The Best Prevention Methods for a Common Fencing Portland Problem

When people design and build homes, they first take into account things like affordability, neighborhood vibe, and proximity to favorite spots. In places like Portland, OR, it is always wise to consider environmental conditions as well. Salty Pacific Ocean air is a huge factor in construction. This is especially true for choosing the materials used for fences and decks.

A Common Problem with Salt on Wood

Microscopic salt particulates can corrode virtually any material. Metals, polymers, concrete, and especially wood are susceptible to salt. Portland residents have a particular problem with ocean salt mist because of prevailing winds from the coast, and the year round wet climate. Some places with ocean influence have relatively low corrosion rates because they enjoy regular sunny days. Portland, however, can go for months without warm sunny weather, which makes salt corrosion virtually guaranteed.

On fence rails and decks, “fuzzy wood” is a tremendous problem. This condition happens when salt particles collect in the grains of wood planks and rails. The particles attach to each other and expand, causing an effect that is strikingly similar to mold. In fact, most people mistake fuzzy wood for mold. Fuzzy wood causes discoloration, shortened wooden structure lifespans, and problems with the health of nearby plants. Read more on this article: http://bit.ly/2so7srU

A Pergolas Contractor can Help You Design a Beautiful Outdoor Space

When you live in Oregon, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors is definitely a high priority. This means that creating a comfortable and attractive outdoor space that can be used for entertaining or simply relaxing with family and friends can be an excellent addition to your home.

Decks and Patios to Enhance Your Home

When you want to enjoy more outdoor time, a deck, pergola, or patio may be just what you need. There are many styles that can help you achieve the beautiful and relaxing outdoor space you’re trying to create. For example, you can choose from a multi-level deck, a gazebo, curved deck, or an elegant pergola.

Patios can be freestanding or detached from the rest of your home or you can choose a patio that is attached, such as a wrap-around patio or entry patio. When you choose a leading pergolas contractor, you’ll have plenty of options regarding the design of your outdoor space as well as the materials that are used to build it. Read more on this article: http://bit.ly/2sojCkr

Why Homeowners Should Choose Timbertech Decking

When it’s time for you to build a new deck, you must first choose what material you'd like your deck to be constructed from. Nowadays, there are more choices than ever in materials.

In addition to wood, you can also select from a composite material like Timbertech decking. Of course, you're probably wondering why you'd choose a composite deck over a traditional wood one, but the answer really isn't too difficult to comprehend once you consider all the pros that Timbertech decking offers.

Eco-Friendly

Composite decking is made from recycled wood scraps and plastic, making it more eco-friendly than traditional wood. It puts waste that is leftover from other construction to good use.

Huge Selection

Timbertech decking comes in a variety of styles and colors. Select from various hues of earth tones and wood colors to get the shade that best matches your outdoor decor. Plus, if you'd prefer to have tiles over planks, there's even composite deck tiles you can buy.

Durable

Perhaps one of the primary reasons why so many people are turning to composite decking is because of its durability. Unlike traditional wooden decks, composite decking won't rot, so it'll last longer than traditional decking materials.

Low Maintenance

Yet another one of the major pluses to choosing composite decking over traditional decking materials is that it is low maintenance. You don't have to worry about retreating composite decking like you do wood ones. Instead, a good scrub in the spring will help keep it mold free all year long. 

Choosing the Best Decking Material With Experienced Deck Contractors

The material that you use to build your deck is going to have a major impact on its appearance, durability, and cost. Luckily, there are now more materials than ever to choose from, and every product has its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common decking materials and how you can find the perfect option for your own home.

Pressure-Treated Lumber

Pressure-treated lumber is one of the most popular choices for decks because it is fairly inexpensive and extremely easy to work with. Most pressure-treated lumber is made from southern yellow pine, and that makes them extremely resistant to rot and fungus. The biggest drawback of pressure-treated lumber is that it isn’t very durable. Longer pieces tend to warp and crack over the years, and the wood requires constant maintenance.

Composites

Composites such as Trex decking have quickly become a favorite among homeowners as well as deck contractors. This type of material is designed to be as durable as possible, and it is often indistinguishable from real wood. Read more on this article:http://bit.ly/2so9f06 

Why Pergolas Contractors Recommend This Addition

Pergolas are perfect for relaxing or dining outdoors. These outdoor spaces are created with cross rafters instead of walls, and they can be freestanding, which means that the pergolas contractor doesn’t need to attach the structure to any existing structure such as your home or the fence. Here are some reasons why contractors recommend building this interesting home addition:

Visual Interest

A pergola is ideal for showcasing plants and flowers in your backyard. Vines can grow over the rafters while hanging planters add visual interest. All weather fabrics draped from one post to the next also create a romantic look while providing additional protection from the elements.

