= De ceoMaw cy awl Io- ——. SS 7 a | —— =— pith ote _—_— ; Deck-OutYour Yard, Maintenance-Free (NAPSA)—Decksare an important part of our everyday lifestyle and an essential part of every home. They allow us to extend the comforts of the inside to the outdoors, but not without the price of time. Deck maintenance can be a time-consuming hassle. Because our busy schedules do not allow us to properly maintain our out- door living space, the look and feel of our deck deteriorates over time...until now. Staining, sealing and waterproofing decks is a hassle to homeowners. New technology allows the decking industry to create decking materials from substances other than wood. One of the many new decking substances developed in recent years is wood composite decking. It has becomethe industry’s up-and-coming preferred decking material not only becauseit is low-maintenance, but also because of the many features traditional treated wood does not embody. Wood composite decking eliminates the expense and hassle of annual staining and water sealing. It also promises a consistent appearance and durability. Most importantly, it won’t crack or split. Traditionally, decks have been built of chromium copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood, however, recent studies have found that CCAis a possible health hazard. As a result of the growing concern, the lumber-treatment industry has decided to replace CCA with less toxic alternatives. Alternative treated wood costs about 10 to 20 percent more than the CCA products that are being phased out. With this increase in the cost of treated lumber, wood composite decking is gaining a competitive advantage. Paired with the low-maintenancefactor, wood composite decking has become the most appealing decking material to consumers. Respondingto the rapid increase in wood composite decking interest and sales, manufacturers havecre- ated more options for the homeowner. Planksare now available in a wide variety of styles and colors. For example, TimberTech Engin- eered Decking Systems created a patented fastener-free Tongue-andGroove plank with a brushed surface that provides traction. Their entire product line is available in a variety of colors including Grey, Cedar, Redwood and Natural to match and complementthestyle and color of any home. Not only is wood composite decking an excellent alternative to treated wood, it is also a very costeffective addition to one's home in relation to time. Homeowners no longer have to worry about maintaining their deck but will have more time to relax with family and friends. For free information about TimberTech Engineered Decking Systems, call 1-800-307-7780 or visit www.timbertech.com.
