April, 2008

In Depth: Decks

As homeowners begin to dust off their backyard barbecues in preparation for summer, deck manufacturers are rolling out their newest offerings to help create extraordinary outdoor spaces that maximize enjoyment.

By Staff Report

Eon Dock & Marine Board

Eon Dock & Marine is the newest addition to Eon’s line of virtually maintenance-free decking, railing, fencing, and outdoor furniture. Unlike wood and composite products that can rot, mold, and warp, Eon Dock & Marine products are made from an engineered polymer designed for water exposure, and feature an exclusive anti-static additive for safety, and a heavy-duty acrylic cap for added UV protection and scratch resistance.The company says it worked closely with the best manufacturers in the dock industry to develop a product that is scratch and fade resistant so its natural beauty will last for years. The 100% plastic Eon Dock & Marine product resists rot and mildew damage, and won’t shrink, warp, or swell like wood can. The boards are available in four colors: Chestnut, Sandalwood, Coastal Gray and Redwood, and in two thicknesses: 1x51⁄2-in. and 11⁄2x51⁄2-in. They are backed by a 25-year limited residential warranty and 10-year commercial warranty.www.eonoutdoor.com; 866.DIAL.EON 

AZEK Porch

AZEK Deck recently introduced AZEK Porch, planks that provide a low-maintenance surface that resists stains, moisture, mold/mildew, scuffs, scratching, and fading. Unlike materials that contain polyethylene and wood fiber, AZEK Porch can be used in covered or uncovered areas.In colors of Brownstone and Slate Gray, the company says its AZEK Porch tongue and groove 1x4 planks install easily with traditional woodworking tools and are up to 40% lighter in weight than wood composites. Both AZEK Deck and AZEK Porch are made with Procell technology and the company says they represent the next generation of premium exterior building products. AZEK Porch joins the current AZEK product lines which include: AZEK Trim; AZEK Mouldings, and AZEK Deck.www.azek.com; 877.ASK.AZEK 

DEKOR Recessed LED Light Kits

DEKOR’s Recessed Lighting Kits offer deck builders, remodelers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts an easy-to-install system for creating a distinguished “finishing touch” for decks and patios. The lights also are appropriate for cement or brick walkways or exterior stairs, porches, patio covers, driveways, or other areas where accent lighting is desirable.DEKOR introduced the industry’s first illuminated metal balusters in 2006 and illuminated glass balusters in 2007.DEKOR’s new Exterior Recessed Light Kits come complete with everything needed for installing recessed lights, including the company’s patented QUANTUM transformer, eight 100,000 hour LED lights, a custom Forstner Bit for drilling wood, composite, concrete or brick, wire caps, and easy-to-follow instructions.www.de-kor.com 

Aurora Deck Lights

Aurora Deck Lights offers two new environmentally friendly deck lights, Nova and Eclipse.  These lights use LED technology that uses 1/12 the amount of electricity to brighten a deck or fence post than does conventional lighting. The company says the downward shining lights are simple and easy to install, and are available in 11 colors; black, white, tan, clay, natural brown, verde green, titanium, forest green, copper, grey, and bronze. They are designed to fit posts widths of 31⁄2 in., 4 in., 43⁄8 in., 5 in. and 51⁄2 in. The Eclipse has a pyramid top while the Nova light has a square top that can be mixed with the Titan light for a dramatic presentation.Aurora offers a selection of solid cast aluminum lights and caps designed for deck and fence post sizes from 2- through 61⁄2 ins. The maintenance free post-mounted lights are also available in four additional styles, Orion, Titan, Sirius and Zenith, all of which use either low voltage or line-voltage, and Polaris, a solar light. auroradecklighting.com; 800.603.3520 

VEKA Innovations VEKAdeck PRO

VEKA Innovations has introduced its second generation cellular PVC deck board, VEKAdeck PRO.The product previewed at FENCETECH/ DECKTECH ’08 in Las Vegas in February.VEKAdeck uses cellular PVC technology with non-cellulosic stabilizers. VEKAdeck PRO offers a new satin finish, in response to feedback from users who preferred an alternative to the first-generation product’s glossy surface. VEKAdeck PRO also features a deeper embossed wood grain pattern, which the company calls “Traction Grip.” Other changes in the product are formulation based, which helps its weatherability. VEKAdeck PRO’s color offerings include White, Almond, Gray, Mocha, and Khaki.www.vekadeck.com 

