We are proud to announce that Builders Fence Company has been chosen to be Northern Virginia’s exclusive dealer for ActiveYards vinyl and aluminum products

ActiveYards has a rich tradition of high quality products that are both long lasting and beautiful. You’ve worked hard to make your house a home – functional, comfortable, a natural expression of your personality. With ActiveYards, that feeling doesn’t stop at your door.

From the strength and beauty of their craftsmanship, to the guarantee of their future, ActiveYards outdoor living products make your yard an integral part of your home.

Check out the attached video for some more information on ActiveYards vinyl and Active Yards aluminum products Avtive Yards

Why build a completely new deck when in many cases you can just give your existing deck a face-lift! This deck used to have pressure treated pine decking and railing that was cracked and completely worn out. When we went out to look at the deck we noticed that the framing was in excellent condition. We decided to just replace the decking and the railing but keep the framing. The homeowner chose Trex Winchester Grey composite decking and railing to match. The black aluminum balusters help to add contrast and character. This helped save the customer some money and it really looks great!

May 2009 (ARA) – Your deck is the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather with friends and loved ones. But an unsafe deck could possibly collapse, causing serious injuries to you and your guests.

The number of deck failures and resulting injuries has been increasing at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2008, there were at least 30 deaths reported as a direct result of deck collapses, and more than 75 percent of people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed. With 40 million decks in the United States that are more than 20 years old, it’s important for homeowners to check their deck.

The North American Deck and Railing Association is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the necessity for regular inspection and maintenance of existing decks and proper installation of new decks.

A key element of enjoying your deck 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 your deck, with an eye to what might need maintenance, repair or replacement. Safety first, fun second — make sure your deck is safe to enjoy.

You might also consider a professional inspection. “A professional inspection will examine every inch of your deck, provide information on your deck’s capacity limits, identify any dangerous problem areas and give you a map of what to keep your eye on in the future. If your deck is older, this might include a regular deck inspection schedule,” says Mike Beaudry, executive vice president for NADRA.

Older decks require closer scrutiny. Many of these decks were built before code requirements were in place to protect consumers. Some of these decks may have deck-to-house attachments using only nails. If your deck is older, it is even more important to have it inspected by either a home inspector (NADRA recommends ASHI-certified home inspectors) or a knowledgeable deck builder (see the listing at nadra.org). NADRA member deck builders are required to adhere to a code of ethics and comply with state licensing and insurance requirements.

If you find your deck is not safe to enjoy, NADRA advises taking immediate action to have it repaired or rebuilt as necessary.

To choose a deck builder, NADRA offers the following tips:

* Ask friends and family members for referrals and contact state and local licensing authorities and trade associations such as NADRA.

* Meet with and carefully evaluate all potential deck builders. Ask to see a portfolio and some samples of the decking and railing materials they prefer to use. Good builders take pride in their work and will be enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a relationship.

* Pay attention to the deck builder’s experience, licensing, insurance coverage and professional references.

When hiring a deck builder, there is more to consider than just price. In addition to the tips above, NADRA recommends homeowners contact their city or county building department to speak with an inspector knowledgeable about deck construction.

For more information visit www.nadra.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

——————————————————————————–

Decks and porches present a particularly severe exposure for both the wood and finishes. Most wood members are in a horizontal or flat position. These horizontal surfaces, especially in decks, are often exposed to the direct rays of the sun and tend to collect moisture, so the weathering process is greatly accelerated. As repeated cycles of wetting and drying occur, checks tend to enlarge rapidly into cracks and, along with the end-grain surfaces, begin to retain moisture. The conditions for decay and insect attack caused by the presence of moisture are thereby greatly improved.

Any film-forming finish is likewise subjected to excessive stress because of the continuous shrinking and swelling of the wood that results from changes in its moisture content. Furthermore, the finish is subjected to abrasive wear, particularly in high-traffic areas. By design, porches are somewhat protected, so the conditions are not normally as severe as those with decks; however, the same conditions — moisture, sun, and abrasive wear — are usually present at least periodically.

For fully exposed decks, a water-repellent sealer or a penetrating semi-transparent stain may provide the best finishing solution, even on wood that has been pressure treated with preservatives. Special formulations made specifically for decks are available. These penetrating deck finishes, at least the water-repellent sealers, may have a shorter service life than paint, but they are more easily renewed. For severe exposures, the finish should be renewed annually; spring is usually the best time. Light-colored penetrating stains will also last longer than dark ones on flat surfaces subjected to traffic, because light stains show the least contrast in grain color as wear occurs. The penetrating finishes need to be refinished every 1 to 2 years.

To refinish, a thorough cleaning of the wood with a stiff bristle brush is usually adequate before applying the water-repellent sealer or penetrating stain finish. Paint and solid-color stains, particularly in these applications, are likely to peel. Laborious scraping and sanding before refinishing will usually be required for these finishes. Therefore, paint and solid-color stains are not appropriate for fully exposed decks.

The bright color of the wood on weathered decks can be restored (and surface mold and mildew can be removed) by application of commercial products (labeled as deck cleaners, brighteners, or restorers). These products may remove the weathered wood surface; some care should be exercised not to remove excess wood. Color can also be restored using a liquid household bleach. The bleach is usually diluted with water (1 part bleach, 3 parts water) before it is applied to the deck. The bleach solution should be thoroughly rinsed from the deck with water. If the deck is to be finished after cleaning, allow 1 or 2 days drying time.

Paint may be used successfully on roof-protected porch floors. For optimum results, first treat the wood with a paintable water-repellent sealer/preservative. After the floor dries, a primer and two topcoats of porch and deck enamel should be applied. Porch enamel is especially formulated to resist abrasion and wear. Solid-color stains should never be used on flat surfaces such as decks and porches, because of their low resin content.

Fences are fully exposed to the weather, and have at least some parts in contact with soil. Care must be exercised in selecting and applying a finish to obtain a reasonable service life.

Many fences are left to weather naturally. However, if a finish is desired, semi-transparent penetrating stains or water-repellent sealers/preservatives that contain a mildewcide (or otherwise are resistant to mildew) are preferred. These finishes are absorbed into the wood without forming a film; they do not crack or peel. Stains come in a variety of colors and show the wood grain.

If paint is to be used, liberally brush the surface plus all ends and joints with a paintable water-repellent/sealer preservative and allow the surface to dry for at least two warm, sunny days before painting. Apply one coat of a good-quality stain-blocking acrylic latex primer, followed by two topcoats of a good-quality acrylic latex exterior house paint.

When repainting, scrape all loose paint from the wood, then use a stiff bristle brush to remove any remaining loose paint and dirt. Next, brush on a paintable water-repellent sealer/preservative. Apply it liberally to exposed ends of boards or pickets and to all joints. Let the treated wood dry, then apply acrylic latex paint.

Varnish finishes and solid-color stains are not recommended for fences because they will not withstand sun and rain and will require frequent refinishing.

Tired of spending weekends staining or treating your old wood fence? Don’t like the color changes, warping, or checking (splitting) that almost certainly is going to happen with a wood fence? The solution is composite! Composite fences come in a variety of styles and colors. They are extremely low-maintenance and look great! No more staining, no more warping, no more unsightly blemishes….just a beautiful product year-in and year-out. The initial investment is higher than wood however overtime it will more than pay for itself! Here are just a few that we have installed in the Northern Virginia area.