Composite decking prices: Trex, Timbertech and Fiberon compete with wood.

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Composite decking prices have exciting new options for 2013.  Manufacturers have come out with new price-point products that are highly competitive with wood for initial installation cost.  Even when the short term costs of staining and maintenance are considered, the net expense of price point composite decking is far lower than real wood. This cost difference will only continue to compound for the life of your deck. The great thing about this seasons offerings is that they all are the new co-extruded type of composite decking, a wonderful benefit because of scratch, stain and fade resistance. Read more about co-extruded decking here. Previous years price point offerings of composite decking, were all of the traditional composite construction, not co-extruded decking.

Some examples of value priced composite decking.

Trex got the ball rolling with new composite decking prices on co-extruded decking, with their new line  of “Select” decking, which is now offered in all of the old “Accents” colors, Winchester Grey, Saddle, Woodland Brown, and Madeira. This decking is on the market in the $2.50 range per lineal foot, or $40 per 16′ length. Timbertech added a similarly priced  version of their “Earthwoods Evoluntions” product  in the “Terrain” line, colors “Brown Oak” and “Silver Maple”, also in the the $2.50 range, per lineal foot. Fiberon’s new Pro-Tect line of composite decking, which is modeled after the appearance of exotic hardwoods, is available for under $3 a lineal foot. The Pro-Tect line includes “Chestnut”, “Gray Birch”, and “Western Cedar”. Pro-Tect also offers two solid colors, “Canyon Brown” and “Harbor Gray” which are available for about $2.40 per lineal foot. We are currently building a Protect deck stay tuned for a portfolio post.

Value conscious homeowners would be wise to take advantage of the new composite decking prices! Give MBA Deck & Fence a call today for a free estimate.

ACQ treated lumber and non galvanized metal connectors, hinges and hardware, how to prevent corrosion.

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Why is this important?

It is important to understand that the corrosive nature of ACQ treated lumber comes from electrolysis, not a low PH(acid) quality of the lumber. The contact of steel with the high level of copper in the treated wood creates this electrolysis and corrosion. It can destroy or severely damage a metal component in only a few years. Significant aesthetic damage can occur in weeks on some cases. As a Seattle deck builder and fence installer,  weather and the corrosion that comes with it is a major concern.

What can be done to protect my hangers when using ACQ treated lumber?

One of the easiest ways to use a non ACQ rated metal component is simply to insulate it from the copper in the treated lumber with an adhesive flashing barrier. This interrupts the conductivity between the steel component and the copper in the wood. This is actually a building code approved method for when a hanger or other engineered component that is unavailable in a resistant form must be used. In the photo you can see how I have bedded the post with a strip of Vycor “deck protector and then scored the outline of the hinge to remove the excess flashing around the hinge. You can learn more about ACQ and electrolysis in my related post.

Vycor backing is peeled away from around standard coated hinge.

Vycor backing is peeled away from around standard coated hinge.