Deck Addition - Delaware
The addition of a deck to a home is an option that many homeowners are choosing. The benefits of a deck addition are countless. Everything from enhanced barbecues to relaxation can be achieved through a deck addition. Deciding to add a deck to your home is the easy part. Then comes the more difficult choice of exactly what type of deck to build. There are several options that the decking industry provides when it comes to enhancing your home with a deck. For a more detailed list contact us here at Alcoa Construction and get a deck addition on your home today!
Our company added a crafty deck addition to this Townsend Delaware home! We provided all of the demolition, framing, finish work, and deck labor for the deck additon!The homeowners were very pleased and are enjoying the many uses their deck creates for them!
The finished custom deck built by Alcoa Construction!
Contact Alcoa Contact Construction today and start reaping the benefits of a deck addition!
Alcoa Construction 29L Atlantic Ave #161 Ocean View, DE 19970
800-785-4401 (phone) 800-785-4951 (fax)
admin@alcoaconstruction . com http://www.alcoaconstruction.com
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Composite Deck in Fenwick Island!
This Fenwick Island, Delaware composite deck offers a virtually maintenance free way to enjoy summer barbecues! Alcoa Construction is a custom deck builder that can create a deck to fit any space and needs! And why stop there? We have also built several home additions in the area including screened porches, patio enclosures, sunrooms, guest houses, and much more! We strive to provide the utmost customer convenience and service and pride ourselves on being a superior remodel contractor! Contact us today and find out exactly how we can enhance your home!
Our primary service areas are Sussex County Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland. The cities we most frequently serve include Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Millville, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Long Neck, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Harbeson, Georgetown, Milford, Slaughter Beach, Milton, Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Salisbury, Pittsville, Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City. We also serve Kent County Delaware, Wicomico County Maryland, and Talbot County Maryland.
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Pool Decks - Considerations on material selection
Pool decks are a great asset to your home, and will give you years of enjoyment with family and friends. You can use your pool deck for barbecues and outdoor parties, or just for relaxing summer weekends at home with the family. Pool decks come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes and styles, and can be built from a wide range of decking materials.
If you’re looking for inspiration, Alcoa Construction can provide numerous design ideas during your design consultation, including the best position and orientation, as well as material selection.
Choosing materials for pool decks.
Choosing the right decking material is probably the most important decision you need to make, because the material will determine the look of the deck, the cost, the amount of maintenance required and the length of the life of the deck.
The choice of materials for pool decks is very broad, and includes natural timber, composite timber decking material, brick pavers, tiles, natural granite or flagstone masonry, poured concrete and exposed aggregate.
Winterizing Procedure for In Ground Swimming Pools
Winterizing Procedure for In Ground Swimming Pools
Chemicals Required:
- Dry Acid/Alkali
- Shock Chlorine granules
- Long Life Winteriser
- Liquid Chlorine
- Ensure pool is clean and clear.
- Bring pH to 7.4 to 7.6 using Dry Acid or Dry Alkali as necessary.
- Super chlorinate the water to 10ppm using Shock Granules or Liquid Chlorine.
- Add 1st Direct’s Longlife Algeacide. (2ltrs will treat 11,000 gallons).
- Keep pump running for 8 hours to disperse chemicals thoroughly.
- Periodically through the winter, check the pool, ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6 and the chlorine level is above 5ppm.
- If chlorine level is low add Liquid Chlorine and stir pool to ensure even distribution, as concentrated areas of chlorine can cause bleaching of the liner. The pool should especially be checked after Christmas and around March as most pools go green when the ambient temperature starts to rise
1st direct Winterizing Program
- Never empty pools for the winter.
- Thoroughly backwash filter and lower the water level to below the skimmer weir; the only exception to the rule being pools installed in high water table areas, where lowering the water level could cause problems. In these circumstances, consult the original builder of the pool.
- Store summer covers clean and dry during the winter and fit winter cover.
- Store vacuum equipment and automatic cleaners indoors.
- Remove skimmer weir and basket and store in filter shed. Half fill plastic bottle with anti freeze mixture or small stones and place in skimmer barrel to prevent ice damaging the skimmer.
- Add winterising chemicals and allow to circulate.
- Make sure the filter, pump and heater are drained down for the winter and all exposed pipework holding water. If the filter is positioned below water level, seek further advice from the experts by simply clicking on ‘contact 1st Direct’.
- Spray the electric motor and any electrical equipment with a moisture repellent spray or preferably remove pump and store in warm dry conditions. Switch off electrical equipment.
- If heat pump is fitted flush with clean water.
- If auto chemical feeder is fitted, remove chemical and flush with clean water and leave drained.
- Remove all stainless steel steps, rollers etc and wipe clean and store in dry store.
If we experience a particularly hard winter, 1st Direct suggest the following especially for concrete pools: tie a row of half filled plastic containers (fill with an anti-freeze solution or sand) along the middle of the pool. This is to form a frost break to relieve pressure of ice on the sides. Formed ice should not be broken, as sharp edges may damage the pool lining. You may also be interested in looking at road sweepers to keep the area clean.