Brite Manufacturing Expands Composite Line

Brite Manufacturing has rebranded its line of composite decking to include Impressions, a 1-in. solid grooved board with a deep embossing pattern and hidden fastener system; Generations, a 5/4-in. hollow board with a brushed finish on both sides and patented clip system, and Traditions, a 1-in. solid board plank with an embossed pattern on one side and a brushed finish on the other. The company has also expanded the color selection in its Impressions line, adding Cedar, Grey, and Redwood to its Chestnut Brown product.www.britemfg.com 

WeatherBest Tropical Composite Decking

WeatherBest Tropical composite decking is a multi-chromatic composite engineered to rival the beauty of exotic hardwoods.The decking is designed to emulate the natural wood grain found in the highest quality tropical hardwoods. The manufacturing process uses images of genuine tropical wood to create a more accurate grain pattern.WeatherBest Tropical is available in two colors, Teak, a rich, medium-brown board with red highlights and Cypress, which has variegated grey tones. Since these deep colors permeate the entire board, scratches weather out naturally and decks look new year after year.The decking is made from a combination of recycled post-industrial wood fiber and high-density polyethylene, and it has a unique satin finish. The decking is grooved for easy installation with the Phantom II hidden fastener system and is available in 12-, 16- and 20-ft. lengths. Other products in the line include WeatherBest Premium Grain Decking and the PVC-based WeatherBest High Performance Decking. All WeatherBest decking products are backed by an upgraded 20-year limited warranty.www.weatherbest.com 

TAMKO Elements DockBoard

TAMKO Building Products’ latest addition to its Elements line of composite decking is Elements DockBoard. DockBoard is designed with a special composite formulation to offer the level of performance specifically needed for marine applications.The company says the product is engineered for use near water for structures such as docks, boardwalks, and marinas. Elements DockBoard provides slip resistance and eliminates splinters, unlike traditional wooden docks.The durability and strength of DockBoard allows each board to span 24 in. on center for commercial and residential applications. The new board is available in a Pier Grey color, and is being offered in 12-ft. and 20-ft. lengths. DockBoard comes with a 25-year limited warranty from TAMKO. www.elementsdecking.com PureWood Thermally Modified Wood Decking (TMW)PureWood’s thermally modified wood decking is created through a chemical-free, thermally based process that changes the composition of wood sugars in wood into other organic compounds. The resulting thermally modified wood is resistant to rot, mold, and insects without the addition of chemicals or other agents. In addition, the company says its process employs 80% renewable energy and generates no industrial waste products, while the TMW product itself is renewable yellow pine and can be burned, buried, or even recycled.TMW has been used in Europe for a decade, but is now available in the U.S. as PureWood. www.purewood.net 

Railing Dynamics Titan Pro Rail

Railing Dynamics Inc. has expanded its product line with the addition of the Titan Pro Rail systems, the company’s third major railing line. Titan Pro Rail, a vinyl-clad aluminum railing system, is designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look with sleek lines and what the company calls the most simplified, fastest installation of any railing system on the market.Titan Pro Rail offers the strength and safety of metal railing without the hassles of maintenance, with the same quality as RDI’s national best-seller, the Endurance brand, but at a cost that makes the choice of vinyl over wood more affordable. Titan’s classic top-rail profile design meets the International Residential Code (IRC) for stair hand railing, eliminating the need for a secondary handrail. Titan’s heavy-duty cast aluminum brackets are pre-attached to the galvanized steel posts, eliminating the most time-consuming part of any railing installation. Titan can be used for both commercial and residential applications and the vinyl exterior and aluminum rail stiffeners can be easily cut on site, unlike systems with steel inserts.The Titan railing system consists of boxed 6-ft. or 8-ft. railing sections and a choice of boxed structural posts with brackets pre-attached to accommodate a variety of applications. Titan Pro Rail carries a limited, lifetime warranty.www.rdirail.com; 877.420.7245 

