Decking
About Wood Decking: Until the turn of the century (2000) nearly all decks were built with treated pine. It’s cheap, but as we know, it cracks, splits, warps, discolors and just plain looks ugly. You can stain it or paint it, but within a few months the ugliness begins again. It not only looks bad, it’s unsafe.
Read the label on treated pine lumber. It warns you about wearing gloves when handling it, and not to burn it. The chemical treatment will pollute the air. Think about getting slivers in your hands or feet. Do you really want your children and you to be exposed to that? Some “upgrade” to cedar decking. It’s safer, but it does all the other bad things, maybe more so. It also costs more. Not a very good deal! THINK BEAUTY – THINK SAFETY!
At Spectrum Building Products we believe a beautiful home should not stop at the patio door. Think about safety and think about a great looking deck that continues to look great year after year. We have a great line-up of low maintenance decking products for you to choose from. No painting or staining required! Just a hose and brush or lightweight power washer to refresh. Spend that painting time relaxing on your beautiful deck with your family. Life can be good!
About Composite Decks: Composites led the way for those wanting less maintenance and a more attractive deck for their home. They are the most common of the synthetic (man-made) decking products. That may be so because many people are not aware that there are other choices.
There are good composites and some not so good. Composites generally have some form of wood as part of the formula such as chips, cellulose or flour. The use of these materials and how they are formed affect the performance of the decking. Wood fades and deteriorates. Some composites carry a very short warranty such as 10 years. Some are easily scratched and require substantial ventilation around the deck itself. A good composite encapsulates its wood content so it weathers better and is more scratch resistant (harder). Quality composites carry a longer warranty. Our recommended composites carry a 20-25 yr. warranty which is the highest in the industry.
About PVC – Virgin Vinyl Decking: Virgin vinyl decking is the best. The best looking, the most scratch resistant, the most moisture resistant, the most versatile, and the most expensive. Not a lot more, but more.
There are two basic styles of vinyl decking. One is hollow and has a top and bottom skin with vinyl reinforcing ribs holding the top and bottom skins together, or apart. This type is very strong because the ribs form little “H beams” running parallel with the length of the board. It’s typically tongue and grooved with hidden fastening in the tongue and groove portion.
The other form of vinyl decking is shaped like a typical composite deck board, but it weighs less. That’s due to its cellular structure. It’s also impervious to moisture, rot, and insects and can be in contact with the soil.
We have some gorgeous vinyl deck styles with really nice graining and some with variegated coloring. They’re scratch resistant, stain resistant and have optional matching trim and railing. No more painting.
Our virgin vinyl decking carries a limited lifetime warranty.
About Recycle Decking: If you are one of those good people that “think green”, one of our decking suppliers has been in the recycle business since 1968, and manufactures great looking decking and lumber from recycled products. Evolve is available in smooth or wood grained finishes in many, many colors. If you want to match a specific color, we may be able to get very close to it.
Evolve decking and lumber products are available in many different sizes in square edge or tongue and grooved. One of their special products is a 3/4 x 3 1/2 tongue and grooved material ideal for replacing old porch flooring that has reached the end of its life. It comes in some historic deck floor colors.
Evolve is pure plastic which makes it impervious to water and insects, with very minimal fading. In fact it can be installed with contact to soil or water such as a boat dock. It’s not structural, but it’s tough in every other way. It’s a recycle product and is recyclable.
Frame to Drain: Some decking manufacturers recommend that deck framing be installed with a slope to allow water to drain off deck boards. We believe that’s a good idea for all decking, and absolute for tongue and groove style of decking. Tongue and grooved decking will puddle if not sloped to drain. Spectrum Building Products has a framing procedure to drain water away from your home. It also eliminates butt joints for most decks which makes your deck more attractive. We will help you with your framing detail.
Material Only or Complete Project: Our goal is to provide you with the lowest price in the area for the same product. To do that our best price will be on your list of materials picked up at our warehouse. Other options are as follows.
- We will provide a list of materials from your plan with an estimate of their cost.
- We will make a job site inspection with recommendations for developing a plan.
- Based on our job site inspection and recommendations, we will provide a plan with an estimate for material only or quote on a complete project.
There will be a small fee for each option which will be refunded with your purchase. Our goal is to be very competitive.
Request a Quote or Call Today! (815) 580-8217
