Don’t Install Your Own Deck Without Reading This!
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement questions answered by calling 651-461-9226 or texting 81807. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 8.4.18.
Composite vs. Wood Deck Maintenance: Sanding & Staining
Without a doubt, the sanding and staining of a wooden deck is a labor of love. The reward in successfully completing this task is that it oftentimes reveals the character of the wood that wasn’t as obvious at the time of installation. While the ability to sand and stain a wood deck can seem like a drawback, it can actually be an advantage when it comes to fixing damage. When a composite deck is damaged, the affected boards must be replaced. However, oftentimes, sanding and staining the damaged section of wood decking can restore it to its original glory. Click to learn about composite and wood decking. 
Interested in Making The Move To Maintenance-Free Decking? Watch Our Craftsmen Install A TimberTech® AZEK® Maintenance-Free Deck:
DIY Deck Building Tips
We’ve built countless wood and composite decks since our company’s inception in 1979. Occasionally our clients ask us whether or not a DIY deck is a project that they can successfully execute on their own. While it is possible for those with the right skill set, there are a few things worth noting when it comes to building a deck.
The first is that municipalities that require permits to be secured make them necessary whether it’s a homeowner or contractor completing the work. For weekend warriors, cedar can be an appealing decking material because it’s easy to obtain and install. It’s wise to purchase cedar from a lumberyard over a big box store because there’s more variety and quality is often better.
While deck staining will still be needed every few years, the process can be sped up through a metal or glass railing system. Brown treated lumber can be a lower cost option, but it’s important to know that the longevity of the initial look is minimal. Homeowners wishing to install composite decking may want to gravitate towards TimberTech® Azek® or Millboard®.
