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Since the Corona pandemic there has been an upswing in the home improvement sector, specifically DIY. Since people are home more, they are looking for ways to improve their home and even expand their living space. One such way is to build or expand their deck.

Unfortunately, depending on how big or fancy you go, your deck may come with a big price tag. For example, the typical pressure treated wood deck starts around $15 per square foot, including materials. If you want a more elaborate deck using quality hardwood or composite materials the cost increases to about $35 per square foot. ^1,2

But before you start building there are a few things to consider like home value. While typically a deck will improve your home’s value there is such as a thing as over-improving. You don’t want to spend too much on a deck that is too big that you will never recoup the cost, especially if you are not planning on living in the residence that long. ^1,2

According to Hanley’s Wood Remodeling Magazine, the national average for recouping deck building costs is 62%. So, if you spend $10,000 on your deck, you would be out $3800. ^1,2

With an increase in home value comes an increase in property taxes. So, you need to plan for that as well. Also, an increase in homeowner’s insurance to ensure your new structure is covered. ^1,2

Also don’t forget the permits, they cost money (around $500 average)³, but without them your township could force you to remove the deck especially if it isn’t built up to code.

Sources:

1. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-remodel/budgeting-for-a-deck
2. https://homeguide.com/costs/cost-to-build-a-deck#estimating
3. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/architects-and-engineers/get-a-building-permit/

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May is Deck Safety Month!^® Poorly constructed deck railings can cause accidents, injury and death. 99% of wood deck railings are built on site and, aside from the occasional visual inspection, are not tested for quality or safety. Some deck railings aren’t even given a visual inspection. Even the wood railing products you find in the Box Store aren’t rated!

Decking railing quality tests are important. Fence Quarter’s deck railing construction is simple, strong, and with help from the optional FAIL NOT hardware, it’s nearly fool proof. Here’s what you need to know.

When It Comes to Safety, Our Products Go Above and Beyond

Fence Quarter’s wood deck railing inserts are tested by an International third party to meet code compliance, but recently we took testing a step farther. We tried to break our own product.

We hired a company that tests deck railing systems of many kinds, from glass to metals to composites. Wooden railings are rarely tested, and in fact, wooden manufactured railing systems often do not stand up to the rigorous tests conducted on metal and glass. Most deck railing companies strive only to meet minimum requirements so they can keep costs low.

In 2019, Fence Quarter consistently met the minimum testing requirements for the International Building Code (IBC), but we suspected our railings would exceed code requirements, so we decided to take our railing inserts to breaking point!  Who does that? Christopher, Fence Quarter’s President, was present during the testing to find out how our product would measure up.

We performed tests with Fence Quarter’s Standard railing inserts and with the optional FAIL NOT hardware, a carbon fiber patent pending product that makes deck railings last longer. The standard railing insert exceeded the IBC Code by 8 times whereas the FAIL NOT hardware exceeded by over 11 times.

In fact, after the wood broke at a pressure of over 1,700 lbs per square foot, the FAIL NOT Hardware was still in its original place. During the test of the FAIL NOT hardware, the product did so well it broke the machine during an initial test. The testing company had to fix the equipment and begin the test again. Try engineering a wood deck railing that strong! Fence Quarter did it.

Deck Safety Matters

In December 2003, a deck guardrail in Charlottesville experienced catastrophic failure. At the time, the inspector called to the site reported that, “The attachments failed where the guardrail support posts were attached to the deck, and where the guardrail was attached to support posts.” A woman using the deck fell 14 feet to her death. Accidents like this happen from time to time, often with devastating results.

There are many reasons that deck guard rails fail. The use of nails instead of screws, or reduction of screws to save time and money, can lead to deadly accidents. Contractors, in a rush to move on to the next job, often do not put balusters on the frame. Sometimes, knots cause breakage in the balusters, or even rot. Even the type of lumber used plays a role in the success or failure of the guardrail.

Deck railing systems are held together by 3 major connection points:

1. post to deck
2. main rails to post, and
3. infill to main rails.

It is the third, infill to main rail connections, that we at Fence Quarter are responsible for, and we do this well! Our Inserts were tested by a laboratory accredited by International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS). The results? Our inserts are strong, safe and solid.

Fence Quarter Makes Wood Railings Strong Again

Some homeowners turn to composite decking for their guardrails, believing composite is a stronger and more durable product. At one time, that may have been true. Now, there’s Fence Quarter.

Why are our deck railings so strong?

Natural Rot Resistance

Our products are made from Alaskan Yellow Cedar which has natural rot and pest resistant characteristics. That’s why boat builders and Native American Tribes from western coastal communities have been using this sustainable lumber for hundreds of years. Compared to other common deck-building woods like, Western Red Cedar, Redwood and Bald Cypress, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is less brittle and less likely to splinter. It’s also heavier and more rot resistant.

