Building a Better Deck & Rail: Using Trends, Installation, and Design Elements AIA Continuing Education Program Provided By:

Overall Course Objectives After this program, learners will be able to: Select the right material for their needs by recognizing the different Decking and Railing Categories Identify five characteristics to consider when selecting decking or railing materials within the different categories Identify Market Trends of Decking and Railing Market Size Life Cycle Costs Anticipated Growth Identify Installation Trends of Decking and Railing Identify the three most notable code listing agencies related to decking and railing Reports each listing agency provides Benefits of Reports How reports work on a Job Site Identify support requirements as it relates to the Acceptance Criteria 174 List three installation criteria as it relates to composite decking and railing

Selecting the Right Material

Three Decking and Railing Categories US decking and railing markets can be divided into three broad material segments: Traditional Wood Pressure Treated Lumber Cedar Redwood Exotic Hardwoods/IPE Wood Plastic Composite/PVC Other Vinyl Metal Aluminum Variety of other specialty materials Redwood Deck WPC Deck

Five Decking and Railing Considerations In comparing the decking and railing categories and their specific functions, this presentation will cover five specific considerations that focus on the application of your project: Safety Maintenance Color/Appearance Longevity Environmental Impact

Pressure Treated Lumber Pressure-treated lumber (PTL) will continue to benefit from its low cost, wide availability, and familiarity to both consumers and contractors. Safety Slippery when wet Will considerably check/split after 15 years of exposure Potential health hazard when burned Over time splinters may occur Chemicals in pressure treated lumber may degrade the fastener and create screw shear Maintenance Requires annual cleaning and reapplications of staining and sealing Possible screw corrosion Colors Stain to desired color Purchase pre-stained

Pressure Treated Lumber Pressure-treated decking and railing has lost market share to wood-plastic composites and other alternative materials, as these alternatives do not require the ongoing maintenance associated with pressure-treated decks and rails. Longevity Average Lifespan: 15 -20 years Some pressure treated products have a warranty beyond this but will need significant maintenance to keep it safe and aesthetically pleasing Environmental Impact Supply & Demand Issues Vast majority of PTL was treated with CCA – a chemical preservative and pesticide regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Now Prohibited CCA has been replaced by other EPA approved preservatives

Redwood Redwood decking and railing is available in over 30 grades determined by quality and appearance. Safety Class B Flame Rating Maintenance Wash at least once a year Seal with a preservative sealer Colors Ranges from light red to dark reddish brown but weathers quickly to grey

Redwood Redwood decking and railing is associated with a number of performance characteristics that make it well suited for many diverse applications. Longevity Average Lifespan: 20 plus years if maintained Environmental Impact Tightened harvesting restrictions Tightening supply of high quality grades Harder to obtain in the market

Cedar Red cedar is available in a variety of different grades that vary significantly in price, appearance and performance characteristics, largely as a result of the amount of heartwood contained. Safety Natural resistance to decay and insects Maintenance Wash at least once a year Seal with a preservative sealer Colors Ranges from light amber to a deep honey brown and will weather to a silvery gray or dark brown if left untreated

Cedar Features of cedar decking and railing include it’s light weight and the ability to be easily worked. Longevity Average lifespan: 10 – 30 years Due to less availability of heartwood lumber which shortens lifespan Environmental Impact Deforestation Depleted supply of old growth

Exotic Hardwoods/IPE Ipe is an extremely dense, tight-grained wood ranging in color from red-amber to dark brown and virtually clear from knots. Safety Natural resistance to insects and decay Maintenance May require staining & sealing Can be treated with a UV-resistant coating to preserve the natural color Installing has increased labor costs due to pre-drilling Colors Ranges from red-amber to dark brown

Exotic Hardwoods/IPE Exotic hardwoods are primarily used in non-building applications such as boardwalks and marinas, in which the favorable performance qualities of the decks outweigh their higher initial costs. Longevity Average Lifespan: 25 year plus if maintained Environmental Impact Deforestation issues Some woods are rare in the environment Harvested in countries with fewer environmental restrictions

Wood Plastic Composite Composite decking and railing markets benefit from the widespread trend of growing consumer interest in materials with reduced maintenance requirements, as well as desire for materials that look like wood but have a higher durability. Safety Skid Resistant Splinter Free No harmful staining or sealing solvents No rot or decay Maintenance Low-Maintenance No Annual Staining or Sealing Required Needs Periodic Cleaning

Wood Plastic Composite In addition to wood and plastic raw materials, composite decking contains various additives used to improve performance and processing. Colors Wide Variety Color fading depends on the environment and the manufacture's materials Some manufacturer’s use reflective, inorganic pigments to develop colors that reduce heat buildup Longevity Average Lifespan: 25 plus years Environmental Impact Recycled materials are often used Installed once versus multiple re-planking

