Posted in: home additons, deck questions, upscale deck features, high-end deck features, deck topics, deck materials, Deck Care, decks in Washington, D.C., deck waterproofing, Porch and Deck Care, outdoor accessories, home improvement, rooftop decks, Tile Decks, rooftop decks in Washington, DC, building a rooftop deck, Archatrak, porcelain, deck pavers, porcelain pavers, Deck tiles, Georgetown, rooftop deck design, custom deck
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
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.
Posted in: Decks and Patios, Deck Design, deck questions, upscale deck features, high-end deck features, low-maintenance decking, deck topics, decking questions, decks in Washington, D.C., rooftop decks in Washington, DC, Archatrak, porcelain, deck pavers, screened porch in Washington, DC, Outdoor Appliances, round deck, curved deck, rooftop deck design
Thursday, December 12, 2019
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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.
Posted in: hire a decking contractor, Contracting Questions, outdoor living, deck topics, Porch and Deck Care, home improvement, Hire a Contractor, building a deck, Screened Porch
Monday, November 18, 2019
Without a solid foundation, a home can be put into major jeopardy. Foundation issues can result in uneven flooring, cracks in drywall or ceilings, sticking doors or windows, or gaps between walls and ceilings or walls and floors. Cracks in the actual foundation concrete or a sagging roof are two external indicators of foundation problems. If this settling is allowed to continue without addressing it, it can ultimately lead to real structural damage to your home—and very real financial damage as well.
Posted in: upscale deck features, low-maintenance decking, deck topics, porch topics, screen porch products, decking questions, Porch and Deck Care, home improvement, Hire a Contractor, screened porch in Washington, DC, piertech
Friday, November 15, 2019
The foundation of a home is one of the most crucial design features. When a foundation isn’t sound, it can financially jeopardize a family’s greatest asset, and if the problem isn’t addressed, it can even lead to the eventual loss of the home. While finding the right foundational solution can be stressful, homeowners should be aware there have been innovations within this industry. Options beyond the traditional concrete and wood system exist, including a helical pile system from PierTech.
Posted in: Deck Screens, Deck Design, retractable screen porch, low-maintenance decking, deck topics, deck boards, Deck Care
Friday, April 05, 2019
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:
The Not-So-Good:
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):
Without Proper Maintenance (We've Seen Others):
Maintenance Required:
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:
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):
Without Oiling (We've Seen Examples):
Maintenance Required:
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."