Edward's Enterprises performs many wood & composite deck repairs in Montecito such as:
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New decks installed
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Dry rot deck repairs
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Refinishing decking
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Painting decking
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Replacing bad deck posts
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Repairing deck railings
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Adding deck stair lighting
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Replacing deck shade covers
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Deck cloth sails installed
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Moving deck receptacles
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Re-supporting sagging decks
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Fixing sun damaged decks
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Pressure washing decks
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Coating old deck planking
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Adding deck privacy lattice
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Swapping wood with composite decking
For more space to live or work, a deck addition is a solid solution. It provides (literal) breathing room in a natural, familiar setting. Handrails & wall guards can provide safety, convenience, & comfort when properly maintained for everyday life outside when you need it.
Wondering if we can assist you with your wood deck replacement? Call our team to explain your deck repair project goals!
- Handy Tips
- Did You Know?
- Other Work
- DIY FAQs
There are many different ways to clean a deck, some of these depend on the type of wood.
The first cleaning option is to use a weakened solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) which you can purchase from any paint shop. Add a little bit of household washing-up liquid & then first try it on a sample area, once you see how it reacts then use it on the rest of the deck.
The next option is to use a weak solution of citric acid to help brighten up old grayed timbers. However, do not use chlorine-based bleaches because even though they will rid your deck of algae & mildew, they will also break down the lignin in the deck timber.
Another option is to use Hydrogen Peroxide, which will lighten old timbers & evaporates away leaving no residue.
After you have cleaned your deck & brightened it up if wanted, then it is time for the sealing. Use a waterproof deck sealer because it will repel water & make the desk last longer. To apply the sealer, use a pad with a little reservoir & brush the sealer on. Make sure to evenly coat it all over the deck surface & then let it dry. After about an hour or so of drying time, buff the surface to remove wet excess.
Ipe (pronounced E-pay), a popular wood for outdoor decking & fencing for it's durability (300% harder than Teak on the Janka Scale) comes from several species of trees in South America, especially Brazil.
Ipe can grow quite large (100-150 feet) in it's natural environment of the rain forest of Brazil, & is covered with flowers when in bloom.
IPE wood decking has a class A fire rating, similar to concrete, because of it's dense fibers.
How does IPE stack up to composite decking materials? Check out this handy Real Wood vs. Composite Decking page.
Ipe over logging concerns have been raised in Brazil due to the increasing demand for this hard, durable wood for outdoor fence, gate & deck building in homes & office buildings. Check out www.ift.org.br for more information on what can be done in Brazil to help stem over logging, & consider your lumber source when choosing decking materials to protect our natural resources.
Composite decking such as Trex, Evergreen, & VEKAdeck does not require high maintenance & is a great substitute for wood & is sustainable.
How many years should a wood deck last?
The lifespan of decks
The primary determinant of how long your decks will last is the kind of material that you'll use. However, this will depend entirely on your taste & preference & the budget that you're working with.
The different deck material options
You can expect any deck to last you a couple of years, but the quality that you'll go with will determine the lifespan & the maintenance costs. So we've lined up the different deck materials for you & how they'd last you, from the average to the best.
– Pressure-treated wood
– Composite decking
– Plastic lumber
– Steel/aluminum
Pressure-treated wood
Pressure-treated wood is reliable & the most economical. Many folks go for pressure-treated lumber since it's the most common. The option will last you for about 15 years though you'd need frequent maintenance to ensure the deck is in good shape.
Composite decking
Composite decking materials are a blend of wood shavings & plastics, which makes it entirely eco-friendly. The decks will last for about 25 years, & once in a while, cleaning will do as the only maintenance needed.
Plastic lumber
What a better option than getting a 50-year warranty for the decks that you opt for? Although it might be costly, the 30 – 35 years guarantee is something to consider with very little care.
Aluminum or steel
It's the best choice that you have. Sixty years is how long these decks can last you, although you'd need to do a couple of touches to maintain the quality.
FAQ Source
How long should a treated wood deck last?
The material to use for an extended-lasting deck
Looking for an excellent place to relax as you sip your favorite bottle of wine & having the view of the sky? You have to opt for the best materials if you want your deck to last you long enough & keep your 'chilling spot' neat. So what are the best materials for a layer?
Pressure-treated lumber
As the most commonly used material, pressure-treated lumber is affordable & also can serve you for a long as 15 years. Nonetheless, this material will force you to frequently repair & replace some parts as maintenance is the only key to ensure that the color & quality is the same.
3-sided capped composite
Capped composites are unique for their perfect blend of 80% recycled materials plus 100% recycled wood, which gives the user the traditional wood vibe, though without the weaknesses of weathering, fading, & warping. These moisture & UV rays resistors are made to last to up to 25 years, & the quality keeps away molds & any discoloring.
4-sided capped composite
Similar to the 3-sided capped composite, the quality is admirable. With a 30-year warranty, these materials will assure you of excellent service since the high-performance polymers used will save you the stress of water & sun rays.
Capped polymer
With no organic materials involved in manufacturing these decks, capped polymers give you the best quality decks to last you for up to 50 years. They are free from fading, weathering, & staining.
FAQ Source
We charge for all time included in a customer's project, including purchasing or delivering materials, & offsite work like painting lumber prior to an installation, or for the time to haul away debris. This allows us to take on smaller projects for our railing & decking clients, rather than only lump sum projects with much higher minimums to show up.
Licensed: We are a licensed General & Plumbing Contractor with the Contractor's State License Board (B857752) since 2005.
Most projects get a 3 hour window of arrival, so expect something like 7am to 10am, or 10am to 1pm, or even 12pm to 3pm window.