Take one look at this deck…

This Amazing Looking Ipe Deck was Constructed by Someone Just Like You

With the right decking, plans, and a heckuva lot of willpower, the owner of this home created one of the nicest decks we’ve seen in a long time.

Using 5/4×6 Ipe decking, this deck has all the features one wants in a deck: Durability, Resilience, Low-Maintenance, and Genuine Beauty. And, with the Holidays just around the corner, this outdoor living area will give this family a relaxing place to watch the snow fall over the mountains near the Uinta National Forest.

Check out more pictures of this featured ipe wood deck.

Uh, oh. It looks like Doug forgot to make sure that his deck was up to code.

From the looks of it, it’s safe to assume that Doug forgot to contact his local building department to check his plans. If he had, he probably wouldn’t look so upset.

To avoid Doug’s fate, it’s important that you know what parts of your deck building plan need to be up to your local building codes.

Here are some critical parts of the deck construction process that you should pay close attention to.

Be sure to inspect and/or repair the following:

Ledger: When getting rid of an older deck, you should remove the ledger currently installed. Inspect for any decay, or wood rot. You should repair the rim joist, replace the sheathing, or anywhere else you see partial degradation due to moisture. Many professional deck builders will make sure that new sheathing stays as dry as possible by fastening it over the foundation. Many cities and towns have specific guidelines outlining approved ways to replace and repair this crucial part of your deck.

Flashing: Decks that don’t use the right flashing, or apply it to code will have a higher risk of some kind of structural failure. Even if the chances are slim, why take the chance? Professional deck installers will recommend copper flashing, siding, and housewrap. In 2009, many local building codes were updated to require that you use additional hardware to increase the holding strength between the deck and the ledger. There are a lot of details to pay attention to especially since the connection of the deck to your home is as crucial to deck safety as wearing your seatbelt while driving.

Framing: You drew up a beautiful deck design…but is the framing and your proposed joist spacing up to code? Usually you can space the joists at 16″ on center. For decking as strong as ipe, here are our recommendations:

Note: Check your local building codes. The joist spacing shown is very conservative
and designed to pass most area building codes and to have nearly zero deflection
under standard loads. The joist spacing shown is also valid if the decking is laid
in a diagonal pattern to the joist, or used even with heavy loads such as hot tubs.

Railing: Does your design call for wood deck railing? Making sure your deck rail system is safe needs to be your primary concern. You must install guardrails at least 3 feet or higher on any deck that is at, or over 2 1/2 feet (30″) off of the ground.

Stairs: The International Residential Code says that you can install risers as high as 7 3/4 inches. Lower than that might be ok. Be sure to check with the building department.

Building codes are cursed by only those builders who think about speed, not efficiency. Lawsuits and even accidental  deaths have occurred whenever people cut corners when building a deck that wasn’t to code. Here’s an article from the NADRA that has some sobering pictures and helpful advice.

Any questions? Comments? We’d love to hear from you.

We now have a section of our main site that focuses on worldwide projects that feature decking, flooring, and siding from Advantage Trim & Lumber.

These project showcase the design potential of hardwoods like Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru, and Garapa.They also clearly reveal that there is nothing like genuine wood decking. There’s a reason why some of the world’s best commercial and residential designers turn to us for wood decking materials. By only stocking premium grade materials, they can bring their design ideas from concept to reality. You can also get some great deck design ideas for your personal home renovation project.

The list of projects will be growing by the week, so check back often for updates.

View our Featured Decking, Flooring, and Siding Projects.

The research this homeowner did prior to buying Tigerwood has paid off.

It’s almost Summer and thousands of homeowners across the country are getting ready to start working on their deck. Some will be remodeling and many will be building a deck for the first time. But, before hammer goes to nail, the question you must answer is, “What kind of material is best for decking?”

Should you go with real wood decking, or composite “wood” decking? Regular readers of this blog already know the limitations and problems that plague composite deck materials. Let’s face it; if plastic decking were so good, wood decking would be obsolete. But, because of the documented issues that both composite and PVC decking face, many people are opting for real wood deck materials.

So, let’s say that you chose to buy wood decking. What material should you choose, and what pitfalls are to be avoided when buying decking?

