Article provided by Allweather Wood Products ~ Photographs courtesy of Labco Wood Products Ltd.

According to Al Gurke of Allweather Wood Products, it isn’t. One look at their multitude of decking materials, finishes and structure options you will agree. “There are so many different products on the market right now,” says Gurke. “It’s so much easier to personalize your own.”

From spruce to vinyl, composite to pressure-treated wood, from recycled rubber to more exotic hardwoods like batu from Central, South America, and Asia, Allweather Wood Products runs the gamut of decking material options.

“While right now the most popular material is still cedar, we are seeing people move towards the more unique and specialized materials.”

So how do you know what material to use?

“It really depends on lifestyle,” explains Gurke. It’s a matter of maintenance combined with the look you’re going for. While many households have dual-income earners, having a low-maintenance deck, one that holds up to Edmonton’s bi-polar climate, one that still maintains its charm and awe without hours of upkeep and care, is key.

“People are so much busier today.” They don’t have time to worry about upkeep.

Thankfully, after 25 years of being in the decking business, Allweather Wood Products has the experience, knowledge and know-how to give people the deck they want and need.

Of course, there are stipulations of what kind of deck you can have.

“The number one thing is budget,” Gurke remarks. Spruce and pressure-treated woods are the cheapest, but cedar is still the most durable, especially in Edmonton’s climate.

But you really need to look at the bigger picture.

This is why Gurke suggests all his customers come in to his store with a photo of their yard so the planning can begin.

“Bring a picture of the house, and come in with the measurements for the area where you want the deck to be.” Once that’s done, the designing can start.

Using Seljax, an internationally renowned 3D deck estimating and design software program, Allweather Wood Products can create a rendering of your deck right before your eyes. That also means tweaking an existing design to make a custom deck specifically for your needs.

Perhaps those needs entail an outdoor kitchen. Perhaps they entail a stylized roof. Whatever the idea or need, Allweather Wood Products will try to make it happen.

“We’re seeing a big trend towards overheads, granite countertops, kitchens, do-it-yourself fake brick walls. We have better roofing materials now, too.”

In the past, glass roofing for decks was made of fiberglass sheeting that would break down over about 5 years. Now, with the use of acrylics and UV filters, the roofing lasts longer, they let in more light, and the design possibilities are much greater.

Gurke also notes there’s a trend towards using ceramic tiles for decking surfaces. “With tiling, there are so many different choices.” The tiles are simply applied to a normal deck structure, and can now be applied without plywood.

“You just need to make sure the tiles are frost-resistant.”

If ceramic tiles aren’t your je ne sais quoi, you needn’t worry. With the copious amounts of finishes available depending on your decking material, it won’t be hard to create the look you’re going for. Between the stain colors, the deck material options, and the scope of possible designs, deck building and design is much akin to any other design options for a home.

“Building a deck is like building another room.” In those few summer months, you want to make sure that room is comfortable and cozy. You want to make sure you can enjoy it every day the sun shines. Whether you want to entertain your friends, family or neighbours, or simply want a deck to relax on, today, with the multitude of product and design options, you really can have exactly what you want.

Once you’ve decided what that is, Allweather Wood Products can put a materials package together for you in about 2-3 days. If you want Allweather Wood Products to get their hands dirty for you, the wait is more like 4-6 weeks, depending on the time of year.

With 15 workers in their shop, one fulltime crew, and three other deck building crews, you know Allweather Wood Products can get the job done.

Of course, their experience doesn’t end at building decks in Edmonton. In order to stay on top of their game, every year they attend deck shows the world over.

“We go to international deck shows to find different ways of building decks, and to learn new tricks.” For Gurke, it’s really a way to see new and innovative ideas for deck building.

While he and his staff aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel, because decks are so popular, they need to keep concocting new ways to help every home stand apart from its neighbour.

“Every house being built has a deck now. Whether a house or condo, decks are in. And I don’t see a move away from it!”

Not to worry though. With Allweather Wood Products, you won’t be keeping up with the Jones’; they’ll want to be keeping up with you!