Is Your Deck or Dock in Need of Repair?

February 20, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

One of the advantages of living in the Sunshine State is gorgeous, warm weather, almost year-round. While our northern neighbors are busy shoveling snow, and bundling up, we’re gassing up the boat and slathering on some sunscreen. However, living on paradise’s doorstep can sometimes have its downsides. The intense heat, daily summer showers, sun rays and occasional hurricane all have the potential to do some damage to your property. If you’re not proactive in the maintenance of your outdoor spaces, what seems like normal wear a tear can easily turn into a much bigger, and more expensive, problem. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips for keeping your backyard deck in tip-top shape, and ready to party! After all, isn’t the back deck your favorite room in the house?

1. Wash Your Deck: This one may seem obvious, but how often should you be washing your deck, and what’s the best way to do it? At a minimum, your deck should be washed once a year. The easiest way to do this is by pressure washing it, after clearing it of all furniture and debris, of course! If you don’t have access to a pressure washer, you can also clean your deck using a deck cleaning solution, a roller or sprayer scrub brush and a hose. This process may take a little longer, but can help rid your deck of unsightly mold, mildew and other stains. Because you want to give your deck plenty of time to try, if you are having a party, we recommend cleaning your deck several days in advance.

2. Sand and Seal: If your deck needs a little more loving than its annual cleaning, this step could help restore it to its former glory and keep its status as your favorite room in the house for many years to come. After you’ve cleaned your deck (and let it dry), you’ll want to lightly sand the deck to remove any splinters or defects before applying your chosen seal. And when it comes to choosing a seal, the options abound! Finish options include: clear sealer, toner, semi-transparent stain, or solid stain. Again, you’ll want to give yourself a couple days to complete this process before inviting any guests over, but once completed, your newly-stained deck is sure to be the life of the party!

3. Become a Detective: Regularly inspecting the condition of your deck can help prevent any damage from becoming a bigger problem than it has to be. Houselogic recommends that you do this once a year, paying close attention to areas within six-inches of the ground or close to the water. During your inspection, you should: look for signs of rot, inspect the ledger, check the joists, posts and beams, check for cracks or rotten decking boards, and check the railing. If you discover damage you weren’t aware of and don’t feel comfortable repairing it yourself, you should always consult with a professional rather than ignoring the problem. Better safe than sorry!

4. Replace It: Whether the damage your deck has sustained is too much to repair, or you’re ready to replace your wooden deck or dock with longer-lasting materials such as Extruded PVC, or Composite Decking, replacing your deck can provide a solution for which you’ll be thanking yourself for the next 25 years… or more!

As your marine construction experts, we have designed, built and repaired countless decks, docks and other waterfront property structures and can help you decide which option is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get your backyard deck party-ready!

Our Five Favorite Things about Composite Decking

May 19, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

The classic look of a wooden dock is timeless and has been the preferred material of waterfront property owners for ages. Although it is a great material, lumber is actually prone to many wear and tear issues that can affect its longevity and leave you with a dock that is in a perpetual state of withering away, year after year.

If you’re planning to repair or replace an existing dock, or maybe you’re in the market for your first one, composite decking may be an option you’ll want to consider.

1. Wear and Tear

Marine environments are often unforgiving, especially to structures composed of lumber. Composite decking, however, is very durable and designed to tolerate the harsh conditions imposed by marine ecosystems. This ideal material is composed of recycled plastics and wood fibers that allow for it to remain more structurally sound and less prone to erosion in salt water. In spite of the fact that composite is not a natural material, it is available to be customized by texture and color to give it that wood-like quality.

2. Manufacturer Warranty

Not only are composite decks more durable, they often include great manufacturer warranties. With some ranging from about 20-25 years and potentially lifetime limited, you can rest assure you will get the desired mileage out of your new deck as well as peace of mind in the event damage occurs.

3. Geography

With the amount of waterfront locations in Florida, you must always take into consideration exactly where you are and what docking material is most suitable. For example, a simple floating wooden dock would do nicely on a fresh water lake and would require little maintenance. However, the same can’t be said if that same dock were to be placed in a more harsh salt water location. Thankfully, composite decks are very versatile and can be placed in nearly any type of marine environment and still hold firm at the end of the day.

4. The Look

The main apprehension with having a composite deck installed is its appearance. Being so used to wooden decks, you may think that composite decks only come in the phony, plastic PVC look that no one wants. But, composite decks can actually be customized in both texture and color to give it a nice wooden veneer without sacrificing material and structural integrity.

5. Worth and Cost

As is the case with many home-based expenses, you can pay upfront or when things take a sharp turn. Essentially, you may pay less than a composite deck for nice pressure treated wood, but after years of wear and tear you will most likely have to have it replaced or schedule some major repairs. Composite decks are more expensive upfront, certainly, but you pay for something that will last and be far less hassle in the long run.

After all is said and done, a professional consultation will help you find the exact answers you need to decide between wood and composite for your dock.

Composite Decking for Your Florida Dock

November 19, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

There’s nothing like a handcrafted, pressure-treated wood dock. They’re classic. Wood docks integrate into the landscape beautifully and natural aging adds to their patina. Carefully maintained and inspected, these can enjoy some serious longevity. (If they are installed right the first time with stainless steel screws and marine-grade lumber!)

If you are planning on repairing or replacing your existing dock, an alternative to consider is composite decking. You may feel you are forfeiting the traditional, but as a lower-maintenance, longer-lasting option it could be the right dock material choice.

As Florida state-certified, full-service marine contractors, we use the highest-quality materials. We stand (literally!) on our reputation. The structures we build are built to last – that’s why we’ve been doing it for over 30 years. It is important to understand what a client wants and the advantages of dock materials and their differences.

Composite decking is not a natural material, but is often comprised of recycled plastics and wood fibers and is, of course, available in a range of colors and stains. Because it doesn’t have the same characteristics of lumber, it doesn’t respond to wear like lumber; it is not going to split or warp.

Another huge advantage are the manufacturer warranties. Ranging from 20-25 years and some with lifetime limited ones, you have more of an assurance you are going to get real mileage out of your Florida dock.

There’s another consideration. Geography. Where you live has a great deal to do with the potential punishment which may be imposed on your marine structure. A quiet little manmade lake may be the perfect home for a fixed or floating wood dock. Periodic cleaning, attention to changes in the planks, a regimen of staining and sealing, and you’re good!

Put that same property along a saltwater coastline and you may make a different dock material decision. The weather in your area is also a factor. Do ice and snow blanket the dock over the winter? Or are tropical storms and the year-round high temperatures in Florida the bane of your marine structure’s existence?

Composite Decking Designs and Cost

If you haven’t started looking at the possibilities, don’t assume that the only PVC alternative is an ugly, industrial-looking piece of plastic that will extend off your shoreline. In addition to a wide selection of colors, there are plenty of textures from which to choose that mimic the appearance and a similarity to the feel of wood.

As with many additions to your home and landscaping, you can pay now or pay later. In other words, you can opt for the typically more affordable pressure treated lumber docks, but you will spend time in repairs and the need for vigilant maintenance.

Composite decking costs on the other hand tend toward the more expensive. They can certainly be custom-designed like a wood dock, but you will have durability and a less comprehensive care to administer.

Composite or Wood? Part of any professional consultation will include the need for the answers to these questions to make the decision that best suits you and your property.

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