Our recent job in Macon takes us to a property where the homeowners had initially built the deck. Homeowner-built decks are something we see on a regular basis. The existing deck wasn’t necessarily built incorrectly, however, building codes change on a regular basis so they contacted us to take a look.
Before Archadeck of Central GA began the new redesign project.
The impetus of homeowner’s scheduling a design consultation with Archadeck of Central GA was to enhance their outdoor living space. Not only did they want a bigger deck, they wanted a better deck too!
One of the main obstacles we had to address was the home’s existing water line. The water line lays under the area where the deck is placed. In addition, the original deck substructure was built using blocks with no footings. We had to make sure the new deck was built in such a way that delivered strength to support the new decking, but also one that did not infringe on the water lines present in the area.
Low Maintenance and More Space!
Archaeck of Central GA put together a deck re-design that included bigger stairs across the front of the structure to open up the view. We wanted to retain the visibility into the backyard looking into deck from within the home. Where railing once obstructed the view, we opened that up with larger, sweeping stairs that can double as seating.
Look how we opened up the view!
Another element we addressed was making the deck level (flush) with the home. Before, the homeowners had to step down iinto the deck from the sliding doors. We redesigned the new deck to make sure you could easily flow from home-to-deck without having to step down.
Along with the larger footprint and structural updates, we makde sure the new decking would require as little maintenance and worry to keep it looking the part. Archadeck used low maintenance Fiberon Good Life decking in the color called EscapesBeach House. This decking delivers durability, beauty and longevity over pressure treated wooden decks. It will not crack, splinter or decay and the 3-sided capped layer will resist staining and fading over time.
The new deck offers more room and less maintenance!
We also used black Fortress iron pickets along with a Fiberon rail cap that matches the deck to finish off the deck perfectly. The homeowners are elated with their new deck as it is lower maintenance, easy to clean and adds drama to their backyard gatherings.
Are you ready to redesign your outdoor living space? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email @ centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.
When these Macon, GA, homeowners contacted Archadeck of Central GA about refurbishing their backyard deck, they had a pretty good idea of what they had in mind.
With an existing small deck that only extended about 6 ‘ off the rear of their home, they realized they needed a more spacious deck in order to live the outdoor lifestyle they really wanted. Such is the case with many Macon and Warner-Robins residents; a larger deck means more opportunities for outdoor living, more space to entertain, more room to grill, etc.
Here at Archadeck of Central GA, we perform many new deck, redecking and deck extension projects every year — however, this particular project entailed more than the typical deck extension.
This Macon deck included an integrated tree in its original design. The clients did not want to eliminate the tree, so we had to incorporate it into the extension project. Part of this meant we had to frame the new deck with future growth of the tree in mind.
Archadeck of Central GA extended the deck using pressure-treated wax-injected wooden decking which comes presealed giving the deck a longer period between installation to the first sealing. We also added beautiful Fortress metal balusters to compliment the new spacious deck design. The homeowner’s opted to have no entry or stairway from the backyard to the deck as a safety feature. This type of secure deck design is becoming more popular in the local area.
Along with designing the deck with the future growth of the integrated tree in mind, we also structured it in preparation for a future screened porch. We added screen below the decking so it would be ready if and when the homeowners decided to add a roof –another way we prepared the space for the seeds of change.
In addition to the deck upgrades and renovations, our team also ensure the natural gas lines were run and secured for the client’s gas grill and we moved their Egg smoker from the yard to the deck for convenience.
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.
Contact us today to schedule your design consultation and let us show you how we can help you get the outdoor living environment you have in mind!
Looking for great ideas in deck designs? What’s new? What are the current trends? Here at Archadeck of Central Georgia, we keep up with innovations in deck design. We want to show our clients in the Macon and Warner Robins area the most attractive and well-constructed deck ideas. Clients are often amazed by the number of options available for decks today.
