Blog - Decks, Decks, and More Decks - Omaha's #1 Deck Builder

Now Is the Time to Buy a Low-Maintenance Deck

You’ve wanted a deck for a long time, but something is holding you back.

You’ve been following the price of lumber throughout the pandemic and it isn’t looking pretty. It’s gone up and up and up some more. If you were forced to buy a wood deck now, it would have you biting your fingernails.

We have good news for you. The cost of composite decks has not matched the spike in cost compared to all-wood decks. In fact, now is the perfect time to invest in a low-maintenance deck that will last for decades.

Low-Maintenance Decks Aren’t Affected by the Price of Lumber

We build most of our decks with a composite material that’s part synthetic and part recycled wood. They’re beautiful, they’ll outlast your neighbor’s cedar porch, and they won’t give you splinters.

The boards don’t split or warp, and their price has stayed stable rather than soaring into the stratosphere like wood decks.

Environmentally Friendly Decks

Even more, composite decking is the most environmentally friendly option on the market. The wooden component doesn’t require cutting any new trees, and the synthetic part is recycled, too. Unlike wood, composite materials don’t require staining or chemical treatment, so there’s no risk of contaminating the environment.

Of course, if you really must have lumber as part of your deck plan, you can always mix and match. We’ve built hundreds of lovely mixed decks–you can find our favorites here.

Beautiful Decks to Last a Lifetime

If you want our opinion, composite decks look so good that most people never notice the difference. And you won’t have to worry about screws and splinters snagging on your socks. In fact, you won’t have to worry at all. We call our decks low-maintenance for a reason. Many composite decks will last as many as 50 years.

Your grandkids will thank you.

So why wait? Contact us today, and together, we’ll develop a deck plan that’s right for you.

Now is a Great Time to Invest in Your Home with a Custom Deck

Since the beginning of 2020, people have been spending a lot of time at home. The entire pandemic experience has transitioned many Americans into permanent or at least partial work-from-home employees. More time at home and little ability to travel comfortably have led a lot of homeowners to put more resources into their homes. They’re making it a more comfortable place to relax and entertain while adding value at the same time. One of the most popular investments among Omaha area homeowners is a custom deck upgrade.

Types of Custom Decks

The two most common types of decks are wood and composite. The type of material you choose will directly affect the durability, maintenance requirements, and budget needed to build it.

Wood Decks

There used to be a time when redwood and cedar were your only options for building a week deck. Today, you have more choices with pressure-treated wood. A lot of people like natural wood because it’s durable and looks great. The downside is that it requires the most maintenance. You need to put a lot of time into cleaning and re-sealing it.

Pressure-treated wood is the most affordable, but a lot of people are wary of the toxic chemicals used to treat it. Redwood and cedar are beautiful options that are bug-resistant, but they’re softwoods and are easily damaged.

Composite Decks

Composite decking is a popular alternative to natural wood. It’s made from a blend of wood fibers and plastics. The composition makes it resistant to rotting and wear while closely resembling the look of natural wood. Most can’t notice the difference in appearance.

Composite decks come with nearly unlimited color and texture options. You can choose the color you want and never have to worry about painting, staining, or re-sealing it for the remainder of its life. The day-to-day and yearly maintenance is minimal.

Composite deck installations leave a clean and seamless look upon completion. Wood decks leave the hardware holding the boards together visible. The clips, deck screws, and fasteners are all hidden with composite decks.

Different Styles of Decks

Wraparound
This is a traditional style of deck and is often called a wraparound porch. Unlike a porch, though, your deck can have varying shapes and levels. The benefit of this style deck is that it gives you plenty of usable outdoor space and is easily accessed from more than one entry point in your home.

Multi-Tier
If your property has hills or isn’t perfectly level, then you have the perfect setup for a multi-tier deck. You’ll build one level that’s attached to your house and level with your exterior doors.
Then there are steps that lead up or down to another flat deck area. You could have multiple levels of different sizes to suit different uses.

