BNL Home Improvements Deck Builders

Expertly Built - Perfectly Styled

Your Dream Deck Awaits

Nothing is more rewarding than helping homeowners create a Dream Backyard. One that allows them to extend their entertaining and living space from their home into the backyard. The ideal deck should fit the esthetic style and structure of the house, as well as the preferences, personality, and needs of the owner. It should be constructed with easy-to-maintain materials, and allow use year-round, whenever possible. And of course, it should be built to the highest of standards for years of worry-free use.

Deck Material Options

The three main deck material options you'll see on the market are pressure treated wood, composite, and PVC (also called vinyl). Wood is a more natural product, while composite and vinyl are artificial decking materials. Which one you choose determines the style options, the price, and the maintenance you'll need to do to keep it looking great.

Composite Decking

There's no doubt that composite decking is one of the best decking materials. Decking of composite has been a popular choice for many backyard renovations since it is more ecologically friendly and easier to maintain than the wood decks. It has progressed significantly from materials that formerly resembled plastic more than wood. Decking of composite nowadays is made up of different combinations of wood chips, recycled plastic, bamboo, and other raw materials.

Decking of composite is extremely low maintenance, requiring no sanding or refinishing. Typically, the only necessary maintenance is to wash your deck a few times each year. High-quality composite decking may endure for 25-50 years with minimum upkeep.

Benefits of Composite

Reduced long-term maintenance expenses: While decking of composite materials is often more expensive upfront than wood planks, you may save money on long-term maintenance costs by not having to restain or paint your deck in the future. The planks will survive wear and tear while undergoing little aesthetic changes over time.

Has a look similar to real wood: One of the most common concerns about the decking of composite is that it does not feel like wood. While this was true of early generation composite boards, today's decking of composite is difficult to distinguish from the "genuine" thing. Today's composite boards are highly evolved, with the texture and appearance of wood grain added to a larger color palette accessible to match other wood varieties.

Resistant to decay and weather: If not properly maintained, wood planks can succumb to the elements and endure rotting, splinters, and warping over time. Decking of composite, with the use of recycled plastic to support wood components, can never deteriorate due to the elements. Composite boards can use up to 95% recycled materials to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Wood Decking

The classic. For decades, ALL decks were built of simple pressure treated lumber, because vinyl and composite hadn't been invented yet. Depending on the type of wood, the initial cost could be significantly lower than composite if you choose a pressure treated wood, or if you go with an exotic hardwood such as Ipe, the initial cost could be higher than composite. However, wooden decks are susceptible to rot, mold, insect damage, and splintering. In order to keep those problems at bay, you'll need to re-paint or re-stain your wooden deck every summer.

To keep your wood deck looking like new routine maintenance is required. Pressure treated wood needs annual maintenance such as power washing, sanding, and re-staining, while hardwood is more resistant to insects and rotting there is still annual maintenance required. At BNL Home Improvements we can set up an annual or semi-annual inspection and maintenance schedule to help keep your deck looking its best.

Benefits of Wood

Can be painted or stained almost any color: While composite boards have added more colors to their selections, wood decks can be painted or stained to match any color scheme

Real wood look smell and feel: Although engineered composite decking has tremendously improved in its ability to replicate the look and feel of wood, nothing rivals the authenticity of real wood planks. Wood has a distinct odor and sound, and it naturally absorbs heat received from the sun.

Can have the lowest upfront price point: Among the benefits and drawbacks of the wood decks, pricing is a clear advantage. It's typically less expensive to acquire than decking of composite, particularly in the first purchase.

Vinyl Decking

Quite possibly the best decking material on the market, vinyl boasts all of the maintenance-free advantages of composite with a distinct luxury look and feel. Vinyl decking comes in a variety of color shades, including a beautiful wood-grain pattern for rustic designs.

When comparing artificial decking materials, PVC comes out on top as the deck boards that are less susceptible to the scratches that damage composite boards. Plus, while any material left in the sun will show fading, vinyl is also better protected against color fading than composite. All of these advantages do come at a price though vinyl is the most expensive of the deck material options on the market.

Benefits of Vinyl

Gorgeous, upscale look and feel: While decking of composite materials has come a long way in recent years, nothing immitates the look and feel of real wood like vinyl.

Virtually no maintenance: Vinyl decking will never need to be restained or resealed, is almost impervious to rotting or molding, is unmatched in water resistance, and, while no material is completely sunproof, vinyl colors will stay vibrant longer than composite or wood.

Longest lifespan and warranty: With vinyls' weather resistant abilities and proper maintenance your deck can last 20-30 years and warranties range from 10-15 years. Vinyl decking is also the most durable with no splintering, cracking or chipping.

Prevent slips & Injuries: The waterproof coating used on vinyl decks is slip-resistant. This means you are less likely to slip, fall, and injure yourself by venturing onto your wet deck. Whereas wood and composite decks turn into serious slipping hazards in the rain, vinyl decks keep you and your family safe.

Deck Maintenance

Decks have become an extremely popular, low-cost way to add living space to a home. Yet, decks are also subject to the damaging effects of weather. As such, deck maintenance is critical to prevent discoloration caused by dirt, moss, algae, and other plants. Our low cost maintenance service helps make sure your deck stays beautiful for years to come. Our 4 step maintenance package includes:

Inspect and Prepare the Deck
As part of your deck maintenance, we inspect your deck every year or two. Check especially for any loose boards or protruding nails that need repair.

Clean the Deck
We thoroughly clean the deck of all dirt and build-up. Debris clogging the spaces between deck boards are blasted out with a power washer.

Paint or Stain the Deck
Though some people choose to paint their decks with deck paint, most take advantage of the natural beauty of expensive decking woods by using a clear or lightly stained finish for their deck.

Seal the Deck
To preserve the natural look of your wood deck and keep it safe, you need to apply a sealant. This will protect it from graying and help protect it from weather and normal wear and tear.

Deck Railing Options

When most people think of deck railing , their first thought is that they are typically regarded as a safety feature meant to protect from falling off. However, these railings are hardly JUST installed for the sake of safety. Deck railings also add a lot of character and beauty to the generally flat surface of a deck and can really make the look of a deck complete. The type of railing will largely depend on the type of deck material used.

Composite

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Wood

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Metal/Cable

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Composite Railing

Unsurprisingly, one of the most commonly used railing systems for a composite deck is composite material. These are made from a mixture of wood particles and plastic and are extremely weather-resistant and maintenance-free. Composite rails require zero maintenance thanks to their ability to repel water and withstand constant exposure to the elements. It does a good job of being a convincing wood doppelganger while being more resistant to the elements.