Deck
Treatments
Paint That Lasts. The good news is that a
paint-maker has finally come out with an actual paint that's
suitable for decks. The bad news is that it's designed for
vertical surfaces only. Wolman's DecoWhite Decorative Deck
& Porch Paint is self-priming and requires two coats, but
the 100 percent acrylic formulation hides knots and tannin
bleed-through and dries to a brilliant satin finish, says the
maker. It can also be applied immediately to pressure-treated
lumber. The paint sells for $30 per gallon and comes in any
color you want — as long as it's white. Wolman
Wood Care Products, 800/556-7737,
www.wolman.com
Safe Stripper. Removing an old finish prior to
recoating a deck should not require a hazmat team. Injectable
Safe-Strip was developed by former deck-cleaning contractors as
an alternative to harsh chemicals. Designed to be applied with
a pressure washer, the biodegradable deck-stripper easily
removes oil and latex semitransparent stains and sealers
without harming wood fibers, pets, or foliage, says the
manufacturer. It costs about $20 per gallon; a 5-gallon pail
costs $105. Gemini Coatings, 800/262-5710,
www.geminicoatings.com
Life Insurance for Finish. Stop! If you're
planning to stain a deck, Sherwin-Williams wants you to
pretreat the unfinished surface with its new DeckScapes Coating
Life Extender. The company claims that this oil-based formula
fuses the loose wood fibers — on both old and new decks
— into a rock-solid substrate that ensures better
top-coat adhesion. The fast-drying product should be applied
with a brush or a roller and allowed to cure for about four
hours; then it's ready to be top-coated with a semitransparent
or solid color stain. It costs $40 per gallon. The
Sherwin-Williams Co., 800/474-3794,
www.sherwin-williams.com.
Brick
Pavers & Patio Stones
Vintage Supply. The easiest way to create the
look of an old brick walkway or patio is by using old brick.
Gavin Historical Bricks claims to be the largest supplier of
antique bricks and cobblestones in the nation. Reusing old
brick not only offers an aesthetic advantage — it's also
good for the environment. The company estimates that it has
saved more than 100 million pounds of material from clogging up
landfills by using products reclaimed from buildings and
streets throughout the country. Prices for brick pavers range
from $5 to $7 per square foot; cobblestones cost about $10 per
square foot. Gavin Historical Bricks,
319/354-5251, www.historicalbricks.com
Concrete on Steroids. Anyone who's spent a
winter in snow country knows that ice, water, and road salt
play havoc with concrete. According to the manufacturer,
Cambridge Pavingstones are practically impervious to the rigors
of winter. Although they're made from a high-density concrete
that's twice as strong as the poured-in-place variety, the real
key to their durability is a bulletproof, 3/8-inch-thick
surface material called "ArmorTec." This outer layer is
color-saturated, fade-resistant, and guaranteed to stay smooth
yet slip-resistant for a lifetime. A local dealer (in Bethel,
Conn.) quoted me a price range of $2.70 to $3 per square foot
for the various ArmorTec collections. Cambridge
Pavers, 201/933-5000,
www.cambridgepavers.com
High Tiles. Just because your clients are
building a raised deck doesn't mean they have to give up their
wish for a patio. Like many other pavers, Dekstones are made
from steel-reinforced, precast concrete — but they're
designed to rest on wood framing (4-inch-thick joists laid out
approximately 24 inches on-center). The maker says most
Dekstones need no fastening; you simply place them on top of
the joists and then corral the perimeter with a skirtboard. Any
cut sections that do need reinforcement can be fastened to the
joists with manufacturer-supplied framing angles. Shipping
costs vary, but material prices start at around $8 to $10 per
square foot. Stepstone, 800/572-9029,
www.dekstone.com.
Storm Doors
& Windows
Good Wood. Although aluminum storm doors are
inexpensive and easy to install, nothing beats the rich look of
wood. The Combination Door Co. has been building wooden storm
and screen doors for nearly a century. The company's signature
product, the hand-built custom-size Easy-Change Door, boasts a
patented tool-free locking mechanism that affords "easy
changes" from glass to screens. The door comes in a variety of
styles and grille choices; since it's shipped unfinished, color
choices are unlimited. (An attractive hardware kit containing a
lockset, hinges, and closer is also available.) The company's
most popular Easy-Change model, the Ultra View — shown
with a Prairie grille — costs $385 with sash and
screen.
The Combination Door Co., 920/922-2050,
www.combinationdoor.com
Secret Panels. Standard triple-track storms
are inexpensive and energy-efficient, but they don't exactly
blend in. Allied Window makes a complete line of storm windows
designed to be imperceptible to all but the nosiest of
neighbors. The flagship of the company's line, the Allied One
Lite, is a low-profile single-track glass panel that comes in
almost any frame color, shape, or muntin configuration. A
variety of window films can be factory-applied to the glazing;
screens are available as well. The company also manufactures
interior storms that mount with magnets or clips. Prices range
from $125 to $500 per window. Allied Window,
800/445-5411, www.invisiblestorms.com
Save Energy and Taxes. Adding or replacing a
storm door is one of the most cost-effective ways you can save
energy. And if you choose the right one, the government will
pick up part of the check. The Federal Energy Policy Act of
2005 grants homeowners a 10 percent tax credit for qualified
energy-efficiency improvements. Larson Manufacturing's entire
line of aluminum storm doors qualifies for the tax incentive.
The company claims that adding one of its storms to an existing
entry door reduces energy loss by as much as 45 percent. (A
SecureElegance model is shown.) Prices range from $100 to $350
per door. Larson Manufacturing Co.,
800/352-3360, www.larsondoors.com