Maximized Outdoor Space

Pergolas provide the ideal space for outdoor furniture, especially if one side is leaning on an existing structure like the wall of your home. The attached area allows shelter from wind and rain when you’re staying outdoors. A freestanding pergola can also provide protection when strategically placed in the yard.

A Good Project

Building a pergola is fairly easy if you have the right tools and possess the right skills. There are kits available that include pre-cut lumber and all of the necessary hardware, but if you don’t have the right tools, it can become a difficult task to accomplish. A pergolas contractor can eliminate the hassle of having to buy or rent these tools.

Sun and Shade

A major benefit of a pergola over a standard patio roof is the ability to determine how much sun or shade the structure provides. By studying the pergola’s area and the angle of the sun, one can control the amount of shade provided with the placement of the rafters. 

Five Tips to Keep Your Composite Deck Looking New Throughout the Year

Even though composite decking is extremely durable, it still needs some regular maintenance. Those who completely ignore their decks might find themselves dealing with issues such as cracked panels and sagging planks. Here is a quick look at five easy tips that will keep your deck looking great no matter what type of climate you live in.

Clean Food Debris Immediately

Most of the leading composite deck brands come with a warranty, but you might void that warranty if you don’t clean off oil and food debris within a certain period of time. As a general rule, food scraps shouldn’t be left on the deck for more than a few hours. A household degreasing agent such as dishwashing detergent will remove smaller stains. Read more on this article: http://bit.ly/2sowfMe

The Many Benefits of Beautiful Ipe Decking

If you’re contemplating the installation of a new deck, choosing the right material is certainly important. You’ll definitely have many options, but price should not be the only factor you consider when choosing your deck materials. For example, ipe decking might cost a little more than your standard pressure-treated wood; however, it will give you an amazingly beautiful deck, and it is rated to last 50 years or more. Over time, an ipe deck might actually be your most cost-effective option.

What is Ipe?

Ipe is a hardwood that is harvested in Central and South America; but, keep in mind, ipe from South America is of a much higher quality than that harvested in Central America. When pricing your ipe decking, make sure you know what type of wood you’re getting.

Benefits of Ipe Decking

Ipe is extremely dense, making it ideal for use as a decking material. It resists rot, mildew, termites, wear, and even fire. This incredibly durable wood is also an eco-friendly, sustainable product, making it an excellent green option for your new deck. Another great benefit of ipe is that it doesn’t absorb heat like other decking materials. This means, even if you walk on it with your bare feet on a hot summer day, the wood will still feel comfortable.

Ipe Decks are Low Maintenance

Due to the high density of ipe, very little maintenance is needed in order to keep your deck looking great. After installation, simply seal the deck with a quality rose oil based sealant. Once a year, wash the deck to remove dirt, debris, and mold spores. Reseal annually if needed. 

Why You Should Choose Composite Decking

Thinking of a way to enhance your home? Why not add a deck? Not only will it improve your home’s curb appeal and resale value but it will also give your family a safer and more convenient outdoor living space. One of the most important questions you need to answer if you are planning to install one is what type of material the deck has to be made of.

Well, you may be thinking it’s obviously lumber, but the truth is that not all decks you see in your neighborhood are made of wood. Some of them are made of composite materials. This alternative is a combination of different materials, mainly wood and plastic. It is usually designed and processed to look like real wood. 

There are a number of benefits in having a composite decking instead of a wood one. For one, composite is apparently more durable than wood, considering that it is not susceptible to rot and mold growth. This means you don’t have to seal it over and over to protect its surface from weathering. 

Composite is processed ground material so unlike lumber, its main material is not harvested in planks. This means it can be molded into just the right size of boards to meet your design and structural needs. The color can be adjusted to your preference as well. You can enjoy all these perks without having to pay as much as you would if you install a wood deck.

The trick, however, is choosing the right installer. With the right builders putting up your deck, you can rest assured that you will be able to maximize the features of composite. In most cases, the expert builders you will hire will even provide you with insights about the project to help you with decision-making.