Correct Building Products Customizable Rail Options

Correct Building Products debuted new options for its RapidRail and Dimensional Composite Lumber (DCL) series at DeckExpo in Orlando, Fla., last month, including new color options and ‘mix and match’ features. New colors of CBP’s RapidRail, a pre-routed, ultra-low maintenance composite rail system, are now available. RapidRail features the same level of antimicrobial protection as CorrectDeck CX and can coordinate with any decking product. In addition, the company now offers its DCL in 2x4 and 4x4 dimensions in colors from the Stonewashed Naturals pallet to match with the similarly-toned CorrectDeck CX deck boards and Rapid Rail. The additions are part of the company’s recognition of a growing industry trend: the mass customization of the backyard. CPB is currently working with its network of distributors and dealers to develop ‘mix and match’ rail kits that will suit the needs of both consumers and building product merchants. New rail lengths, post heights, and product quantities will be included in the kits.www.correctdeck.com 

POSTSAVER USA

The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) has listed the POSTSAVER USA barrier protective system in their Book of Standards, which the company says recognizes that POSTSAVER USA boots can provide a positive means of protecting wood used in ground contact. The ESR finds that POSTSAVER USA-protected wooden members are building code compliant for those uses such as ground contact applications where decay and termite-resistant wood is required.The company says the listing shows that POSTSAVER USA booted posts and its SmartPost, the specific POSTSAVER USA product for structural applications, offers builders and suppliers a safe and superior solution to wood post decay.www.postsaverusa.com 

Deck Images E2A Series Glass and Aluminum Railing System

Deck Images E2A Kit Series of glass and aluminum railing systems are 36-in. high kits available in both 6-ft. line and 6-ft. stair sections. They are made from high-grade aluminum to ensure strength, durability, and rust resistance. The kits’ durable powder-coated components come in a green, clay, white, or black finish, and can be used on decks, porches, and balconies made from wood, composite, or concrete. Interchangeable components in the system include round and rectangular aluminum balusters, thick tempered glass balusters, straight and angled rail connectors, and decorative planter or solar-powered post caps.The components can be mixed and matched to create a unique design that’s easy to assemble. Builders and homeowners alike have the flexibility of mixing colors to create complementary or contrasting looks. Styles can also be mixed to reflect personal taste or to complement the home’s architecture.www.deckimages.com 

Viance Ecolife

Viance LLC has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of its Eco-Vance Preservative, a high-performance, non-metallic preservative with superior environmental benefits for use in wood protection. Viance will introduce EcoVance Preservative to its wood preservative line in its new Ecolife Stabilized Weather Resistant Wood.According to the company, the patented EcoVance Preservative system offers long-lasting protection that significantly extends the service life of wood. After 11 years of extreme field testing throughout the world, the company says the patented EcoVance Preservative system demonstrated outstanding long-term performance against rot, decay, and termites. In addition, when incorporated in Ecolife Stabilized Weather Resistant Wood, it reduced cracking, warping, and splitting caused by weathering.EcoVance Preservative is approved and can be used for aboveground and in-ground wood applications such as decking, fencing and fence posts, rails, spindles, flooring, trellises, gazebos and wood shingles, millwork and joinery, trim and fascia, and sill plates.Ecolife Treated Wood is backed by a lifetime limited warranty. www.treatedwood.com; 800.421.8661 

Wolmanized Metal-Free Treated Wood

Arch Treatment Technologies says its Wolmanized L3 Outdoor Wood is the first residential treated wood decking product protected by a nonmetallic solution.The company also notes that the treating formulation has low impact throughout its production, distribution, and installation, but is very effective as a preservative. The wood stands up to wood-destroying organisms, and is backed by a lifetime limited warranty. This wood is intended for out-of-ground use. To resemble familiar types of treated wood and distinguish treated from untreated material, pigment is being added to the treating solution, giving the final treated wood a light brown hue. It has a built-in water repellent, is protected by an EPA-registered formulation that penetrates a wide range of wood species, and is comparable to untreated wood with regard to corrosion of metal hardware.  Wolmanized L3 Outdoor wood has received an evaluation report (ESR-1477) from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) providing evidence that this new type of pressure-treated wood meets code requirements. Building professionals utilize the ICC-ES Evaluation Reports to provide a basis for using or approving products in construction projects following the International Building Code.In addition, the product has been added to the GreenSpec Directory, a listing of environmentally preferable building products compiled by BuildingGreen Inc., publishers of Environmental Building News. Finally, the preservative in Wolmanized L3 wood has been recognized for use within the Hallmark Certification of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WMDA). www.wolmanizedwood.com; 770.801.6600 

