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Finding the right contractor to build a deck is the most important decision of the entire process, especially when incorporating complex design elements such as bending deck boards, shaping rail systems to fit curves, and installing deck boards at various angles. The end result is a beautiful low-maintenance deck, but ensuring the final product lives up to expectations starts with selecting the right person for the job. Below, I have listed 4 Tips that will help you find the perfect Trex Pro for the project! #1 Find A TrexPro There’s no better place to start your research than on the manufacturer’s website! Did you know that you can find a list of certified Trex Pros in your area on the company’s website? This link will lead you to Find A TrexPro Deck Contractor Near You . Once there, either enter your zip code or city and select a search radius. Finally, click “Search” and a list of certified Trex Pros will populate. Starting with Trex.com will ensure you are selecting from knowledgeable, professional, and experienced deck builders. Note: In order to become a Trex Pro, a contractor must complete the certification process using Trex material and have each deck certified by a Trex representative. #2 Look for the Curve Certification On Trex’s Find A TrexPro page, a contractor that has both experience bending and installing a deck with curved Trex material and has invested in the purchase of a Trex Custom Curve machine will receive a small, yellow icon on their profile. Look for this icon for added assurance that the TrexPro you hire has the expertise for your deck project. #3 Custom Curve Machine Trex manufactures a tool (it’s essentially an oven) that is built specifically to heat Trex material for the purpose of applying curves to boards and handrails by way of bending and shaping. Before you hire a contractor to build your Trex deck, ensure first that the company owns one of these “ovens”. #4 Going Beyond Trex.com Finally, go beyond Trex.com to verify that you are hiring a bona fide professional and reputable deck builder. Bending and shaping composite deck boards to fit a custom radius for deck stairs, board inserts, and trim pieces is a tedious, precise, and time-consuming process. You’ll want to be confident that the contractor you choose has the experience and reputation to match the complexity of your project and the investment you are making into your home. #Trex #trexcurve #curvedeck #trexdecking #trexrailing #deckbuilder

Building a deck starts with selecting a material. In this installment of Pros & Cons of decking material, we will cover the benefits and drawbacks of western red cedar. Cedar Wood Decking What is Western Red Cedar? The lumber comes from the forests on the coast of the Pacific Northwest. It is a lightweight, naturally outside-tolerant wood that is red-to-pink in color. Its scientific name is Thuja plicata. Where is Western Red Cedar Used? This material is versatile and can be used inside and outside. The wood can be used for interior projects like lining the inside of closet walls or adding to the inside of the ceiling as an accent wall. But, since western red cedar is naturally a durable wood in outdoor weather, it can also be used for projects such as decks, siding, and roofing. Being readily available there many dimensional options, but specifically in regards to deck material.. here is a general list: There are many more sizes, but these are the typical sizes used for deck construction. What are the Pros of Western Red Cedar? Aesthetics: Western red cedar (aka WRC) is a beautiful wood, naturally. It has a red to pinkish brown color with random streaks and a straight grain, which is appealing when used for a deck. Plus, the wood is aromatic, which is a big plus. Durability: Durability, in terms of wood, is defined by the wood’s ability to resist elemental and natural forces of decay. Western red cedar is, by design, a durable wood. The tree secretes oils to aid in its durability – these are called extractives. And, as a matter of fact, on the durability scale, western red cedar is defined as a durable (15-25 years) to highly durable (25+ years) product. In other words, selecting western red cedar for your deck can guarantee a durable product for at least 15 years. Environmentally-Friendly: Western red cedar is listed as a ‘least concern’ wood because the material does not contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. In other words, cedar is a green product. Stability: Western red cedar wood is a structurally sound and stable material. For instance, when water enters and leaves any wood species, that process of expelling liquid makes the wood prone to checking. But cedar is a porous wood that expands and contracts with the humidity in the air, so the wood will always adjust to, or favor, equilibrium. The term for this property is hygroscopic and western red cedar has this characteristic. But, what does that mean for a deck? It means that deck boards made from western red cedar have a low probability for twisting or warping over the life of the deck. What are the Cons of Western Red Cedar? Cost: Granted, the cost of a cedar deck is about twice the cost of a pressure treated deck, but it is about