Composite and PVC decking

Confused about the plethora of composite decking choices? Not to mention the new cellular PVC decking materials? Well, you are not alone. 

Let’s return to 1992 when PT, cedar, redwood and mahogany(ipe was less none) decks ruled the roost. Mobil oil buys Trex technology ( then called Rivenite ). They coin the term “composite decking” and spend tons of money of advertising and informing the public about Trex and the birth of the composite decking phenomenon  is off and running. Now, fast forward 16 years, there are now dozens of composite decking companies and so many choices it boggles the mind. Even Trex now make 6 different type of deck boards. Which one is best? Which one will be around in 20 years? 10 years? Next year? What are the advantages’ of one composite material over another? What is cellular PVC? There are as many answers as questions, and everyone has their favorites, or opinions on what makes their composite the best. Often times it is just a matter of pushing the most readily available product. Many materials have already come and gone, or changed to suit the trends. This can be a real pain as last year’s version of your favorite composite might not match this years. You maybe be working on multi-stage project and matching the materials on the previous stage is a must.

Rather than grouping all the composites and manmade decking materials together we can look at them broken down into the following categories. (note more info available here http://www.deckspecialists.com/composite_deckmaterials.htm and our composite page http://www.deckspecialists.com/composites.htm )

Basic composites: single color simple grain or combed finish, mixture of recycled wood fibers, dust or flour and a plastic binder usually HDPE(high density polyethylene) mostly in the 50% plastic 50% wood range. These will be the cheapest boards and perform ok. Most will look similar, and have basic color choices, require some periodic cleaning, and care should be taken not to scratch or stain the decking.

Enhanced composites: will have multiple color hues to more accurately simulate a natural wood species.

 High end composites: a composite with superior grain and  higher quality materials, finer wood dust or flour (usually less wood and more plastic), a better extruding process, better mix of polymers, still mostly HDPE but also polypropylene can be used for more strength ,often coextruded with harder surfacing, offering anti-microbial, scratch resistance, and/or UV protection. These boards will have a great deal of variety in color, texture or surface graining and many the most natural looking of the man-made materials, often looking very similar to desirable real wood species. Again ,some cleaning and preventive care will be necessary. Pricing on the group with range from affordable to quite expensive depending on the product,  there are some very good buys in this group as well as some that are very pricey.  

Cellular PVC: Originally developed by Procell, now owned by Azek, a process where PVC (poly vinyl chloride) and sometimes a filler (processed flax seed or rice husks.)where extruded PVC is whipped into a less dense (about ½ as dense as solid PVC) aerated foam resulting in a extruded material with a shiny hard surface and the working characteristics of wood. This is much different from the ordinary hollow PVC materials we are used to seeing. Cellular decking materials are gaining popularity and now even many of the composite manufactures also produce a cellular board. Cellular’s tend to be lighter and easier to handle, strong and tidy and less likely to scratch or stain. Fastening cellular’s is a breeze (no need to predrill or use special screws). But most are susceptible to chalking and definitely look less natural or more man-made. Another trend in high end composites and some cellular PVC decking boards are co-extrusions or a bonded outer layers . These processes result in a “skin” or outer layer of the decking board that has different qualities then the core. Usually the outer skin will be more colorful, have enhanced grain, be harder or more scratch resistant, have some sort of anti-microbial qualities or mildew resistance, and often UV resistance.

Pricing: composites and cellular’s range greatly in cost, your basic composites, which are more than adequate for most projects are going to be your best buy, but still rely on petroleum and are influences by the oil market. Expect to pay quite a bit more then treated wood for even the cheapest basic composite (roughly 3 times), but remember you still frame the deck from treated wood which is a large part of the overall materials. The higher end composites and Cellular PVC boards can get outright expensive, some in the and up linear ft area (this is exotic wood pricing!) These high end features come with a high price tag but the higher end composites do outshine their low cost competition.

