Preparing Your Wood Deck for Spring: Stain vs. Sealant

In April of 2023, we shared Six Tips to Prep Your Deck for Spring. This year, we’ve decided to do an entire series of spring prep tips for the exterior of your home, and we’re starting off with a deeper dive into one of the six tips we spoke about last year … protecting your deck with stain and sealer. Both stains and sealers are crafted to protect wood decks, and this protection is critical if you want to keep your deck looking good — and in tip-top shape for years to come. Wood decks need maintenance, there’s just no two ways about it. That said, let’s define the difference between sealants and stains, and why you might want to highly consider using BOTH on your wood deck, or at least use a product that is a combination of the two. These two terms are often confused with each other, which makes sense since they are both used to protect wood. But as you’ll see, it comes down to thinking about these products as, “stain

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Winterproof Your Deck Now!

Winter in Madison can be brutal! The fierce cold, snow, and ice makes your deck vulnerable to the elements. Without proper protection, your deck can suffer unnecessary wear and tear, resulting in repairs and even replacement. As professional deck builders, we don’t like to see any deck owner experience this kind of damage! That’s why we want to share 5 tips for winter proofing your deck. We’ve found these strategies to stand up to the fierce winters here in Wisconsin. 1. Remove Debris, Leaves, & Dirt Fallen leaves, pine needles and dirt build up over time and get down in between the floor boards. When bad weather hits, snow and ice then lock in moisture, causing structural damage to your deck. That’s why we recommend thoroughly removing all debris before you do anything else. 2. Clean Your Deck of Mildew Once you’ve removed all the debris,  clean your deck of any mildew accumulation. If you leave it untreated, the mildew becomes slippery, and that’s a fall hazard. Check Lowe’s for a product that combats mildew.

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Deck Out Your Backyard with an AZEK Deck

A well-constructed deck can be the heart of your yard, offering a place to relax, entertain, and connect with nature. But choosing the perfect decking material can be overwhelming when there are so many options.  In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at AZEK decking: its advantages, drawbacks, and how it stacks up against its competitors. Whether you’re a homeowner embarking on a DIY project or working with experienced deck builders, understanding the features and limitations of AZEK decking will help you make an informed choice. What is AZEK Decking? AZEK decking is a premium alternative to traditional wood decking and is often associated with composite decking, though it’s not truly a composite material. Instead, AZEK decks are crafted from solid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the same material used in vinyl siding. This unique composition grants AZEK decks exceptional strength and durability while requiring little maintenance, making it a favorite for homeowners (especially those in harsher climates). The Benefits of AZEK Decking Durability: AZEK decking is engineered to resist rot, mold, warping, and splintering. Its sturdy

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Wood Decks vs. Composite Decks: What You Need to Know

You’re ready to install a new deck on your home. But which material is right for your project? Today’s deck builders use both wood and composite materials. Each of these offers a unique set of pros and cons surrounding cost, appearance, longevity, sustainability, and required maintenance. Below, you can learn more about each of these areas to make an educated decision on materials for your latest home project. The Costs of Composite vs. Wood Decks Cost is often the first factor that you’ll notice when you start to look into deck materials. In general, composite decks have a higher up-front price tag. However, it isn’t always as extreme as you might think. The cost of composite materials is fairly stable, while wood prices fluctuate often (especially in recent years). Hard or exotic woods are also priced higher than woods like pine, and may fall near or over the cost of composite boards. The longevity, which we’ll dive into in more detail below, is also important to keep in mind. Composite decks typically outlast wood decks

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Six Tips to Prep Your Deck for Spring

Spring is finally here, and as the weather warms up it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your deck. In order to get the most enjoyment and longevity from your deck, we’d like to share six tips to help you prep your deck for spring — and beyond … We’ll be talking about two different types of decking materials in this article: Traditional wood decks, which are made of natural wood Composite decks, which are made of wood and plastic Let’s begin with our tips on how to prep your deck for spring. 1. Swab the Deck! Make sure your deck is free of all debris, water and other remnants from the winter months. If you stored your furniture or your grill on the deck, be sure to move each item so you can clean those areas of the deck, too. Be sure that the slots in-between the boards are clear, so any water can easily drain. This first step not only ensures a clean deck, it also prepares you for our next tip

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