When you first start thinking about adding a deck onto your home, or replacing an older deck, you may think a deck is a deck is a deck. Seen one, seen them all? That’s certainly not true anymore. Among the variety of decks being built these days are different sizes, shapes, colors, materials, railing styles, stairway designs and more. By the time you complete your selections within each of these options, you will have designed a deck that reflects your personal style like no other.
Archadeck of Central Georgia will not leave you to make these decisions on your own. During our design consultation, we can talk about trends and show you pictures of past projects we have completed. More important though, are your personal preferences. In the end, your own preferences will determine the look of your deck.
The 3 most popular deck design features today in the Macon and Warner Robins, GA, area:
Diagonal decking
Decking boards laid in a diagonal pattern serve two purposes. This design not only looks good, it creates a stronger deck.
Visually, diagonal decking adds a distinct character to your deck and can be directed intentionally to emphasize a specific view or to affect how people move through the space. The visual appeal of the diagonal pattern is more noticeable on a lower deck.
Technically, in terms of physics, the diagonal pattern creates triangles (which are stronger) as opposed to squares (which are weaker). Triangles help to brace the structure, so diagonal decking increases the strength of the frame by making the entire deck more rigid. This is especially desirable on taller decks.
Parting boards
If you’re looking for a deck design with even more visual interest, you’ll want to see some designs that incorporate parting boards. A parting board separates sections of a deck where the decking boards are running in different directions. We most often use this device when a deck is large enough to be sectioned off into different functional areas. Perhaps you want to have a lounge area on one part of the deck and a dining area on another section. The best way to visually define these different sections is to change the direction of the decking boards. A parting board serves as a meeting point for the two sections.
Metal pickets on railings
There was a time when all deck railings looked alike. If the deck was made of wood, the railings were, too. Wooden deck railings and pickets were somewhat thick and could easily block the view. Today we have a variety of materials available to use for deck railings and pickets. Most of the newer designs are thinner and made of metal. These new railings and pickets, or balusters, are much more stylish and almost seem to disappear when you look through them. Archadeck of Central Georgia uses Fortress™ Railing Products. The black square baluster design is the most popular with our clients, while second in popularity is the basket design (pictured).
Additional design features for today’s decks
There are many, many more elements that make up the infinite array of deck designs. Briefly, here are some of the other choices we will guide you through in the design process:
Colors and materials
Do you like bold colors, contrasts, or understated tones? Do you want to build with natural wood or composite decking materials? Wooden decks can be stained or painted, and a lot of the newer composite decking boards come in a variety of colors. If you are willing to perform — or pay for — annual deck maintenance, you can consider building with wood. However, if regular maintenance chores do not fit into your lifestyle, you will probably want to select one of the composite decking options. These new materials are evolving to look more and more like natural wood.
Shapes and levels
Do you want a simple deck that follows the horizontal line of your home? Maybe you’re thinking about an octagonal deck or one that starts at the house and ventures out into the yard. A multi-level deck has a certain “wow” factor, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. What if you’re not really going to use more than one main level? Finally, if your deck is high off the ground, will you want to use the space under it as a covered patio or as a storage area?
Bottom line: the design decisions are your own
Fiberon ProTect deck in Warner Robins, GA.
You may think it will be hard to choose from all of the available designs, materials and accessories, but you’d be surprised. Once you start looking at the many options, certain elements will resonate with you pretty quickly. As you look at examples and sketches, your own preferences will solidify in your mind.
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.
Let Archadeck of Central Georgia walk you through the design options for a new or replacement deck at your Macon or Warner Robins area home. Contact us to schedule a design consultation by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.
This Lake Sinclair has become even more treasured by these Macon, GA residents since Archadeck of Central GA added a new screened porch and lakeside deck.
Many times, when you have a summer home, cabin, or lake house; the majority of the time you spend there is focused on the outdoors. The beauty and tranquility of the outdoors is what draws homeowners to owning this type of residence. That is exactly the case with the lakehouse on Lake Sinclair these Macon, GA residents own. The lakehouse is the family’s escape from work, schedules and obligations. It serves as a relaxing getaway spot from the fast pace of the everyday and a great location to spend quality time with their family.
