Wood Decks & Composite Decks

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Triad Door Masters is a division of Triad Installations – We are your Licensed Greensboro Wood Deck Contractor in Kernersville Greensboro High Point & Winston-Salem. We are a Custom Wood Deck building company that specializes in the construction of small to large projects to enhance your outdoor living lifestyle. Triad Installations has been in Business since 1984.

Deck building is on the rise. According to a 2011 report by The Freedonia Group, leading business researchers, “U.S. demand for decking is forecast to rise 3.0 percent annually through 2019 and then go up from there.

As a priority, location, location, location is now being replaced by space, space, space, as homeowners strive to utilize every inch of their land. A deck, one way to maximize even the tiniest backyard plot, can be any size, shape or configuration as long as it conforms to the geography of the land and a home’s style and profile

Types of Wood Decks

You have two main categories of deck materials to choose from: natural wood or manmade products (composite) – but there are lots of options within each of these categories. The most popular wood products are treated lumber and cedar. Other species of wood such as redwood and hardwoods like Ipe, jojoba and tigerwood are also used on decks

The majority of decks built today are made of Pressure Treated wood. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings.

Knowing that where you live and how much you can spend may be deciding factors—here are the likeliest natural wood choices for deck building:

Redwood is easy to work with, naturally decay- and insect-resistant and rugged enough to avoid warping and splitting.

Cedar resists moisture, rot and insect infestation. If untreated, it weathers to a silvery gray but is easily stained or sealed.

Douglas fir, like spruce, is not only a source of beauty but also very strong. It responds well to hand- and power-tool use and, properly treated, is decay-, mold- and termite-resistant.

Cypress is strong, with natural resistance to decay. It’s also easy to work with—either with hand or power tools.

Hemlock boasts a uniform wood grain as well as a natural resistance to decay. It, too, is easily dealt with.

Southern yellow pine, when pressure-treated, is durable, strong and environmentally friendly. NOTE: In 2003, when high toxicity was discovered in pressure-treated wood, new regulations were established. Manufacturers now use nontoxic chemicals to make that product safe as well as rot- and insect-repellent. Decking experts at say that “pressure-treated lumber provides greater strength and is less expensive than other deck materials. Use it to frame the structure, and then choose another material for decking and railings.”

Exotic wood choices. These species are more durable, more difficult to work with and more expensive,” says The Home Depot. Choices include cambara, meranti and ipe also called Brazilian walnut, which is an extremely dense material and also a renewable product—one of the best choices for outdoor decking

Maintaining Wood Decks

Because decks are exposed to the elements all year round, it’s a good idea to establish a routine of upkeep that’ll protect your deck and prevent expensive repairs.

Here’s a simple maintenance schedule to help keep your deck safe, sound, and looking great.

Thoroughly sweep the deck, Sweeping goes a long way

Start by brushing the whole deck with a stiff broom. This helps get rid of loose dirt and lets you see where caked-on mud and moss might be lingering. A weekly sweep also helps prevent water and dust from drying out your boards.

Pressure washing is another option, but it can splinter wood and strip the deck of its protective coating.

Choose an appropriate cleanser.

Wood deck: Use a standard deck cleaner and follow its directions. Some require the decking to be wet first. Some don’t.

Clean the deck. Choose a cloudy day when the decking is cool and the sun won’t evaporate the cleaner.

Wood deck: Use a paint roller, a garden sprayer, or a stiff-bristled brush broom to apply the cleaner. Don’t let it pool. Don’t let the deck dry until you’ve scrubbed it clean. Then let it soak according to manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 10 minutes). Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Let the Deck Dry.

Decks add functionality, character, and beauty to your home’s outdoor space. Another bonus: decking materials require low maintenance and because they are produced for outdoor purposes they have a long life expectancy and can withstand wet weather and sunny conditions. Rain or shine, your deck will hold up.

Perhaps one of the best benefits of a deck is how it naturally increases the home’s value. According to experts, you can easily recoup up to 72 percent of the cost of building the deck by the amount it will raise the overall property value of your house. This exceeds what can be recouped from other home renovations such as additions, including adding a living room, sun room, or even an extra bathroom.

Whether throwing a birthday party or having a summer BBQ, a deck provides additional outdoor living space. It will work as a great place to host guests for a dinner party or even to have an extra place to lounge and relax during the warmer months.

Adding a deck adds a high amount of design to any home, making it more visually appealing and enhancing the home’s overall quality. It can easily add dimension to any yard for an attractive property that stands out. You can stain the wood of the deck to fit into the color scheme of your shutters and the design of your house to make it look natural and appealing.

Adding a deck to your property will provide extra room to store a barbecue, patio furniture, and even potted plants. If you don’t have space in your garage, you could even store your bike. A deck is a space that is easy to furnish and will free up the yard for other interests and activities.

Types of Wood for Decks

Pressure Treated Lumber- No. 1 decking material used today. It’s affordable, readily available coast-to-coast, and easy to cut and fasten with nails or screws. Most PT decking is milled from southern yellow pine, and then chemically treated to resist rot, fungus and wood-boring bugs

Redwood & Cedar– For many purists, the only choices for decking are redwood or red cedar. Both of these western softwoods are prized for their rich color and natural beauty, and because they aren’t pumped full of chemicals or preservatives. Both species contain tannins and oils that make them naturally resistant to rot, decay and voracious insects.