DECK CUTS

DECK CUTS is a clear coating that comes in an applicator, intended for use on the exposed ends of decking. The company says DECK CUTS seals and protects the end cuts of decking from water penetration, and it is recommended for all types of lumber. DECK CUTS is an oil-based, zero V.O.C. green-friendly product which protects, helps prevent water penetration, and improves deck durability. Users simply wipe the product over the cut ends of wood. It is available in 4 oz. applicators, and is available from Ze-VO Products Group LLC.www.zevoproductsgroup.com; 508.879.3151 

Deckorators’ Estate Aluminum Baluster

Deckorators’ new Estate aluminum baluster adds a modern touch on almost any deck’s appearance. Available in black and bronze, the 3/4-in. square Estate baluster is 26 ins. tall for a 36-in. rail height. The company says the Estate is designed to install at 2.5 balusters per linear foot with an easy, five-step installation guide. Railings which are built with the Estate baluster can also be customized by integrating a unique basket or collar accessory.www.deckorators.com 

Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek Composite Decking

Weyerhaeuser has added two new color options to its ChoiceDek composite decking product line: Driftwood and Spice. Driftwood and Spice from ChoiceDek’s Eden series are designed to give outdoor living spaces the look of tropical hardwoods without coming from the tropics, coupled with the benefits of low-maintenance composite materials.The new colors broaden the selection available in a product line that currently includes Woodtone, Redwood, Sandstone, and Gray.Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek products are manufactured by Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies and can be used for decks, dock surfaces, playground equipment, boardwalks, and handicap access ramps.  Made from a patented process that encapsulates recycled wood fiber in recycled polyethylene, the company notes that the composition of ChoiceDek products makes them easy to maintain. The composite material is also resistant to salt water, termites, splintering, and dents from hail.  ChoiceDek boards feature a unique ribbed bottom design that reduces weight while adding stiffness and are available in 12-, 16-, and 20-ft. lengths in 5/4 in. x 6 in. profiles. The composite material does not require staining, sealing, or treating. The product line also includes a complete, decorative railing system and carries a manufacturer’s limited lifetime, fully transferable warranty.  www.choicedek.com; 800.951.5117 

CertainTeed Aluminum, Vinyl, and Composite Railing Systems

CertainTeed Corp. is now a complete source of aluminum, vinyl, and composite railing materials, as it recently unveiled the Durham aluminum railing system at DeckExpo in Orlando, Fla. The new beveled aluminum railing system can be used on any deck or porch surface to create a multitude of looks for remodeling and new construction applications. The company says that Durham is also ideal for coastal areas where salt spray is an issue since it is crafted from high-quality, architectural-grade aluminum and features a weatherable powder-coated finish. The new railing is corrosion-resistant, withstands the elements, and never needs painting. It also won’t warp, split, rot, or crack like wood railing can. The company says Durham features rugged strength and precision-fit components for a snug, secure fit. Its aluminum brackets provide the strength of a metal-to-metal post connection for flat and stair applications, and uses corrosion-resistant stainless steel screws.Durham is available in boxed kits or pre-assembled sections. Its universal rail doubles as both the top and bottom rails for ease of assembly. An optional decorative top rail cap is also available and snaps over the top rail for a different look. The railing’s aluminum posts install directly to surfaces using a pedestal floor mount. Durham features straight and twist baluster options, comes in black or white, and can be used on any deck or porch surface. The EverNew railing systems collection includes Oxford and Kingston vinyl railing, Panorama composite railing, Durham aluminum railing, and a complete selection of coordinating accessory products.www.certainteed.com 

