Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association Challenges – Duradek Accepts!

For the deck building industry, August is an exceptionally busy month, but it is not too busy to make time for our local Home Builders Association’s events and show some appreciation for our local building community. 

When a city like Vancouver is ranked the most livable city in North America (and 3rd in the world), you can guarantee that the local contractors like those in the Greater Vancouver Builders Association are some of the most skilled and experienced in their trades.

This month there were two notable, special events that the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) hosted and Duradek was proud to take part in.

GVHBA Summer Social

Hosted along the Fraser River at the New Westminster Quay, Duradek was proud to be a sponsor of the GVHBA Summer Social. Not just another boring networking event, over 200 people enjoyed this social evening which included a wine bar and a very active Ping Pong table for which Duradek was co-sponsor.

Photo credit -  Martin Knowles Photo/Media

Who knew so many GVHBA members have such stellar ping pong talent!? The crossover footwork, blocks, counter-hits and rallies stirred up quite a scene. Duradek’s Winston Conyers was there to talk vinyl membrane waterproofing between ping-pong matches.

Photo credit -  Martin Knowles Photo/Media

 

GVHBA 3rd Annual Grouse Grind Challenge

Presented by the association’s Under 40 Committee, the GVHBA's 3rd annual Grouse Grind Challenge was a huge success. Members conquered the grueling trail and then enjoyed themselves at the summit with food, beverages, mingling and amazing views.

Recognized in the GVHBA weekly newsletter, Duradek’s Winston Conyers and Dave Giesbrecht were the notable newbie members beating the GVHBA newbie challenge with admirable times of 0:53:48 and 0:44:34, respectively.

Winston, a recent addition to the Duradek family and did his team proud. Dave, who is an authorized Duradek installer and owner of North Vancouver Sundecks proved himself as adept on the trails as he is on the decks he installs. Way to go, guys!
 

Winston (left) and Dave (right) did Duradek proud!
Photo credit -  Martin Knowles Photo/Media

Although relatively new members of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA), Duradek has a deep appreciation for the local building community that helped Duradek grow from a small regional company to an internationally recognized brand over the last 40 years.

When Duradek is at home building or home improvement shows in the local Vancouver market, we are thrilled with how often we hear of people wanting to freshen up the look of their deck that has had Duradek reliably protecting it over the last 20 – 30 years.

These Duradek customers know that the level of Duradek’s waterproof performance combined with no maintenance requirements is the most cost-effective way to protect their decks over the lifetime of the product. More often than not, homeowners want to re-do their decks purely to freshen up the look with one of our fantastic new colours, like Cork Graphite.

If you are in the Vancouver area, be sure to visit Duradek at booth #1755 at the Vancouver Home & Design Show October 16 – 19th at BC Place Stadium.  We can show you why waterproofing your deck with Duradek vinyl will bring you the most enjoyment from your deck for the long term…and allow you the most leisure time to enjoy it!

Duradek Named in Top 100 New Products for 2014

Once again Duradek has been selected as one of Professional Builder magazine's Top 100 New Building Products.  This 2014 recognition is based on inquires from Professional Builder magazine readers on Duradek's latest addition to the popular 'Cork' line of waterproof vinyl membrane - Duradek Ultra Cork Graphite.


Graphite was introduced following the success of the 3 existing colours in the versatile and stylish designer pattern of the Ultra Cork line.

The flagship color for this exclusive line was launched in the summer of 2008 and was originally simply named Duradek Ultra Cork. After seeing how well received the attractive pattern was,  'Cork'  became the design for a whole new line with the original shade being called  ‘Natural', followed in late 2011 with Duradek Ultra Cork ‘Espresso’ and ‘Macchiato’.  These warm tones were a huge success and bring a significant element of style to balconies, sun decks and roof decks; often paired with the sophisticated and attractive Panorama Post Topless Glass Railing System.

Duradek’s intent is to provide tasteful, low-maintenance outdoor living space that can compliment a variety of exterior color schemes with naturally inspired colors and textures while still benefiting from guaranteed roof-grade waterproof protection. This goal was once again achieved with the addition of Graphite as it satisfies the need for a vinyl option  in the cool tones of various shades of grey that harmonizes with the exterior color schemes not well suited for the warmer ‘coffee’ tones of the existing Cork line.

Cork Graphite has all of the strength, durability and waterproofing performance that Duradek has earned a reputation for over the last 40 years, but there is one thing that makes Graphite a unique colour option from the rest of over 20 colour choices. For the first time in Duradek’s history, the company held a contest open to the public to ‘Name the New Color’. With a diverse and impressive array of submissions from coast to coast, the winner by overwhelming opinion was Graphite.

