———— eS |) Pe = =: itty i | ; | | en i9q = — @pLre = ———————— AH Sa A Se eS Be SS Give Your DeckA “Face-lift” | Before (NAPSA)—Alarge percentage of the nearly 40 million Americans who own decks may be choosing a “staycation” and enjoying leisure time at home with family and friends. Homeowners with older wood decks, however, may notice that these are falling into disrepair and becoming more of an eyesore than an oasis. As wood decks age, they begin to rot, crack and splinter—eventually causing a home’s overall value to depreciate. With 85 percent of all decks in the country constructed 10 or more years ago, many homeowners are searching for an economical wayto help their old decks look new again—and remain comfortable, splinter-free and attractive for decades to come, without extensive maintenance. Rather than tackling a complete rebuild, it’s possible to retain the substructure of a current deck and simply replace the existing planks and railings at a fraction of the time and cost. This new concept of deck “refacing” is rapidly catching on among homeownersas a budget-friendly, value-increasing home-improvement project. The savings are considerable: having a contractor perform a deck make- a | over can cost up to 30 percent less ers may opt for wood-alternative replacement materials such as Trex. Wood-alternative products than having a new deck installed; for a DIY deck makeover, the sav- ings could be double. A deck makeover can be done relatively quickly in three steps, according to Adam Zambanini, senior product manager for decking at Trex—the largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing and fencing. 1. Inspect the deck and check its structure. The existing deck’s framing system must be sound and meet local code standards. 2. Remove the old, deterio- rating decking and railing. Be sure to leave the deck’s framework intact. Determine whether additional joist and blocking is required. For help with determining joist spacing and blocking, Trex offers an installation guide. Make any necessary repairs or adjustments. 3. Install new decking and railing. Attach replacement deck boards to the existing framing system. Select complementary railing for a completely updated and customized appearance. For a deck that continues to look like new for years, homeown- After | won't rot, crack, splinter or weak- en under harsh weather conditions or heavy foot traffic. Additionally, most wood-alternative decking requires only periodic cleaning to maintain, and never needs sanding, staining or power washing—saving homeowners considerable time and money over the years. Coupled with high-performance durability, composite decking offers unsurpassed style and comfort, as well as a wide range of design options to create the perfect outdoor escape that complements any home—or homeowner’s—style. At a time whenbig-ticket renovation projects just don’t add up for most homeowners, a deck makeover with wood-alternative materials can be a smart investment that requires a minimal commitment of time and money—yet returns significant value to a home. A recent Remodeling magazine report found that homeowners can recoup 73 percent of the cost invested in a composite deck. For more information, visit www.trex.com.