Attached
An attached deck is one that’s built directly off of your home. You’ll be able to open the exterior door of your home and step directly onto your deck. They’re typically a square, rectangle, L, or U shape.

Detached
If you have a large backyard, you could build a deck that’s detached from your home. This is a floating deck level that’s accessed by a path or walkway. These decks are perfect for creating usable areas on your property that have poor drainage.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Want to find out more about how you can invest in your home with a custom deck? Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want, come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck-building experts can walk you through all your options and give you a free quote.

Best Practices for Hiring Contractors

The construction world is filled with an assortment of different contractors you can hire for specific types of home projects. There are custom deck contractors, remodeling contractors, general contractors, and many variations in between. Actually, there are contractors in nearly every industry. A contractor is a person or company that engages in a contracted agreement with you to provide materials, services, or both. Whether you’re hiring a contractor to build you a custom deck in Omaha, or a contractor to build a pool, there are best practices you should follow to protect your investment and increase the odds of a good outcome.

Do Your Homework

Always do your homework before hiring a contractor. Start by checking the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB was founded in 1912 as a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on providing marketplace transparency to identify good and bad companies. Angie’s List is another great resource that provides verified reviews and comparisons of local companies. Last but not least, check Google. All businesses today should have a Google My Business account and a good amount of Google reviews.

No Deposits Necessary

If you do a little digging, you’ll find countless stories of people giving money to contractors who never complete the service or disappear altogether. Established companies generally don’t need a deposit to get started. Some companies may ask for a deposit to cover material costs, but be wary, because it’s a sign they’re either new and don’t have enough capital to get through a job without a deposit, or they manage their finances poorly. If they get into a pinch, you can’t depend on them to fulfill their contract.

Years of Experience vs. Years in Business

If you see a company that started a few years ago claiming to have 90 years of experience, that’s a red flag. They may have 20 employees, and altogether their experience adds up to 90 years, and who knows exactly what the “experience” was. The smart and safe thing to do is to go with a company that has been in business for decades. If they made the “years of experience” claim, you’d see “we have 500 years of experience.” If a company has survived for over ten years and has good reviews, they’re a solid choice.

Beware of Fly-By-Night Contractors

The fly-by-night contractor may someday literally knock on your door and make you an offer that sounds too good to be true. And it almost always is too good to be true. Fly-by-night contractors usually don’t have a website, are not local, and often can be spotted by the following:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Only accepts cash or asks for full payment up-front
• Pressures you to make an immediate decision
• Offers discounts for finding other customers
• Asks you to obtain the building permit for the project
• Can’t be found online or in a local directory

Looking for a Custom Deck in Omaha this Summer?

Decks, Decks, and More Decks is a local family-owned custom deck-building company. Since 1980 we have been adding beauty to backyards all over the Omaha, Nebraska area. But don’t take our word for it.

Check out our Google Reviews

Check out our rating on the BBB

Look at our Angie’s List profile

Avoid the DIY Deck Trap

DIY decking materials from large box stores are tempting because of their low price point compared to the high-grade warranty-backed materials used by professional deck companies. While the brand name is recognizable, the reality is the manufacturers have produced watered-down versions for the DIY box store customer. The result is you save more now and pay more later.

Adding a deck to your home should be viewed as an investment in your home. Good investments take the long view. Hiring a custom deck builder is the safest and wisest way to add a custom deck to your home. We’re going to take a closer look at the risks of DIY decks and how they actually cost you more than using professional-grade materials and professional deck construction companies.

DIY Decks – What Could Go Wrong?

The deck is one of the most common DIY projects. However, many things can and do go wrong with decks. There’s the footings, lack of permits, the height, quality of materials, clearance from property lines, and a lot more. One of the biggest issues comes with that attachment to your home. If it’s not attached correctly, you may find yourself dealing with water infiltration and costly damage to doors, windows, flooring, and sub-flooring.