Here are 5 Ways to Save Money When You Buy Decking:

1. Don’t settle for chemically treated and cheap decking materials. This is the “You get what you pay for” rule of shopping for anything. If you are on a tight budget, it pays not to settle for pressure treated decking. Yes, it’s cheaper than hardwood, but when you read about the chemicals used to treat the pine wood, and see how pressure treated wood decking looks in such a short amount of time, does it really benefit you to sacrifice your long term enjoyment? If you are on a tight budget, there are still some wonderful hardwoods out there that might cost a bit more, but will give you years of worry-free use. For instance Tigerwood and Garapa are very affordable. They are also great looking and naturally durable, without all the problems that treated decking has.
2. Price is not as important as you think. Of course, you want to get the most for your money. We all do. But, when it comes to buying lumber, it’s easy to order something and not know what you’re really getting until the truck arrives at your job site. If you’re shopping online, check to see if the supplier is FSC certified, been around for at least a decade and, at the very least, willing to share some testimonials or pictures of jobs that have been completed with their products. I know what you’re saying, “Ok, that’s all well and good…that still doesn’t clear up how to buy wood decking!” Let me address that by saying…
3. Lumber grade is more important than price. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true. Some suppliers don’t want you to know the difference so they put up pretty pictures that they’ve doctored to cover up the flaws in their material. They also put up a very low price. This combination has led to many frustrated homeowners trying to get their money back in vain. So, with this in mind? It pays in the short and long run to ask up front about the grade of lumber BEFORE you buy. Here is a description of lumber grades to help you:
   • Common/Select Grade – Common grade can be poorly milled and come with unappealing color variances. It often contains sapwood, visible knots & worm holes.
   • Premium/Clear – This is the best grade and is all heartwood. There should be no knots, or worm holes. Premium grade wood is carefully milled material that truly reflects the colors and natural accents of the wood.
4. Convert square footage to lineal feet. Ah, math. The bane of many children and of people who are building a 500 square foot deck and order 500 lineal feet. Sure. you’ll get your wood, but you’ll have just enough to build half of your deck! An error like this means paying TWICE for shipping. You can avoid this pitfall and keep more of your money by using our Square Foot to Lineal Foot Calculator.
5. Buy Random Lengths. When it comes to buying hardwood decking, you save more money when you specify a range of lengths.  Many suppliers will charge you more if you demand one specific length. Why? It’s a simple matter of cost, inventory, and waste. With a majority of product originating in domestic and South American mills, suppliers buy a range of lengths of 8’ through 20’.  Selling within this range is the norm. There’s also the matter of waste. If a supplier has a greater inventory of 15′ decking and you order 13′ boards, there’s the cost to mill and dispose of all that waste. Besides, most deck builders will almost always use a range of lengths depending on both your home’s and the deck’s design.

These tips will save you hundreds of dollars and increase the chances that you will enjoy your new wood deck for a very long time.

Questions? Leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.

Deck Design of the Week

Tigerwood Decking Shines in New York

Learn from Deck Builder, Aaron Roberts, why Tigerwood decking is a great decking material to work with.

Building a Tigerwood deck is a rewarding experience. Many deck builders and homeowners choose this exotic hardwood because of its gorgeous golden brown colors and dark streaks. The fact that it is also more affordable and just as durable as the most expensive composite decking also adds to the luster of using Tigerwood decking. As you can see from the pictures, this Tigerwood deck design is truly unique. The hot tub area is spectacular at night and really shows how Tigerwood decking shines.

We’ve recently spoken with an expert deck builder in the Rochester, NY area, Aaron Roberts. We asked him what he thought of working with Tigerwood for this Rochester, NY home.

ATL: How long have you been a deck builder?

AR: We have been specializing in high end custom decks since the summer of 07, this will be our fourth full season.

ATL: What led you to choose Tigerwood for this deck project?

AR: The homeowner actually did the research and chose the product.  He was looking for a natural product that would be unique in his neighborhood, but more economic than Ipe.  I believe he was also attracted to the hidden fastener system.

ATL: Was this the first time you worked with Tigerwood?

AR: Yes.

ATL: Was it easy to work with?

