When building a new deck, you’ll make a ton of important decisions, perhaps the most important of which will be what material you’ll construct it from. There are many different deck materials you can use, and the benefit is that some of them are inherently water-resistant by nature. Whether it’s that these materials damage extremely slowly in water or they’re not porous, allowing them to form a tight, natural seal, these materials are wildly popular due to their ability to withstand the harshest of Los Angeles weather. Here are some of the most popular water-resistant decking materials and some of the advantages of each of them.

Vinyl

Vinyl has rapidly become a popular decking material for many different applications. For one, its cost is dropping dramatically as manufacturing becomes cheaper and more readily-available. Likewise, more and more options are hitting the market what seems like every single week at this point. While many of these different nylons have different advantages, they all inherently share some of the same properties: they’re cheap, require little maintenance, are lightweight, and easily replaceable. Additionally, the interlocking design these nylon “boards” use to stick together often creates a tight seal, making them virtually completely waterproof without any additional coatings.

Concrete

Concrete is a popular deck material for commercial installations because of its ready availability, fairly low cost, and extreme durability. Concrete doesn’t crack and splinter in the sun like a wood or some vinyl materials do: it’ll hold its form for decades with few to no issues. In fact, at the most you might see just a few thin cracks develop in areas where the building itself may have shifted or where air bubbles may have formed under the concrete surface. The only real downside to concrete is perhaps the most obvious one: weight. Concrete is extremely heavy, and any deck structure needs to be durable and capable of withstanding the load of thousands of pounds in order to serve its purpose.

Aluminum

Aluminum has many of the same favored properties as concrete, but in a much lighter package. Aluminum is much stronger than concrete for its weight, making it great for rooftop deck installations or other places where a major structure can’t be built. However, it’s one of the most expensive options out there, and that means you’ll be spending a lot more per square foot to install one. While resurfacing with aluminum is also fairly simple, you’ll have to pay particularly close attention to its condition, and you will need to re-seal it periodically to ensure its durability and strength last for as long as possible.

For more information about building a deck out of these materials or the great waterproofing options we can provide your deck with, speak with the Los Angeles deck waterproofing experts from Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing by dialing (888) 508-2966 today!

Winter may be a favorite time of year for many Southern Californians, but it’s a particularly harsh time for your deck and other structures on your home. The high temperature fluctuations from the warmest parts of the day to the coldest times at night can cause a lot of expansion and contraction in deck materials, resulting in considerable wear and tear. This wear and tear is only accentuated by added moisture from dew, morning fog, and even rainy weather that we do occasionally receive during this season as well.

If your deck isn’t prepared for the winter months, it could sustain some serious damage that leads to major repairs and expensive maintenance costs. However, taking the time to give your deck a little bit of preventative care and maintenance can do wonders for preserving your deck and preventing this seasonal damage. Here are a couple of things you should consider doing before the weather starts getting too cold and the rains start to fall this winter.

Clean Your Deck

Whether your deck is made from wood, composite materials, concrete, or any other material, every deck could benefit from a good, thorough cleaning ever so often. Use a pressure washer to scrub down the surface of your deck and clear away any stains, mold, debris, or other imperfections that may have formed. Use a bleach-free cleaner to help with the tough spots, including stuck-on dirt, weathered wood stains, water rings, and more.

If the stain or finish surface on your deck has run its course and needs to be replaced, or mold and mildew have started to form on the surface, your pressure washer can help you remove the stain and prep the surface for re-finishing. This may take some time and effort, but making sure you get the job done right will help you achieve much better results.

Apply a Protective Finish

Once your deck has been washed down and any re-stain or re-surfacing has been completed (if necessary), it’s a good idea to apply a new protective finish. In a perfect world, a protective finish will last two to three years, but harsh summers and constantly-shifting temperatures mean you may need to re-apply this surface to your deck every year. You should also carefully consider how much use your deck sees on a regular basis: the more you use your deck, the more likely it is you’ll need to re-seal it to prepare it for the cold, wet winter months.

Call Capital Deck & Star Waterproofing today at (888)-508-2966 and let our Los Angeles deck waterproofing team prepare your deck surface for the cold, wet months ahead.

Decks can be an extension of your living space, especially in sunny Southern California. A deck can serve as a gathering place for family and friends or place to relax, but that doesn’t mean that your deck shouldn’t be as stylish and well-designed as the rest of your home. Showcase your personal style and add interest to your deck with patterned designs.