Deck Design and Planning

Before you start sourcing your materials, you first need to design and plan your deck. Where do you want it? Is where you want it feasible? How large will it be? How tall? What kind of railing, lights, and stairs will your deck have? If you’re already overwhelmed, don’t feel bad. Designing and planning a deck is difficult. There are more variables to consider than most people realize. When you go with a professional deck builder, you know you’re getting a deck that’s going to work from a structure and aesthetic standpoint with your home. Professional deck-building companies have software that can render an accurate picture of what your deck will look like, and give you an accurate number of material costs and time to complete the project.

DIY Deck Construction

Putting all the materials together correctly to build a functional and aesthetically pleasing deck will require a massive time investment if you’re not trained in the deck building. Everyone’s time is worth something. If you want to turn your building deck into a several-month project and chip away at it after work and on the weekends, you can. However, for most people, the time commitment in fixing mistakes, making repeated trips to the hardware store, and getting people to help aren’t worth the extra resource costs that come with DIY deck construction. You will save money on materials, but spend more on everything else, and your deck will not be the same quality as a professionally built deck.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want, come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck-building experts can walk you through all of your options and give you a free quote.

(402) 690-1050

Why Avoid Hardwood Decking?

If you’re thinking about building a custom deck in Omaha, you’re going to be faced with a choice – hardwood decking or composite decking? In the past, hardwood decking materials were the only option, and they did a good job when properly maintained. But today’s technology has given deck buyers an alternative with composite decking, and with continual innovation over the years, it’s now far surpassed the benefits of hardwood decking in all categories.

Hardwood Vs. Composite Decking

Many homeowners choose hardwood decking because it sounds familiar and is easy to find. What they’re not aware of is the wood decking problems like splinters, staining, rot issues, hours of maintenance, and high cost. Homeowners who are not familiar with composite decking and all of the innovations it’s undergone since it first emerged over 30 years ago are afraid composite decking will not look as nice as wood. Let’s take an in-depth look and see how today’s composite decking compares to wood decking.

How do they Look?

It’s true that early-generation composite decking looked artificial and plastic-like. But today’s composites are nearly indistinguishable from wood decks, and many argue much more beautiful. They have grain patterns, so no two boards are alike. They can mimic any hardwood on the market in appearance and do a lot more when it comes to getting the exact pattern, color, and finish.

Moisture Factor

One of the biggest problems with natural hardwood decking is that boards absorb water. Without frequent applications of stains, sealers, or paint, wood decking will warp, splinter, crack, and rot. Composite decking, on the other hand, is fully moisture-resistant, eliminating the need for repeated sealing applications, and can be installed in high moisture conditions with no issues.

Maintenance

To extend the life of a wood deck, homeowners are tasked with regularly painting and staining to keep the deck sealed from moisture, as noted above. It’s a battle that continues for the lifespan of the entire deck. A composite deck only requires sweeping and an occasional wash to keep the boards looking new.

Insect Damage

Insects love natural hardwoods. Termites and other wood-loving insects can do a number on a natural hardwood deck and render it unusable or fill it with unsightly holes in little time. Composite decks are insect-proof – you’ll never have insect damage with a composite deck.

Final Breakdown

Appearance – Hardwood timber fades over time. Composite has the beauty of natural wood with high-performance durability.
Moisture – Hardwood doesn’t hold up well with water lots of water contact. Composite can be installed with water contact and is moisture-proof.
Maintenance – Hardwood requires 16-32 hours of cleaning, painting, and staining per year. Composite requires 2-4 hours per year.
Durability – Hardwood decking is susceptible to rot, splintering, warping, and termite damage. Composite resists rot, warping, splintering, and termite damage.
Price – Hardwood decks have a lower initial cost, but it varies depending on wood species. Composite has a higher upfront cost, but a much longer lifetime.

Go Green with Trex Decking

The Trex brand name is a recognized leader among custom deck builders. What a lot of people don’t know is that Trex offers eco-friendly decking that’s made of 95% recycled products. After building custom decks in Omaha for 40 years, we’ve seen a lot of innovations in the deck materials industry, and we’re not surprised Trex is leading the pack with its green decking lineup. Trex offers consumers a truly environmentally responsible choice with their decks. Let’s take a closer look at why these decks are considered green.

