find our way there without our trusty Thomas Brothers Guide map book. Today we use digital navigation that provides a map, tells us the time we should arrive and gives us audible instructions. How cool is that?

A Polaroid camera was essential when making a sales call. Today, our smartphone or digital camera does a better, faster job and, using cloudbased data storage and sharing, the design department can access the photos (and other project information) even before the salesperson pulls away from the project.

The drafting table, mechanical arm, and pencil have been replaced by CAD systems that are increasingly more user-friendly and that create detailed elevations, perspectives, and 3-D modeling. These benefits enhance communication among all parties, reduce errors, manage client expectations, and, when married to an estimating module, produce material lists and pricing in one fell swoop. Incredible!

Paper timesheets have been replaced by digital time tracking (by project and work category). Payroll checks are now direct deposit, and all state and federal forms are filed electronically. Paper invoices, paper checks to vendors, file folders, and file cabinets are all a distant memory. Everything that was formerly paper is now digital and lives in the cloud. The need to have stacks of banker’s boxes to store seven years of records—and the precious space they take up—are resources not required or better utilized.

Finally, the World Wide Web has opened an infinite number of doors to access information.

No more searching technical manuals, pricing books, or material catalogues. Everything is now a click away. If you have an aversion to computers, smartphones or technology, we suggest that you reconsider or find someone in your operation who will take the lead. Your business, your crew, your vendors, and customers will all benefit and thank you for it.

If you are already a technocrat and can’t wait for the next digital “solution” to arrive, stay tuned because Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence will make an already good thing simply unbelievable.

The Carey Bros.—James and Morris—are nationally known experts on home renovation and hosts of a weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column, both titled On the House (onthehouse.com). ai158344403771_SplitStop_3.25x4.875_Wood.pdf

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BOTTOM LINE

Round Two As COVID-19, I mean -20, 21..., continues

to decimate the U.S., what are you seeing? I could go on all day about the pandemic, politics, economy, and all the trimmings, but this is a column for deck builders. So, I’ll stick to that.

All of you are undoubtedly witnessing something that you’ve never seen before. Some of you are down on your butts, whether it be material shortages, labor shortages, or the illness itself has found its way into your life. Hopefully, you will bounce back. My hopes are with you.

Others are having the best business year of their careers. I am fortunate to be one of those.

Our store retail sales are through the roof, up over 50% YTD. That number would be much higher if we had not experienced material shortages.

Our installed business is also up over 50% with the production home builder sector leading the charge.

In our market, people are moving from large cities like New York and Chicago after discovering that work from home is possible. Go figure.

Production builders are cranking homes out at a pace I’ve never seen before. Even townhouse buildings are going up at a serious pace. Repair contractors will have decades of work ahead of them.

Our homeowner sector is also way up, and we have taken some steps to make that process more efficient so that we can better service the rapid increase in demand. What happened was everyone called us for a deck, and I mean everyone! I turned down probably 300 decks since June because we simply could not build them. It was incredibly difficult for me to turn down work, so I looked for more guys.

I’ve also considered acquiring some other companies to add to the production capabilities, but in the end, I decided to focus on efficiency in the current platform. I am a no-headache kind of guy and both of those options add pain. It was then necessary to turn work down.

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So how did I decide what to turn down and what to take? It was simple: •

I redrew our service area. If we couldn’t get there in 45 minutes, you were out (before we would go an hour or so).

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If you want a deck, it has to be over $15,000 (before it was $10K).

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I simplified our designs. We are building more rectangles. I’m over the “WOW” factor in my line of thought.

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I narrowed our railing offerings to two.

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I said NO to treated decks (profit per day is higher on composite/aluminum railing decks).

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I stopped ALL advertising with exception to what was under contract.

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I raised prices by 10%.

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No ceiling systems, fire pits, painting, doors, or anything that doesn’t rhyme with wreck!

As of now, we are booked until February with good profitable work. Now, what to do if (and when) things return to normal? Remember those 300 decks I turned away? I did not torch the leads. I saved them.

I told those folks we’ll call them back when things calm down, and we will. Save all your leads. Build relationships with your prospects even if you cannot help them. Always protect yourselves from whatever storm is coming your way and plan for the future the best that you can. I hope my column helps you do that.

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

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NEW NEW PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

Some areas do not allow horizontal railing systems, and the Paralux Designer series Vertical Rod system was created to fill that need.

Constructed out of 316 stainless steel and 5/16″ diameter bars, each 4x8 section comes complete with required number of rods, posts, pickets, post caps, post flanges, and flange covers.

The system can be used with a wood or stainless steel handrail. [paraluxcable.com]

Deckorators has introduced three new aluminum deck railing accessories for the 2021 deck building season.