Concrete decks can be painted, stained, or stamped with designs that can show off your creative side. Tinting agents can be used to color concrete surfaces to resemble stone, brick, marble, or other surfaces. If you are installing a new deck, consider pressing your concrete deck with a mold that can add an interesting or natural-looking surface. You can also inlay patterns, ceramic tile, or other small objects to draw attention to your home’s new addition. You can stain your deck with contrasting colors to create different areas or to direct attention to certain features of your yard. A well-planned deck can pull together the landscaping of your yard.

Wood decks can also be patterned. Paint colors and different shades of stain can be used to create patterns. The direction and shapes of boards can also be used to create geometric designs. Herringbone, chevron, basket weave, or diagonal patterns are popular designs for decks. If you are updating your deck or installing a new deck, you may want to explore your choices for a patterned deck. Paint or stain can be used to highlight the patterned inlay of your deck.

Patterns can be used to create visual interest, divide your deck into different spaces, such as a lounge or an activity area, or highlight features such as a pool, a planter, or a water feature. Decks can also be used to create illusions, such as making a small yard appear larger, or adding a natural element to a yard. Decks can also be used to replace lawns or water-intensive plantings to reduce your water usage. If you are looking for a unique way to upgrade your home, a patterned deck may be the solution.

Upgrade your home’s deck with our Los Angeles deck refinishing services . At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing , we are backed by more than 30 years of experience creating and maintaining beautiful, long-lasting decks. We guarantee that all work performed by our fully licensed and certified contractors will meet your standards, and will last for many years to come. Our crews can even work after-hours and on weekends to ensure that we can meet your busy schedule.

Schedule a free, in-person estimate today! Contact our offices at (888) 508-2966 .

Protecting your deck from weathering and wear can help you protect your investment and can extend the life of your deck. Uncovered decks are particularly susceptible to weathering and will need to be treated more frequently than covered decks. High traffic areas will also wear more quickly, leaving you with an unevenly protected surface. When it comes time to refinish your deck, you will likely want to protect your deck with a long lasting solution. But is it better to paint or stain your deck? Learn more about your options for your deck’s protection.

Paint

Paint is a popular choice to protect your deck. It can offer more protection than stain and sealer, but it isn’t a good choice if you prefer a more natural look for your deck. Here are some pros and cons of painting your deck.

Pros:

• Paint comes in nearly any color you could desire. Paint is also solid, which means you can easily cover weathered wood.
• Paint can fill small gaps and cracks, and its thicker finish can help repair lightly damaged wood. There are even paints that are available for this very purpose.
• Paint can be easier to clean, depending on the color and finish of the paint. Good quality paint and proper application can create a lasting finish that allows dirt to wash off easily.
• Paint offers more protection for the wood of your deck. It can resist rot, mold, and sun damage.

Cons:

• Paint cannot easily be reversed. If you paint your deck, it can take an incredible amount of work to restore your deck to a state that can be stained.
• It can be difficult to find a color that is both complimentary to your home and looks good on a large, flat surface. Light colored paints can be easily stained with dirt, but dark colored paints can trap heat from the sun and be hot to walk on.
• Depending on the finish, paint can be slippery when wet. If your deck is uncovered, you may risk a slippery surface.
• Paint hides the natural grain of the wood, which can be a drawback if you have invested in a real wood deck.

Stain & Sealer

Stain and a quality sealer is another option to protect your deck. For real wood decks, this can be a popular choice because the natural grain of the wood remains visible. Find out more about the pros and cons of staining your deck.

Pros:

• Stain and sealer can showcase the natural beauty of your wood deck.
• Stain is less slippery than paint and protects the wood without laying on top to create a slick surface.
• Stain is easier to apply and can be more forgiving. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly way to protect your deck, stain can be a good option.
• Stain comes in a wide variety of colors, so you can find a tone that compliments your home’s exterior

Cons:

• Stain has a shorter lifetime than paint. The quality of stain and the number of coats applied can greatly impact how long the stain lasts.
• Stain is a thinner fluid, and won’t fill cracks or gaps the way paint will.
• Stain can provide a more natural finish, but this may be a negative trait if you are looking for a cleaner look.
• The color of the wood underneath the stain will affect the finished product, so you may have slight variations in your deck’s appearance.

Protect Your Deck with Waterproofing Specialists – (888) 508-2966

An unprotected deck can show wear and tear far more quickly, and the weathering your deck experiences may cause significant damage. Preserve your deck for years to come with our Los Angeles weatherproofing and resurfacing services . At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing , we can help you protect the value of your home and increase the functionality of your deck. Our licensed and certified professionals can help you extend the life of your deck with high-quality and cost-effective options for your deck.

Contact our family-run business for a free estimate . Call (888) 508-2966 today!