Why a Trex Composite Deck is Considered Green

It’s all in the ingredients. A Trex composite deck is made of locally sourced reclaimed wood and recycled plastic. The wood used in Trex decking would otherwise end up in a landfill if it didn’t become a Trex high-performance composite deck. The plastic is sourced from some of the most common plastic waste like sandwich bags, dry cleaner bags, and grocery shopping bags. The average 500-square-foot composite Trex deck contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags! Trex is one of the largest plastic bag recyclers in the United States.

Trex Recycling Facts

In comparison with pressure-treated lumber over a 25-year period, the positive environmental impact of Trex decking is amazing.

36% Fewer Greenhouse Emissions
47% Fewer Toxic Air Pollutants
84% Less Acidification
80% Less Water Contamination
53% Less Smog
93% Less Ecological Toxicity

The Trex Sustainable Supply Chain

Trex takes an active role in ensuring its supply vendors operate with ethical and responsible business practices. 95% of Trex suppliers are U.S.-based. Trex conducts supply chain assessments, including in-person reviews, operating facility tours, and works with suppliers to reduce the environmental impact across the supply chain.

The Trex Production Process

The Trex manufacturing process is just as green as its final product. Their processing method eliminates the use of smoke stacks. Nearly 100% of factory runoff and refuse is recycled back into the manufacturing line. Here’s an overview of the process of creating a Trex deck.

Sawdust and plastic film are purchased
Plastic film is cleaned and ground into granules
Plastic film and sawdust are combined and heated
Mixture is mixed to a soft, pliable consistency
Mixture is formed into boards using profile dies
Boards are cooled and cut to length
Boards are inspected by quality control for defects, strengths, and color accuracy
Finished boards are wrapped and shipped

Trex has never cut a single tree in the making of their high-performance composite decking!

Ready to Go Green in 2020?

If you’ve been thinking about a custom deck for your home in 2020, you can’t go wrong with Trex. Not only are they leading the composite deck industry in sustainability, but they also make some of the most high-quality, long-lasting composite decking materials on the market. The customization from color, texture, and board size ensures you get a truly one-of-a-kind deck that will last for years – if not decades.

TimberTech’s Multi-Width Deck Boards

Traditionally decking boards have been 5.5-6″ wide. TimberTech has changed this with the launch of its multi-width decking boards. Now you can mix up sizes and colors and add unique patterns to make your deck a true one-of-a-kind. TimberTech’s multi-deck boards take custom deck building design to the next level. We’ve been building custom decks in Omaha for a long time now, and TimberTech’s Multi-Width deck designs are without a doubt eye-catchers. Let’s take a closer look at what this lineup has to offer for your Omaha custom deck.

All About Custom Deck Design

For this series, it’s all about design flexibility and versatility. TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection gives you flexibility with dimensions, styles, and patterns. Vintage styles range from Cypress, Dark Hickory, and Mahogany to Coastline, English Walnut, and Weathered Teak.

Multi-Width Deck Boards

TimberTech gives you three different widths to design your deck with. The narrow board is 3.5″ wide and available in square shoulder only. The standard is 5.5″ wide and available in both square shoulder and grooved. The wide is 7.25″ in width, and is available in square shoulder only. Combine all three cuts at different lengths and color combinations to make a one-of-a-kind design.

Why Choose TimberTech Multi-Width Decking?

TimberTech is an industry leader in composite low-maintenance decking materials. The company continually innovates as we see here with the multi-width deck boards. The options for a truly custom-designed deck are unmatched. In addition, they offer a number of strong guarantees and warranties for their customers.