Wood vs. Composite Decks
Wood vs. Composite Decks
What you need to know to choose your decking material
Ann Matesi, Senior Contributing Editor May 1, 2008 Professional Remodeler.com
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Wood, composite and PVC decks all offer advantages to the homeowner. Photo by Clark Marten |
When it comes to selecting the surface material for their outdoor deck, homeowners’ options are better looking, better performing and easier to install.This includes traditional wood decking materials such as pressure-treated pine, redwood, western red cedar, or imported hardwoods; composites made from a blend of reclaimed and recycled materials that typically contain a percentage of wood fiber designed to mimic natural wood without the maintenance; and the newcomer to the market, vinyl — or PVC — decking products that promise a virtually zero-maintenance deck surface but so far have not been able to replicate the beauty of real wood.
All have their pros and cons in terms of appearance and performance that must be considered carefully job-by-job to give customers results that best suit their lifestyle and budget. For this reason, most deck construction specialists work closely with their clients to determine their needs, then specify, design and build what materials best suit the project rather than using a single material.
Natural Wood Decks Natural wood decks continue to be the benchmark for aesthetics. “I’m still a big fan of all wood decks, and my clients still seem to prefer the look of a wood deck,” says Dave Tibbetts, owner of Cumming, Ga.-based Atlanta Decking and Fence. “But the reality is that a wood deck requires a good deal of effort in terms of cleaning and sealing to keep it beautiful year after year.”
Decks constructed using composite materials are more expensive than natural wood decks, adding about 35 percent to the total cost of the project. But the extra investment can be a worthwhile tradeoff for homeowners who are looking to quickly boost the market value of their home. When using vinyl decks, customers can expect to pay 5 percent more than composite prices. “These low- or no-maintenance decks can be a very good value if the owner is planning to be in their home for more than five years,” says Tibbetts, who today builds about 20 percent of his projects using composites.
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| Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces can be installed even on decks when the proper precautions are taken. Photo courtesy of Fiberon |
Nearly 80 percent of clients of deck specialist John Burns, owner of American Deck of Winchester in Winchester, Va., opt for a composite deck. “Our typical composite customer has already had a wood deck in the past, is well aware of the maintenance requirements and does not want to deal with those again,” he says. “They come to us requesting composites because they are ready to make the upgrade.”"Composites have come a long way in the past five years,” continues Burns. “There have been tremendous improvements in terms of their performance and aesthetics.”
Composite materials also bring an added element of design flexibility to a project, says Jim Sasko of Teakwood Builders in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which really pleases his clients with upscale projects. “You can do some really interesting things like bending the deck around trees much more easily using composites.”
Sasko builds about 90 percent of his deck projects using composite materials and reserves all-wood decks for sheltered, undercover applications such as gazebos, screened porches and three-season rooms.
Installation, presentation challenges
All decks — wood, composite or vinyl — are constructed on a pressure-treated wood foundation, but design and installation techniques vary. Experience is the best teacher.
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Wood decks still offer unmatched aesthetics, but there’s trade-off in maintenance and longevity. Photo courtesy of Southern Pine Council |
“There definitely is a learning curve associated with working with composites and vinyls as you make the changeover from building all-wood decks,” says Burns. The most important thing to keep in mind, he says, is in the planning of the deck: “The spans must be designed correctly depending on the surfacing material that you are using.”"Composites require a slightly beefier substructure to handle the spans,” agrees Eric Kent, president of Archadeck of Charlotte. “Composites require 12-inch on center construction as opposed to 16-inch on center for wood.”
Hidden fastening systems, which eliminate the appearance of screws or other hardware on the deck surface are available for both wood and composite decks and becoming more popular and user-friendly these days, says Burk. “Nobody really wants to look at fasteners.”
“Use of hidden fasteners really takes the appearance of the deck so much further than just the use of colored screw heads, which is what we did in the past,” he says. “Almost all composite manufacturers have developed or improved upon their own hidden fastener solutions these days. Because they are designed to be used with the manufacturer’s pre-grooved deck boards, they can really save a lot of installation time once you are familiar with the product.”
“Do your homework,” advises George Drummond of Casa Decks in Virginia Beach, Va., “particularly when experimenting with new products or materials, including the new hidden fastening systems.” Drummond says that he uses hidden fasteners on about 30 percent of his projects. A simple mistake such as over tightening the screw in the fastener can ruin its integrity.
“The most important thing is to make sure that you read and understand all of the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install any decking product before you start the project because that can make all the difference. Remember, it is your reputation that is on the line as well.”
To read more about decking, click here. To read more about outdoor entertainment spaces, click here.
