Planning Your Next Decking Project
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. Here’s must-know information from our in-house deck specialist, Luke Panek, shared on 10.30.21.
When having a new deck installed on your home, it’s important to understand that not all synthetic products are the same. For northern climates, decking products that are manufactured without organic sawdust materials, such as TimberTech® AZEK® and Millboard®, tend to fare better than those with. Deck boards without organic sawdust do not experience size changes or swelling.
When it comes to the railing of the deck, there is no rule that states that it needs to come from the manufacturer of the deck boards. This opens up homeowners to the possibility of metal railings. This railing material wins high marks with homeowners because of its beauty and the ease through which it can be seen through. Decking contractors appreciate that they are easier to install than other decking materials.
Here’s A Behind-The Scenes Look at Twin Cities Decking Installation By Lindus Construction:
Deck footings are also offered in a variety of configurations. Traditional cylindrical deck footings involve drilling holes into the ground. This method widens the bottom of the deck footing because it has rebar going through it. Diamond Pier® deck footings have a concrete diamond with pins placed at an angle, making it look like a camera tripod. The third option, preferred by most contractors is a helical screw pile. It has the appearance of an ice auger but is meant for soil. It is screwed into the ground a minimum of seven feet. Special equipment is needed to install helical screw piles. They are the easiest to work with when frost is present. It’s important to understand that the soil type is important in determining which type of deck footings should be used.
While a reputable decking contractor can walk you through all the options they offer, they will want to understand more about how you plan to use the deck so that they can suggest appropriate features and make sure it is size appropriate. This allows homeowners to get maximum use out of the deck and to avoid the expense of a staircase if it is not needed.
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