AR: Yes, about the same as any decking that uses a hidden clip fastening system.

ATL: What tools did you use to cut and install the wood?

Our standard woodworking tools, I think we installed fresh saw blades.

ATL: How did the owners feel about the finished product?

AR: The homeowner’s love the deck, and so do their neighbors.  We were hired again about a year later to build the hot tub deck addition.

ATL: Would you work with Tigerwood again?

AR: Absolutely!

ATL: How was it to work with and order from Advantage Trim & Lumber?

AR: They made it very easy.  I filled out the quote form with the exact pieces I needed, they were purchased and on a truck in a couple of days, and arrived right at my job site.  Not a whole lot different than if I had just called up my local lumber supplier and ordered it.

Thank you, Aaron for your business, for taking the time to answer our questions, and especially for the wonderful pictures!

If you would like to buy Tigerwood decking, visit the Advantage Trim & Lumber Hardwood Store.

Do you need to convert square feet to linear feet?

Check out our handy Wood Decking Calculator. It works perfectly for both standard & pre-grooved decking. You’re also covered covered when it comes to converting square footage of tongue and groove decking into linear footage.

When completing your deck design, having decking calculators and square footage converters at your disposal will save you time, and money.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber our goal is to always make your buying experience smooth and easy. This is why we provide the tools you need to build your deck successfully. If you can think of any deck tools that you’d like to see us create, contact us and let us know!

Advantage Trim & Lumber has a full selection of ipe post and post caps available.

When you’re looking for ipe deck design ideas in this blog or through magazines, one thing you’ll notice is how many of the decks that are featured include a deck rail system around the perimeter of the deck. Of course, when your deck is multi-leveled and higher off the ground, these deck rail systems become a necessary part of building a safe and sound structure.

This doesn’t mean that you have to settle for mediocre systems that have average or below standard parts. In fact, those same high-end decks usually incorporate the same hardwood. Some decks like the one pictured above can blend materials like ipe and wrought-iron to provide a nice, aesthetic contrast that matches the strength of both materials.  When it comes to building an ipe deck, you’ll need ipe post and post caps to really make your rail system as strong and as elegant as your new deck.

At Advantage, we stock both ipe posts and post caps. You can buy an ipe post with dimensions of 7×7 and up to a length of 4 ft! Our deck posts have the following features:

• Milled to exact dimensions
• We inspect each post before it gets shipped
• Easily withstands the harshest environmental conditions
• Cover and protect pressure treated posts
• Posts and post caps made from premium grade ipe

Contact us today to get just the right amount of ipe decking material including essential deck parts like ipe posts and post caps.

You can buy E4E S4S Ipe decking to create the most unique deck in your neighborhood!

One of the great things here at Advantage Trim and Lumber is hearing about the customers who are elated with their decks. Many people actually come way under budget when they buy ipe decking from us. It’s not uncommon that, during the conversation with our hardwood experts, homeowners decide to ratchet up their overall design on the spot!

Our inventory of regular, or Eased 4 Edges / Surface 4 Sides (E4E / S4S) ipe decking is available if you want to build some deck additions. For instance, many customers who buy pre-grooved ipe decking end up having enough money to purchase enough E4E S4S ipe deck boards to build any of the following structures and addons:

• Ipe benches
• Ipe planter boxes
• Lattices
• Outdoor kitchen cabinetry
• Outdoor furniture (chairs, tables, etc.)

Looking at the pic above, you can tell that the owners of this home, really went out of their way to make their new deck have the appeal of a sunroom, without the windows.

When you see how much money you’ll save with Advantage, your surplus can be used to take your deck design to the next level. Check out the selection of E4E S4S ipe wood that’s currently on sale! We have varying lengths available via our Overstock Sale for a limited time only. Call now for more information.

At Advantage, we do more than just sell ipe decking. We help homeowners who buy ipe from us with their deck designs.

No matter the size or scope of your deck design plans, we'll help make sure your new ipe deck installation has the best materials.

When you send us your CAD design specs, you’ll get paired with a personal consultant.  Whether your joist spacing is off by a couple of inches, or if your choice of framing is inadequate, we’ll do our best to ensure that your new ipe deck is as strong as it can possibly be.