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How Composite Decking Can Capture Homeowner’s Attention
How Composite Decking Can Capture Homeowner’s Attention
With demand for decks expected to increase, composite materials offer an option
By Brent Gwatney, Moisture Shield June 25, 2009 HousingZone
Despite challenging economic conditions, demand for decking continues to increase. A recent report from housing market research firm SBI predicts the U.S. market for residential fence, deck and rail products will grow 4% in 2009, with 7% - 9% annual growth from 2010 through 2012.
Among the decking materials with the highest expected percentage increase is wood-plastic composite decking, with demand estimated to rise 9.5% annually through 2013, according to a 2009 report from the Freedonia Group.
Reasons for composite decking’s growing appeal include its durability, versatility, environmental benefits, and long life span. Due to its unique product make up, wood-plastic composite decking is resistant to moisture and insects; does not rot, splinter or decay; or require sealing or staining to maintain its beauty. As a result, it allows today’s busy homeowners more time to spend enjoying their outdoor living areas.
Builders can set themselves apart from their competition and attract homebuyers by incorporating decks and landscaped areas into the homes they build. And, by using wood-plastic composite decking, they can be confident that the decks they build can withstand tough weather conditions, look great year after year and last two to three times longer than solid wood.
The Green Factor
Composite decking offers builders and homeowners an environmentally responsible alternative decking material. Some wood-plastic composites include recycled content such as recycled wood fiber and recycled polyethylene plastics from items including detergent bottles, grocery bags and milk jugs – helping save thousands of pounds of trash from entering landfills each year.
Depending on the amount of post-consumer recycled content, some composite decking products qualify for credit under green building rating systems, including the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Standard.
To ensure a composite decking product contains recycled content, builders should consult the manufacturer. If recycled materials are incorporated, it is also important to determine the percentages of post-consumer and pre-consumer content, as they vary among manufacturers.
The combination of wood and plastic used to create high performance composite decking allows these materials to be cut, shaped, colored and designed in ways that are not possible with wood decking. |
Application and Design
The combination of wood and plastic used to create high performance composite decking allows these materials to be cut, shaped, colored and designed in ways that are not possible with wood decking.
Composite deck boards can be bent for use in curved stairs, benches, trellis and walkway arches, planter boxes, and any surface or non-structural features that call for round edges. The composition of some wood-plastic composites, like MoistureShield® decking, absorb substantially less moisture than other composites and solid wood, making it possible for it also to be used in projects that have direct contact with the ground (such as landscape trim).
With color choices ranging from gray to warm, rich hues of tropical hardwoods, builders and homeowners can mix and match multiple colors to add visual appeal within the deck itself, as well as complement the home’s finishing materials.
Decking areas built with composite materials also resist splintering, twisting, splitting, and cracking. A splinter-free and non-slick surface makes composite decking suitable for use in kid-friendly play structures and in other applications where safety is a concern, including access ramps and pool and hot tub surrounds.
Composite decking materials are easily machined, and can be installed with standard hand and power tools. For some wood-plastic composites, stainless-steel trim head screws can minimize the chance for metal corrosion or staining on the material. If a project requires screws to be hidden, they can be countersunk to draw up excess decking material that can then be brushed over the screw head and tapped with a hammer for the desired look. Some composite decking is also compatible with hidden fastener systems.
Product lines continue to expand as the interest in alternative decking materials increases. Some manufacturers have added decorative railing components, including posts, post caps, balusters, and trim boards to their product offerings, making it simple for builders and homeowners to complement their decking. For easy installation and concealment of outdoor lighting, security systems and audio equipment, railing and posts are available in hollow form.
Composite deck tiles offer remodelers, builders and homeowners a new option for enhancing exterior surfaces. |
Deck Tiles and Fencing
Another product type – composite deck tiles – offer builders and homeowners a new option for enhancing exterior surfaces, quickly and easily. The versatile and environmentally conscious tiles can be installed on patios, balconies, rooftops and virtually any hard, level surface. For example, made using 90% pre-and post-consumer recycled content, EcoShield deck tiles snap together for simple and secure installation. Such tiles are available in multiple colors, patterns and sizes. They will not rot, splinter or decay, and can be simply unsnapped, repositioned or removed at anytime to create a new design.
In addition to decking materials, some manufacturers are adding wood-plastic composite fencing to their product offerings. The new composite fencing materials are designed for installation with traditional treated wood frames or metal frame systems. Available in both dark and light finishes, composite fencing provides builders and homeowners another solution for their landscaping needs.
As the market continues to move toward sustainable construction, builders and homeowners are choosing materials that are environmentally responsible. Wood-plastic composite decking products offer engineered strength and long-lasting beauty, while making efficient use of recycled materials. Suitable for a variety of applications and climates, composite decking products help builders and homeowners transform the exteriors of their homes into outdoor living areas that can be enjoyed for years to come.
About The Author
Brent Gwatney is vice president of sales and marketing for MoistureShield composite decking. For more information, visit www.moistureshield.com
