ChoiceDek Blog - Deck Inspiration

6 Reasons Why DIY Composite Decking is Easier Than You Think

sales@choicedek.com — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:43:00 -0700

When it comes to building a composite deck, many people believe their only option is to hire a professional deck builder. This is not true! While a DIY composite deck may initially seem intimidating, thanks to advances in composite decking products it is now easier than ever to build your own deck. Here are 6 reasons why DIY composite decking is easier to use than you might think.

#1 - Easy to Buy

You might believe you need to buy composite deck boards from a special dealer, or directly from the manufacturer. This is simply not the case. Composite decking has become widely available at many large home improvement stores. For example, ChoiceDek is conveniently available at any Lowe's home improvement store.

#2 - Easy to Follow Guidelines

Manufacturers often provide easy-to-understand installation instructions so you can ensure you don’t void the product warranty during construction. ChoiceDek’s DIY deck installation guide helps homeowners each step of the way through the deck building process.

#3 - No Special Tools Required

A great thing about building a DIY deck with composite deck boards is you can use all the same tools you normally would use for a wood deck. All you need is a hammer, screw gun, circular saw, level, tape measure, and blue chalk line.

#4 – Just like Wood, but Better

If you are used to working with wood, you already know how to work with most composites. You can rip, route, mill, drill, and bend most composite boards with ease. So for all practical purposes composites can be worked just like wood, but offer greater flexibility and durability.

#5 - Install it Anywhere

One of the best aspects of a DIY composite deck, is the fact that you can install it wherever you want, with virtually no restrictions from the product. Certain decking materials, like ChoiceDek, can be installed on the ground, in the ground, or even underwater. On top of that, ChoiceDek is covered by a limited lifetime warranty, so the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying your new deck.

#6 – Easy to Maintain

Once you have completed your DIY deck project the next step will be caring for and maintaining your new installation. Thankfully, composite decking requires minimal care and cleaning. All it takes is a simple periodic cleaning with soap, hot water and soft bristle brush. No painting, sealing, or staining required. Visit ChoiceDek's care and cleaning guide to see just how easy it is to maintain a composite deck.

What to do With Leftover Decking

sales@choicedek.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 03:29:00 -0700

By the time you’re sitting on your new composite deck soaking in the sun with a lemonade in hand, those extra pieces of decking stacked in the garage will be far from your mind. Like old food stashed in the back corner of the fridge, it’s easy to let them sit – or worse yet, throw them away – simply because you don’t know what to do with them. This doesn’t have to be the case. With some inspiration and know-how, you can give leftover composite decking a second life, bringing beauty and function to your backyard for little or no extra cost.

High-performance composite decking like ChoiceDek is moisture-resistant, durable, available with realistic wood-grain patterns and easy to use. These features make it an ideal candidate for a range of nonstructural applications, from birdhouses to planting tables and more. And, since there’s no need to sand, stain or paint the boards now or in the future, it’s a great fit for outdoor projects that need to withstand rain, snow or sun.

So, don’t let those decking cut-offs or extra boards go to waste. Try these creative ideas for repurposing leftover decking into durable and long-lasting outdoor amenities.

Add a stylish side yard path

If you have longer cut-offs or extra pieces of composite decking, make a fun little path for kids and guests to travel from the front of your house to the back. It can ramp up the style of the often overlooked side yard, and give your outdoor living space a more cohesive look. Just make sure your composite decking is moisture-resistant and suitable for constant contact with wet soil (ChoiceDek is ideal for this).

Make a home for friendly fliers

Bring the birds to your backyard with a few pieces of composite decking and basic tools. This easy weekend project requires only six to seven small boards, and is a great way to use up end pieces.

Create a pretty planting table

Every gardener needs somewhere to put planters, potting soil and tools. The toxin-free form of composite decking is a great choice for this functional accent. Its beautiful, smooth and durable surface makes a great workspace and won’t harm your flowers. As an added benefit, it won’t rot when it gets wet, like wood will.

