Deck Contractors Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

DECK BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS BLOOMFIELD HILLS MICHIGAN ( MI )

You want one team focused only on your backyard. That’s us. Plenty of general contractors exist, and “construction companies” outnumber them, but none offer that single focus the way we do. Kitchens, bathrooms and other interior work are not what we do. The “Jack of all Trades” idea isn’t for us. Our belief is simple: specialize in one trade. We can build your deck and make sure it is sealed correctly, too. There’s no need to hire one company for the build and a second one for the sealing.

TrexPro^® Platinum is the highest level of recognition available for an independent contractor. TrexPro^® Platinum deck builders are the leading TrexPros in their markets, with demonstrated ability and expertise to design and build outdoor living projects with Trex, ranging from the simple to the most complex. Look for the TrexPro Platinum icon when you’re searching for an official TrexPro^® deck builder. A leading Installer of Trex decks in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

There are hundreds choices of alternative decking products and on top of that most manufacturers have several product lines so which one is right for me in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan?

You want to pick the right alternative decking. That’s why clients ask us these questions all the time, and for good reason. There are hundreds of alternative decking products. Most manufacturers also sell several product lines. How do you know which fits you best? On top of that, some of these products failed in the industry’s early years, and companies and products have come and gone. The decision can feel crippling.

Want your deck to be a success story? There are many of them, even if they never get published alongside the bad experiences. One of the best ways to get there is to learn about the product you are considering. Understand its pros and cons. I stress that again: pros and cons. No perfect product exists that is the best choice for every consumer and every application. It simply isn’t out there. Each product has strengths and weaknesses. Think of buying a car. One model won’t meet everyone’s needs. One buyer needs more room, another needs less. Some want better gas mileage, while others prefer more power. In the end, the right choice comes down to your own needs, desires and criteria. Anyone who tries to convince you a perfect product exists, chances are they are selling to you, not educating you.

To keep things simple, these alternatives fall into two broad groups. By alternative, we mean alternatives to ordinary Southern Yellow Pine that has been pressure treated (pressure treated lumber).

Alternative wood decking products in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

If you love real wood, you’ll lean toward these: Cedar, Ipe, Bamboo, Redwood, Cumaru, Massaranduba and thermally modified wood. Each is a wood product that is either a different species or modified in some way. I call the people drawn to them purists.

Want wood that naturally resists decay and termites? In this group, the main softwoods are Cedar and Redwood. Both are rich in natural tannins that do that job. But the cedar sold widely today isn’t the same as 30 years ago. Most is fast grown or farmed and has very little heartwood. With less tannin, its performance has suffered on horizontal surfaces like decking, where water sits. On vertical surfaces it is still common. There it performs fine if stain is applied to all sides beforehand.

Looking for a deck board with a long life? Ipe, Cumaru and Massaranduba are hardwoods harvested in the rainforest. They are extremely dense and hard. Ipe is hard enough to earn a class B fire rating. It also sinks in water. Thanks to that hardness and its natural properties, it is widely promoted as a 50 year lifespan product. The look of these woods is very rich. Keeping that natural beauty takes maintenance. Without it, they weather to a silvery grey.

Synthetic decking products in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Prefer man-made materials? This group covers man-made products: composite decking, Capstock, wood plastic composites, PVC and cellular PVC, aluminum decking and so on. I will cover the most popular ones in the Northeast Ohio area: capped PVC (Azek Deck) and capped composites (TimberTech and Trex). Each maker keeps its exact formula a closely guarded recipe. Still, they fall into two categories. Some products contain real wood content. Others are made entirely of synthetic materials.

Want a deck board that feels firmer and looks more like real wood? Adding wood to the decking (wood capped composites) does that. These boards are also quite dense and heavy.

The advantages the cellular PVC capped products have is the have less heat retention, no wood or organic materials, much lighter in weight.

Trex Transcends, a capped composite with wood filler, has its cap on 3 sides. Trex designed it this way so the board can breathe and moisture can escape out the bottom (similar to how weep holes work in windows). You can get it in solid or variegated colors, and a matching railing system is offered for the solid colors. This board also has really good scratch resistance. The Transcends line uses 95% recycled materials.

TimberTech Earthwood Evolutions Terrain, also a capped composite with wood filler, has a cap that fully wraps the decking board on all 4 sides. The goal is to keep moisture out entirely. It isn’t TimberTech’s high end line, but for the money it is a very good board. Colors come in solid and variegated options. TimberTech offers a wide range of railings to pair with it, including the recently launched Impression aluminum rail.

Azek Deck is a capped board made of cellular PVC, with no wood fillers. The cap covers all 4 sides, and the board contains no wood at all. It weighs less and is less dense than the composites. Solid and variegated colors are offered, and the solid colors come with a matching railing system. Color choices are broad, and the product is approved for ground contact.

This is just an overview of some popular products in our area, and many more options exist. To choose well, I suggest asking about the following parameters and ranking them by importance:

Scratch resistance: Do you want a deck that hides everyday wear? Think about how much this matters to you. Do you own a dog? Will you notice every small scratch, and would that spoil your enjoyment of your investment? If that’s you, choose a product that resists scratching and where scratches won’t show much. Scratches will happen. This is a floor you walk on. Try dragging your keys across a sample of the decking you’re considering.

Traction: Will this deck be your main exit, used all year? Deeper grain patterns grip better when wet. To test a sample, lay it down and drag your foot across it. Another option: have your deck builder bring you to a deck made with the same product, and walk on it yourself.