Plastic Other alternative materials used in the US decking and railing industry include; vinyl, polyethylene, plastic, aluminum, and a variety of other specialty materials. Safety Potential health hazard when burned Maintenance Easily Maintainable No annual staining and sealing required Needs periodic cleaning with water Colors Wide Variety available Stable & Consistent

Plastic Plastics and other materials will benefit from increasing penetration in the key residential market as a result of product developments aimed at improving aesthetics and feel. Longevity Average Lifespan: 25 plus years Environmental Impact Not Biodegradable

Other Considerations With the growing awareness of environmental impacts, many building product companies are changing practices to become more sustainable and offer safer products for the environment. Sustainability Some alternative deck manufacturers incorporate recycled materials into their products Many manufacturing processes eliminate waste and reuse as many resources as possible Fire Resistance Fire regulations and codes continue to become more important in the building industry.

Decking and Railing Market Trends

Decking and Railing Market Market Size Estimated $3.0 billion in 2009 Total Decking and Railing Market Includes PT Lumber, Softwoods, Hardwoods, WPC, Plastic Lumber, Rigid Vinyl, Metal Yearly increases in demand for WPC for both decking and railing.

Decking and Railing Market Market Breakdown (2009 Estimated Manufacturing Sales by Dollar Volume Percentage) Decking Market 5% 38% Decking: $1,647.8 Wood – 57%* WPC/Plastic – 38%* Other – 5%* ($Million) Railing: $1,272.5 Wood – 64%* WPC/Plastic – 12%* Other – 24%* 57% Railing Market 24% Wood-PT Lumber, Softwoods, Hardwoods 12% 64% WPC/Plastic Other-Rigid Vinyl, Metal, etc.

Decking and Railing Market 2009 Decking & Railing Market: Est. $2,920 ($Million) 2000 2010 PLASTIC 9% PLASTIC 5% WPC 8% WPC 36% WOOD 87% WOOD 56% WPC was 8%* of total D&R market in $ volume ($286* million) Approx. 25% APR growth 2000-2005 WPC is projected to be 36%* of total ($3.0 billion) Approx. 18% APR growth 2006-2010

Life Cycle Cost Comparisons By Decking Material (12 X 18 foot deck) Costs WPC PTL Plastic Redwood/Cedar Hardwood Total Deck Cost($) $3,900 $2,540 $4,400 $3,250 $4,165 Annual Maintenance ($) $75 $375 Five Year Ownership Cost($) $4,275 $4,325 $4,775 $5,125 $6,040 *Deck boards & Standard Railing Only, does not include cost for substructure, footings, or fasteners ** This model accounts for materials costs only, NOT installed costs and labor Maintenance costs include the cost of cleaner, preservative, stain and pressure treated washer rental

The Advantages of Alternative Decking and Railing Demand for wood-plastic composites and other alternative materials will continue to benefit from growing consumer awareness and product availability in lumberyards. Several Performance Advantages Durability – longer life expectancy Lower Maintenance Requirements Color Retention Mold and Mildew Inhibitors Appearance Multiple profiles, colors & finishes to choose from Consumers desire non traditional materials to look like natural products Some manufacturers have created products that represent the hardwood look

Increases Home Value AFTER BEFORE Remodeling Magazine’s 2006 Cost vs. Value Report estimates a national average of a 76.8% return on investment for deck additions AFTER BEFORE

Design & Installation Trends

Design Trends Design elements provide value to the deck and improve the aesthetic appeal. Inlays Planter Boxes/Benches Multiple Deck Levels Accessories Lighting Railing Hidden Fastener Systems Deck Drainage System

Design Trends Inlays Inlays allow for design versatility Can be created with most Wood Plastic Composite Materials Contrasting Colors are often used Framing and blocking dependent upon design

Design Trends Inlay Photo Gallery

Design Trends Planter Boxes/Benches Planter boxes and benches add value and functionality The sizes are similar to dimensional lumber Multiple designs are possible

Design Trends Multiple Deck Levels Multiple deck levels allow the opportunity to segment the outdoor living space. Allows for outdoor kitchen space

Design Trends Lighting Lighting is often used as a safety mechanism and adds ambiance. Many local codes require lighting Increases the Usability Low voltage and solar type lighting available Products are made from vinyl or aluminum and come in different styles and colors Easy to install and very little maintenance required Products often include post top module lights and accent lighting for the front and sides of the posts Accent Light

Design Trends Railing Adds Unique Design & Style Decorative Centerpieces, Post Caps, & Pipe Railing Variety of Materials Available: Vinyl Metal Wood Wood Plastic Composite Cable Glass PVC Wood Railing Many WPC and alternative deck manufacturers have matching rail systems