Quality Construction

All Fence Quarter’s deck railings are made from mortise and tenon construction for a tighter and stronger fit. We also build our deck railings knot free and with excellent hardware. Our railing inserts act like a truss system with glued interior cross sections. Oh, and our inserts are fully removable for maintenance!

Upgrade Your Deck Railing Today

Are you using your deck more than ever before? With COVID19 keeping people at home, this is the perfect time to upgrade to a stylish, beautiful deck railing that’s safer for you and your family. Talk to a contractor about installing Fence Quarter’s wood deck railing inserts.

*Deck Safety Month is a Registered Trademark of North American Deck and Railing Association

Sources

http://www.ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/Deck-Inspections-A-Matter-of-Life-and-Death/1220

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Nothing attracts home buyers and boosts curb appeal like beautiful outdoor living spaces. Are you putting your home up for sale? Bring buyers running by dressing up your outdoor spaces with a magnificent, newly redone front porch or deck. These five tips will help you stage your home, which can boost your property value and lead to bigger offers from potential buyers. 

1. 1. 1. Light it Up
         Sophisticated light fixtures do more than light up your deck at night: they also add to the look of permanence and quality to your deck even in daylight. As decks have grown longer-lasting and more durable, deck lighting options have taken on a sophistication and beauty. Choose your deck lighting carefully to enhance the appearance and functionality of your deck. Attractive lighting options include:

         – Accent lights
         – Post cap light
         – In-deck Lighting

   2. Set a Scene
      Staging is about setting a scene and inviting buyers to use their imagination. Open your deck umbrella and set out lemonade on a table with paper cups for showings. Lay a paperback book beside the lemonade, and set up a chair to look out into the most attractive part of your yard. The subtle but obvious message to buyers: picture yourself enjoying this deck every day. This could be yours.
      
      
   3. Replace Upholstery
      Outdoor furniture upholstery has a way of changing over time. Even over the course of a single summer, cushions can change from bold and vibrant to pale and faded. Replace faded upholstery to make your furniture pop. Avoid colors that easily lighten in the sun, like bright reds and oranges. Clear blues and deep greens fare well even throughout a sunny summer. When choosing cushions, tie colors back to hues found in the environment. Match the cushions to your home siding, flowers in the landscaping and other objects nearby to create a unified deck.
   
   
   4. Install All-Wood Railing
      Many modern decks are made from an engineered wood product we call composite decking. While this material is functional, composite decking pales in comparison to the beauty of natural wood. Homeowners, aware of these shortcomings, have taken to installing natural wood railing around their composite decks. This look is trending all over the country, especially in high-end homes where homeowners may be seeking an advantage over their neighbors when the time comes to sell. Replace your old railing with natural wood inserts. The warmth and simple elegance of real wood holds the eye and gives buyers something to look at and admire.
   
   
   5. Enhance Your Deck Railing
      Fence Quarter creates prefabricated deck and porch railing inserts. To install natural wood railings on your composite deck, contact Fence Quarter to place an order.  

The post 5 Ways to Boost Curb Appeal with a Beautiful Deck appeared first on FENCE QUARTER.

Check Your Deck® During Deck Safety Month® in May

CONOVER, NC – Your deck is the perfect place to enjoy warm weather with friends and loved ones. However, a poorly maintained or unsafe deck could possibly collapse, causing serious injuries to you and your guests. During Deck Safety Month® in May, experts at Fence Quarter recommend homeowners Check Your Deck® before starting to plan family activities.

“The number one priority and message to homeowners is to ensure that their decks are safe for use,” says Christopher Price, CEO, a member of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). “Outdoor structures like decks are exposed to sun, rain, snow and extreme temperature changes over the years. The need to maintain and inspect them is critical for keeping decks strong and safe.”

Fence Quarter supports the work of NADRA, which has created campaigns and educational programs, along with certifications for home inspectors, deck builders, remodelers, builders, code officials, engineers, architects, distributors, lumberyards and manufacturers to improve proper installation practices. The organization has also developed checklists and safety awareness information for consumers to assure they have details available to them to evaluate their decks. The information can be found at www.NADRA.org

“Your roof has a life expectancy. Your windows have a life expectancy. What about your deck?” Says Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of NADRA. “Consider the snowfall accumulations from just this past year. These heavy loads cause additional stress on outdoor structures and create a need to evaluate. With more than 50 million decks in the U.S., it is estimated that 25 million decks are past their useful life and need to be replaced or repaired.”