Your choice: choosing what composite to go with is not an easy choice. It would be great if there was an easy answer to what is the best composite, but to be fair there are many great products and there are many types of composites and looks. What may be desirable to one person may look to fake or man-made to another. It can even come down to, what composite company’s colors best match your house. Some composites look to be natural or emulate a natural wood species while others do not even try to look like wood. There are budget composites that may appeal to some for the obvious reason. The cellular’s and many of the higher end composites are popular right now as we search for a better and better product. The co-extruded high end boards promise less scratching and staining, and even less chance of mold and mildew growing, and therefore less cleaning. As many of the newer products are not time tested we will see if they live up to their promises and we will see who will stand the test of time. The soft economy of last year has already left several composites for dead, and other companies scrambling to merge and consolidate their efforts for profitability.   If we have another drastic oil price spike you can be sure all these products will be greatly affected. Still all of the today’s products are light years ahead of the first generation Trex boards.

 Another special consideration when building composite decks to be aware of: With all the different colors and types of composites and many of them being special order, it can be frustrating when ordering materials for a project. You want to have enough materials to finish the project and you don’t want to cut it too close or short yourself. But, you don’t want to sit on several boards (or more) of every color and style of decking product you have worked with. In fact this can add quite a bit of money to each job, especially when you cannot return the extras at all (sometimes there is just a restocking fee). It is just a shame to see a short stack of perfectly good composite decking tossed in the dumpster of finding their way to the landfill because the job is done and there is no home for the extras. With standard materials like treated wood or ipe etc. you simply order a bit strong and use the leftovers on the next job, it just gets very tricky with all the variety and colors of composites. Some builders and suppliers will just stick to one or maybe two composite brands and limit the amount of colors they offer to combat this. 

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Composite and Pvc Decking is a post from: Gardening Pointers

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The use of proper outdoor lighting fixtures is required to accomplish all these tasks. The primary thing to decide is whether you want the outdoor light to help you see while you are outside or whether you want the light for security purposes. Post lights can be placed on the route to your front door to help illuminate the foot path for safety or you can place wall mounted or hanging lights by your door. Both these options will light up the yard, thus offering the comfort of security.

In case the light is being sited in an area that will be exposed to the elements, a weatherproof fixture will make a good choice for the durability factor. Most outdoor lighting fixtures are exposed to the elements and therefore come with different protective materials to protect the bulb and remain resistant to the various elements that they are exposed to. Also remember that such fixtures are supposed to last for several years so extra care has to be taken to make the right choice.

Proper care should also be taken to ensure that the outdoor lighting fixtures coordinate with the overall theme and décor of the space where they will be deployed, as this would add aesthetically to the charm of the house. A contemporary home should have a modern fixture while a country home would suit a rustic look.

However do not be carried away by the looks of the fixture alone, make sure that the lighting you choose is providing the required light in the area where it is installed. In case some area is not lighted properly, then you might need to install another fixture. Always remember that having too much light is just as bad as having too little light.

A good way to check for the reliability of outdoor lighting fixtures and bathroom light fixtures is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. They would be able to make suggestions of a few retailers who stock such fixtures and you can then check out the websites of these retailers and read through user reviews before finally making up your mind.

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How to shop for outdoor lighting fixtures? is a post from: Gardening Pointers

We use flower arrangements made with different flowers in weddings or parties. Beautiful flower arrangements help set the mood right for the occasion. When flowers can do this to an event that lasts for a few hours, imagine the effect they can create when we use them in our home or office where we spend most of our time.

Flowers can bring life to any room. The scent of fresh flowers and the magic of their brilliant colors cheer you up the moment you step into the room. Don’t wait any longer; decorate your home with flower arrangements made with fresh flowers. They will create a thoroughly soothing environment.