half the cost of a composite deck; so, cedar can be a great upgrade to a pressure treated deck, but you can expect to spend between $25-$30 per square foot for the deck. Maintenance: Cedar is a beautiful wood but it requires the most maintenance. Every year, you must winterize the deck (prior to winter), which includes softly power washing the deck, sanding rough spots, staining, and sealing the deck. This is a time-consuming process that is necessary to properly maintain the deck; so, expect to use one or two weekends in the Fall to complete the maintenance. Fragile: Natural cedar can be dinged, dented, and scraped easier than other decking material. There’s a scale that determines the hardness of wood and it is called the Janka Hardness test. It tests the hardness by measuring the force required to insert a steel ball halfway into the wood. The scale ranges from 22 to over 5,000 (from soft to hard). Cedar measures on the soft-side at 350, which means the wood can easily obtain dents, dings, and scrapes. Conclusion Overall, western red cedar is a great choice to use for a new deck. In fact, cedar can be used for the substructure as well, making a beautiful deck from bottom to top, literally. It’s an option that is more stable and less harmful to the environment than pressure treated wood. And, it’s an option that is more cost-effective and more natural than composite material. Therefore, if you are wanting real wood without all of the chemicals, western red cedar is the perfect choice for you.

There’s always a learning curve, whether studying to be a doctor, training to become an Olympic athlete, or simply becoming a great general contractor. And, Rick Vargas, the Owner of DDT Home Transformations, took a path not unlike many successful entrepreneurs before him, where round-the-clock dedication, sacrifice, and good, old fashioned perseverance paved the road to eventually leading a highly successful construction company. Rick is always a busy person with managing a myriad of projects from multiple decks to kitchen remodels to everything in between. But, we were able to take a few moments of his day to ask a few questions to get a little insight into his company and his decisions along the way. When did you first become interested in construction? It wasn’t a specific point in time per se. But, I would say that, “It was in high school when I first became interested in building homes.” When I was a senior at Lockport high school, I was in shop class. But, what was so interesting about it was that we actually worked on a miniature house; so, I had a chance to learn about installing shingles on a roof and framing a wall. It may not have been the highlight of high school, but I really enjoyed the experience. I definitely learned a lot. How did you build on your interest in the construction industry? Believe it or not, I actually worked in a Big Box store in the Millwork department. At the time, it was a job; I didn’t place too much emphasis on it. But, as I stayed in the role, I became more interested in the building process. So, I took advantage of the learning opportunities by going to classes offered by the store and attending training sessions at manufacturer facilities. Honestly, with my enthusiasm, it didn’t take long for me to become a leader in my department. What was the next step in your career? Well, I latched on to a career with The Home Depot. I was in my early 20’s and I loved working in an environment that combined business and home improvement; so, I spent a lot of time honing my business acumen and customer service skills, which paid off when I was promoted to Area Store Manager at 23 for a $85M store. At the time, I didn’t realize the accomplishment, but, looking back now, I realize how impressive it was for a young professional to be placed in charge of such a high-volume store. I stayed with The Home Depot for a few years, eventually attaining the Store Manager position. But, I could only stay with The Home Depot for so long before my personal ambitions took the lead in my life and career path. You decided to change your career path for personal ambitions. What were those ambitions? Owning my own business. I would watch business owners of construction companies, restoration companies, and even ‘chuck-in-a-truck’ entrepreneurs enter my store everyday to blaze their own path and build their own company. Inside, I envied them. They had the ability to build something from scratch just the way they wanted to; they could make a decision without multiple levels of management approval; and, they determined their worth – the number of hours they worked, the partnerships they developed, etc. all led back to them and not just to a business that predetermined how much you were worth. So, with that being said, I started my own business. How did you make the transition from employee to business owner? I was working at The Home Depot as a Store Manager in a Chicago suburb store, working 70+ hours each week. One day, I arrived home and my son asked if I could go back to work because he wanted to spend more time with his grandma. That hurt because I knew that my job was taking me away from my family, which is the most important thing to me. So, the very next day, I was at work again and