Dream becomes reality in pressure treated wood

IN ORDER to create the ideal

Iproject for pressure treated wood promotion, the Western Wood Preservers Institute sponsored the building of a three-level, 800 sq. ft. deck this year in Lafayette, Ca.

Billed as the Dream Deck, the structure was built entirely of pressure treated lumber. It now offers a dramatic view of Mount Diablo, which is not otherwise seen from the home. The deck also gives the homeowner a versatile entertainment area in what had formerly been a steep-sloping unused backyard.

The Dream Deck's design actually makes it three different decks. each with its own personality, tied into one. The top level is the trelliscovered wet bar and recessed cooking area where food and drinks can be prepared and served. The next and most spacious level is the recreational deck. Its size (15' x 23') makes it ideal for large group gatherings, ping-pong, sunning, etc. The third level, perched as if suspended in mid-air is an intimate dining and visiting area, featuring a sweeping panoramic view of the valley and Mount Diablo, the highest point in the San Francisco Bay area.

Story at a Glance

Dream Deck promotion shows best of pressure treated wood ...promotion will continue for several years...unusual site, view utilized to an advantage.

Since the entire deck is built along a steep hillside, it is designed with solid siding to make it safe for children, who might crawl through an open railing.

Built-in features greatly increase the Dream Deck's usefulness and beauty. Built-in benches along the perimeter walls provide convenient seating at each level. For entertaining on cool summer nights, fluorescent lights built in underneath the benches extend the deck's usefulness well beyond daylight hours. The deck was also built around existing landscaping, which included a large pine tree that now shades the deck. Built-in planter boxes allow for greenery to emphasize the deck's gardenJike appearance.

While the Dream Deck's t_otal square footage is quite large, its low profile keeps it from having an undesirable massive look. The wood's exceptional surface appearance is credited to the selection of topgrade wood before the treatment was applied. Most chemicals used in pressure-treating wood give the lumber a greenish tint, but there are some treatments available that do not change the natural color of the wood. For overall appearance, however, the quality and grade of wood selected is really more important than the type of treatment used.

Even when selecting redwood or some other naturally durable species for a deck, pressure-treated lumber should be used for the understructure to ensure the longevity of these crucial load-carrying members. Pressure treated wood products are subject to strict quality control standards set by the American Wood Preservers Bureau. Compliance with those standards is signified with the AWPB quality mark stamped on pressure treated lumber products. With the Dream Deck being built on a steep hillside, the structural integrity of the understructure was doubly important.

The WWPI Consumer Education committee expects the promotional value of the Dream Deck to last for several years. Promotion of the project was kicked off in February of this vear.

Treated Lumber Projects

The scarcity of plans for projects desigrred exclusively for pressure treated lumber is a common complaint among retailers.

An answer to this problfii is the brand new Book of Duks and Outdoor Projecfs from Georgia-Pacific. It contains 32 pages of ideas for building and planning decks and outdoor projectsall featuring pressure treated lumber. Detaild plans include a gazebo, sun porch, planters, a sandbox and a buffet on wheels.

The booklet details deck building basics such as planning a deck and selec'ting building materials, attaching the deck to the house, setting posts, attaching joists, nailing the decking and fine finishing points. Building stairs and railings is covered as well as information on wood joinery.

Plans include a basic square deck which is easy to build and economical. Gridwork decks, terraced decks, "around the pool" and fire pit decks are also featured. Fences and walkways are pictured, as well as an arbr and a mini-pool for the kids.