50-Year Fade Warranty – TimberTech is engineered to hold its color over time. They back this promise by offering up to a 50-year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
Seamless Design Integration – With the ability to choose from three different board widths and mix and match colors, the design options are limitless.
Natural Look – TimberTech offers a natural, hardwood look, even though it’s a composite material. The grain finishes are diverse, offering intricate, wire-brushed textures and more.
Superior Protection – Alloy Armour technology provides a protective cap to prevent fading, staining, and weathering.
Carefree Enjoyment – Durable capping keeps TimberTech’s boards beautiful and scratch-free, dent-free, and shields insects from causing damage.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for following us in 2019. We look forward to serving Omaha and surrounding areas in 2020 with more elite custom decks. If you want to get a jump start on your 2020 deck, stop by our showroom and get some ideas. Seeing the materials and designs in person really gives you a sense of what a custom deck can do for your home and outdoor space.

Privacy Fence for Your Deck

A privacy fence for your deck gives you exactly what you expect – and more. First off, as the name suggests, it gives you privacy. If your home doesn’t have much space between the neighbors, you might want a little privacy in your yard from time to time. We’ve installed more than a few privacy fences on the custom decks we build in Omaha. You have a lot of options, and there are more benefits than you may realize. Let’s take a closer look at what it can do for your custom deck.

Privacy

As we mentioned, and as you probably figured out already, the first benefit of a privacy fence is privacy. When outdoors relaxing on your custom deck, it might be hard to fully relax if you feel like all the neighbors are watching you. If the home is your castle, your deck is an extension, and having a little privacy should be a part of it. You don’t have to barricade yourself in and obstruct views, but a privacy fence can obstruct unwanted views while maintaining the ones you want.

Enhance Your Outdoor Space with a Deck Privacy Screen

Wind Screen

A second benefit to a privacy fence on your deck is that it acts as a windscreen. Nebraska gets windy, as you know. When the wind kicks up, whatever is on your deck moves or flies away. And the wind keeps you from enjoying your deck. A good privacy fence for your deck will act as a windscreen securing items, and furniture, and allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space no matter what the wind is doing.

Animal Barrier

Do you have a furry friend you’d like to keep on the deck and off the grass? Or maybe you want to keep the wild furry creatures off your deck? A privacy fence added to your deck can keep unwanted wildlife from inviting themselves onto your deck, or keep your loved animals on the deck. It’s a win-win!

Safety

Do you have little ones that you worry might fall off the edge of your deck? A privacy fence for your deck keeps young children safe and away from deck edges. You can add a gate to your it, allowing access to the yard. When you have it on your deck, you can rest assured, letting little ones play outside on the deck.

More Function

A privacy fence added to your deck can also create more functionality. You can hang plants on them to add some life to your deck. You can mount a discreet tool rack for your BBQ tools and deck broom. You can also string outdoor lights for added décor.

Ready for Your Privacy Fence?

If adding a privacy fence to your deck sounds like a good idea, we can help. Give us a call or stop by the showroom to discuss your options.

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Westbury Aluminum Railing

No deck is complete without railing. Just like decking, not all railing is equal. After building custom decks in Omaha for nearly 40 years, we’ve never stopped explaining the importance of quality railing. Just like deck technology, railing technology has advanced tremendously over the past decades. In the next series of blogs, we’re going to introduce some of our favorite railing manufacturers and their outstanding lines.

Westbury Aluminum Railing

Quality aluminum railing is defined by strength, beauty, and durability. Steel is heavy and expensive. Wood requires lots of maintenance. Aluminum is low maintenance, affordable, and durable. It won’t corrode or rust and can hold up to all weather conditions. Westbury offers a great line of elite aluminum railing that will pair perfectly with your low-maintenance composite deck. Let’s take a look at some favorites.

Westbury Tuscany Aluminum Railing

Westbury’s Tuscany line features classic 2-rail designs. The designs are accented with a stylish top rail and ¾” balusters along with a variety of stain, textured, and multi-colored finishes. All are backed by a lifetime limited warranty. Tuscany Railing is available with either square (C10) or round (C101) balusters. 12 color selections include:

Satin black – Black fine texture – Ninety bronze
Bronze fine texture – Speckled walnut – Sandy shore
White fine texture – Gloss Beige – Chocolate
Gloss white – Brown fine texture – Silver

Westbury Riviera Aluminum Railing

The Riviera Series features distinctive 3-rail designs. The series has six different styles along with a stylish top rail and ¾” square or round balusters. Riviera is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Colors for the Riviera lineup include:

