deck specialists inc ct deck builders

Designers and builders of elegant outdoor PT treeated Ipe and composite decks, a Connecticut CT deck building contractor
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Now Booking For   2023 book early for your new deck
    Deck Specialists Inc ipe deck builder Custom Ipe,PT     Composite Local Deck Builders
 Locally Owned & Operated in     Hartford County Connecticut CT
 PHOTO GALLERY

  - Photo Gallery
 
- Photos 2
(Ipe)

  - Photos 3 (PT)

  - Photos 4 (Composite, Hot Tub, etc.)
 
- Before and Afters
 

deck articles ct deck builder speicilzing in ipe treated and composite decks Deck Articles:

- What Size Deck Should I Build?
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Why Specialize?
- Deck Cleaning
- Outdoor Wood Species
- Pressure treated wood Report
- Composite & PVC decking
- Ipe Report
- Man Made Materials

deck designs Design Studio:

- Deck Options 
 - Deck Designs & Shapes

 - Deck Wood
 - Deck Floor Patterns
 - Deck Rails
 - Deck Stairs
 - Deck Plans
 - Deck Features

  Deck Blogs

Sealing or Oiling Ipe decks

Sealing or Oiling Ipe Decks:
Ipe is incredibly dense and as such will only absorb a small amount of oil at any one applic...
January 23,2009

                
Ipe Decking Sightings Feb 28 2008
    share your Ipe sightings in cool places
Are Decks A Good Investment In This Economy? march 10 2009
How Did You Find Us?
Tell us how you found us march 11 2009
    contact deck specialists inc Contact Us:

      Deck Specialists Inc
      PO Box 2001
      Manchester CT 06045

    Manchester
860-646-0032
    Simsbury
860-651-4283
   
Toll free CT 800-231-DECK

      -  Online Contact Form

       e-mail deck specialists inc       E-mail
Decks@cox.net 
      
   amex deck specialists inc    mastercard deck specialists inc    visa deck specialists inc

Testing:    We are always testing new products, from stains and sealers, to fasteners and materials.  With all the new materials now available for decks, and each brand name telling you their products is the best, how do you choose??. Well, we at Deck Specialists, Inc. devote a great deal of time and effort into testing and comparing products before we install them in your project. All products we use pass our rigorous testing procedures.

Lumber:    There are now many exotics as well as composites and vinyl products available for decking lumber.  We are currently testing:  P.T. (southern yellow pine), Mahogany ( Red Merrinti, Cambara, Meriden), Ipe or Pau Lope, Cedar (western red and Port Orford), and Teak. As well as these composites: Tamko Evergrain, (our favorite composite) Fiberon, Trex, Smart Decking, Choice Deck, Timber Tech, Correct Deck, Carefree, and several others. We also are testing many solid PVC products and plastic lumber materials . We are testing for hardness, decay resistance, lifespan, stress loading, heat transfer, deflection, checking, splintering, bending, twisting, cupping, and appearance.

Note: at this time, no other material we have tested comes close to Ipe (ironwood). Ipe is much tougher, less likely to scratch or gouge, less prone to staining, provides less tooth for mildew growth, has no problem with heat transfer (composites get very hot in direct sunlight, enough to burn bare feet), Ipe has a far superior fire rating, no splinter problem, can span 16" or greater joists centers, resistant to decay and insects, etc.

Simply put: nearly everybody that researches extensively for outdoor materials on high end projects choose Ipe the ironwood. 

Fading: We have been concerned that cellular PVC (vinyl) decking materials will fade and chalk, we have been testing and found that the darker colored boards we have tested are more prone that the lighter pastel colors. (shown here is mahogany colored truemark after one season in full sun). color choice should be a consideration!

Sealers:

It is mind boggling the amount of products available to seal or stain your deck.  Each wood may require a completely different  product! In fact each exposure may require special consideration. Does your deck get nothing but sun, are there many windows on your house to reflect and  concentrate the sunlight and actually bake the wood, or are you just the opposite? Is mildew your worst problem?.

 

   We are constantly testing various finishes and applications on all types of lumber and exposures. In fact, we even have a rooftop test lab set up with hundreds of samples. We test a multitude of products and application techniques for wood protection as well as  the integrity and beauty of the finish. Currently, for our Ipe decks we are using Cabot Austrian timber oil in multiple coats, this is a thin penetrating oil that after several coats of the ultra dense Ipe works very well. We have found no one coat answer for Ipe as it is so dense and will only absorb a little product at any one time.

Fasteners:

     We monitor many brands of screws, nails and bolts with coatings consisting of galvanization (plated and hot dipped), Ceramic (climacoat), Zinc, stainless steel, evercoat, and duracoat.  We  are looking for strength, corrosion resistance, and hardness. As well as its effectiveness in the application. (An example might be, is the screw too large for the purpose?, does it split the lumber?, is the teeth to shaft ratio proper, or do the screws pull out easily??).

     Sometimes a fastener that has good attributes may be lacking in other respects. (Some stainless screws are very soft and bend easily during application, although very corrosion resistant they may never make it into the wood.) We purchase screws by the pallet literally 100,000 at a time.

Hidden fastener systems: As hidden fastener systems are all new to the market no long term tests exist. Materials include polypropylene, fiberglass, various other plastics, stainless and even lexan.  We are very concerned with decking cupping and even defeating the fastener with variants in temperature and moisture. Catastrophic fastener failure is also possible, especially with the plastic clips. High cost and labor extensive installation are of course relevant, also, even subtle bows or hooks in decking boards are very difficult to install. These systems limit or constrict decking pattern options and make no allowances for board replacements if the need arises. the hidden fastener itself can pose a problem as it does not allow for seasonal expansion and contraction.

The public is accustomed  to seeing screws in outdoor decks, as such decks can actually look almost naked without the visible screws. Face or through screwing is by far the best time tested and long term method for fastening decking boards. Any concern about moisture penetration at the screw insertion are negated by Ipe and composites as neither material are affected.  From a price point advantage the extra costs of the hidden fasteners and the extra labor to install, are better spent elsewhere in design, options or size. We will be testing most of these systems ,and are not advocates at this time

Construction Methods:

    We are always updating our methods of building. New materials may warrant new procedures. What technique works for one material may not work for another. We test every aspect of construction and  examine all feedback from our carpenters and customers. We are always looking to maintain and improve the high level of our product.

Tools, blades and bits:

We are always on the hunt for a new tool or tool design, better blades and bits etc. Recently, great strides have been made in the cordless tool market, and lightweight tools are getting more prominent. We are a huge advocate of cordless drivers and guns and nailers as well as lightweight saws. We came across this tool last year and were pretty impressed http://www.deckwrecker.com . We purchase nearly every new blade that shows promise and give them a try.

     
Ready to get started? for your new deck deck specialists inc a connecticut deck builder
    E-mail us at Decks@cox.net   or  phone 860-646-0032  800-231-DECK 
toll free in CT
DECK SPECIALISTS INC your local custom Ipe, composite and treated deck builder in Connecticut CT 
We are looking for a deck installer, E-mail us if you are a motivated quick learner.
                                   
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