Deck Love in the Summer Leads to Makeover Plans

Ah, the bliss of summer deck love! We are right in the middle of the Dog Days of Summer (marked by the Old Farmer’s Almanac as the 40 days beginning July 3rd through August 11th) and for many of us, there is no place we'd rather be than on our decks; or the deck of our favourite restaurants, pubs, or friends.

As you are circulating decks this season, take note of what you like about the decks you visit. There are more decking options, furniture and accessories available today than ever, so what a great time for a deck makeover!

Ideas for a Deck Makeover

Your deck space doubles with two level decks.

Deck Love is a Long Term Commitment – Outdoor living space has become a favorite part of the home for many North Americans. The old style of constructing decks to a 10 foot by 20 foot single surface has been replaced by a growing number of expansive decks.

The best way to increase your outdoor living space is by using your second level deck as a roof for a deck area below. Deck waterproofing specialists like our Duradek trained applicators can provide a roof-grade deck surface on your upper level deck, enabling you to double your useable space with a protected lower level deck below.

This gives you the advantages of catching as much sun as you can on the top level AND protecting you with some shaded area below when you need it. Plus, let's face it, your deck is not a summer romance. You LOVE your deck and want to use it all year, and when you have protection from above that is possible.

A combination of topless glass railing and
picket railing were used on this deck

Get Creative With Railings – There are many styles of railings available for defining your outdoor living space. There are traditional picket railings made with powder coated aluminum that can provide the classic look of wrought iron without the need for maintenance, or you can choose glass railings, topless glass railings or stainless steel cable railings in some areas.

Go one step further and combine any of the above options for a completely unique look. Durarail powder coated aluminum railings allow for standard or custom designs, and incorporating unique features can provide the best of design and functionality for your individualized deck.

Panorama Universal Post gives you nearly limitless design options

  The Shape of Things to Come – There is no need to be stuck in same old rectangular shaped deck with today’s decking options. Choose octagonal, oval or multiple curves to create a unique shape that brings an element of contemporary style to the traditional feature of a deck.

Innovative new railing products like Durarail’s Panorama Universal Post that allows you to define a curved deck with a topless glass railing system that virtually “bends” around corners gives you almost limitless design options!

Muli-level decks create distinct outdoor 'rooms'.

Multi-Level Decks – Decking trends like outdoor kitchens, permanent (as opposed to seasonal) outdoor furniture and fire features contribute to the use of outdoor living space being used as often as any other room in your home. Incorporating multiple levels to your deck with distinct separation allows you to treat each level of your deck like a separate room. While your outdoor kitchen is on one level, your lounging area can be another and your spa is on yet another…the possibilities are endless based on your favorite leisure activities.

When your deck surface is protected with Duradek vinyl, the area below is kept dry; and even if a lower level of your deck is only elevated a couple of feet, that provides some great dry storage for gardening supplies, camping gear or other outdoor toys.

Want to show your deck a little love? Contact one of our Duradek installers to discuss your deck make-over options.  

Deck Designs with Natural Inspirations from Duradek Vinyl Decking

Duradek - the original Walkable Roofing Membrane responded to market demands for deck designs with naturally inspired colors and textures, and launched a new line in its extensive collection of 60 mil vinyl colors and patterns.

The Forest Floor line of waterproof vinyl was an instant favorite with designers and home owners alike, and Duradek is now proud to introduce the second selection in this unique and popular pattern:

Duradek Ultra Forest Floor ALDER

Color swatch of Forest Floor ALDER may appear different
than shown based on printer or monitor calibrations

A soft and warm, earthy hue gently presents the naturally inspired fossilized leaf pattern throughout for a subtle and attractive waterproof finish on balconies, decks and patios.
Reminiscent of an actual forest floor, Duradek Ultra Forest Floor ALDER offers a distinctive design in a soothing blend of natural tones that brings harmony to virtually any outdoor living space, and this deck desgin complements a wide range of exterior design schemes.

Deck Designs Inspired Naturally

Left - Forest Floor ALDER; Right - Forest Floor BIRCH

The flagship color for this exclusive line launched in the summer of 2011 was Duradek Ultra Forest Floor BIRCH, which offers the same distinctive fossilized leaf pattern in a cooler blend of earthy, neutral tones.

