Decking Trends Bring Tailored Options

“This is even more central to the deck’s features with the popularity of the outdoor kitchen, where food and drinks can be a problem. That created awareness that composite deck products have not kept the promise of low maintenance, especially in regard to staining and scratching.”

AZEK decking is made of cellular PVC using the company’s Procell Technology. AZEK’s cellular PVC formulation doesn’t contain wood fibers that might promote mold and mildew growth. The product resists common stains and does not scratch. AZEK decking is available in brownstone, clay, ivory, slate gray and white. The company also offers its Reserve line of railings, available with an optional hidden fastening system.

“There is little time these days for upkeep; however, homeowners do not wish to sacrifice style and performance,” adds Bruno.

“The top trend in decking appears to be cellular PVC decking,” says CertainTeed’s Patti Pellock. “These products feature wood grain textured surfaces and low-maintenance benefits. Darker colors in the cellular PVC decking are now just starting to roll out.”

CertainTeed EverNew has introduced a new vinyl railing system called Edgewood. With a painted brushstroke texture called Select Cedar, Edgewood promises the look of painted and stained wood without the maintenance. The vinyl railing system is available in three colors: white, almond and Sierra Blend — a cedar color with variegated streaking. The system’s precision-fit components do not require predrilling for installation. The product’s brackets come complete with corrosion-resistant stainless steel screws, which are concealed by trim covers.

Latitudes from Universal Forest Products has added the Capricorn line to its composite decking offerings. Latitudes Capricorn features two tropical colors, adobe and koa, on wood grain patterned boards resembling the exotic hardwoods mahogany and ipe. Capricorn decking is produced with Strandex technology for extruded wood-plastic composite profiles. The decking is available in 12-, 16- and 20-ft. lengths, in slotted and standard planks. The slotted planks feature the Equator hidden fastener.

“Customers are demanding better performance from decking and railing products and as a result a new segment of ultra-low maintenance products has evolved,” says Mike Decoteaux, marketing manager for Correct Building Products.

“The first generation composites, and some lower end products still sold today, failed to measure up to customer expectations relative to performance and maintenance,” says Decoteaux. “In 2005, we introduced our CorrectDeck CX product after soliciting consumer feedback via a series of focus groups held across the country. We heard loud and clear that consumers disliked the fact that composite decking faded and was susceptible to staining, mold and mildew.”

CorrectDeck’s RapidRail composite railing system comes in either standard CorrectDeck or CorrectDeck CX with Microban. The system includes 4x4 newel posts, extruded handrails and balusters. RapidRail is offered in six colors to match or contrast with the company’s decking and features a low-luster finish for the look of wood. CorrectDeck also offers DCL railing — a lineal system of posts and handrails that can be custom fitted with metal or glass balusters for increased design options. The DCL railing is available in CorrectDeck and CorrectDeck CX.

Today’s decking trends address consumer pride in the home and the environment. Whether the product benefit is obvious or unseen to the naked eye, manufacturers take just as much pride as the homeowner.

Use the E-Inquiry for more information on the following suppliers:

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