Maine Ornamental Solar Post and Stair Light

Maine Ornamental LLC, has introduced a new solar post and stair light that adds an intimate glow to decks and fences.The solar post and stair light is available in black or white and in two sizes that accommodate 4x4 or 6x6 posts. The solar post and stair light can also be used in many other outdoor living areas where ambient lighting is desired. The solar post and stair light requires no additional wiring or electricity and is easily mounted on wood, composite, or vinyl posts. A top-mounted solar lens and one rechargeable AA battery (included) powers one long-lasting LED bulb. The light becomes fully charged after one day in the sun.The company manufactures about 300 different post caps and deck accessories. Solar post caps were first introduced in 2006.  www.postcaps.com; 866.780.3507 

GAF-ELK Decking and Railing Systems

GAF Materials Corp. recently completed a successful integration with Elk Corp. As a result of this merger, the company is not only a major roofing manufacturer in North America, but also offers CrossTimbers Decking, RailWays Railing, Canyon Rock Premium Decorative Stone, ductwork, and other building products.The company is now implementing investments designed to further grow its decking and railing businesses. For 2008, the decking and railing product lines have been simplified to give consumers more choices, and to make it easier for distributors and contractors to build their business. GAF-Elk’s CrossTimbers composite decking provides the beauty of a wooden deck with less maintenance. It is lighter in weight and easier to handle than other composites, resists scratching, and won’t warp, splinter, crack or rot like wood. The company also says its RailWays railings install much more quickly and easily than traditional products. www.gaf.com; 973.628.3000 

GeoDeck Composite Decking

LDI Composites offers GeoDeck Composite Decking and Railing, a decking and railing system designed for easy installation and superior strength. GeoDeck offers matching boards, railings, posts, balusters, end caps, fascia board, post caps, post base trim, and hand rail collars—everything necessary to create an attractive deck. The system’s unique formulation makes it highly fade-resistant, unlike most composite products. The company says GeoDeck boards are easy to saw, drill, cut, nail, and fasten with standard tools. Its hollow profile makes it up to 30% lighter than wood or solid composite boards. The company says its Tongue & Groove board is faster to install than the leading competitors. GeoDeck also offers hidden fasteners to discreetly secure the components. Unlike treated lumber, GeoDeck will not split, crack, warp, rot, or decay and is highly resistant to termites. No painting or sealing is ever required, and the system offers a 20-year limited warranty. www.geodeck.com 

Monarch Exotics Decking

Monarch now offers a state-of-the-art grooved board in a variety of lengths and colors.The new Exotics grooved board allows for both traditional face installation, as well as hidden fasteners.  Monarch suggests installers use its new Crown Clip hidden fastener system, which the company says has proven quicker and easier to use than other hidden fastener systems in the industry.Both the new Exotics grooved board and the Crown Clip system were developed as a result of Monarch’s continued effort to deliver what is being demanded by the building materials market. The company says contractors and DIYers can take advantage of the fastening choices and quicker installation, and also says homeowners will love the clean, flawless deck with no exposed screws.www.monarch.com 