Duradek Ultra Cork Graphite and Durarail Glass Railings

Duradek would like to thank Professional Builder magazine and its readers for making Graphite one of the top 100 new products for 2014 and for once again acknowledging Duradek’s leadership in outdoor flooring. Exclusively installed by specially trained professionals, Duradek continues to be the vinyl that sets the bar for waterproof roofing membranes.

After 40 years of providing reliable, low maintenance, stylish solutions for outdoor living space, we are proud to be the brand that people trust. Remember, all Duradek is a reliable vinyl deck membrane...but not all vinyl deck membranes are Duradek!

Be sure to use the original Duradek on your decking projects!  The only way to do that is to contact an authorized and trained Duradek installer. So when you are getting quotes, make sure you are asking if it is the Duradek brand of vinyl.  While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we encourage you to not be fooled by imitation and insist on getting THE Duradek vinyl...not a vinyl that is 'just like Duradek'.

Do it right the first time...do it with Duradek!

Buy Local Building Products for Economic and Environmental Advantages

When it comes to purchasing building materials, buying locally manufactured products is an easy choice for those who want to make a conscious decision to support their local economy while also reducing the footprint left on the environment. Builders who are more concerned with simply getting the job done cheaply might want to take this into consideration because even if buying local is not an important consideration for them…it is possibly a significant consideration for their customers.

CNBC reported last year that U.S. consumers are interested in buying locally made products, and since their purchasing power holds influence, builders, contractors and manufacturers are taking notice. Even retail giant, Walmart announced that it will boost sourcing of U.S. products by $50 billion during the next 10 years. GE is investing $1 billion through 2014 to revitalize its U.S. appliances business which is expected to create more than 1,500 U.S. jobs. These are just a couple of examples to demonstrate consumer purchasing power directing the marketplace towards more sustainable options.

Residential Building Products magazine reported that more than 80% of building products sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S.  Besides the ability to have a local point of contact for any product support or warranty issues, the advantages of buying locally manufactured products are especially advantageous for those residential projects seeking environmental certification, such as LEED credits for Homes.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system is a voluntary and continually evolving national standard for developing high performance sustainable buildings.   They offer LEED credits for materials and products that are harvested within 500 miles of a project and with roofing products that help reduce atmospheric heat build-up (See Duradek Techtalk #146a). Duradek products qualify for LEED points and are an excellent choice to support sustainability.

For a product to be considered ‘green’, it is no longer simply a product's ability to be recycled or to be manufactured from recycled material. Duradek is the Greener choice for many reasons.

• Manufactured in the U.S.
• One time installation and longevity of useful lifetime compares favorably against multiple application and re-application requirements of liquid systems, saving energy consumption for job site visits.
• There is a weight savings benefitting the structural requirements and energy consumption to transport as compared to an EPDM membrane with concrete pavers.
• Compared to pressure treated wood, there are no harmful chemicals leaching into the environment; and PVC membranes over untreated plywood can likely expect double the life expectancy.

If you are interested in ensuring your projects use locally made products, supported by a local manufacturer with low environmental impact and support your local economy, choose a reliable North American made product like Duradek.

Duradek has proven many times over its 40 year history that it is made to last, and doing it right the first time is one of the simplest ways to make an environmentally conscious choice that is also cost-effective for your budget.





Choose Duradek as a sustainable building product choice for your deck.



If you would like to consider the Duradek for your decking projects, look for us at one of the national building industry Trade Shows, or contact a Duradek trained and authorized installer near you.

A Story of 3 Waterproof Deck Options

When there are so many products to choose from for your outdoor living space, it might seem a little intimidating to make your product choices. Especially when some of the options are so completely different in cost, installation recommendations and maintenance requirements. The bottom line is that you want your deck to last, and it is protection from the elements that will best accomplish a long life for your deck or balcony.

Therefore, the critical detail of deck waterproofing should not be overlooked. Not only does it protect your deck, but it also protects the building envelope where deck meets wall. Cutting corners or taking short cuts at the insider perimeter of your deck almost always guarantees you will have problems down the road; or at least certainly reduces the effective lifetime of your waterproofing system.

Here we take a look at 3 very different deck systems, with 3 very different waterproofing solutions.  A common scenario in building product selection that is somewhat reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, one offers too little, one offers too much....and one is juuuust right!

Too Little Effort for a Waterproof Deck 

Take for example this deck waterproofing system that relies on caulking at the inside perimeter of a composite deck. A professional waterproofing specialist would not recommend or perform this method as it almost guarantees the home owner will have leak issues. And as the video demonstration continues to explain, this method can be a very messy and you must properly account for that factor as you proceed with the project.

Even when going up against brick or stucco, a Duradek professional will make sure the job is done right. For example, take a look at Duradek-Tiledek Case History #143 where the Duradek installer refused to install the Tiledek waterproofing membrane until the project's contractor agreed  to incur the cost to remove the lowest level of  brick to allow the membrane to be run up the vertical surface for proper waterproofing.

