When it comes to choosing the right materials for your outdoor decking, durability is often at the top of the list of considerations. Homeowners and builders alike seek decking that not only looks beautiful but can also stand up to the wear and tear of daily life. To aid in this decision-making process, we conducted a rigorous scratch test on four popular brands of composite decking: Trex, Deckorators, TimberTech, and TruNorth. Our goal? To see how these materials withstand scratches and which one emerges as the most durable option. The Contenders Each brand brings its unique blend of materia ..read more

When it comes to selecting the perfect decking material for your outdoor space, one critical factor that often comes into play is how hot the deck gets under the sun. With various options available in the market, such as Trex, Deckorators, TimberTech, and TruNorth, homeowners are keen to understand which materials and colors offer the best in terms of comfort and usability during the warmer months. A recent experiment aimed to shed light on this very topic, focusing on the temperature differences between different decking materials and colors. SPOILER ALERT: The warmth of a composite deck is n ..read more

Safety should be the number one concern during any renovation or construction project. And digging around your home without knowing the location of utility lines is risky business. Damaging one of these lines can affect entire neighborhoods and pose a real threat to the digger and those in the area. Not to mention it can also cost thousands of dollars in repairs. And while most of a deck build is above ground, the first and one of the more critical parts of the job is digging the holes for the structural posts.  So who’s responsible for calling Miss Dig? (The organization in Michigan ..read more

 It’s time to start planning for outdoor living. That means designing your ideal outdoor escape, your oasis! And a new deck is a beautiful space for many families to enjoy, whether it be: A romantic night out under the stars A cozy spot to hang out with friends The go-to place for all the neighbors to come over for holidays, graduations, weddings, and birthday parties But once your deck is complete, what’s the plan for the rest of your backyard? Because your new deck is only one piece of the puzzle.  Today we’ll share five backyard landscaping ideas to incorporate after your deck is co ..read more

Bringing your outdoor space to life with a new design can be a lot of fun, and nowadays, there’s so much information at our fingertips. You can find an unlimited amount of designs to feel inspired by and borrow for your own projects, from resources like our gallery to Google Images, Pinterest, etc. And one of these design elements you may have come across in your search for inspiration is a curved Trex deck. While this style seemed to have hit its peak a few years ago, it can be beautiful and add an interesting aesthetic element to your deck, especially when coupled with a curved rai ..read more

An unexpected project delay isn’t necessarily the most fun for anyone, but the reality is it’s a possibility during any build. And what’s most important is being aware of these potential delays to better plan for them. As deck builders with years of experience, we’re already very familiar with what to look for and expect. And that allows us to be more accurate with our scheduling (more on that in a bit). But as a homeowner, maybe you’ve had bad experiences and weren’t given a proper explanation of what delayed your project? Or perhaps you’re just curious about what could cause your start date ..read more

Do you have a deck that is tall enough so that you have some unused space underneath it? Don’t fret – this is a good problem to have! Whether you decide to use that space for storage, snacking, sports-watching, soaking, or sitting around and chatting, we have some ideas for you. Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Space An under-deck space is an excellent opportunity to take your under-deck area to the next level. Install a kitchen prep area with a sink, countertops, and a refrigerator. A kitchen prep area is an inviting set-up for those wanting to hang out, eat a meal or snack, and sip a favorite beve ..read more

Safety should be the number one concern during any renovation or construction project. And digging around your home without knowing the location of utility lines is risky business. Damaging one of these lines can affect entire neighborhoods and pose a real threat to the digger and those in the area. Not to mention it can also cost thousands of dollars in repairs. And while most of a deck build is above ground, the first and one of the more critical parts of the job is digging the holes for the structural posts.  So who’s responsible for calling Miss Dig? (The organization in Michigan ..read more

It’s time to start planning for outdoor living. That means designing your ideal outdoor escape, your oasis! And a new deck is a beautiful space for many families to enjoy, whether it be: A romantic night out under the stars A cozy spot to hang out with friends The go-to place for all the neighbors to come over for holidays, graduations, weddings, and birthday parties But once your deck is complete, what’s the plan for the rest of your backyard? Because your new deck is only one piece of the puzzle.  Today we’ll share five backyard landscaping ideas to incorporate after your deck is comp ..read more

Bringing your outdoor space to life with a new design can be a lot of fun, and nowadays, there’s so much information at our fingertips. You can find an unlimited amount of designs to feel inspired by and borrow for your own projects, from resources like our gallery to Google Images, Pinterest, etc. And one of these design elements you may have come across in your search for inspiration is a curved Trex deck. While this style seemed to have hit its peak a few years ago, it can be beautiful and add an interesting aesthetic element to your deck, especially when coupled with a curved rai ..read more