Select flower arrangements with colors and style that will blend with your home decor. A vase flower arrangement with mixed seasonal flowers is always a good option. The mixed seasonal flower arrangement from OnlineFlowers.com, which is an assortment of bright and beautiful flowers like roses, stock, delphinium, and other seasonal flowers, is perfect for any home, no matter what the style is. These vase flower arrangements, with a fascinating combination of beautiful colors, fragrances, and shapes create a stunning effect.

Flowers like roses are available throughout the year. But, not all flowers are available all year around; most of them are seasonal. So it’s good to go for seasonal flowers arrangements. Flowers like tulips and daffodils are spring flowers, whereas sunflowers and dahlias are summer flowers. It’s up to you to choose the right flowers for your seasonal flower arrangements.

Flower arrangements don’t stop at creating a welcoming atmosphere in your home. According to a research conducted a few years back, flowers help reduce stress. A study conducted at Rutgers University reiterated this fact by proving that that flowers decrease anxiety, depression, and agitation. Another research also revealed that people communicate better in the presence of flowers. Now you have all the more reason to decorate your home or office with pleasing flower arrangements.

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Mixed Vase Flower Arrangements ? For Beauty and Freshness! is a post from: Gardening Pointers

We like to think that at Lazy Susan we know a thing or two about patios and garden design, so we thought we'd share our thoughts on what we think we should all be doing trend-wise in our gardens for 2011. The humble patio has become an essential component of any garden, providing you with a place to entertain, dine and relax during the summer months. They often form the transitional area between house and garden, so should be hardwearing, attractive and use materials that blend with their surroundings.

Patio Design & Materials

If you're planning a new patio for 2011, then the three critical elements you must consider when choosing what material to use are, its appearance, whether it will be a practical choice of surface and finally the total cost. The appearance of your finished patio should be your first priority. There are many choices of material available now, including natural stone flags, man made slabs, slate pavers, bricks, crazy paving, concrete pavers and granite sets. And to make your final decision even more difficult, all of these materials are also now available in a wide variety of colours and surface finishes too! Lazy Susan's advice is always choose a material that will complement the style and age of your house and garden. Also, if you want to be on trend for 2011, think about a combination of two materials as this looks fantastic and is very popular right now.

Making sure that your patio is in sync with the style of your home is so important though and Lazy Susan can't stress this point enough. For example, if your home is constructed from red brick, then ideally the surface of your patio should incorporate red brick. Not the entire patio, go for a lighter colour and edge with red break to pull the two elements of house and patio together. On the other hand, if you live in an period Victorian property, then you need to think about giving your patio a Victorian look and there are a variety of materials that lend themselves to this style, such as concrete, marble, brick, flagstone and sandstone.

While having a stylish and fashionable patio is key, the surface must also be a practical choice. That doesn't mean you have to compromise on style, just think about who's using the patio. For example, if the garden is used by young children or the elderly, build your patio with a material that has a textured finish to provide a little extra grip when wet. Uneven edges can be a little hazardous too, so while a professionally built natural stone patio can look great, it is still likely to be a little uneven. Other than that, our only advice would be to try and ensure that the material you choose is easy to install and clean, especially if your patio has over hanging trees or large shrubs. The patio should be designed in such a way that it matches your home décor too. If you have a modern home with a contemporary interior, then the ideal patio décor would be sleek in style, and likewise a classical patio design if your home is more traditionally finished.

Definitely long gone are the days of a slab of concrete with a few plastic chairs and for 2011 Lazy Susan wants to see people replace their tired poured concrete patios with stylish hand laid (by professionals!) stone and brick. And it is not just patio materials that are in need of an upgrade, people need to to be re-thinking about the size of their patio too, with many contemporary designs taking up a significantly greater proportion of your garden. Combining the availability of better materials with a larger patio, more homes are also better equipping their patios for entertaining purposes. Fixed BBQ's, fire pits, stylish planters and other accessories (even the odd hot tub) have turned the humble patio from a place to keep a few chairs to a place for relaxation and entertainment.