Design Trends Railing Photo Gallery Cable Railing Wood Railing Glass Railing

Design Trends Railing Photo Gallery WPC Railing PVC Wood Railing Metal Balusters

Installation Trends Hidden Fastener Systems Hidden Fastener Systems provide a seamless, nail and screw free surface that preserve the beauty of the deck board and highlight the investment in premium composite materials. 30% increase in demand for hidden fasteners Generally installed between planks Allows the plank to be the focus, not the fasteners Controls uniform gapping Some fasteners can be installed using a pneumatic gun

Installation Trends 1 3 2 4 Hidden Fastener Systems Additional Planks 1st Plank 2 4 Hidden Fastener Relax

Installation Trends Tongue & Groove Tongue & Groove is a product advancement that allows for ease of installation and maximum span ability. Easy installation with no visible screws Some product profiles span 24" on-center for reduced structural needs

Installation Trends Deck Drainage System Deck Drainage Systems provide leisure and storage space for second story deck applications. Some products secures to the joists of any new or existing deck with 12" and 16" on-center joist spacing

Challenge Your Creativity

Technical Guidelines

Code Listing Agencies In the past, wood plastic composite and plastic composites have not been addressed directly in the building code. However, as of 2009 the IRC has added these materials to the code. A significant amount of work is still underway to complete this process, but definitely a step forward. Currently there are several listing agencies that conduct code compliance evaluations. The most notable are: ICC-ES Architectural Testing, Inc. Underwriters Laboratory

Code Listing Agencies If a product complies with code requirements, the listing agency publishes a report to that effect Each listing agency issues different types of reports. ICC-ES issues: Evaluation Service Report (ESR) Architectural Testing, Inc. issues: Code Compliance Research Report (CCRR) Underwriters Laboratory issues: UL Listing The report is then available to the public and local building officials The local building officials use the reports to evaluate the given products suitability to the given application

Technical Evaluations Each code listing provides technical evaluations of decking and railing products based upon Acceptance Criteria 174 (AC 174) Under this criteria, materials are evaluated for: Stiffness & Strength Ability to withstand environmental factors Evaluated for Termite Damage Decay Fire Performance

Support Requirements Decking materials are evaluated to a minimum span/load combination of 16” at 100 pounds per square foot Railings for residential use are evaluated to a design load of 200 pounds For other than 1 & 2 family dwellings under the IRC: In addition to the 200lb design load, the railings are also subjected to a minimum of 50lbs per linear foot in a uniform load test.

Support Requirements The deck spans and rail test loads are subject to safety factors of two and a half and any environmental adjustment factors based upon test results For railings: This is a minimum of 500 pounds in residential applications and 125 pounds per foot for non residential application That is 1000 pounds on an eight foot section of rail!

Benefits of Certification Product Liability Issues The certification ensures that the product has been produced and tested accordingly Traceability The certification has a paper trail that enables it to be traced from the job site to the raw materials Safety The certification process requires the product to be tested as a system (railing) Provides a higher degree of confidence in reliability

How Listings Work on the Job Site Labeling & Packaging Allows the field inspector to verify that the materials have met the appropriate requirements Installation Products are to be installed per the manufactures instructions

Installing Wood Plastic Composite Wood Plastic Composites are as easy to install as wood using: Tools Saw Blades (should be new, sharp and clean); PVC specific saw blades Drills Difference: Typically have higher thermal expansion coefficients and need to be spaced at both the ends and edges of the boards to allow for expansion and contraction

Gapping Allow 1/8” minimum gap between the end joints of planks and 1/4” minimum gap where the planking meets an adjoining structure Refer to the manufacturers installation & maintenance guide for detailed instructions Many of the hidden fasteners on the market today provide the needed gap spacing for the manufacturer specific product.

Joist Span Generally the joist spacing on residential and commercial applications is 16” on center Some Wood Plastic Composite manufacturers can span up to 24” on center Check with the manufacturer on specific details for their profiles

Railing—Planning and Installation Make railing part of the design element, not an afterthought. Pay attention to stair locations and proper spacing of each railing section. Plumb 4x4’s or support posts are critical in achieving a dimensionally and physically sound railing system. Double check both manufacturer installations and code listing specifications to ensure compliance. Consult your local building official regarding any specific regulations for the designated area of construction. Measure Twice, Cut Once!

Care & Handling Storage Store WPC products under cover to maintain a clean surface Stacking To decrease damage of the product, stack the units with banding and bottom supports aligned Handling Carry planks on edge for better support Never dump materials when unloading

Care & Cleaning Requires periodic cleaning Does not require painting, staining, or sealing Scratches, nicks, cuts & grooves Varies by product To Combat Mildew Maintain a clean, dry deck surface

WPC Warranties On average: 10 – 25 years; some are pro-rated. Generally includes splinter, cracking, rotting & warping Check with the manufacturer on specific warranty information

THANK YOU Thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with composite decking and railing! Questions?