Landscape & Urban Design Issue 37 2019 | Page 6

SIMPLE DECKING UPGRADES THAT DELIVER BIG RETURNS As homeowners across the country To help homeowners and contractors deterioration. When joists and beams seek to make their gardens an make the most of their outdoor spaces, are exposed, water seeps into screw extension of their homes, building a the experts at Trex offer the following holes and sits on the wood causing deck is one of the best investments a tips for building a deck that delivers it to rot and the screws to rust. homeowner can make. When it comes maximum enjoyment and ROI. Additionally, the natural expansion to picking the right decking though, it is important to choose a material that is built to last and will meet the Protect your investment homeowners desired look and feel. Homeowners today have access Manufactured from 95% recycled warrantied to last for decades. But, materials, Trex, the world’s number one composite decking brand, is made from reclaimed wood and sawdust, as well as recycled plastic from commercial packaging and a variety of common household items. Guaranteed to retain a ‘like-new’ appearance for at least 25 years, Trex offers the natural beauty of wooden decking but won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter over time or after a long, wet winter. 6 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 37 2019 to high-performance deck boards unless the proper steps are taken from the start, the deck’s foundation could begin decaying within the first 10 years. This is because the vast majority of substructures are built using wood, which is susceptible to damage from the outdoor elements. Easily one of wood’s worst enemies, moisture contributes to mould growth and can accelerate structural and contraction of wood due to seasonal freezing and thawing can cause beams to split and weaken over time, posing serious safety concerns. 1. Trex® Protect™ Joist and Beam Tape is a self-adhesive butyl tape designed to protect wooden joists and beams from moisture that can lead to rot and the loosening of deck screws and fasteners. Effectively shielding the top of joists, rim joists, ledger boards and beams from moisture it also acts as a barrier between the wood and galvanized metal commonly used in construction hardware such as joist