There's a definite trend for making patios useable for extended periods of the year, not just the odd day of British sunshine we seem to get. Screening your patio and installing fire pits or outdoor heating units, is giving us the opportunity to enjoy our outdoor spaces when the temperature drops. Even without screening, the utilisation of modern awnings, patio furniture covers, and heating units can allow you to make use of your patio area well into early Autumn and from early Spring too.

Taking the time to upgrade your patio can be time consuming and expensive, but in the long run the time, effort and money you put into it will be paid back in terms of the value of your property and the use you'll get from it. How much your patio will cost to install depends on many factors. You will always have to prepare a base for any product, and this cost will remain constant. The price of each unit of paving will vary according to the quality of the product. Natural stone is the most hardwearing and will look good the longest and for this reason it is the most expensive. There are many immitation precast concrete slabs that look like natural stone on the market, and while they'll help you create the look, they are more susceptible to cracking, the colour will fade over time and the just don't ‘age' like the real thing.

Garden Accessories

I don't want to go into too much detail here as this is a blog post all of its own, however, I will stress the importance of accessories for the patio. They are a vital part of the overall styling and to not only the finished décor, but also add to the functionality of your patio as an extension of your home. For the modern patio, the concept of outdoor living is key and there are various accessories that you can incorporate into your final design. Depending on budget, you can go for water fountains, a fire pit, solar lighting, sandpit for the kids, integrated seating etc Apart from enhancing the look, these accessories will make your patio an outdoor ‘living' area and basically a more comfortable place to spend time.

Planting

Again with planting, this is another blog altogether and Lazy Susan could talk all day about trends. As with accessories, planting is essential and it is extremely important to give your patio a natural touch. Apart from having lush plants, flowers, grass and trees in the garden, you can also adorn the patio with plants in stylish containers. Our general rule is, if you've got the space, place several plant containers of different heights in a group always grouping the containers in odd numbers and this will enhance the look of the patio further.

Garden Furniture

Gone are the days of plastic furniture, the garden furniture consumer is a much more discerning animal. Teak, cast aluminium, rattan and wicker are just some of the materials being used to create truly on trend garden furniture. High end cushions and parasols that can hold up against the elements with contemporary patterns, colours and designs are making patio furniture something to enhance the look of your home, they're a permanent feature, rather than just hiding them in a shed until needed. Couple this with furniture coming out from some of your top designers of indoor furniture, and it's no surprise that the increase of furniture styles often associated with indoors are becoming increasingly popular for the patio too, including chaise lounge style sun loungers, large outdoor sofas, and big comfy rocking and swivel chairs.

When it comes to furniture trends, there are few key aspects that at Lazy Susan we always ask our customers to consider before making a purchase. First off, as with your patio materials, it should match the overall look and style of your home and patio. For example, if your patio has been done in a Victorian style, the furniture should reflect the period and you need to keep it classic and make sure that the furniture you choose complements the overall décor. Another key aspect for the UK is to ensure that the furniture is weatherproof and easy to clean.

One of the big patio furniture trends is the new concept of deep seating. Gone are the days of a simple picnic table and an infrequent meal on the patio. Today's homeowners want to entertain on their patio in comfort as well as style. They view their patio or deck as an outdoor living space. There are now options available that truly mimic indoor furniture. Outdoor sofas, club style/look chairs, ottoman benches, modern sectional outdoor sofas are just a few of the growing trends. Patio furniture is constantly evolving and over a relatively short period of time the materials used has taken massive strides forward. Technology has produced materials which allow for greater outdoor durability and that is being coupled with indoor style.

Outdoor fabrics are now soft and come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures with the durability to withstand the British elements. Synthetic rattan gives the timeless look of natural wicker while resisting damp and UV damage. Cast aluminium garden furniture, rather than cast or wrought iron garden furniture gives you that timeless look but it does not rust. Detailed powder-coating processes can now give the look of wood with the durability of aluminum. Not to be forgotten are the traditional hardwoods such as teak, which have been proven to withstand decades of use whilst still retaining their natural beauty. With all of these materials available, there has been a raft of new designs and styles of patio furniture.