We’ll also make sure that you save as much money as possible with your order. Based on your deck design specs that you send us, we’ll ensure that you get just right amount of ipe wood so that you don’t have to come back to us to order more deck boards.

Why do we do this?

It’s simple: we take pride in the product we sell. We want every deck that features our premium grade ipe decking to be the best deck in the neighborhood! Hopefully, when your ipe deck is complete and people ask, “Where did you get such awesome decking material?” You’ll beam with pride and tell them that “Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. They even helped me save money doing it!”

If you send us pictures of your ipe deck, I’ll feature it on this blog!

Contact Advantage Trim & Lumber today to buy ipe decking & get expert guidance on your deck design!

Deck Design of the Week

Duval House by The Mark Odom Studio

I recently had the privilege of speaking directly to head designer behind this week’s Deck Design of the Week, Mark Odom. The Mark Odom Studio is an architect firm out of Austin, Texas who creates unique homes for discerning homeowners who want a contemporary, yet warm environment to live in.

As a well-established designer in the Austin, Texas area, I am thankful and honored to have pried him away from his innovative projects to talk to him about one of his most recent homes, The Duval House. This contemporary home has features that incorporate ipe decking.

The Mark Odom Studio an Austin Architect & Designer Firm Created this Highly Functional Deck Design (check out the fence and bench made from ipe decking!)

Why did you chose ipe for this project?

“Due to the density of IPE, it presents an opportunity to have natural grade lumber in wet or weathered areas that won’t deflect, bow, or lose its original state.  This allows us to use natural wood throughout interior and exterior while maintaining a slender tolerance between edges; clean non-compromising lines are important in modern work.”

Have you chosen ipe for any other projects/applications?

“We’ve used ipe on wood fencing, rain-screens, floors & walls in wet areas and visual screens between spaces.  Again, the density of wood and sharp edges allows us to achieve these moves without having to use steel.”

What was it like to install?

“Ipe is fairly easy to install.  There’s really no special skill needed beyond deck construction other than a high level of precision and eye for detail.”

Thanks for sharing this info, Mark! I really appreciate your time!

As you can see from the pic above, this modest deck is ideal for outdoor gatherings. I can’t thank the Mark Odom Studio enough for sharing allowing us to feature their design. If you’re looking for an interior designer in Austin, be sure to add the Mark Odom Studio to your short list.

And, if your goal is to incorporate ipe decking into your home renovation project, look no further than Advantage Trim & Lumber Company. Now that we’re running two great decking sales (Ipe Decking Sale & Exotic Hardwood Sale), you can buy ipe and other exotic hardwood options at prices not available anywhere else!

One of the main reasons why ipe decking is gaining such notoriety is because architects and designers continually feature this rich and exotic wood in many of their most lauded pieces. Magazines like Architectural Digest also feature Ipe in a whole host of applications including, decking, siding, and flooring. I have even seen ipe interior wall panels be used in modern homes. Make no mistake, this exotic hardwood makes it easy to live up to its reputation as one of the most resilient, durable, and beautiful materials.

• Ipe has a bright and cool look
• Many interior and exterior applications really pop when using ipe wood
• Sealing ipe with a deck oil will keep it reddish brown
• It matures to a silver patina to match metals and black & white designs
• It features natural resiliency to mold, wood rot, and wood boring insects

Here at Advantage, we offer ipe to designers and architects throughout the world. Our decking is not just seen in homes, but also in an amazing array of commercial applications. From coast to coast, you can see ipe in benches, boardwalks, and in exterior siding. Call to get your questions answered and to order. We have convenient office hours and are open 6 days a week. Call today and ask about our annual decking sale!

Deck Design of the Week

Oakland Home Uses Ipe to Make Gorgeous Courtyard

If you’ve ever thought of building a courtyard for your outdoor living area, then this Oakland home should serve as some great inspiration.

Designed by the Ohashi Design Studio in Emeryville, CA, this deck design captures you immediately especially when you see how they incorporated the extremely large oak tree right in the middle of the courtyard. Of course, they utilized both ipe decking and ipe siding to create this modern looking, yet very warm space.