Forest Floor BIRCH - photo provided by Duradek of Georgia

This unique product is an innovative example of Duradek's leadership in outdoor flooring.Exclusively installed by specially trained professionals, Duradek has been the leader in waterproof roofing membranes for over 35 years and provides low maintenance, stylish solutions for your outdoor living space.

Properly Trained Professionals Critical For Exterior Waterproofing

When you are choosing a method of waterproofing your exterior living spaces, selecting the right product is very important but using properly trained professionals is critical. If you have determined that vinyl membrane waterproof surfaces seem a good match for your waterproofing needs and your style preferences, and you have compared products and found one that meets all of the building code requirements (particularly if you are waterproofing a deck over living space) you have made a good start. However, in addition to a great product, it is critical that your waterproof vinyl be installed by a trained and knowledgeable applicator who knows that when it comes to waterproofing, it is all in the details.

Duradek Technical Manager conducting a detailed
training session with new Duradek installers

Duradek Ultra walkable, waterproof membranes are a roofing-approved method of waterproofing our balconies and decks, and are installed only by trained and authorized applicators. This ensures the product is installed in the correct way to guarantee Duradek's waterproofing performance for at least 10 years.

Matt Whale from Duradek Northwest is a respected professional in the field of deck construction and exterior waterproofing who is often turned to for advice on these topics. When a home owner wrote in to Ideas for Deck Designs with questions about his leaky deck and his lack of faith in his current contractor, he was referred to Matt for his expert advice. Matt responded with his honest and straight forward advice to give this frustrated home owner some of the tools he needed to practice due diligence with his contractor.

Matt's reputation as a waterproofing professional is a direct result of his superior work and his honest views on the reality of the building process. Matt provided some excellent advice and his professional opinion on where the responsibility of a product's performance lays, and why it is so critical to have your waterproofing projects completed by a trained professional.

Outdoor Tile - A Step-By-Step Process For Pedestrian Tile Surfaces

If you are considering installing outdoor tile at your home or business, there are many factors to consider in ensuring it is the right material for your needs. That being said, the methods employed today to install exterior tile are far superior to those of the past and exterior tile is much more accessible to the average homeowner.

Proper application of outdoor tile surfaces requires not just the skills of the tile layer. One of the most critical phases of an outdoor tile installation is the waterproofing phase. A vinyl membrane is one of the most effective ways to provide exterior waterproofing as part of a tile assembly, and Duradek Ultra Tiledek is gaining a reputation as one of the best methods of fulfilling this need. Not only does it provide waterproof protection for the substrate of the tile assembly, it is also a roofing-approved membrane and will guarantee waterproof protection over habitable space allowing tiles to be used with confidence on roof top decks. In addition, its structure provides a durable and flexible surface that the tiles stay adhered to over years of freeze and thaw cycles.

Matt McClure of Duradek of Utah / Dek Max is a bona fide expert in waterproofing balconies, patios and roof top decks. As a specially trained Duradek Distributor, Matt is a well-respected voice of authority in the decking industry and is often turned to for advice on best practices in waterproofing.

While you can see a summary of the entire process and many stages of installing outdoor tile in our blog article "Exterior Tile Decks - A Big Job One Step at a Time", below you will find a series of video clips covering the waterproofing stage of the tile installation assembly.

Stage 1 - Laying Out the Vinyl






Stage 2 - Applying Latex Adhesive to Cement Board






Stage 3 - Applying Contact Cement to the Edge of the Deck






Stage 4 - First Weld of Tiledek






Stage 5 - Second Weld of Tiledek






Stage 6 - Third and Final Cap Weld of Tiledek





The popular decking resource, Ideas for Deck Designs approached Matt to share his expertise and you can  benefit from his experience by reading his interview and reviewing a step-by-step sequence of a new tile deck installation on their website.

If you would like to look into the benefits of Tiledek for your particular project, contact a Duradek dealer in your area for a free, no-obligation estimate and get one step closer to making your dreams of a tile deck a reality.

Exterior Tile Decks - A Big Job One Step At A Time

Though cherished by homeowners, outdoor tile decks have traditionally been a source of frustration for many deck builders. Now, that is a thing of the past with the advantages gained by using the Duradek Ultra Tiledek waterproofing membrane and the recommended installation sequence for superior performance of the waterproofing system underneath exterior tile.