ALX post extensions for hanging string lights, ALX Contemporary aluminum deck gate solutions, and ALX Contemporary continuous top rail brackets help deck builders and homeowners create personalized outdoor living spaces. All three new accessories are easy to install and perfectly complement the sleek, simplified look of Deckorators ALX aluminum railing systems. [deckorators.com]

Lanai Outdoors has married the gorgeous look of hardwood flooring with the high performance of alternative decking to create Lanai Premium Plank Decking, a 100% pure PVC with a durable cap on all four sides.

The decking comes in 48”-long planks, not boards, with smaller gaps between them and beveled edges.

Lightweight and easy to handle, it reportedly will not crack, splinter or rot; is highly slip, scratch, fade, warp and heat resistant; and carries a lifetime warranty.

Lanai’s Coastal Collection is offered in four multi-tone colors with enhanced streaking—Beach Wood, Sunset Palm, Dark Kona, and Black Sand. [lanaioutdoors.com]

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TECNO is a new, Euro-inspired luxury outdoor kitchen line by Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens, crafted from stainless steel for durability and powder coated for a beautiful and virtually maintenance-free finish.

Features include a sleek frameless design, single-height façade, and nested, soft-close drawers with integrated pulls. Designed with versatility in mind, TECNO accommodates a variety of appliances and configurations, and is equally at home outdoors and indoors. [brownjordanoutdoorkitchens.com]

Bosch’ Max Brushless 1/4” Hex 2-Speed Screwdriver and 12V Max Brushless 3/8” Hammer Drill/Driver deliver unparalleled power in compact, easy-to-use sizes.

With brushless efficiency and enhanced features including Durashield housing and an LED light for low-light work areas, both additions to the Bosch Power Tools lineup are ideal for any toolbox. [boschtools.com] Winter 2020

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Shurtape Technologies announces new T-Rex Double Sided Super Glue Tape is a mess-free replacement for traditional liquid glues and instantly adheres to surfaces without staining them.

It won’t bond to skin, making it a great addition to any toolbox for quick fixes on the job. [trextape.com]

DeWalt’s revitalized portable storage line, ToughSystem 2.0, is now available. The storage line offers improved durability and modularity versus previous units.

The next generation of ToughSystem includes four different sizes of toolboxes, including one rolling toolbox, all sold separately. [dewalt.com]

MoistureShield has introduced Cold Brew, a warm and inviting medium-roast brown with subtle color variegation, to its Vision capped composite decking line.

An on-trend natural color with the look of a rich, roasted coffee blend, Cold Brew features a distinctive variegated design that strongly resembles the beauty of interior hardwoods.

It joins five other colors—Smokey Gray, Spanish Leather, Sandstone, Cathedral Stone, and Mochaccino. The deck boards come in nongrooved square edge boards and grooved profiles for hidden fasteners, in 12-, 16- and 20-ft. lengths with fascia boards in 12-ft. lengths.. [moistureshield.com]

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Simpson Strong-Tie’s Strong-Drive SDPW Deflector screw line of fasteners is designed to connect non-load-bearing, full-height partition wall top plates to trusses or joists while allowing for vertical movement.

Not only does single-screw installation make the SDPW Deflector screw an efficient fastener, but the polymer sleeve also allows for sliding during deflection, eliminating costly callbacks often associated with squeaks from metal-on-metal connections between walls, top plates and joists. [strongtie.com]

To provide building and design professionals with compelling wood-alternatives for façades and rainscreen assemblies, Fortress Building Products has expanded into cladding.

Pros can select from co-extruded bamboo-plastic composite (CBPC) Infinity cladding boards and capped bamboo-plastic PVC (CBPVC) Apex cladding boards with non-repeating grain patterns, enhanced woodgrain textures, and rich, earth-tone color palettes.

Due to their UV-, fade- and moisture-resistive properties, vivid hues like Brazilian Teak and Oasis Palm endure throughout the product’s lifetime and do not require staining or resealing to preserve their vibrant aesthetic. [fortressbp.com/cladding]

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The new M12 FUEL Oscillating Multi-Tool by Milwaukee provides the best oscillating cuttingperformance for users on the M12 system, generating the fastest 12V cut speed, lowest full-tool vibration, and delivers tool-free blade changes for less downtime.

The tool acts as a micro-saw, with the ability to cut through almost any material. Users can make tool-free blade changes, while a light on the head adds overall convenience on the job.

It also features three Milwaukee-exclusive innovations — the PowerState Brushless Motor, RedLithium Battery Pack, and RedLink Plus Intelligence Hardware and Software, which enables full-circle communication between the tool and battery. [milwaukeetool.com]

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The Sansin Corp. has released its new WoodForce weathering system with Intermix colors that allow for creative, customizable looks and effects.