The homeowner’s called Archadeck of Central Georgia to have us extend the outdoor living space at their Lake Sinclair lakehouse. The sun had become brutal on their lakeside enjoyment and nuisance insects like mosquitoes which were eating them alive. Their existing space included a deck that was in bad shape and needed to be torn down to start afresh. This situation was remedied with a new screened porch addition along with a new deck addition.
The new screen porch provides a protected space free of insects and the hot summer sun.
The deck and porch are really large compared to the cabin style house. The lakehouse is small because this Macon family spends most of their time outside while there. We designed the screened porch to overlook the homeowner’s existing dock which provides a panoramic view of serene Lake Sinclair. The screened porch provides a protected outdoor space where the family can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors without the hot sun and pesky insects. The new deck was built using low-maintenance composite which will look and function like new for years to come.
The gable roof design on the elevated screen porch ties it into the existing home and looks original to the space. The gable also allows for a higher pitch that gives the airy feel of being outside on a porch rather than inside an enclosed area. The new deck adds extended space for grilling and outdoor living and is connected to the screened porch for ease of access in case the mosquitoes make an appearance.
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
This Macon, GA family couldn’t be more elated with their new lakehouse deck and screened porch combination.
To learn more about taking advantage of your property’s special features like a lakefront view or special backyard garden within your outdoor space, contact Archadeck of Central GA today. We can design a deck, porch or patio that is a pleasure to use from every angle at your primary residence, summer home or weekend getaway home.
Call us for a free consultation today(478) 745 – 2000 centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
A design rendering to the left details the project while in the planning stages, as the image to the right shows the completed project.
This image depicts the existing deck and lanai before we broke ground on the new sunroom and deck addition.
Archadeck of Central Georgia just finished this beautiful deck and sunroom in the Rivoli Road area of Macon. These homeowners had been thinking of adding a sunroom to their deck for a number of years. They even planned to the extent that when upgrading their home’s existing HVAC, they built in the capacity for the new room they would be adding This decision made the sunroom addition run smoother because of the planning on the part of the homeowner.
The homeowners had a deck with a screened lanai over the top. The space was 10 years old and had met their outdoor living needs for awhile. But, they envisioned a space they could utilize year round. With their lanai, they were subjected to the weather at all times including the humidity and the pollen that go along with Macon summers! We demolished the existing deck and lanai to start from scratch.
The new space includes a sunroom with a brick wall around the bottom to match the original home’s skirting. The sunroom includes huge glass windows that use a four track system allowing the homeowners to take advantage of the view and the breeze. The 10 foot windows can be easily opened to expose 3/4 of the screen. The entire space is insulated including the two large insulated glass triangles which were placed in the gable end of the sunroom to maximize the sunlight that comes into the space.
The sunroom’s interior features large easily functional windows and charming beadboard.
In the sunroom’s interior we finished the space using charming bead board on the interior walls and on the closed rafter ceiling. We also designed the door to swing out so as to not take up space within the sunroom. The homeowners are going to paint the interior walls the same color as their vinyl siding and they are also going to install a tile floor.
In addition to the stunning sunroom, we built a low maintenance deck attached to the space. We used Fiberon Pro-Tect decking in gray on the new deck which provides the perfect spot for the homeowners to grill. The existing home did not have gutters, nor did it need them in the past. In order to keep water from splashing on the new deck after it rains we installed gutters above the new deck space.
These Macon, GA homeowners are elated with their new space. This project proved the ease of transition that is possible when the homeowner plans ahead to factor in the vision of future outdoor space amendments. Much like our staged building program, certain structural amenities can be designed and engineered into your outdoor space ahead of time for future additions.
An outdoor living dream come true for these Macon, Ga., homeowners.