On this stucco balcony in Duradek Case History #148, the Duradek installer used his ingenuity and skill to recycle a previous membrane by heat-welding to the new Duradek membrane being installed so that the waterproofing up the vertical wall of the balcony remained intact without having to remove any of the recently added stucco which would otherwise have been required for adequate waterproofing.

Too Much Effort for a Waterproof Deck 

While at Duradek we commend efforts to ensure reliable waterproofing is in place, sometimes contractors over-complicate matters by designing complex, multi-stage structures that use more material and take more time to install than is really necessary. This occurs often in the case of roof decks where contractors turn to traditional roofing materials. Yes, roof grade waterproofing is important, but so is having an attractive deck surface with a reasonable lifetime cost.

In this example, a very complex, multi-stage system is used which requires much more time, material and patience than some alternatives! There are troughs, extra joists, additional cut-outs placed within the joists, roofing tar, rubber epdm, custom drain pans and more. After all of this, the roof deck is still at the foundation stage and you have yet to even begin to install the deck's walking surface.

Ahhhh...Roof Deck Waterproofing Done Just Right! 

The Duradek system of waterproofing roof decks is the simplest, most reliable way of bringing roof grade waterproof protection to your decking projects. With ICC approval as a roofing membrane AND a pedestrian traffic surface, Duradek provides it all in one single-ply application. Duradek is best installed on a simple, sloped, untreated plywood surface, but can also be installed on concrete or coated surfaces. (See Duradek's substrate requirements for details).

Installed exclusively by trained and authorized applicators that are familiar with the intricate details involved in deck waterproofing, Duradek brings waterproof peace-of-mind and performance that often well exceeds its 10-year waterproofing warranty.

The real beauty of the Duradek system is that once Duradek is installed, there is no maintenance required to the deck surface. Your waterproofing is always intact and the deck's appearance stands up to the elements better than most alternatives.  No sanding, staining, re-coating required...ever! All Duradek requires is an occasional cleaning and annual inspection that will mostly serve to remind you that your deck material decision was definitely the right one.

To give yourself a fairy tale perfect roof deck, call a Duradek installer in your area for a free consultation.

Duradek Sponsors GVHBA Summer Social this Week

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association is hosting a Summer Social at the Hyack Ballroom at the Inn at the Quay in New Westminster this Wednesday, August 13th, 2014 and Duradek is proud to take part as one of the sponsors of this fun networking event.

This free event is open to all Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association members, guests of GVHBA members and invited non-members; and will take place between 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm.


Duradek and Durarail provide low-maintenance
waterproof performance.

There will be complimentary appetizers, a cash bar and a lively ping-ping table co-sponsored by Duradek. For GVHBA members, there will be some speed-networking opportunities to take part in as well.


Protect the investment of your decking projects with the
long-lasting performance of Duradek and Durarail.

As new members of the GVHBA, Duradek is very proud to take part in this event to get reacquainted with old friends and to create new relationships with the local building community that helped to establish Duradek as a widely recognized brand that has become synonymous with PVC sheet waterproofing. (See the Duradek Story)

If you are in the Greater Vancouver area, be sure to stop in to mingle and enjoy a little networking on the waterfront wrap around patio next to the Fraser River. Duradek’s Winston Conyers will be there representing Duradek and to answer your questions on Duradek PVC membrane and how its superior roof grade waterproofing can be the best long-term solution for your balcony or roof deck projects; particularly when also including Durarail powder-coated aluminum railing systems. These products are designed to withstand the elements for long-lasting performance and are installed by trained contractors who are familiar with the intricacies of waterproofing details to protect the building envelope.

If you are not a member of the GVHBA and would like to attend what promises to be a fun social networking event (the old-fashioned, real live kind!), consider this your invitation to come as a guest of Duradek.

GVHBA Summer Social
Date: Wednesday, August 13
Time: 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Place: Inn at the Quay (900 Quayside Drive New Westminster, BC)
Plenty of parking is available with flat rate fees being at 5:00 pm.

The Summer Social is brought to you by the Suppliers Council and the Membership Committee of the GVHBA and participating sponsors including Duradek.

Detailed directions:

From the Trans-Canada Highway (westbound)

• Travel West on Highway #1 across the Port Mann Bridge
• Take Brunette Exit South
• Follow Brunette Avenue onto Columbia Street, passing under the Patullo Bridge
• Turn left onto Begbie Street and go over the train tracks
• Follow the road past the Public Market
• The hotel is on your left

From the Trans-Canada Highway (eastbound)

• Travel east on Highway #1 and take Brunette Exit South
• Follow Brunette Avenue onto Columbia Street, passing under the Patullo Bridge
• Turn left onto Begbie Street and go over the train tracks
• Follow the road past the Public Market
• The hotel is on your left

New Mega-Show for Residential Construction Professionals Anticipated by Duradek

Building industry professionals now have a new mega-show to benefit from this fall as JLC Live joins the co-located Remodeling Show | Deck Expo for the first ever R | D | J Show for Residential Construction Professionals. With these top shows combined in this industry only event, builders can be confident that their time invested into attending will be time well spent.