With so much choice now available, another trend has developed and it is one that Lazy Susan is at the forefront. Online shopping for patio furniture is one of the biggest growing trends in today's garden furniture market. Online shopping provides consumers with the most current styles and the most competitive prices. Consumers are no longer limited by their geographical location or the current season. Long gone are the days of a quick stop at the local garden center in the summer to choose from the limited choice of materials and styles on offer. The internet now provides you with year-round access to fashionable, high quality garden furniture at affordable prices. Today's homeowner wants to have their personal style reflected in the garden furniture they choose to place on their deck or patio.

These are just a few of the patio and garden trends Lazy Susan is predicting (or should that be pushing) for 2011. That's not to say that these are all the trends you'll see next year, and patio trends definitely vary from place to place depending on climate. Just don't forget that you can always set your own trends too. Making your patio furniture an extension of your home instead of just a slab taking up space in your garden is a great way to increase the value of your home, both for you living and using the home and to any potential buyers if you choose to sell your property further down the line.

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New 28 Outdoor Patio Backyard Portable Round Steel Fire Pit Free Lift Tool Log US $107.79

BEVIN PATIO HORSESHOE BRACKET BRASS BELL NICE WEATHERED PIECE RINGS GOOD US $10.50

Large Patio Table 4 Swivel Rocker Rocking Chairs Heavy Quality P U Orlando FL US $300.00

18x18 Square Sun Shade Sail Canopy Patio Outdoor Green Cover US $47.95

Outdoor Patio Furniture 5pc Cast Aluminum Dining Set US $459.00

New Outdoor Patio Furniture Chaise Lounge Sun Chair US $269.00

Sun Lounger Cover Outdoor Patio Garden Furniture NEW US $4.47

Outdoor Patio Wicker Furniture Comfortable Cozy Venus Dining Set 6 Chairs Sand US $1,199.00

Patio Club Restaurant Lincoln Ave Milwaukee Wisconsin Matchcovers US $.99

Dwarf Compact Patio Strawberry Temptation 30 Seeds For Pots Planters Baskets US $2.99

valentine HEART SHAPED ROCK 100 NATURALLY SHAPED great patio decoration too US $1.99

LARGE African Mask Live PATIO Plant INDOOR ELEPHANT EAR Alocasia amazonia US $9.99

Big Book Of Backyard Projects PATIO WALL BENCHES AND MORE431 PAGESS US $5.99

NEW 9 TAN ALUMINUM PATIO UMBRELLA TILT W PULL DOWN CRANK MARKET UMBRELLA US $44.95

Large Parasol Umbrella Cover Patio Garden Furniture US $4.47

valentine HEART SHAPED ROCK 100 NATURALLY SHAPED great gift patio decoration US $2.95

3x5 Sphinx Patio Beige Outdoor Deck 880Y9 Area Rug Approx 2 5 x 4 5 US $31.79

Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Patios & Walkways: Money-Saving Do-It-Yourself Projects for Improving Outdoor Living Space (Black & Decker Complete Guide)
This book offers readers the most popular patio and walkway designs complete with step-by-step, full-color photo instructions. The...

Strathwood Buckley 4-Piece Outdoor Furniture Set

Patios and Walkways 1-2-3: Design and Build Beautiful Outdoor Living Spaces (Expert Advice from the Home Depot)
• Design and installation techniques, tips, and shortcuts used by professionals• Provides step-by-step instructions, timeframe...

Strathwood Gibranta All-Weather Hardwood 2-Seater Bench

TIC ASP-120B Architectural Series 120-Watt Exterior Patio Speakers, Black
The Architectural series of patio speakers from TIC incorporates the highest level of exterior audio performance in a unique, aest...

Patio design ideas and layouts ? Lazy Susan’s latest trends for New Year 2011 is a post from: Gardening Pointers