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
If you are looking for the perfect outdoor living space, or outdoor room to deliver years of enjoyment for you and your family contact Archadeck of Central GA. We can design an outdoor living space master plan that you can build in stages to accommodate your lifestyle and your budget. Call us for a free consultation today (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
You can see more examples of our beautiful low maintenance decks and our stunning sunrooms by visiting our composite and PVC deck gallery and our sunroom gallery, both are located on our website.
Fiberon is one of our top picks for low maintenance decking options,
As an outdoor structure expert we are dedicated to ensuring the products we use on all our outdoor structures meet or exceed our quality standards. In the low-maintenance decking options, there have been a couple of generations of growth and enhancements. When these products first came out, they generally included a combination of plastic and wood fibers – thus the composite name. The next generation of synthetic outdoor building products were solid plastic products which provided greater performance and stronger warranties. In an effort to offer customers the best of both worlds, synthetic companies now offer what is called capstock or wrapped product. This product has a composite core but is wrapped with PVC. This lowers the cost while maintaining the performance of a PVC product.
We are now offering Fiberon Pro -Tect decking to our central GA Archadeck customers. Pro-Tect is a capstock composite made by Fiberon. Fiberon’s Pro-Tect is different because it uses a unique manufacturing process which produces a great looking product that mimics the look of real wood. Pro-Tect is wrapped on 3 sides (traditionally 4 sides are wrapped) and provides superior low-maintenance attributes at a competitive price.
These are the color swatches for Fiberon’s new Pro-Tect line of decking.
When you are comparing the price difference between composite and capstock there is not a huge price difference. When you move from capstock decking to PVC there is a significant price difference. The only drawback to solid PVC is the aesthetic. Many homeowners feel that solid PVC decking looks too artificial to suit their tastes. capstock takes the best of both worlds from composite and PVC and mingles them together.
Pro-Tect looks great. Many happy customers have concluded that Pro-Tect doesn’t look like plastic. This new line comes in five rich, fade resistant colors that require no staining or painting. Pro-Tect has 3 colors that we offer here in Central GA – Chestnut, Gray Birch and Western Cedar. The color choice works well with a wide range of settings and complements a myriad of color schemes in your outdoor space. Pro-Tect’s product line also includes rail caps and steps. Pro-Tect is backed by a 20-year, limited warranty for stain and fade protection. Pro-Tect also resists mold and mildew. The quality and price point of Pro-Tect means more homeowners can enjoy the benefits of real, low-maintenance decking.
Here is a photo from the Fiberon website showing a deck finished with Pro-Tect in Western Cedar.
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
If you are considering adding a deck, porch or other outdoor space to your home this year, please contact Archadeck of Central Georgia. We can help you decide which type of material is the best choice for your anticipated outdoor space. Call us for a free consultation today (478) 745 – 2000 or email centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
This stunning rounded deck in Central Ga., was built with TimberTech decking and adds a worry -free, durable material to the already long list of positives in regards to this deck.
Many of our customers here are Archadeck of Central GA look for low-maintenance materials. Low-maintenance materials are available in decking boards, railing, trim, and many of the other building materials for decks, porches, pergolas and other outdoor structures. Of the low-maintenance materials, many customers are familiar with and request composite or synthetic decking. We work with a couple different brands including AZEK, Fiberon and TimberTech.
This week we are focusing on two of TimberTech’s heavy hitters; Earthwood Evolutions and TimberTech XLM. Each of these lines have a lot to offer when you are looking for a high-quality, low-maintenance decking materials.
This TimberTech deck by Archadeck of Central GA is located in beautiful Hawkinsville, GA.
TimberTech Earthwood Evolutions is what is referred to as a “capstock”composite decking material. This means that the boards have a composite core which is derived from plastic and wood fibers. This core is then wrapped, or capped, with a fully protected poly shell that protects the plank from everyday accidents endured by most decks. This line comes with a 25-year stain and fade warranty. One drawback to this product is since it is softer than a solid PVC product it can scratch more easily. Over time, these scratches will fade and TimberTech also recommends using a Minwax product on any scratches since capstock is neither harder nor softer than wood. A general rule of thumb to consider when dealing with capstock is if an outside influence is capable of scratching a wood decking board, then it is also capable of scratching your wrapped synthetic product too.