something just came over me that reminded me that no position or company is worth sacrificing time with my family, so I turned in my keys and went home. That was probably the best night of sleep that I had had in several months. Then, I started my own small construction company. But, without going into too much detail, the company was built with just me and a couple of family members where we flipped homes. The truth is that I learned a lot of life and business experience during this time because I realized that working with the right team made all the difference in the world. So, about as soon as it opened, it closed. After closing the business, what did you do next? I went back to what I knew best – Big Box stores. But, this time, I didn’t want a management position, I just wanted to work as a Sales Associate; so, I was offered a position in the Pro Sales department. While there, I worked with a variety of large construction companies. In particular, I managed an account that generated $750k in annual sales, which was huge for a $2M department. I developed a great relationship with Owner and he offered me the opportunity to become a Construction Supervisor for the company. How long did you work as a Construction Supervisor? For about a year. The company I worked for lost its main client, which caused the company to close. Unfortunately, I found myself without a job. This is where my life changed. You said, “This is where my life changed”. How so? I came to a crossroads. I had to decide where I wanted to take my career – go back to working in a Big Box store, working for a construction company, or starting my own company. You have to understand that at this time, I had walked out on a career, ran a failed small business, and just

As a general contractor, I get asked lots of home improvement questions, but, one of the most common is about preparing the home for the winter season. In this blog, I have compiled a list of easy-to-complete tasks to prepare the home for winter. 1. Check the Furnace (Cost: $ 10, 45 minutes) I’ll start with the furnace since this appliance will be used the most often and it is the most costly to replace. 2. Reverse Ceiling Fans (Cost: Free, Time: 15 minutes) There is a switch on ceiling fans that tells the fan which direction to spin – clockwise or counterclockwise. During the summer, a fan spins in counterclockwise motion to push air downward to cool the room. In winter, the fan spins clockwise to push air upwards (to the ceiling) to force the heat (that naturally rises) back down into the room. Turn off the fan and toggle the directional switch. Turn on the fan and set it to slow and ensure the fan is rotating clockwise 3. Install Plastic Window Coverings (Cost: $20, Time: 30 minutes) For areas where temps drop below freezing regularly, installing a plastic barrier on windows provides an additional layer of protection from unwanted drafts and freezing temps. Purchase a window insulation kit from the local home improvement store (various sizes are available) and install the plastic per the package’s instructions (typically a tape strip and a blow dryer) 4. Add Caulking to Windows (Cost: $15, Time: 60 minutes) Windows (and doors) are, essentially, just openings to the home (think about how the home would look without windows and doors installed – to illustrate the point); so, the most likely place for outside air to seep into the home is through these openings. Therefore, make sure all windows are properly sealed on the exterior. If not, follow the below steps to installing caulking. 5. Set the Thermostat (Cost: Free, Time: 5 minutes) Remember that time during the summer when you set the thermostat to 68-degrees and the house felt nice and cool? Well, if you keep it there, then you will save quite a bit on the home’s winter heating bill. So, adjust the thermostat to 68-degrees and save this winter. 6. Install Door Draft Blocker (Cost: $20, Time: 45 minutes) The area between the bottom of a door and the flooring is enough space for a cold draft to come into the home. But, the good news is that most homeowners experience this problem, so there are many companies that offer a door draft protector, which can be found on Amazon.com. 7. Add Attic Insulation (Cost: $150, Time: 2-3 hours) Typically, attic insulation is divided into two parts: a) base of R-19 rolled insulation (that is rolled out between ceiling joists), and b) 12″-18″ depth of blown-in insulation. Blown-in insulation will settle over time, creating a less effective barrier; so, use a tape measure and check the depth of the insulation. If it is below 12″, then add more to get to an 18″ depth. 8. Inspect the Roof (Cost: Free, Time: 15 minutes) Now, I need to preface this tip by stating that climbing a ladder and, especially, getting on top of a roof can be dangerous, so be careful. If you do not know what you are looking for, then call a local roofing company for a free review. But, if you are a true DIY-er, then climb that ladder and hop on up. In all, ensuring your home is effectively prepared for winter by sealing gaps in windows, adding attic insulation, or adjusting a thermostat provides a peace of mind and a piece of your wallet. Follow the 8 tips to prepare your home this winter in just one weekend.