Ten years ago, the average homeowner in Fayette County would have never considered building a deck out of anything other than wood. Today, alternative decking materials represent close to half of Donnie Miller’s deck-building business. The growing trend that started on the coast has now made its way to the heart of the country.
"Every year, more of our customers choose low-maintenance decking materials, which are made from recycled wood and plastic," said Miller. "At the same time, plenty of customers still prefer traditional wood, for a variety of reasons."

When choosing a decking material, said Miller , homeowners should consider four key factors.
1. Cost - A deck built with low-maintenance decking materials typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than treated wood. Miller explained, "Much of this cost depends on whether the deck is 100 percent low-maintenance materials, or a combination of low-maintenance with wood railing. However, due to the fact that you never have to seal or stain a low-maintenance deck, you usually recoup the cost within about five years."

2. Maintenance - Some homeowners think nothing of power washing, waterproofing, sealing, staining, painting and replacing boards on their deck. "For them, wood offers the best value," said Miller. "On the other hand, if you're the type who puts off home improvement projects for months or years, you'll have to pay someone else to maintain your wood deck every couple of years, or you'll be replacing the wood prematurely when it deteriorates from lack of care. In that case, low-maintenance materials may offer a better value."

3. Aesthetics - Low-maintenance decking materials have come a long way since the early days. Today's composites are available in a range of colors to complement the siding on almost any home, and many styles are easy to mistake for 100% wood. For some purists, however, only the "real thing" will do. As a compromise, said Miller, "many of our customers use low-maintenance materials for the deck but stick with real wood for the railings."

4. Installation - While low-maintenance decking materials cut, drill and install like real wood, most manufacturers recommend that contractors receive training before building decks with low-maintenance materials. "Some styles will expand more than others under certain weather conditions, so it's important to know how tightly the boards should be laid," explained Miller. Furthermore, he says, "An expert can explain the advantages and disadvantages of the huge number of options that are currently on the market."

Miller has been an Archadeck franchisee for over 14 years. He enjoys building multi-level decks the best because it “gives him a chance to let his creative juces flow and create something really special.” Miller then discussed completing a project for a couple about to get married. The couple wanted to hold their reception on their new deck and Miller and his crew were able to get the job done on time in spite of permit delays and design changes.
Archadeck was founded in 1980 in Richmond, Va., Archadeck is ranked as the top deck and porch builder in the United States by Qualified Remodeler magazine (Sept. 2003), and has designed and built more than 50,000 projects across North America, including decks, screened porches, sunrooms, gazebos, pergolas, arbors, and many other outdoor structures. Archadeck offers the strongest warranty in the decking industry.

Archadeck of South Atlanta
102 North 85 Parkway, Suite A, Fayetteville, 30214
770-719-0083/www.archadeck-southatlanta.com
Hours of Operation:By appointment

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