Go with a vertical garden

Make a vertical garden as big or small as you please with leftover composite decking. From simple deck boards tied together with rope to floating outdoor plant walls, the options for using deck scraps to add greenery to outdoor spaces are nearly endless.

DIY a swing

Keep your kids active with a DIY-tree swing. One or two pieces of scrap composite decking, rope and basic tools are all you’ll need to create hours of outdoor fun. For the sake of safety, make sure you test the swing to ensure it can support the necessary weight, just as you would with wood.

Create a pool cover

Don’t have money left in the budget for an automatic pool cover? No problem. Upcycle extra deck boards into a pool cover. It can double as a bench, making smart use of your space. Moisture-resistant composite decking will ensure it can fend off splashes in style.

Frame a tree

Have a beautiful tree you’d like to spend more time under? Use a simple online plan and turn leftover composite deck boards into a bench that wraps around its trunk. Make the bench as simple or as ornate as you’d like, then sit back and enjoy a good book under a canopy of leaves.

Add a decorative boardwalk

Pep up your yard with a decorative boardwalk. You don’t need a lot of decking materials to make a big impact. Even a small walkway over a dry pond can add personality and function to your yard.

Tackle a treehouse

If you have enough leftover decking, get adventurous and build a treehouse. From simple perches to multi-story hideaways, there are options for DIYers of every skill level. Whichever style you choose, composite decking’s splinter-free form will keep the barefoot toes of your little explorers safe year-in and year-out.

Make a cornhole set

Take your lawn games to a new level by turning composite decking scraps into a cornhole set. The durable boards will hold up well to frequent use for perennial fun.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Pinterest page for more ideas.

Light Your Way to Longer Hours on Your Deck this Winter

sales@choicedek.com — Wed, 3 Jan 2018 06:10:00 -0700

The winter season is one of hibernation, when more time is spent indoors than out, and life begins to look like a Norman Rockwell holiday painting. As the frost rolls in and temperatures drop, people everywhere can be seen scurrying into their homes, where they turn up the heat and pull out their wool socks from storage. These telltale signs can only mean one thing: the season often labeled as “the most wonderful time of the year” is in full swing.

However, for the warm blooded outdoor enthusiasts, winter can seem like a season of mourning - gone are the days of open windows, outdoor barbeques, and s’mores. Their end-of-year countdowns take on a different meaning: wishing away the cold for a bit more sun, and hoping spring will come soon.

No matter which camp you find yourself in, your overlooked deck may be the key to extending your living room to the outdoors. Read on for a few ways to relax outdoors again without having to wait for warmer temperatures.

Set the Scene

Using outdoor lighting to brighten your deck means you are no longer controlled by the dwindling daylight that comes with winter. With a radiantly lit outdoor space, your deck can become an extension of your living room, allowing guests the freedom to mingle in whichever setting they prefer.

Outdoor lights can also add to the aesthetic of your home. Most outdoor lighting combines décor with function, coming in all style preferences. For a traditional look, consider outdoor lanterns – these can be hung from a post or railing, or placed on the ground, depending on your preference. Stringing lights over an outdoor seating area is another increasingly popular trend. Whatever style you prefer, there are many budget-friendly and simple lighting options for your deck this winter.

Invest in Warmth

While blankets can be a cozy addition to the outdoors, make your guests feel comfortable the minute they step onto your deck with outdoor heaters. Inexpensive heat fans allow conversations to continue despite the chilly breeze. Or if you’d prefer a focal piece, outdoor fireplaces can also warm guests’ toes and add to the ambience of the setting.

In order to maximize the heat on your deck, place heaters around the sitting area in a way that spreads the warmth to the most used areas. For example, if your deck is constructed in a way that encourages seating on the edges (i.e. built in benches, tables, etc.) place heaters at the corners of your outdoor entertainment area. However, if people tend to congregate towards the middle, align your heaters accordingly.