As a deck owner, you’re likely well aware that you will have to replace your deck surface every several years. When you do this, you’ll have the option of replacing your wooden surface with a new, waterproof vinyl surface or even a different water-resistant or waterproof material. Doing so may increase the cost a bit, but will provide you with many years of longevity, ease of maintenance, and added use. When you make this decision, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

For most deck builders, a resurfacing job is a simple one because it involves using the structure that already exists, just replacing the surface boards. This means you likely don’t need to obtain a construction permit for a new structure, you don’t need to dig holes for new posts, and overall your job finishes much faster and at a much lower cost. However, a resurface isn’t always the safest option: if the internal structure is worn out, then no matter how pretty a surface you put on it, the deck is still dangerous and could collapse after resurfacing, leading to possible injury, structural damage to your home, and a massive repair bill.

Here are a few things you should check when considering whether to upgrade your deck surface:

Hardware Condition
The hardware that holds your deck together might last decades without any issues, but if you have an older deck or lower-quality hardware, the years of exposure to the elements could have caused significant rust damage, meaning the hardware could be weaker. Extensive rust is also a sign that the internal condition of the wood structure is also worn, so you will probably need to replace your structure as well.

Proper Attachment
Some less-reputable decking contractors will simply nail a deck to its structure and call it a day. However, in the event of an earthquake (which any Angelino can tell you is a constant threat), this will likely lead to your deck being condemned as unsteady. A deck should actually be secured with a lag bolt every 16 inches or so along the length of the structure.

Proper Flashing
No matter what type of deck you have on your structure, the flashing must be in good condition and capable of lasting for at least another decade in order to leave it in place. Even if you’re simply resurfacing an already-waterproofed deck, you’ll want to take a good long look at the flashing between your structure and your deck once the surface is removed. If the flashing is worn out, it will not be able to provide adequate protection from rain, dew, sprinklers, and other forms of moisture, leading to structural damage to both your deck and your building.

Joist Attachment
Finally, you’ll want to take a good look at your joists and their condition, specifically pertaining to their attachment to the ledger. A joist is a structure board over which the decking surface is laid. A ledger is a board that is used to create the overall shape of your deck, or the outside of the frame. Joists should be attached to ledgers using joist hangers, not just nails. Eventually, nails can become rusted and worn away, but a joist hanger will provide much better support for a long time to come. If they are not attached properly, your resurfacing job could take a bit longer, but the results will be a much sturdier, more durable structure.

If you need to resurface your deck, the experts at Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing to do the job right the first time. Our experienced Los Angeles deck waterproofing contractors have been in business for more than 30 years, and are proud of our reputation of excellent workmanship and friendly, courteous service. No matter how large or small your deck might be, we know the impact it can have on your home, which is why we back up all our work with a guarantee of your satisfaction.

To request a quote , call Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing today at (888) 508-2966 !

As a homeowner, you’re probably well-aware of just how important it is that your property is water-tight in every necessary regard. Whether it’s your roof, your walls, the deck of your pool, or even your basement, water intrusion can lead to a lot of serious damage that can cost thousands to fix. However, did you know there’s an added value to a waterproofed property? It’s true, and it comes in your overall property value. A pool deck or outdoor staircase that has been appropriately waterproofed can actually increase the value of your home.

Make Your Home Look the Best

Any real-estate agent can tell you just how important it is that your home looks like it’s in great shape. The better it looks, the more reasonable your asking price will sound. Therefore, if a potential buyer comes to see your home and your yard looks unkempt, the roof looks old, and the area around your pool appears as though it has seen better days, odds are you’ll not only fetch a much lower bid, but you’ll probably reduce the number of bids you even see at all.

This is especially true with pool areas. When someone buys a house with a pool, they do so knowing that the pool in the backyard is going to be one of the highlights of the home: it’ll be what people want to see when they come over, where they host barbecues, and where they sit outside during the warm sunsets of summer. A pool that has been slammed with water damage and looks like it’s in no shape to host anything will likely scare off any buyers who are looking for a home that’s ready to go. And those who are willing to do the work are probably looking for a bargain.

The basement is also extremely important. While most homes in Southern California don’t have basements, houses in the hills tend to be built with their bottom floor into the hill itself, which could lead to potential water damage if the water is not directed away properly. Even a small crack could become a bigger problem overtime, so it’s important to do a thorough inspection every year (usually around the start of fall) to make sure any underground or in-ground areas are ready for any water they may see.

So if you’re looking into selling your home soon and you want to get top dollar for it, consider calling our Los Angeles deck waterproofing experts. Your buyers will love the great condition of the deck around your pool and you’ll be more likely to receive higher bids than a home with a shoddy, dull-looking pool area that’s in need of a face lift.

Call Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing today at (888) 508-2966 to request an estimate or schedule your deck waterproofing service!