Trex Escapes Decking

Trex Escapes, the latest decking line from Trex, is manufactured using what the company calls revolutionary cellular PVC technology and features enhanced stain, mold, and scratch resistance, ultra-low maintenance, and superior fire resistance.Designed to appeal to consumers who place a premium on low-maintenance, Trex Escapes features a natural wood-grain pattern in three long-lasting colors: Pewter (gray), Sahara (beige) and Acorn (medium brown). Fascia also is available in matching colors, as well as Glacier (white). Trex Escapes is backed by Trex’s 25-year limited residential warranty.The company says the product is simple to install, lightweight, easily fastened, and easily cut.Trex Escapes joins the Trex family of decking, railing, and fencing products designed to enhance outdoor living, and complements Trex’s current range of decking products, including Trex Brasilia, Trex Accents, and Trex Contours.  It was developed in partnership with Veka Innovations, one of the world leaders in PVC blending and extrusion technology.www.trex.com fiberon Sanctuary DeckingFiber Composites says its new line of residential decking boards, fiberon Sanctuary Decking, is one of the easiest to install, most durable, low-maintenance and realistic looking composite decking boards on the market.fiberon Sanctuary Decking consists of a cellular PVC (or foamed PVC) core with no fiber fillers, which eliminates edge cracking, stain retention, and water absorption. This core is surfaced with a durable, highly weatherable layer of a unique PVC alloy. This alloy layer combines PVC and ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate), a material used to protect automobile bumpers and outside mirrors. The company says the ASA additives resist fading, are more abrasion-resistant than wood-plastic composites, and create a cellulose free surface to the fiberon Sanctuary deck board.The decking also is made with a proprietary coloring process that uses a blend of light and dark hues to create natural color variations found in real wood. For added realism, a photo-realistic embossing pattern, captured precisely from real hardwoods, is pressed into the surface, resulting in a natural look and feel. fiberon Sanctuary Decking has a limited 20-year warranty. It is available in multi-chromatic Ipe and Driftwood, and mono-chromatic brown, tan, and gray. Grooved boards (GV), which accept the Phantom Hidden Deck Fasteners, are manufactured in 12-, 16- and 20-ft. lengths, while square edge boards come in a 20-ft. length only.www.fiberondecking.com 

Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Spacers

Simpson Strong-Tie has developed a complementary product to help solve spacing issues between composite boards. Called Deck Spacers, they are small plastic spacers that clip onto the joist to keep boards evenly spaced. The company says they also help lengthen the lifespan of the deck, protect the deck framing, and reduce maintenance. Often a 16-penny nail is used for spacing deck boards, which works for wood decks but not for composite decking. When not spaced properly, deck boards can twist, warp, or buckle under various weather conditions. As a result, composite decking manufacturers have specific requirements for spacing deck boards. The new Deck Spacers meet these specifications, keeping the top boards in place throughout seasonal temperature cycles. They also help protect the deck warranty by ensuring proper spacing. In addition to composite decking, Deck Spacers work well with redwood, cedar, and other woods, and are color-coordinated to match popular deck colors.Deck Spacers are quick and easy to install and once in place, act as a shield for the top of the deck joist. The patented design helps shed debris and moisture away from the deck joists, keeping them clean and reducing the chances of rot. They are also UV-resistant to last the life of the deck.Deck Spacers are available in 100 and 500 quantities in gray, brown, and tan. www.strongtie.com 

AERT MoistureShield Juniper Collection

To celebrate 20 years in production, Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT) has expanded it its MoistureShield Decking line with the Juniper Collection. Made using organic cedar, the Juniper Collection is a natural, earth-friendly, long-lasting premium composite decking product created to endure the most severe environmental conditions.The line of organic cedar composite decking is composed of heartwood cedar fibers from Juniper Mexicana, or Texas Cedar, which extract a tremendous amount of water from Texas aquifers. Because cedar overgrowth has led to shortages of water and grazing grasses for wildlife, as well as drinking water for the state’s growing population, ranchers have had to eradicate thousands of acres of Juniper trees.  AERT now is utilizing this discarded cedar, which would otherwise be burned, and blending it with recycled polyethylene plastic, such as milk jugs, plastic grocery sacks, and detergent bottles, to make a composite decking product with a lifetime of value.Made with 90% pre- and post-consumer recycled content, the highly water-resistant Juniper Collection is manufactured using the company’s plastic encapsulation process that shields and protects the wood fiber from moisture and insect damage. Additionally, because it is made of natural cedar, the Juniper Collection does not need or contain mildewcides, insecticides, or coloring agents.The company says the Juniper Collection’s deep wood grain texture gives it the look and feel of real wood, but unlike traditional wood decking, it offers exceptional durability and does not need staining, painting, or sealing. In addition, the Juniper Collection requires no special tools to install, is easy to assemble, and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty against rot, decay, and insect damage. The Juniper Collection also exceeds the requirements for landscape decking published in the LEED for home standards.www.moistureshield.com; 866.729.2378 