For pictures of how the Ashmount Residence Garden and deck, visit the photo gallery at the Ohashi Design website. The innovation that went into this design is truly stunning and definitely worth remembering as you look for unique deck designs.

At Advantage, we sell ipe decking as well as many other hardwoods that will make a deck like this possible. Best of all, right now, we’re running a decking sale. In fact, we’re running TWO simultaneous sales to give you even more opportunity to buy ipe, plus other unique and exotic hardwoods.

Deck Design of the Week

The U-House by Natalie Dionne

This week’s Deck Design of The Week takes us to Canada where ipe decking is used to not just create a wonderful outdoor living space, but also how you can create one large home just by connecting them with a deck! The designer of this wonderful home and office space is Natalie Dionne.

It won’t take long for you to notice how beautiful the finished ipe deck looks, especially after it’s wet. Did you know that ipe wood has high slip resistance? In fact, yesterday I was looking over some ipe decking samples that we have available and accidentally spilled my water all over some 1×6 ipe deck boards. Once I wiped the board with a paper towel, I noticed right away how quickly the ipe was drying. What’s more is that when I rubbed my hand over the damp piece of ipe, the deck board was not slippery, at all.  Ipe is naturally slip resistant due to its interlocked and fibrous grain. This creates a natural, some would say fuzzy, texture that keeps it from being slippery.

With this in mind, it makes perfect senses why an accomplished designer such as Mr. Dionne would choose ipe for her own personal home and work space.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, we are currently running our Fall ipe decking sale.  With these low ipe prices, it is now possible to buy ipe and build a beautiful deck before the winter months. Building a deck now will ensure that when Spring rolls around, you’ll have a beautiful and captivating space to enjoy the warm days and cool nights.

Deck Design of the Week

The Belmont Street Lofts in Portland, Oregon

The first thing you’ll notice when you see the pictures of the Belmont Street Lofts is that there is no visible use of decking. However, what you will see is how the architectural firm Froelich Consulting Engineers created this mixed-use commercial project with ipe. These mixed-use lofts really stand out with the use of rainscreens and ipe siding.

Benefits of ipe siding include:

• Durability even in the most brutal environmental conditions
• Ipe maintains its strength over time
• It is a natural product
• Totally maintenance free
• Contains absolutely no chemicals or preservatives
• All of our Ipe Rainscreens & Siding is free of any chemically produced additives

Contact Advantage Trim & Lumber today and ask about special wholesale ipe prices for wood rainscreens or siding.

Deck Design of the Week

St. Lambert Residence designed by René Desjardins

If you like modern architecture that is both warm and inviting, then you need to check out the St. Lambert Residence designed by the renowned firm of Canadian designer René Desjardins.

This gorgeous home is notable because ipe flooring was chosen. Also known as Brazilian Walnut, ipe keeps gaining a reputation as being the best premium hardwood to use. We are currently having an ipe flooring sale, so check us out. You will speak to a real person who will answer your questions and fill your order. Whether you need ipe decking, or Brazilian Walnut flooring, let Advantage Trim & Lumber be your one source for all your hardwood needs.

Deck Design of the Week

Ipe Near Raleigh, North Carolina

What do designers and architects use when they need to use wood? They choose ipe. One example of this is the country home located near Raleigh, North Carolina and built by Michael Rantilla (click to see pics). A true testament to modern architecture, this country home stands out with the use of ipe wood. If you’re looking to build a new home and are curious about hardwood options, contact our professional staff. You will speak to an ipe wood expert who will guide you through the many options that are available.

There are plenty of good reasons why professionals choose ipe:

• Ipe is beatiful and weathers better than most other hardwoods
• Ipe provides superior resistance to mold, mildew, rot and decay
• Ipe decking and ipe siding hold up with no maintenance required
• Ipe is a versatile wood that can be used for a variety of applications including
  • Sunscreens
  • Rainscreens
  • Pagodas
  • Pergolas
  • Benches
  • Tables
  • Outdoor Furniture
  • Docks
  • Bridges
  • High end flooring

At Advantage Trim and Lumber we custom mill ipe wood for any and all the above uses. Contact us today to speak with our professional staff. After all, if the people who create such elegant and timeless architecture are using ipe, why can’t you?