The Earthwood Evolutions line includes realistic looking planks in an array of hues with streaking and shading that mimic the look of exotic hardwoods. The colors include Brick, Brownstone, Slate, Pacific Rosewood, Pacific Teak, and Pacific Walnut. Although all of the colors are available some are easily found in stock and some must be special ordered. The special ordered materials are going to be slightly higher in cost. Be sure to ask
Color swatches for TimberTech Earthwood Evolutions
TimberTech XLM colors
TimberTech XLM is another popular synthetic decking board. It is made of solid PVC, which means it doesn’t contain any natural wood fibers. This makes it harder and denser than regular composites or capped composite. Along with added strength and durability, XLM is also backed by one of the strongest stain and fade warranties in the industry. TimberTech XLM decking has a flat-grain surface which aids in being slip resistant which is a huge plus when used next to pools and spas. XLM colors include Mountain Cedar, River Rock, Sand Ridge, Rustic Bark, Harvest Bronze, Harbor Stone and Walnut Grove. This palette includes colors from white, to gray and many shades of brown offering enough diversity to suit any taste and match any color needs you may have.
Another view of this stunning TimberTech rounded deck in Hawkinsville, Ga.
From a performance standpoint, the solid PVC attributes of XLM gives it the advantage. From a budgetary standpoint, XLM is heavier and a little more costly to ship from point A to point B than it’s lighter counterparts. To ensure you make the best decision for your individual needs and circumstances it is important to discuss your options with your outdoor structure professional.
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
If you are looking for a low-maintenance decking plank that delivers on its promises, TimberTech is definitely leading the pack. Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about this and other synthetic decking choices that will best suit your lifestyle. We can help you decide which product is the right fit for your outdoor living needs. Call us for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000.
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
You can see more example of synthetic decks including TimberTech and many others reputable brands by visiting our composite and PVC decking gallery located on our website.
This photo is a good example of GeoDeck composite decking that has gone bad.
The term “decks gone bad” sounds like one of those crazy videos that you see advertised late at night when everyone but you is already asleep. Sadly, being in the business of outdoor living we can attest to the truth behind the term. Shoddy workmanship and inferior products can cause any well-meant deck to go bad. This is even true when it comes to composite decking. Many homeowners think that just because they are getting a composite deck that nothing can go awry. Unfortunately all composites are not created equal.
In this photo the manufacturer defects and inconsistencies are evident in this piece of composite decking.
Composite decking materials have been evolving since their introduction onto the scene. Since their inception, every few years another composite product will come out that looks better, requires less maintenance, and holds up longer than the last. However, all composites aren’t the same. Composites as a whole are a manufactured product and there have been issues where the product was not made properly. In some cases the formulation for the composite was composed incorrectly. We have seen this happen with the recycled products in particular. In each instance where we have dealt with a composite deck that has gone bad, it was attributed to incorrect manufacturing and production issues. Although it is easy to identify bad product as soon as it begins to be used in the field, it is difficult to track down the people that have purchased and used the product in order to communicate the problems with the product to the customer.
The GeoDeck composite used on this deck is crumbling.
When material is ordered it is not improbable to receive material coming from different lots. When this happens sometimes just a few boards out of a particular order can be deemed bad. When this happens it can become a nightmare. The good thing about working with Archadeck of Central Georgia is if the unfortunate happens, we not only warranty our product, we are going to replace it. Although the manufacturer will not reimburse the contractor for the labor involved in replacement, we will always make things right. A good contractor will always stand behind their products and their work and will make whatever goes wrong on your project right as rain at all costs.
This photo illustrates defective Epoch synthetic decking by Tamco.
