Hiatus - Summer 2009

Vacation? Break? No, just the usual too busy to keep up with the blog. Sorry folks.


I did a couple of jobs, pergolas, curved gates, laminated gates and even finished up a fence in Brampton when a builder walked off the job. (not something I make a habit of). Too much desk work is not good for the disposition--so site time was much needed. I also did plenty of photography during, so our training materials will improve.

I spent about 3 weeks working with Jamie Elliott on a large waterproof deck in south Barrie Ontario this fall--he was under the gun for time so it was all hands on deck. He shared a new detail for waterproofing decks from above--to allow for finishing with wood below.

This is one gorgeous deck--and we'll show you some shots as soon as it is posted to the portfolio.

I promise not to be truent in the next few months--no promises next summer though.

LW

The best builders of decks and pergolas in Kansas City

Welcome Stephen Ledman in Kansas City! We know you will be
building great decks, pergolas and outdoor kitchens--because you have
built many great decks and pergolas before. Have a look at some of the pergola and deck projects
that impressed us so much!

This large outdoor kitchen with pergola Stephen and his crew built
this spring.



Stephen works with exotic lumber and shows great prowess with difficult
detailing.



Put simply--we are happy to find talented people like Steven that we know
will make our clients as happy. Quality shows through. Steven is a
career craftsman that has built homes and renovated older residences for
many years.

Welcome Steven Ledman "Accent
Remodelling" Kansas City Missouri.

L

GardenStructure.com Now on Vancouver Island BC

Welcome
to Our Deck and Pergola Builder on Vancouver Island-
Ken Peacock!

Ken started out as a
simple fence company--however his perfectionistic streak and building
prowess soon had him building and designing his own unique pergolas,
fences and even decks.


We
are happy to show off this capable builder's talents and ability.
Pergolas and decks are just some of this tradesman's specialties and we
look forward to seeing more of Ken's unique projects in the coming
months and years.

If you would like to see
more of what Ken can do for you click Decks and Pergolas on
Vancouver Island - click

Landscape and Deck Builder in Owen Sound

Welcome
to Mark Hutten - Our Newest Design Builder in Owen
Sound - Collingwood Ontario.

When it comes to full
service Landscape Design and Installation, as well as pergolas and
decks, Mark is a talented project manager and craftsman. He will make
your spectacular landscape come to life with a central Ontario flair.
Large stone work, (like giant flag), water features and woodwork like
decks and pergolas are all specialties of this very talented group.

To see more of Mark's Landscape
Installations - click, to see more of their decks
and pergolas - click

Trex Composite Decking

Trex Composite Decking


I recently visited a home to have a look at yet another moldy trex composite deck. This one was built by a local Toronto builder that installs Trex decking in most of his projects. The client was furious--and after months of chasing Todd (his builder), and Trex he was having a meeting with the both of them. Here are some photos of the decking project and a close up of a moldy board.

Here is a close up of what trex looks like when it is magnified. As you can see there is semi protruding wood fibers that will rot over time. This deck was cleaned about 1 week before my visit with a specialty bleaching cleaner designed specifically to remove mold from wood fiber composite decking.

After inspecting and photographing this Trex deck for mold, the neighbour from across the street asked me to come by for a look at her trex deck… see photos below.

Now, this is just my opinion, but I think anyone in this day and age knowing what I know about the product--I would be insane to install any composite decking that contains pulp lumber or to advise any of our people to use composite decking that contains pulp lumber.

There is currently a Trex class action law suit to do with warranty issues, click for info.

Here are links to more composite decking information on our main site

This is a link to see all the information within this blog regarding composite decking.

Very Poor Deck Details

Poor Deck Detailing can take many forms.


On first view of this deck it doesn't look so bad. They cared enough to make the support columns blend with the home--and from a distance it looks like a handsome deck. As you get closer you begin to see what a train wreck of a deck this structure really is.

Handrails that protrude into brick causing the columns to crumble is small potatoes when you realize that 5/4 decking was run on 30 degree angle and sags between the overspanned 2x8 joists spanning 14'. The entire platform springs beneath your feet.

These ballusters have been illegal for second level decks for about 15 years now because they are simply too weak to keep a falling human on a deck. Placing the shoe directly on the decking just breeds rot.

What on earth were they thinking with these footings. I don't know how large the base of these footings are but I would have put 14 or 16" sonos in a 20" hole beneath these footings on the soil in this area. The deck seems to have sunk a little, however without putting a level on it I couldn't comment on movement.

I don't expect it has been inspected by the building department--if it had they sure didn't get very close during the inspection.

L

A Deck Staining Company in Toronto

GardenStructure.com has another Deck Refinishing Specialist Contractor in our group of pros!

Deck Staining and Deck Refinishing is Dan Schwade's specialty. A qualified painter and a noted expert in his field--Dan Schwade and ForestViewStaining have joined our group. Dan has actually produced how to refinish your own deck E-Books . We are happy to have Dan involved due to his long track record and list of happy customers.

He works directly for homeowners and can be booked through any of our existing builders in the Toronto Area or contacted directly at (416) 898-8439. Dan is also available for speaking engagements regarding the subject of exterior stain in the Toronto area.

Darren Smith also stains decks in the Cornwall - Ottawa Area with his deck refinishing team.

To get your Deck Refinishing Business involved in our group (click here)

LW

Spacing Decking - Why it is necessary.

Spacing Decking- To Space ... Or not To Space

Here is the number 1 reason we space our decking.

This project has magnified the issue for us. As you can see this builder pushed the decking tight.

Last year was the wettest year in many decades in the area it was built. The deck faces east in townhomes and has homes to the southwest on the other side so the placement is sort of cave like.

This yard gets very little sun at the best of times so mold runs rampant.
For these reasons mold has formed all over the surface of this deck.

As you can see the mold is running up the wall (though it is winter killed here it was a pretty colour of green). When decking does not dry out it can actually absorb moisture and become wetter and tighter than when it was installed.

When decking is wet you cannot apply a coating and have it stick. If anyone attempted to stain this deck the finish would be peeling within months. If the pores are full of moisture--they cannot accept the finish into them.

I hear all the arguments--the wood is wet, it will shrink and then the spaces will be too big! Nothing looks more professinal than a uniformly spaced deck. Seeing a deck with no spaces tells me that the deck builder is an amateur.

This is a nearly 400 square foot deck with tight decking and tight skirting with no space below (floating grade beam footings). If the decking was spaced and the skirting were spaced this deck would not have had mold issues.

So if mold growing up the customer's snow shovel and furniture is your idea of a quality build--Enjoy your tight decking and prosperous future .

L