Satin black – Black fine texture – Ninety bronze
Bronze fine texture – Speckled walnut – Sandy shore
White fine texture – Gloss Beige – Chocolate
Gloss white – Brown fine texture – Silver

Westbury VertiCable Aluminum Railing

The Westbury VertiCable offers contemporary vertical cables and balusters, providing an architectural style with unobstructed views. All sections are factory-assembled and tensioned for superior strength and durability. VertiCable is available in 12 standard AAMA 2604-compliant powder-coated colors:

Satin black – Black fine texture – Ninety bronze
Bronze fine texture – Speckled walnut – Sandy shore
White fine texture – Gloss Beige – Chocolate
Gloss white – Brown fine texture – Silver

Westbury Veranda Glass Railing

You simply can’t beat the view through Veranda railing. The crystal clear design incorporates full glass panels into a classic 2 rail design. Whether you want to preserve your view of water or mountains, Veranda gives you open unobstructed views with the security of full railing sections. The 12 color selections include:

Satin black – Black fine texture – Ninety bronze
Bronze fine texture – Speckled walnut – Sandy shore
White fine texture – Gloss Beige – Chocolate
Gloss white – Brown fine texture – Silver

Westbury Drink Rail Adapter

When you’re enjoying the beautiful weather on your deck with your favorite beverage or entertaining friends and family, a drink rail adapter comes in handy. A drink well system is an aesthetically pleasing and convenient add-on to your Westbury top rail. The installation is quick and adds a lot of functionality to your custom deck railing.

Ready for Your Westbury Aluminum Railing?

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line aluminum railing for your Omaha area home, you can’t go wrong with Westbury. Give us a call to discuss options, or drop by our showroom in person to see all the different aluminum railing options we offer.

(402) 690-1050

Fiberon Custom Decks

If you’re looking for a custom deck builder in Omaha that is familiar with Fiberon decking you’re in the right place. Fiberon is another elite decking material company we love working with. Fiberon is known for offering the warmth and appeal of natural hardwoods without all the time and expense of maintenance. Fiberon has been in the decking business for nearly two decades now, and they’ve become one of the top trusted brands when it comes to quality composite decks. Made 100% in the USA, Fiberon offers a wide range of styles and colors that are sure to exceed your expectations.

Horizon Decking by Fiberon

When only the best will do consider Fiberon’s Horizon decking series. The Horizon lineup features dramatic color tones and multiple wood grain patterns and is capped on all four sides. It’s capped (or covered) on all sides with PermaTech surface material eliminating the need to ever sand, stain, or seal. The four-sided capping increases durability, enhances stain and fade resistance, and ensures an all-around polished finish.

In addition, Horizon boards feature two different wood grain patterns on the top and bottom for more design options and less material waste.

Fiberon Horizon Decking comes in four realistic wood color tones:

Ipe
Rosewood
Tudor Brown
Castle Gray

Good Life Decking by Fiberon

The good life just got better with the Fiberon Good Life Decking lineup. Good Life Decking offers the low maintenance convenience of composite at a price closer to wood decks. It’s capped on three sides with a tough protective finish to better resist staining and fading. Because it’s composite, you’ll never have to worry about rotting, warping, or splintering boards.

If you’re looking for options, the Good Life lineup has them. The decking is available in three new multi-chromatic colors as well as the original solid shades. The new colors take on the look of tropical hardwoods while the original colors resemble a traditional painted wood finish.

Multi-Chromatic Colors:

Beach House
Bungalow
Tuscan Villa

Original Solid Colors:

Cabin
Cottage

Ready for a Fiberon Custom Deck?

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line custom deck for your Omaha area home, you can’t go wrong with Fiberon. Both the Horizon and the Good Life series come with 25-year residential warranties against checking, splintering, delamination, rot, and structural damage from fungal decay. They’re both additionally backed by a 25-year stain and fade warranty.

Give us a call to discuss options, or drop by our showroom in person to see all the different custom decking options we offer.