“It’s important for homeowners to check their deck on a yearly basis.” says Price, whose company is located in CONOVER, NC . “It’s time to Check Your Deck®!”

Consumer Checklist

According to Price, a key element to homeowners enjoying their decks for years to come is making sure it is safe and code compliant. NADRA’s “10-Point Consumer Safety Checklist” is an efficient way to take a good look at the different parts of the deck, with an eye to what might need maintenance, repair or replacement. The free checklist can be found at www.NADRA.org

Homeowners should consider a professional deck inspection. “A professional inspector will thoroughly examine your deck, provide information on your deck’s capacity limits, identify any dangerous problem areas and give you some insight of what to keep your eye on in the future,” says Price.

Price reminds homeowners that older decks require closer scrutiny and regular inspections. Many decks were built before code requirements were established to protect consumers. Some of these older decks may have deck-to-house attachments using only nails instead of the current recommended construction using deck tension hardware that greatly helps in the prevention of ledger failures.

Deck inspection requires special knowledge, expertise and experience. Experts at Fence Quarter recommend homeowners visit www.NADRA.org to find a professional builder or inspector in their area. Or, for more details on Fence Quarter, visit fencequarter.com

About Fence Quarter:

Based in Conover, NC Fence Quarter, LLC designs and manufactures innovative tools as well as deck and porch railing inserts. Homeowners, seasoned decking professionals, and contractors can all benefit from the high quality and sustainable products that Fence Quarter delivers. From the patented deck railing infill insert to the FAIL NOT patent pending hardware system, Fence Quarter has a history of designing and selling innovative products that are the first of their kind within the industry. The company is dedicated to creating products that are easy to use, beautiful to behold, and feature high quality craftsmanship. To learn more about the FAIL NOT patent pending hardware system contact a Fence Quarter team member by emailing [email protected], or visiting www.FenceQuarter.com.

About NADRA:

The North American Decking and Railing Association is the voice of the decking industry, representing the interests of deck builders, inspectors, manufacturers, dealers/distributors, lumberyards, wholesalers, retailers, and service providers alike. NADRA’s mission is to provide a unified source for the professional development, promotion, growth, and sustenance of the deck and railing building industry in North America so that members can exceed the expectations of their customers. Visit www.NADRA.org to access all of NADRA’s Deck Safety Month® resources.

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Natural

White

TORREY PINE

BELLEVUE

PRICES & ORDER

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1. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
2. Donate your old clothes and home goods instead of throwing them out. When you need something, consider buying used items.
3. Wash your clothes in cold water and when you can line dry them
4. Change your paper bills to online billing. You’ll be saving trees and the fuel it takes to deliver your bills by truck.
5. Plant a tree or donate a tree through our Canopy Project.

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By Leslie Coffey

2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year for outdoor fixtures and furnishings. This year’s trends in outdoor decor focuses heavily on beautified, functional features that make your outdoor space more useful and attractive at the same time. Whether you’re building a new deck or remodeling an old one, here’s what to install on your deck or porch. 

Deck Lighting

Years ago, decks were only built to last for about a decade. Installing lighting on such a short-lived structure was not practical. As a result, light fixtures were attached to the house and decks were lit from above, not within.

Today’s decks are built to last 25 years or more. They’re a durable investment, and many of them are hardwired to the house to make lighting possible. Professionally constructed decks come with a variety of lighting options that make outdoor spaces a better place for entertaining. 

Companies like TimberTech, based in Illinois, now produce top-of-the-line deck light fixtures for consumers. Lighting options vary from riser lights to under-rail fixtures, allowing homeowners to create the mood and ambiance that fits their home. Soft ambient lights often require no permits and use minimal electricity, enabling homeowners to enjoy their deck long into the evening. 

Bringing the Indoors Out

Love of the outdoors has prompted homeowners to spend increasing amounts on the deck and patio. They spend so much time in their backyard that many new decks are built with an outdoor kitchen or living space attached. Living rooms outfitted with power for a television and gaming system create a space where everyone in the family can spend time. Kitchens with electricity, gas and water for cooking and cleaning are the perfect place for relaxing with family or friends. 

There are many contractors leading the charge in the construction of indoor/outdoor spaces. Color Works Studio, in West Bloomfield, Michigan has taken the lead with a recent project featuring a specially designed outdoor media area with a climate controlled space to protect the electronics. Outdoor construction must be weather proof to protect expensive pieces of equipment.  

Ceiling Fans

With indoor rooms making their way to outdoor decks, these spaces are increasingly covered and include ceiling fans for better air flow. Many consumers have happily latched onto this trend as they realize that ceiling fans offer more than comfort: they offer style as well. Companies like MinkaAire design ceiling fans that set the mood with flourish and finesse. Look at the Gauguin and Rainman models to see examples of the models that homeowners are happily installing on their outdoor decks and porches.  