Gossen WeatherReady Decking

WeatherReady Decking is protected by CleanEdge, a Gossen innovation that seals all four edges of the solid core, cellular PVC deck boards. WeatherReady uses a revolutionary Gossen cellular formulation that assures high-strength, stain resistance, consistent density, and which will not come apart or delaminate.The product comes with a welded, two-side textured surface and a lifetime warranty to the end user. The WeatherReady family of materials are lead-free and manufactured in the U.S. to strict industry standards. They are ARCAT green compliant products for sustainable design.www.gossencorp.com; 800.558.8984 

TimberTech Ultra Low-Maintenance Decking

TimberTech continues to expand its product offering of decking planks with the introduction of its first expanded polymer (PVC) deck planks, XLM, an extreme low-maintenance alternative decking solution.Responding to homeowner demand for low-maintenance decking options and contractors’ need for easier to install decking materials, TimberTech developed XLM to satisfy both. The company says XLM provides customers unparalleled scratch and stain resistance, and the decking boards have received a Class A Fire Rating, the most stringent rating available for exterior fire resistance. The product is 40% lighter than TimberTech’s wood plastic composite planks, and features a solid cap to reinforce its structural integrity. It is available in grooved or non-grooved planks. Grooved planks are designed to work with CONCEALoc, TimberTech’s stainless steel hidden fastener, which provides quick and consistent gapping while keeping a fastener free surface.XLM is offered in three colors—Mountain Cedar, RiverRock, and SandRidge—and is available in 12-, 16- and 20-ft. lengths as well as 12-in. fascia in 12-ft. lengths. All are backed with a 25-year limited warranty.  www.timbertech.com 

Fypon QuickRail and QuickPost Systems

Fypon has begun manufacturing and distributing QuickRail and QuickPost systems. Previously available from Dixie-Pacific, the two product lines are now exclusively available from Fypon.The QuickRail system features a unique multi-layered PVC composite formula that provides rigidity to the product. Ideal for harsh outdoor weather conditions, the low-maintenance rail system will not decay, warp, fade, chip, splinter, or rust. Features of the system include:

•  6-, 8-, 10- and 12-ft. rail kits available for most styles

• Quick installation from kits that include top and bottom rails, spindles, brackets, covers, and screws

• Stair kits available to accommodate 24- to 40-degree slopes.

The QuickPost system features load-bearing Colonial-style posts that work with the QuickRail system and include a structural metal insert. Made of polyurethane reinforced with PVC, the posts are also weather-resistant. Features of the system include:

• 5x5 QuickPost is 8-ft. 8-in., and has a load bearing capacity of 2,500 pounds

• 6x6 QuickPost is 8-ft. 8-in.and has a load bearing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Components include one QuickPost, two mounting plates and eight screwswww.fypon.com; 800.446.3040 

Osmose MicroPro Technology

Osmose’s MicroPro technology has been certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a third-party certification services and standards development company, as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP). Unlike copper-based wood preservatives, the MicroPro technology system does not use organic solvents to dissolve the copper component. Instead, the MicroPro system utilizes patent-pending micronizing technology to grind copper particles so small that they can penetrate into the wood in solid form. The company says that wood products treated with the MicroPro preservative system, when compared to current copper-based wood treatments, offer consumer benefits of low corrosion to metal fasteners, approval for aluminum contact, and better painting and staining qualities because of the wood’s lighter color. The company adds that its unique MicroPro production process results in the reduction of an estimated 20,000 tons or more of greenhouse gas emissions each year, based on annual production levels. (This is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 2,200 SUV’s.) The MicroPro formulation also requires fewer trucks to transport the preservative when compared to other wood treatment products. MicroPro treated lumber is currently available in over 2,400 home centers and lumberyards in the United States and is currently produced by 54 wood treating companies.www.osmose.com  

Decking Product Resources

American Wood Protection Association: www.awpa.com; 205.733.4077 California Redwood Association: www.calredwood.org; 888.CALREDWOOD; info@calredwood.org North American Deck & Railing Association: www.nadra.org; 888.623.7248 Southern Pine Council: www.southernpine.com; 504.443.4464 ext. 236Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: www.wrcla.org; 866.778.9096; wrcla@wrcla.org