ASA Decking Material - One of the Best Synthetic Decking Materials on the Market

If you’re thinking about building a deck and want to go with a synthetic material, you need to understand your options. Besides real wood, there are a number of synthetic materials on the market, including PVC, capstock, and composite.

Composite, a combination of plastic, wood fibers, and wood flour, is the least expensive option and has several benefits over wood, but also requires regular maintenance and is prone to dry rot, staining, and mold and mildew. Capstock is essentially composite decking with a layer of PVC on the outside. It’s resistant to all kinds of issues that plague wood and composite, but can still suffer from mildew or mold if the material can’t breathe. PVC decks are comprised of plastic resin. This makes them easy to maintain and resistant to things like stains, splinters, scratches, and mold, but they still fade over time and are not particularly environmentally friendly.

Great Tips For Hiring a Decking Contractor or Screen Porch Contractor

You’ve wanted a deck forever, but for some reason or another your plans to build one never had the opportunity to materialize. Now that you’ve got the savings squared away, you’re ready to dive in and get moving on the project so you can start enjoying your new deck.

Not so fast. It’s understandable if you’re a little antsy to have the deck finished, but for a big project like this, the most important thing is to ensure the job is done right. That means finding a decking contractor with a proven track record who you can trust.

The Benefits to Capstock Decking Material

If you’re looking for a material that combines the best qualities of composite and synthetic decking materials, capstock may be the right choice for you. That’s because capstock is a hybrid of the two material types, combining a plastic and wood composite core with an exterior layer of vinyl PVC that essentially acts as a protective shell.

Composite decking was one of the first low-maintenance, lower-priced decking materials, but because it is very porous, it tends to ‘soak up’ stains. Capstock eliminates this problem because capstock has a non-porous layer entirely surrounding its composite core. And, while capstock is slightly more expensive than composite, it is less expensive than other synthetic materials, such as ASA and PVC.

Because capstock is a more durable choice than traditional composite, many decking material companies, including the popular Trex, have actually eliminated their composite lines and now offer capstock and exotic capstock lines instead. That means that capstock is most likely going to be your most readily available, lower-priced decking option.

Like other synthetic materials, capstock should not noticeably fade. It also comes in a wide range of colors and can be made to look very similar to wood.

Of course, there are plenty of qualities other than the price that make capstock a good choice. Capstocks tough exterior is scratch-resistant and stain-resistant, so it can help protect your deck if you have kids or pets who bring a lot of wear-and-tear to this outdoor space. It’s also beneficial if you and your family like to grill and eat on the deck, since you won’t have to worry about a permanent stain if someone spills a drink or if a juicy burger drips. And if your deck does experience any unexpected damage, you should be covered—most capstock decks come with a warranty of at least 25 years.

Capstock is, to some extent, environmentally-friendly. It’s made from 95% recycled materials, so you won’t have to worry about wasting natural resources for the sake of building your deck.

Ultimately, the material you choose for your deck will come down to your personal preferences and your budget for the project. If what you’re looking for is a durable material that is lower-priced than PVC and ASA, capstock may be the right choice for you. Keep in mind that you can always learn more before committing to using this material by talking to a deck building professional at Design Builders.

Great Deck and Screen-Porch Designs Make Wonderful Experiences for Your Guests

Football season is in full swing, and if you’re a fan, you’re probably either watching your favorite team play from the stadium (if you’re lucky enough to have season tickets), or you’re watching them on TV at home or a nearby sports bar.

This year, though, why not find the perfect middle ground by bringing the excitement of a live event to the comfort of your home? You can do this by hosting friends and family in a basement or porch space that gives everyone enough room to move around and comfortably watch the game.

Design Builders Case Study: Watching Football on The Sip

When Design Builders client Dan Diest decided that he wanted to add a porch to his home, football was one of the first things on his mind. He and his wife wanted to be able to use the porch year-round and have the ability to host a large number of friends on game days—without the space ever feeling too cramped. By collaborating with our building team, the Diests were able to create a screened porch that met all their needs.

The porch, which has been nicknamed The Sip, utilizes both indoor and outdoor space to allow Dan and his family to host 25 or more friends. There are two exits off the porch, making it easy for people to come and go without ever feeling cramped – and giving everyone enough room to cheer for their team without knocking over furniture or friends.

Dan likes that the design includes a space for a wall-mounted flat screen TV, which guests can see all the way from the backyard, thanks to the large windows incorporated into the screened porch. There’s also a sitting area slightly apart from the main porch where guests can gather and talk when commercials are on or when they want to take a break from the game.

Dan describes his new game day experience as being like “indoor tailgating.” He loves being able to gather such a big group of football fans together without having to deal with the crowds, noise, and ticket prices associated with going to the stadium.

Dan’s not the only one who has been appreciating The Sip. The porch has become a talking piece with his neighbors, several of whom have actually come to Design Builders to see if we can help them realize their own dream designs.

Creating Your Own Sports Haven

Although football season is already underway, it’s not too late to set up your own perfect space by adding a porch or remodeling your basement to follow your favorite team.

Take the time to think about (and maybe even write down) what you are looking for in the space and what concerns you may have, such as construction interfering with the main home or the usability of a porch during the winter, and then call Design Builders to talk about your construction project.

We love collaborating with clients, and we’ll do everything we can to meet your design and remodeling needs and come up with creative solutions to resolve your concerns.