Natural Wood Railings

The most visible portion of a deck is the railing, as the eyes want to look straight out, not down. While composite decking has become the go-to product for homeowners constructing their new deck in the last decade, many are going back to basics with natural wood railings.

Although composite decking is durable and long-lasting, wood decking is far more beautiful. Companies like Fence Quarter, based in Washington, are leading the charge on natural wood railings. “The only product that can truly imitate wood, is wood,” explains Christopher Price, President of Fence Quarter. 

Although wood does require more maintenance than composite material, Price is quick to point out that composite decking has its pros and cons. “It still requires maintenance, and it lacks the warmth and elegance of real wood.” Fence Quarter creates prefabricated deck and porch railing inserts, a trend that is taking off in the Pacific Northwest. 

Make Your Deck Standout

Decks and porches have come a long way in the last several years. With more options than ever before, homeowners are finding new ways to make their deck or porch a place of beauty. Before remodeling your deck, work with your contractor to explore the latest trends and add value to your home. 

Source

https://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/articles/wood-myths-facts-and-fictions-about-wood/ – how long decks last

http://www.timbertech-europe.com/reference-website/about-us/news/press-releases/press-release00a9.html?PressReleaseId=902f3f49-07fa-4251-9f03-3b04efffaa0d – timbertech press release re lighting

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Time is money. If you’re a deck builder, you know better than anyone that use of time-saving materials means more money in your pocket. Fence Quarter provides everything you need to shave days off of your deck construction. 

1. Save Time with the Deck Railing Insert

Why install one baluster at a time when you can install huge sections of railing all at once? Fence Quarter’s deck railing inserts come pre-assembled from top quality lumber. You make the frame, we send the baluster insert. Each insert can be ordered in a custom size, ready to install on-site, or your carpenter can cut the sub rail ends upon arrival. Pre-primed and pre-painting services are available. Once the wood railing is in place, installation takes about an hour.

Deck railing inserts save countless hours, enabling you to move onto the next project. 

2. Skip the Measuring 

Fence Quarter’s MEASURE NOT is a pre-made insert that makes building rail frames easy and fast. To use, butt the MEASURE NOT to the underside of the attached main rail and clamp to each post in the Infill section. This enables you to create perfectly-sized main rail frames without worry of improper measurement. MEASURE NOT comes in three sizes, including 30.5″, 31.5″ and 32″. The MEASURE NOT is also available for stair risers. 

Contact Fence Quarter

Fence Quarter makes building a deck rail easy and fast. To get started installing natural wood railings in all of your deck building projects, contact Fence Quarter to place an order today. 

The post Deck Builders: 2 Ways to Maximize Efficiency with Fence Quarter appeared first on FENCE QUARTER.

Celebrate by cleaning your tools

Hand tools, especially heavily used ones, get greasy and dirty. While there are some fancy cleaners out there especially designed to clean them, you most likely have something more readily available—Dawn, dishwashing soap. Simply fill up a gallon bucket with hot water and add a teaspoon of Dawn. Using a sponge or dishrag, scrub your tools, then rinse them under running water. Do not soak your tools because it may damage them.

Got rust?

Some experts say you can clean rust from tools, by spraying the rusty surface area with WD-40, scrub with a scouring pad and wipe it clean. For heavily rusted metal, you can use an acid-based rust remover or use white vinegar or Coca-Cola. Simply, soak the tool for 24 hours. They should be rust free at this point. Just rinse the tools and dry. If they’re not rust free, repeat the same steps.

Pro-tip: Make sure you clean grease off the tools (see directions above) before immediately soaking it is vinegar or soda.

It’s electric

Electric tools, such as drills and sanders require a different type of care. You should always store them in their original case to keep them clean as well as dust free but with regular use they can become dusty.

To clean your power tools, use a shop vacuum to suck up the dust and debris. You should also use compressed air to clean out the vents, moving parts etc. For molded plastic, use a damp rag.

Got tools?

Perhaps your tools are already clean, but you need a different type of tool for your deck project. You should check out our selection of tools designed specifically to work with our deck railing inserts using our carbon fiber system. 

About Us

Fence Quarter designs and manufactures removable Deck and Porch Railing Inserts made from high quality lumber along with the tools to make installation a breeze. Visit us on the web at fencequarter.com

Sources:

https://dawn-dish.com/en-us/how-to-clean/using-dawn-as-a-hand-tool-cleaner

https://www.mybluprint.com/article/how-to-clean-tools

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/how-to/a14313/how-to-restore-rusted-old-hand-tools/

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-power-tools/

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