L & L Construction Services

How NOT to demo your deck 😂!

Tough One to Explain to the Boss... (OG video from @dullen_woodworking ) #deck #decks #demolition #demo #ledger #destruction #Decking #Composite #oops #smash

As we head into nicer weather, please be aware that lumber prices are on the rise again! Supply will likely be an issue again as well.

WHY DID THE PRICE OF LUMBER SPIKE IN 2020?
2020 lumber prices started the year quite reasonable.
When COVID-19 hit in Jan/Feb, confidence in the building materials sector decreased. There was a ton of uncertainty that started to creep into the minds of purchasers around the country.
By March, when the real impacts of COVID-19 starting to be known, any confidence that was left, quickly evaporated. Many dealers in the country reduced or canceled orders which reduced the amount of lumber in market at the retail level.
March/April mills were forced into lockdown with the restrictions that were implemented. Production of lumber ground to a halt.
April/May Canadians got used to media stories, and figured out quickly that any holidays and other disposable income spending was going to be non-existent. Plus, they were laid off from work, or working from home - which meant they now had plenty of time to tackle those home reno projects they had been putting off.
Nearly overnight, the industry went from expecting a MAJOR decline in spending, to a 30% increase (compared to the year prior) almost overnight.
When mills were finally able to open again, they were only allowed to do so at reduced capacity. But by now, the backlog of orders was through the roof. The supply chain was empty.
Mills pumped things out as fast as they could, but the demand continued to surge.
Freight costs surged mid-season as well as the amount of goods being moved in Canada backlogged the trucking industry. Costs of freight increasing means anything being transported also increases.
Mills were never able to catch up in 2020. The demand remained incredibly high deep into winter, and even stronger in the USA.
The supply chain remained empty through the winter of 2020-2021. Distribution never got a chance to re-stock it's typical inventory.

To read the full article go to
www.tuds.ca/blogs/tudsblog

Great information about composite decking!

There's nothing more expensive than cheaping out.

Unfortunately, we have been in the position of helping customers replace their composite decking that is only a couple years old.

When you buy composite decking, you're led to believe it's going to last for 25...30...50 years! And if you buy a good quality composite, from a good trusted brand, with a good, reliable warranty...you WILL get all those years out of your project.

But unfortunately, there are products out there that catch your eye because they're "cheap".

You don't want cheap. You want good value. This isn't a lesson learned without some major consequence.

Right now we have many great brands of composite decking on sale. They are a great value.

Right now you'll find cheap options at a few places. They will cost you thousands extra in a couple years.

Don't buy on a whim. Do your research. If you have questions, we are here to help. No obligation.

It’s nice when customers send pictures to tell you how much they enjoy their new deck!

I forgot to post some final pics from the monster deck repair. Double decks with the upper at 15’ high was a challenge. After the structural repairs were complete, we rebuilt the Wild Hog Railing to strengthen and straighten it and changed out the top cap to a complimentary color with hidden fasteners. Then we wrapped all the framing with a custom two piece fascia. The fascia board matches the railing top cap for visual tie in while the lower fascia adds color that ties into the wood rails and house. The customers love it and were great to work with.

Getting this monster repair job put back together. Footings, posts, and beams. Reassemble the railing with proper fasteners for strength (Hint-don’t rely on brad nails 😳). Starting a new stacked double board fascia. Replacing the stairs to exceed code width and reduce rise for ease of carrying items. Cut stringers are sealed with Cutek Extreme.

Working on some serious structural repairs. A 15’ high deck with rotten support posts causing a 2&1/2” sag!
Don’t bury your posts in the dirt.

Consider the new Azek multi-width decking for a fresh look!

Finished up this budget friendly deck. It’s a solid color Azek decking, with no railings or trim boards, but it still has all the attention to detail to get square and level.

A 2 level deck in progress. It’s nice to be outside!

Had some fun hanging out and getting some training from my Deckorators rep today. A new super clean looking cable railing system with no visible turn buckles! Thanks Erik