Deck Design of the Week

Villas Sur Mer – A Jamaican Resort w/ an Ipe Deck

Today’s Deck Design of the Week takes us out of the continental United States and to Jamaica. The Villas Sur Mer is a truly tranquil, serene, and utterly breathtaking place to take your family, or to just escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

One of their primary features is the outdoor entertainment area that features a beautiful pool and, of course, ipe decking. This ipe deck overlooks crystal clear, warm water. Check out their photo gallery to see the gorgeous views from the deck.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, we sell & export ipe decking to destinations all over the world. We also offer wholesale decking prices should you need a truckload or container shipped to your job site.

There are many reasons why ipe decking should be your first choice for your new family deck.

An ipe deck can be enjoyed all year round.

• An ipe deck is so hard and compact that it doesn’t splinter
• Ipe requires no maintenance
• Unlike pressure treated decking that has been infused with chemicals that can leech into your yard, ipe wood is all natural
• A deck made of ipe hardwood will increase the value of your home
• Ipe is versatile and can be the centerpiece of your outdoor living space for decades

These facts are proven by the fact that families all across the country have chosen to build their deck with ipe. If you’d like to see how this wood decking is being used, check out this article on this Cole Valley family that just finished their outdoor living area. Designed by Janet Moyer Landscaping in San Francisco, that family’s deck will provide lasting memories and wonderful times all year round. Her website has many examples of the how ipe can be used for your outdoor living area.

If you’re looking for the perfect decking material to use for your deck, patio, or covered porch, contact us today.

Deck Design of the Week

Green Home in Michigan

Yesterday, you saw the beginning stages of a green building project designed by Danny Forster, host of Build it Bigger & Extreme Engineering on the Discovery Channel. The finished Omena Lake front home is truly spectacular. Two features that are of particular interest are the extended deck / living room area and the eco-roof. In fact, Danny even shows you how eco-roofing is installed. I have to say, I learned a lot about green building and design from Danny. When he explains how they analyzed the wind patterns of the area to position the home in such a way that wind would keep the home cool throughout the day, I was blown away (pun very much intended)!

Here’s Danny giving you an extended tour of the newly completed Green home:

MyNorth.com Video: Danny Forster’s Cool, Green House Completed

I was also thankful that Danny gave such a clear and concise description of how eco-friendly wood is cultivated and harvested. This is important to note because according to Danny, he used certified FSC wood throughout the home. So, all of the ipe decking you see comes from sustainable forestry practices that have been monitored by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Why did he use FSC Ipe Decking? If you recall, Danny is trying to get as high of a LEED rating as possible. In fact, because of all of the brilliant designs ideas and the eco-friendly products that he used, Danny has told me that the home received LEED Gold status. That’s pretty significant because this home is only one of seven in all of Michigan to receive that level of LEED certification.

We hope that this home inspires you to use green building materials and techniques. Finally, for those that think that green building is expensive, think again. Danny specifically makes the point that building this green home, even with all of its features and eco-friendly wood and materials, cost the same as any home in the area.

Also, thanks to Danny Forster for taking the time to answer my emails and for the information he provided.

Deck Design of the Week

Green Building in Michigan

Today’s Deck Design of the week is a two-parter. We’re going to look at the before and after phases of building a green home that has some wonderful sustainable and eco-friendly features.

The mind behind this home’s beauty is Danny Forster, host of Extreme Engineering and Build it Bigger on the Discovery Channel. He’s also a Harvard grad and, as evidenced by the lake front home in Michigan, a heck of an architect.

Today, we’re going to see Danny take you through a behind the scenes look at how a Green home is constructed. This Omena Lake front home is also going for either Gold or Platinum LEED certification, so you can tell that there are some serious and revolutionary design and architectural elements being used for this home.

As you can also see, there is no shortage of ipe being used in this home. Danny Forster has used both ipe decking and ipe siding in ways that are, at once beautiful, but also eco-friendly.

MyNorth.com Video: Danny Forster’s Cool, Green House

Tomorrow, we’ll see the finished product. If you’re planning to build a green home or are curious about LEED for homes, you’ll definitely want to take notes. You’ll also get some wonderful design and energy-saving ideas that are truly unique.