The team of decking professionals in the Duradek network have shown time and time again that "it is all in the details".  Duradek installer Matt McClure of Dekmax in Salt Lake City, Utah is a perfect example of how top performing waterproofing requires not only an excellent product, but also a professionally trained installer that is an expert in the intricate details critical to successful waterproofing.

One of Matt's Tiledek installations was for a very challenging deck project in Salt Lake City, and was featured on Ideas For Deck Designs website. This article is an excellent explanation of the details involved in adding an exterior tile deck and is presented in an easy to understand step-by-step sequence.

We've listed the steps involved for you here, but highly recommend you get the full details of the specifics if you'd like to educate yourself on the best practices of installing an outdoor tile deck.

Step #1 - Build the New Balcony Decks
Not always as simple as throwing down some plywood. All sorts of considerations such as soil conditions, imposed loads and of course, proper slope must be factored into the plans. Read more....




Step #2 - Prepare the Surface
3/4" tongue and groove plywood is the recommended deck surface and although it is possible to install the Tiledek waterproof membrane to plywood it would first require a lot of filling preparation. Duradek recommends use of a cement board on top of the plywood as an excellent substrate. Read more....


Step #3 - Install Cement Board
A bed of thinset mortar must be applied to set the cement boards properly, and should be allowed to cure properly before application of the membrane.
Read more...



Step #4 - Prepare Wall Flashing
Keeping your waterproofing intact where deck meets wall takes precision and accuracy. Read more....



Step #5 - Lay Out Duradek Ultra Tiledek
The material is heavy and cut in economical lengths and it must be laid out before applying the adhesive. But first the deck surface must be checked for cleanliness and be free of any obstructions. Check out the video...




Step #6 - Apply the Adhesive
The easiest method of applying adhesive to the deck surface is to fold the Tiledek membrane in half along the length of the roll and apply latex adhesive using a thick roller. Contact adhesive is used around the perimeter edges. Check out the video...

Step #7 - Wall Flash Detail
A very important detail to pay attention to, proper wall flashing details include ensuring the Tiledek is glued down flat and smooth right up to the transition point at the wall, leaving plenty of material to flash up the wall. Read more....


Step #8 - Triple Weld the Seams
The most important step of all, this is not something for the amateurs to try.  Duradek ensures that all of their applicators are professionally trained on this critical step. Watch the video...




Step #9 - Weld Column Patches
Corner patching details are an important step to finish the waterproofing details. With accuracy critical to performance and appearance, this is one more step where you would appreciate the skills of the trained professionals. Read More....




Step #10 - Applying The Bond Coat
Now that the waterproofing is professionally installed, the tile can be laid traditionally which includes the application of a bond coat. Read More....

Step #11 - Install The Tiles
The tiles are applied over the bond coat, and with Duradek's tested methodology this is not just a tile deck job, but an entire waterproofing system for your outdoor living space. Read more...

Step #12 - Install Expansion Joints
While installing the tiles, you  must ensure to install expansion joints every 8 or 10 feet. This is particularly important in environments that are subject to extreme temperatures. If the tile has room to expand, they won't crack or lift. Read more...





Step #13 - Grout the Tiles
One of the final steps to completing your outdoor tile deck is to grout the tiles and allow time to cure. Read more.....



And at the end of all the laborious and detail specific stages of an outdoor tile deck installation, the result is a beautifully finished tile deck, just waiting for its railings to be installed.

Matt from Dekmax and the good folks at Ideas For Deck Designs online have provided an incredibly easy to follow sequence that clearly illustrates the importance of details and how the Duradek Ultra Tiledek and the recommended system can provide far superior results in waterproofing under exterior tile than we have seen in the past.

Duradek Extends An Invite For Exceptional Professionals To Attend Buildex Vancouver

Duradek, the suppliers of the original waterproof roofing membrane believe in being on the top of your game, no matter what your specialty may be. That is what makes the Buildex Vancouver 2012 Show such an exceptional opportunity. Offering the latest and greatest products and information for 3 distinct professional markets, Buildex covers the most relevant topics for Real Estate Design, Building and Management professionals.