The vast majority of inferior composite materials come from smaller, lesser known and new composite companies. A good rule of thumb is to talk with your contractor about which companies he/she has found to be the most reputable from their experience. We have worked with many composite companies and will only do business with those that have a long track record of positive results. Archadeck also has a good relationship with all the reputable composite companies which is very important in delivering peace of mind to our customers through the products we offer.
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
If you are planning a new composite deck addition, or maybe you are thinking of refurbishing an existing deck, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia. We can ensure a quality composite and the quality ethics and workmanship that go beyond your everyday contractor. We go the extra mile, for your safety, satisfaction and to protect your outdoor living investment. Call us today for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit our composite and PVC deck gallery located on our website to see examples of quality composite paired with quality design and workmanship.
We cleaned and sealed this deck and railing in River North. Notice the solid white sealer on the railing.
Maintaining your outdoor living structure can be a big headache but it doesn’t have to be. The allure of an outdoor living space is relaxation. But in order to keep your outdoor space running smoothly and looking beautiful it will require some degree of maintenance. Some materials require more intensive maintenance than others. But keeping in time with your maintenance schedule is the difference between keeping your beloved outdoor structure looking like new and allowing it to look tired because of lack of maintenance. In fact, there are many low maintenance products available which maintain their like-new look without all the work.
All maintenance requirements are not created equal
Are you trying to decide between a pressure-treated, Ipe, or composite deck? Each material is characteristically beautiful in its own right, but the level of maintenance required on all three materials is quite different. Standard and premium grade pressure-treated decks require pressure or chemical washing followed by an application of a sealer which will protect the lumber from absorbing water. This is usually required on an annual basis or possibly more depending on the amount of exposure to the sun. Pressure-treated boards have the capacity to soak up a great deal of water. Humidity and moisture mixed together will cause the rapid expansion and contraction of the wood which will cause your deck to weather faster which is why it is so important to seal your pressure-treated deck. Vertical elements of your pressure-treated deck don’t require the level of maintenance that the floor, steps and rail cap will, this is because the water does not sit on the wood but runs off.
These Central GA homeowners have Georgia on their mind when using this stunning composite deck.
With pressure-treated decks maintenance is the key to keeping the deck beautiful and structurally sound. If you miss a year or two it can ultimately cause irreversible damage. On the other hand, if you love the look of natural wood there is another option called Ipe. Ipe is a dense and exotic looking hardwood that requires less maintenance than other wood options for your deck.
Ipe is perfect for use around water features because of it;s density and resistant to water that would cause other wood mediums to degrade rapidly.
Ipe is a Brazilian hardwood that is literally harder than nails. Its density makes it desirable in outdoor structure settings. Ipe is so dense that it needs to be pre-drilled before the pieces can be connected. We recommend sealing an Ipe deck with a good sealer to retain the material’s dark, rich tone. If Ipe is left to weather it will age to a beautiful grey patina over time. The maintenance required for Ipe is not as tedious as that of pressure-treated wood. You can let Ipe go for a few seasons and then seal it and it will then look like new again. Good quality sealers can be found by checking with Consumer Reports, but we also highly recommend Cabot stains and sealers, and Olympic also makes a good quality sealer as well.
The key to successfully sealing any wood deck is to do so when it is dry. Make sure the deck remains dry after application up to 48 hours if possible. You will want to check the forecast before starting your maintenance. A good rule of thumb to check to see if it is time to seal your wood deck is to sprinkle a little water on it, if the water beads up then it is not necessary to apply sealer. When the sprinkle test reveals that the water blends in with the deck within 15-20 seconds of application then it is time to treat your wood deck.