Tropical Hardwoods– Massaranduba, cumaru, red tauari, tigerwood, ipe, and Philippine mahogany are just some of the tropical hardwoods available for decking. These exotic, rich-grained woods are extremely hard, very durable and naturally resistant to rot and insects.

Composites– Composite decking and its cousin, plastic lumber, represent the fastest-growing decking materials sold today. Most products are made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, and come in a wide range of colors. Composites, like Trex, TimberTech, CorrectDeck, and Veranda, to name a few, are composed primarily of wood fibers and recycled plastic. The result is an extremely weather- and stain-resistant board that won’t splinter, warp, rot or split.

Composite Decks

What are composite decks?

One of the most popular and fastest growing industries in decking materials is with composite decks. They are made from a combination of materials, usually wood and plastic. These materials are processed in a way that makes them look like real wood.

One thing that makes composite decks an attractive choice for homeowners like you is that they are a “green” product. They are often made of recycled materials. The wood is actually sawdust, wood chips, and wood fibers. The plastic can also be recycled materials.

Benefits of composite decks

Composite decks installed by Triad Installations are a convenient alternative to people who do not have time to maintain their decks. Wood decks require a great deal of care to keep it looking good. You have to sand, stain, and reseal your wooden decks every year or two. Besides the cost and time involved, you have to wait for the right weather conditions for the products to dry. All of these issues add up to a lot of work for your deck.

Composite decks do not require painting or staining. They resist rot and they do not warp like wood. You will not get splinters from touching the deck rails or walking in bare feet. Manufacturers add a pigment for the color of the wood and a preservative to make it last without extra care. 

These preservatives can last up to twenty years in the decks.

Composite decking and its cousin, plastic lumber, represent the fastest-growing decking materials sold today. Most products are made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, and come in a wide range of colors. Composites, like Trex, TimberTech, Correct Deck, Fiberon, Azek and Veranda, to name a few, are composed primarily of wood fibers and recycled plastic. The result is an extremely weather- and stain-resistant board that won’t splinter, warp, rot or split.

There are only two types of comp­osite decking on the market: solid and hollow. Solid is more like wood and is heavier than the hollow version. Because of its greater mass, solid decking will expand and contract more with temperature fluctuations.

Hollow composite decking has a more man-made look. However, it won’t expand and contract as much as solid composite decking. Solid composite decking is more popular because of its superior strength and closer resemblance to real wood.

Increases Home Value

Wood-plastic composite decks not only add value to your lifestyle, they add value to your home. With a composite deck project homeowners can recoup much of the investment when selling their home.Remodeling Magazine’s 2012 Cost vs. Value Report estimates a 62.8% return on investment for composite deck additions on a national average.

Is a Composite Deck Right for my Home?

If the deck location is very humid, or sees prolonged exposure to sunlight, or has a history of termites or carpenter ants, the answer may be composite decking. Kernersville Greensboro High Point & Winston-Salem is prone to most of these issues, so it’s not a bad idea to use composite wood.

Composite decking in Kernersville Greensboro High Point & Winston-Salem is specially designed to withstand an incredible amount of extreme temperatures, high winds, and natural wear from usage and UV light in order to provide some of the most long-lasting quality available on the market today.

In the end, choosing composite decking vs. wood decking is a personal choice but be prepared to pay at least 30% more over pressure treated wood decks.

Questions you should ask when hiring a Deck Contractor

1. How long have you been in the business?
2. Are you locally licensed?
3. Are you insured?
4. Can you provide me with the name of your insurance carrier?
5. Do you offer a warranty on the work?
6. Do you handle local permitting concerns?
7. When could you start the project and how long do you think it will take?
8. Do you always have a supervisor or foreman on-site during the work?
9. How comfortable are you working with the material I choose for my deck’s construction?
10. Can you give me a couple of references that I can contact?

Why Hire US for building your New Deck?

I’ve dedicated my business to helping you and other consumers understand remodeling design and construction. That’s why I publish my free remodeling reports.

1. My installers are highly skilled, certified and conscientious technicians. All have at least 15 plus years experience and training. We do not employ any “kids” or spare-timers, no subcontractors.
2. You will receive a written schedule and written proposal for your project. You’ll always know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
3. Everything is included, no hidden surprises.
4. We will treat your home with as much care and respect as if it were our very own.

All work performed by Triad Installations Company is guaranteed against faulty workmanship for five (5) full years from the date of installation. There will be no charge to the client for labor or materials on any repair due to faulty workmanship during that (5) year period. If you should find something that you would like repaired, simply call our office. We will promptly schedule a service appointment within 48 hours of your call. You will be given an exact day and time so that your time is not wasted waiting around for the serviceman. We’re on your side!

Professional Memberships and Certifications

Triad Installations understands the importance of continuing education and professional associations. We stay current on products, new trends and our suppliers.

• Member of the National Association of Home Builders
• Member of the Central Carolina Better Business Bureau and BBB A+ rated Accredited Business
• Owens Corning Preferred Provider
• CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator Certification
• VSI (Vinyl Siding Institute)Certified Installer
• EPA Lead based paint Contractor (for those with homes built prior to 1978)
• GAF Certified Contractor
• Atrium windows certified installer.
• Norandex, Alside, Royal vinyl siding installer.