Maintenance: How much work are you willing to put in? No-maintenance decking doesn’t exist. Everything needs some care. Alternative synthetic products are designed so that you only need to clean them, with no staining required. Wood needs some type of deck stain or sealer to extend its life.

Fade and stain resistance: Many new synthetic products include a warranty against fading and staining. Read the fine print, since most are pro-rated. A wood deck can always be re-stained, so this is less of a worry there. A good way to test is to spill different things on sample pieces of decking.

Longevity: How long do you expect to use this deck? If you plan to rework something or move soon, you may want to limit how much you invest. If you plan to stay a few years, low-maintenance decking products are appealing, since they are designed to look good for a long time. Even with superb maintenance, a wood deck will develop splinters, grain lifting and cupping over the years. That is where these alternative materials shine.

Budget: Time for a reality check. How much are you prepared to invest? The alternative materials look nice and offer great features. However, they can run 2 to 3 times what a standard pressure treated deck costs.

Heat retention: Products hold different amounts of heat, and color plays a part in how much heat a board keeps. For decks near pools, this is often a top concern. Leave a few samples out in the sunshine and compare how they feel. To get technical, check them with a thermometer.

Color: Is your preferred deck board offered in the color you want? Is there a matching railing system? I have often seen clients spend lots of time researching, only to discover they don’t like any of the colors the decking is offered in. For instance, only the solid colors offer a matching railing system. Choosing a black or white rail? Then every decking color will pair with it. Don’t look only at the decking. Think about your color scheme as a whole. Right or wrong, aesthetics usually make the final decision.

Even though there are hundreds of choices, this does not have to be an overwhelming decision making process.

• Research on your own. Weigh the different parameters and keep a mental list of your top priorities. This can save you a lot of time.
• Want a lasting partner for your deck? Look for a deck builder willing to hear what you need. Tell him what you hope to achieve, and let him guide you. A good builder you can grow a relationship with will serve as a valuable resource, since they handle these products daily. This may not be a one-time event. Your deck could need service work later, or you might add features down the road. Think of it as a long-term relationship that each side is willing to invest in.
• Ask to walk a deck that was built with the materials you are considering.
• Establish realistic expectations with the decking product of choice, remember all products will require some maintenance.
• Look at 3-D design. There are also many programs and visualizers to help you get a concept of how your deck will look.
• A successful deck depends on more than decking materials, so don’t focus on just one thing. Many factors come into play, including design, layout, railings, and placement relative to the yard, house and sun. Think about privacy from your neighbors and about your current or future landscaping.
• Choose a product manufacturer you feel comfortable with. Warranty terms carry a great deal of fine print and are often a hassle to sort through. In most cases, they are pro-rated and cover only the manufacturer’s own product.
• A beautiful and functional deck is one that will take all these different aspects into consideration and takes advantage of them.

Deck building and construction is what we specialize in.

Michigan homeowners want more living space, and they know that taking it outdoors is an investment. It raises the value of the home. It also creates a haven for leisure, entertainment and relaxation. A deck delivers exactly that. Since this is such an important decision, homeowners look for someone they trust to maximize their home’s value. For that reason, Supreme Deck is committed to giving you the best service possible. Homeowners starting a deck project have many materials on the market to choose from. These include Trex, Azek, Fiberon, Ipe, Cumaru, cedar, redwood, PVC, composite, pressure-treated lumber and other low-maintenance materials. Your material, paired with your design, creates the deck of your dreams. To help you narrow down your project, Supreme Deck, Inc. has designed three specific choices. YOU decide the level of service you want. Pick from custom decks, composite deck packages or Builder Series decks.

BUILDER SERIES

Want a standard deck that is simple, beautiful, and a great value? This option is built for that homeowner. We use quality materials. Pick any of four deck sizes, all among our most popular. Size and material choices are limited. Because these decks are in such high demand and we build so many of them, we can pass along our builder pricing. That means an exceptional price for you.

RE-DECK or RESURFACE

Want a fresh-looking deck without the constant upkeep? This package fits. Maybe you love your deck but not the work it takes. Maybe the frame is solid, but you’d like a new “look.” Or maybe the floor boards or railing have started to rot. We start with a structural assessment of the existing deck. Then we tear off the old decking and railing. In their place go composite or low-maintenance boards and rails, or any other material you prefer.

COMPOSITE | LOW MAINTENANCE DECK | TREX DECKS

Your dream deck, fully custom and crafted with excellence, is what this option delivers. There is no end to the design options and choices for your project. We build every deck around you and your home. How you plan to use the deck matters most as we design it. Do you host often? Would lighting help draw guests from inside out to the deck and keep the fun going longer? Do you like several tiers, or one wide open level? Will you want shade at certain times of day? And, most personal of all, would you like natural elements mixed with low-maintenance options? Your answers to these questions help us create a design you will be sure to love. Give us a call to get your dream started…

DECK REPAIR & DECK CLEANING

Need a repair, big or small? Our staff includes handymen trained to fix it. We replace rotted king posts, lattice, loose rails and deck boards that are rotting. We can even level a deck that heaved after the winter thaw. Just bought a new house and want to know if the deck meets code? Ask us. Supreme Deck is licensed as a building company. We handle every level of carpentry, right down to fixing one board. We fix and service thousands of neglected, weathered decks. Fence posts that have rotted and left the fence leaning or tilting? We replace those too. Deck steps rotting and in need of replacement? We see that all the time. While we’re on site, we’re happy to provide a free estimate for cleaning and sealing your deck.

More areas we serve