We replaced and sealed the flooring only on this deck. The railing is original with the original sealer
One of the lowest maintenance options is composite decking. Today’s composites come in a wide array of finishes, textures and tones that rival the look of real wood. Composite decks do not require sealing or annual maintenance to keep them looking new but they do need to be cleaned periodically to remove dirt and debris. Most brands only need soap and water cleanup to keep them looking new. Common sense practices come into play when talking about maintaining composites. Materials that stain such as ketchup, grease spillage from the grill and even wet leaves should be cleaned up immediately to avoid damage to the deck’s surface. Compare your reaction time when dealing with composites to that of any surface in the home. If you would rush to clean it up on an indoor hardwood floor, then you should take the same care for any outdoor flooring material. The end result will be a composite deck that stands the test of time and looks new for many years to come.
Ipe delivers beauty and strength ; the beauty and the beast of decking material.
If you are on the fence about what material to choose for your new deck, take the amount of time you are willing to spend on maintaining that deck to keep it performing and looking like new into consideration. Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about the material options that would best suit your needs, your wants and most of all your outdoor living lifestyle.
Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000
Email:centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
This deck was built using the beautiful Morado and Acacia colors in the Arbor collection by AZEK, just two of the many stunning colors they offer.
There have been many advances in composite/synthetic decking since it debuted on the market. For one, the category was previously classified as composite decking when the products within the category were all a “composite” of wood and plastic. Since then, the category was reclassified as “synthetic” products were introduced such as decking boards made of solid PVC. Now, the term “synthetics” captures composite and man made materials as well as the a new hybrid board.
Composite decking was the first synthetic material to hit the scene. It consists of a wood pulp blended with plastic for added strength and durability. Composite is readily used today and still provides a stronger and lower maintenance deck than that of pressure treated, and other woods commonly used in decking.
A new product called capstock is composite that is wrapped with a durable layer of vinyl PVC around a composite core. Many in the industry refer to it as a “composite hybrid”.
Intricately detailed features such as this Chippendale patterned deck in Milledgeville, GA respond beautifully with the use of capstock synthetic decking.
Synthetic decking has the highest level or performance. While composite provides protection from splitting, splintering, rotting, termites or fungal decay, synthetic PVC decking provides all of these protections and also provides protection from stains and fading.
At the top of the solid PVC list is AZEK decking. AZEK is a solid PVC which is stain and scratch resistant. This includes resistance to scratches made from patio furniture and pets. It will also stand up to the all-American cook out better than any synthetic on the market because it is resistant to spills like grease, ketchup and even red wine. AZEK is highly recommended for use around pools, spas and even on piers and docks because it is impervious to moisture as well as insects because it is constructed of solid PVC. This material is also split resistant and mold and mildew resistant as well. A deck built with AZEK is truly the deck that keeps on giving year after year.
AZEK Acacia from the Arbor Collection
Synthetic decking is not the perfect choice for everyone. One major objection is the initial cost vs. the cost of pressure treated southern yellow pine decking. However, if you are going to live with the deck or porch for more than 5 to 7 years the cost of paying someone to maintain the decking will be recouped. And afterwards you are saving money!
Once upon a time, synthetic decking had limited color choice options which was a drawback for homeowners. That is not the case with modern synthetics. In our area the two most popular colors are Acacia and Morado, which are both part of AZEK’s Arbor Collection. Each one of the AZEK colors has graining and undulation that mimics the look of real hardwoods beautifully. Acacia is a stunning, rich dark brown and Morado is a mid-tone that is similar to the look of antique walnut. We are also starting to see their new color Cobre come into the spotlight with its tan-brown appearance that we anticipate will be the next most requested AZEK color.
AZEK deck with white railing
Choose a beautiful deck with longevity to give you more time to enjoy outdoor living at its best. Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about AZEK, and the many other high-quality synthetic decking choices we offer. We can ensure you will be enjoying your new deck rather than maintaining it.
Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000 centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
See more stunning synthetic decks and view the many options we have available to suit your lifestyle and your wallet by visiting our composite and Vinyl (PVC) deck photo gallery located on our website.
Macon Warner Robins Decks, Patios, Porches, Pergolas, Gazebos and more
Looking for great ideas in deck designs? What’s new? What are the current trends? Here at 
Parting boards
Metal pickets on railings
Colors and materials