Available in a retail formula or factory finish line, the WoodForce system uses three products—Accel, Clear and Intermix with seven tints—to create an array of weathered looks and effects.

All the while, the system is delivering exceptional water repellency and protection against UV, moisture, blackening, discoloration and wood rot. [sansin.com]

AD INDEX Page 44

Allweather Wood Treaters

35

Northern Crossarm www.crossarm.com

www.allweatherwood.com 29

Armadillo Deck

Cover IV

60

Atlantis Rail Systems

Cover II

DESIGNED FOR BEAUTY, MADE FOR LIFE.

Avon Plastics

25

ARMADILLODECK.COM

CableArt

11

DESIGNED FOR BEAUTY, MADE FOR LIFE.

Deckorators

7

ARMADILLODECK.COM

Deck2Wall

59

Deck-Specialist.com

53

DeckWise

26

Digger Specialties

53

Feeney, Inc.

3

526 Media Group

29

Great Southern Wood Preserving

26

Humboldt Sawmill www.getredwood.com

55

Lonza Wood Protection www.wolmanizedwood.com

46

MFM Building Products Corp. www.mfmbp.com

21

MOSO North American www.moso-bamboo.com

Western Woods, Inc. www.westernwoods.com

www.yellawood.com 44

TurboClip www.turboclipusa.com

www.deck-specialist.com 9

Trex www.trex.com

www.feeneyinc.com Cover III

Titan Metal Werks www.splitstop.net

www.diggerspecialties.com 37

Sunset Moulding www.pakarimd.com

www.deckwise.com 39

SplitStop www.splitstop.com

www.deck-specialist.com 57

SpecRail www.specrail.com

www.deck2wallspacer.com Cover III

Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com

www.deckorators.com 13

Regal ideas www.regalideas.com

www.cableartinc.com 5

RailFX www.railfx.net

www.armadillodeck.com 51

Pacific Woodtech Corp. www.pacificwoodtech.com

www.atlantisrail.com 29

OHC www.ohc.net

www.armadillodeck.com

9

Yellawood www.yellawood.com

Welcome Aboard!

Deck Specialist is delighted to introduce a special first-time advertiser, SPECRAIL. SPECRAIL aluminum fence and railing products, produced in Hamden, CT., are designed to the highest quality of aluminum fencing products available.

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IDEA BOOK

hold tight The latest commercial expansion for Newport, R.I., is transforming its historic wharf district into an oasis for residents and visitors, with a 4,000-sq. ft. restaurant, 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 1,000 sq. ft. of offices, and a three-story boutique hotel. The centerpiece is a 20,000-sq. ft., horseshoe-shaped tropical hardwood deck off the Hammetts Wharf Hotel to provide guests and pedestrians with sweeping views of the harbor.

Behan Bros., Middletown, R.I., coordinated multiple aspects of the Newport Wharf expansion, including the deck. They chose ipe, a resilient lowmaintenance wood three times denser than cedar, ideal for constant foot traffic, and with similar fire ratings to concrete.

It’s not the easiest material to manipulate.

As they worked to install the decking, Behan encountered some hurdles. “When you have a remarkably dense wood that’s hard enough to blunt sawblades and shatter drill bits, the installation of ipe decking requires strong tools and careful consideration,” explained co-owner Garrett Behan. Another challenge was the boards’ tendency to twist and dry out quickly. “Aligning and maneuvering deck boards into position with traditional tools would require a four to six-person crew and plenty of patience,” he added.

The crew initially secured the boards with the CAMO Edge fastening system, using a CAMO Pro Guide tool to guide CAMO Edge screws into the side of the board and joist on both sides. However, they still struggled with aligning the ipe boards using pipe clamps and traditional board-straightening tools, which called for several workers.

With only weeks remaining until the scheduled completion, Behan heard about a new innovation from CAMO’s Greg Hartmann, called the Lever—and were able to acquire several before the tool’s official introduction. Designed to save

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UPPER: The 84-room Hammetts Wharf Hotel serves as the focal point for a $29-million mixed-use expansion of Newport, R.I.’s wharf district.

LOWER: To meet tight deadlines, crews used the CAMO Lever to lock boards into position as they secured them with the Marksman Pro. (Photos courtesy CAMO)

time and quicken installation using one or two workers, CAMO Lever straightens, bends and aligns while the crew fastens with no strain. With almost no set-up time and one-turn operation, the Lever easily locked the deck boards into place.

“We were able to move two guys off the crew and still install faster,” noted Behan’s Doug Rogers. “The two workers using the Lever installed more than twice the amount of decking as the four guys struggling with the other tools.”

The tools helped Behan finish the project in time. As a bonus, the devices allowed workers to limit physical contact on the jobsite, which will prove invaluable on future, socially-distant projects.

Submit photos of your latest and greatest project to sornelas@ 526mediagroup.com

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