Duradek invites you to register for free exhibit hall admission using promo code EVITE1. This is your chance to come by and discover the latest in education and product availability for this trade-only event at the Baltimore Convention Center from October 22nd – 24th.
The exhibit hall floor is open:

• Oct 23: 9:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Oct. 24: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Duradek will be there at our booth #3313, represented by exclusive distributor Duradek MidAtlantic who is celebrating their 20th year in business this year along with Duradek celebrating our 40th anniversary.

What to Expect at Remodeling Show, Deck Expo, JLC Live (R | D | J )

At Deck Expo, Remodeling Show and JLC Live, professional remodelers can expect to find: hundreds of exhibitors, installation clinics, interactive workshops and a variety of instructional presentations…all held in conjunction with 4 days of educational conferences that begins on October 22nd. There are a variety of clinics to choose from this year including:

• Creative Elevation
• Deck Builders Workshop
• Durable Exterior Details
• Engineered Siding & Trim
• Remodelers Workshop
• Residential Drywall
• Weathering the Building Envelope

R | D | J Educational Conferences

As always, there is an excellent selection of education opportunities to allow you to earn education credits. There are education tracks in the following categories:

• Business
• Construction Materials and Technology
• Construction Safety
• Deck
• Design
• Legal
• Marketing
• Production
• Replacement Contractor
• Sales
• Technical Updates
• Technology
• Universal Design Build

In addition, you can take courses that are a part of the Master Deck Professional – Codes and Standards, a four-part series offered by NADRA. More information can be found on the NADRA Website.

R | D | J Social Events

A great way to unwind with your fellow remodeling professionals, the show offers a variety of fun events to enjoy some social networking the old fashioned way. There is still a bunch in the works, so be sure to check back on what you want to register for, but you can start by counting on these annual social events (pre-registration required):

• Dinner with New Friends
• R|D|J 2014 Welcome Party
• R|D|J Haunted Fells Point Pub Crawl
• NAHB Remodelers Gala
• NADRA 2014 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner

Deck Expo Co-located with Remodeling Show’s History

Deck Expo is a trade only event focusing exclusively on the deck, porch and railing industry. Sponsored by NADRA and Professional Deck Builders Magazine, Deck Expo began in 2003, and co-located with Remodeling Show in 2009.

Remodeling Show is owned and produced by Hanley Wood and sponsored by the National Association of Homebuilders, NAHB Remodelers and Remodeling Magazine, Remodeling Show. It has been an anticipated industry event since its inception in 1991, and since that time has seen many ups and downs in the industry, several technological advances and an increased breadth and scope of building products on the market. One thing has remained consistent over the years - manufacturers continue to innovate and allow residential construction professionals to work smart and efficiently.

JLC Live is another of Hanley Wood’s excellent construction brands as the Journal of Light Construction sponsors this part of the show. The Journal of Light Construction and JLC online are excellent resources for residential construction pros and while JLC has two annual shows with JLC Live Northwest and JLC Live New England, this is the first year JLC Live participates along with the co-located Remodeling Show and Deck Expo.

Official Show Sponsors

NAHB Remodelers, Remodeling Show Sponsor
NAHB, National Association of Home Builders, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that helps promote the policies that make housing a national priority. Since 1942, NAHB has been serving its members, the housing industry, and the public at large. Founded in 1982, NAHB Remodelers serves the interests of more than 14,000 remodeling industry members.

NAHB Remodelers is committed to improved management and technical competency of remodeler members, excellence in service to the consumer, and effective government representation of remodelers' interests at the federal, state, and local levels. Working in partnership with locally-organized Remodelers Councils at more than 150 NAHB-affiliated state and local builders' associations, NAHB Remodelers provides information, certification, education, and recognition programs geared to keeping remodeler members competitive.

NADRA, DeckExpo Sponsor

Duradek is proud to be a member of NADRA, the Official Sponsor of DeckExpo. Their core purpose is to be the voice of the deck & railing industry by promoting national Deck Safety Month, helping guide code writing and regulations with ICC and sponsoring DeckExpo, the premiere trade event for the deck, dock, and railing industry.

The mission of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) 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.

Register for complementary exhibit hall passes for R | D | J Show using promo code EVITE1 and be sure to visit us at booth #3313. Be sure to check back for updates on events at the show as it gets closer. We look forward to seeing you there!