Taking place at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre on February 8th and 9th, Buildex welcomes over 13,000 professionals to visit over 600 exhibits and participate in over 50 educational seminars over the course of the show. Duradek is a proud participating exhibitor and is excited to introduce you to our latest selection of PVC Waterproof membranes such as our Duradek Cork Macchiato or Duradek Ultra Cork Espresso and the unique and stylish Duradek Ultra Forest Floor Birch.


Duradek would like to invite you to register through this special invitational link where you can save $25 on your Buildex registration and open up hundreds of potential ideas, solutions and networking opportunities throughout this two day event. Be sure to come visit us at booth #1914 and take advantage of talking with our technical expert Len Viegener about outdoor waterproofing projects and what makes Duradek the leader in waterproof roofing membranes.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek - Deck Repairs for a Beautiful Tile Balcony

Imagine….a beautiful tile deck overlooking a stunning west coast view. It’s the icing on the cake of all your hard work and careful investment into your home. So what happens when this place of enjoyment and relaxation becomes a source of stress if you discover damaging water leaks?  If you are smart, you solve the problem with one simple stress-free solution – calling your local Duradek Dealer and discovering the wonders of Duradek Ultra Tiledek. 

Although you may be tempted to take the quickest and most inexpensive option you can find, such as patching or covering the affected area - THIS ALMOST NEVER SOLVES THE PROBLEM. You may notice an immediate improvement on the actual visual damage or path of the destructive H2O, but over time this method almost guarantees to cost you more in the long run.

Take for example, this beautiful Bay Area home. Only a couple of years old, its stunning tile deck became a problem area when water leaks were discovered, risking significant damage to the property. As responsible home owners, the issue was addressed immediately; however the problem of continual leaking persistently plagued them. After a number of contractors were hired to patch the leak, which accumulated in a significant investment of money and time, nothing seemed to work.

That’s when they called in the experts. Duradek has been providing vinyl decking and waterproofing solutions for over 35 years, and the experience and training required for any Duradek installer makes them a qualified waterproofing expert. Like the reliable team at Golden Gate Enterprises, Inc., a certified Duradek dealer and waterproofing professionals who took on this project.

Check out the YouTube link below to see how this problem deck was transformed with the Duradek Ultra Tiledek Waterproofing Membrane; and then read on to discover the 3 key issues that can unnecessarily inflate the cost of your deck repair project and what it really takes to have peace-of-mind if you ever have to deal with repairing a leak on your tile deck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LfIpSpB1js

Paul at Golden Gate offered this bit of expert advice when hiring for waterproofing projects:

1 – Generalization Can Be Costly. Most contractors are not waterproof experts. Although they are very capable professionals, they may not have the specialized knowledge required for waterproofing projects - particularly when outdoor decks are over top of living areas or storage space.

2 – Common Systems. When a contractor is not experienced in waterproofing projects, their choice of material may not best reflect what is really going to work best for the project’s actual needs. You may get a quote that is a couple of dollars a square foot less, but if the materials provided are not manufactured for the job you need it to do, it is simply throwing money away.

3 – Fundamental Foundation. If the original deck surface foundation is not constructed properly, no amount of sealing, covering, tiling, patching, etc. will ever stop the problems from occurring.

The cost of your tiles can add up, and you certainly don’t want to be pulling them up to repair leaks underneath. So if you have a deck repair project, do it right the first time…do it with Duradek Ultra Tiledek.

Duradek featured on Ideas For Deck Designs

Ideas for Deck Design is a website that was created by Richard Bergman. He has a huge amount of information regarding Decking Materials of all types, Projects, Tips and Advice, Design and Planning Information, etc.

According to Richard, "Vinyl is Where the Future is Heading."

Recently Matt McClure, owner of Dekmax, in Salt Lake City, Utah was working on a Tiledek Project and Richard thought it was the perfect one to showcase in a feature project on his website here.

In perusing the site, we also noticed another one of our Duradek Distributors, Matt Whale, owner of Duradek Northwest who was a guest speaker with Richard in the Innovators section of his website - here is the Podcast Interview of Matt Whale with Richard regarding Duradek. And here is the condensed written version of that same interview.

Here is Richard Bergman's story...

By the way - perhaps like me, you may not be sure what "SBI" stood for - so
here it is... "Site Build It!" Which, according to Richard is all about starting
and building your own business online.