Archatrak's 2020 porcelain paver collection brings enhanced durability and design options to outdoor living spaces throughout Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA. Whether you're planning a new deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen in the greater DMV area, these thicker, more resilient pavers offer superior performance in our region's varied climate. Discover what's changed and why homeowners are choosing this premium material for their outdoor renovations.

If you’re familiar with the Archatrak brand, you most likely know them for their elegant and versatile porcelain pavers. The brand, however, has a lot of exciting products and innovative applications that will be available in the New Year. Here’s a quick look at some of what Archatrak will offer in 2020.

Homeowners in Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA who invest in premium outdoor living spaces are the ideal Archatrak porcelain paver customers. You're looking for durable, low-maintenance materials that enhance screened porches, decks, and outdoor kitchens while withstanding the DMV climate. Archatrak pavers deliver superior performance and aesthetic appeal for discerning homeowners.

Ideal Archatrak Customer in Maryland & Virginia

Their durability, low maintenance requirements, light weight, thin profile, and other myriad benefits have put them top of mind for projects ranging from rooftop decks to patios to walkways.

Pier Tech Footers vs Pressure-Treated Wood in MD

Pier Tech footers outlast pressure-treated wood for deck and porch foundations in Montgomery County MD and throughout the DMV. While traditional wood footers require replacement every 10-15 years due to rot and frost heave, modern pier tech systems provide superior stability and longevity. Choosing the right footer technology protects your outdoor living investment from costly structural damage.

PierTech Foundation Benefits in Montgomery County MD

PierTech helical pile foundations offer Maryland and Virginia homeowners a modern alternative to traditional concrete systems, delivering superior stability on challenging terrain. Ideal for decks, screened porches, and outdoor kitchens across Montgomery County and Fairfax County, this innovative foundation method minimizes ground disturbance while providing long-term structural integrity for premium outdoor living spaces.

How Composite & Wood Decks Age in Maryland

Composite decks typically outlast wood by 10–15 years with minimal maintenance, while wood decks require regular staining and sealing. Homeowners in Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA choose composite for longevity and wood for classic aesthetics—each ages differently. Understanding how your deck material weathers helps you make the right investment for your outdoor space.

Today, we're revisiting several decks we built 3-5 years ago in Montgomery County and Fairfax County to show you exactly how different materials age in our Maryland and Virginia climate. No marketing hype, no staged photos—just real-world results from actual client projects.

Composite Decking After 3 Years: The Clear Winner for Low Maintenance

We built a 480 square foot Trex deck in Bethesda in spring 2022. The homeowners chose the Havana Gold color in Trex's Transcend line. Here's what it looks like after three Maryland summers:

The Good:

• Color virtually unchanged (maybe 5% lighter, barely noticeable)
• No splintering, cracking, or warping
• Stains from kids' popsicles and dropped food cleaned right off
• No maintenance beyond occasional hosing down

The Not-So-Good:

• Some light scratching near the grill from dragged furniture
• Slight fading on south-facing boards (to be expected)
• One board developed minor cupping (replaced under warranty)

Maintenance Required: Zero. Literally just occasional power washing.

Client's Assessment: "We'd build it the same way again in a heartbeat. The lack of maintenance alone is worth the investment."

Pressure-Treated Wood After 3 Years: Depends Heavily on Maintenance

In 2021, we built a 600 sq ft pressure-treated pine deck in Gaithersburg. The homeowner chose natural wood specifically because he enjoys the maintenance ritual and wanted the authentic wood look.

With Annual Maintenance (This Client):

• Cleaned and re-stained every spring
• Tightened any loose boards
• Replaced a few cupped boards (normal with PT wood)
• Overall appearance: Excellent—looks almost new

Without Proper Maintenance (We've Seen Others):

• Gray weathering within 18 months
• Splintering starting by year 2
• Some boards starting to cup or crack
• Fasteners showing rust stains

Maintenance Required:

• Annual cleaning and staining: 8-12 hours labor + $200-400 in materials
• Board inspection and replacement as needed
• Fastener check and tightening

Client's Assessment: "I love working on it each spring. It's therapeutic for me. But I totally understand why people choose composite."

TimberTech (Azek) After 3 Years: Premium Performance

One of our Potomac clients chose TimberTech's Azek Vintage collection in Mahogany for their 520 sq ft deck in early 2022. This is the premium end of composite decking.

The Results:

• Color retention: Exceptional (truly looks brand new)
• Heat retention: Moderate (stays cooler than earlier composite materials)
• Scratch resistance: Very good (some light scratches but barely visible)
• Stain resistance: Excellent (wine spills, grill grease—all cleaned off)

Maintenance Required: Quarterly washing with mild soap and water

Client's Assessment: "Worth the extra investment. We're outside constantly and it still looks perfect."

Ipe (Brazilian Hardwood) After 3 Years: Beautiful But High Maintenance

We built an Ipe deck in Chevy Chase in 2020. At over $16 per square foot just for materials, this 400 sq ft deck represented a significant investment.

With Proper Oiling (Twice Yearly):

• Gorgeous rich brown color maintained
• No structural issues whatsoever
• Extremely dense and durable
• Premium look that composite can't match

Without Oiling (We've Seen Examples):

• Beautiful silver-gray patina develops
• Some clients love this weathered look
• Others disappointed by color change
• Still structurally perfect

Maintenance Required:

• Oil every 6 months: 6-8 hours labor + $150-200 in oil
• OR accept natural graying

Client's Assessment: "It's absolutely beautiful and we love it, but the maintenance is real. If we were building again, we'd seriously consider high-end composite."