2017 Product Guide: Decking and Outdoor Products

Outdoor living is a big hit with home buyers—and it’s only getting bigger.

Recent studies show that Americans put a premium on spending time outside and will pay more for a home that provides access to the outdoors. Builders and architects are taking notice of the trend, too: In the latest AIA Home Design Trends Survey, 69% of architecture firms reported an increase in activity for design or construction projects related to outdoor living.

Building pros are meeting the demand with any number of outdoor living concepts, including outdoor rooms in single-family homes, amenity spaces in community clubhouses, spacious decks for lounging and grilling, or even rooftop terraces on space-challenged urban townhouses. Central to every successful outdoor project are the products and materials that go into it—the decking, appliances, pavers, and lighting that must look good and stand up to the wear and tear of weather, water, and use.

Of course, different markets have different climate considerations, from the rainy Pacific Northwest and scorching heat of the desert states to the muggy and mosquito-prone Eastern seaboard, and some materials and formulations are best suited to one over the other.

No two products are the same, so read on to discover what’s right for your backyards.

Trex
Outdoor kitchen, cabinetry, and storage solutions are constructed of PVC with weatherproof resin exteriors that mimic the look of distressed teak. New offerings for 2017 include grill and television cabinets, available in five colors designed to complement the company’s Transcend Premium Tropicals decking line. Optional marble, granite, or stone tops are also available. trex.com

TruGrain
The company’s wood composite material for use in decking, siding, and façade profiles is formulated from approximately 30% rice husks by weight, combined with calcium carbonate and synthetic plastic polymer to create its proprietary Resysta formula. The product is 100% recyclable, wood-free, and qualifies for a variety of LEED credits. It does not crack, splinter, or rot, and is resistant to insects, moisture, and extreme weather, the firm says. tru-grain.com

NuTone
Designed for areas of the country plagued by mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, NuTone recently introduced a backyard lighting system that provides season-long mosquito protection. With the flip of a switch or the automatic timer, the Haven system delivers an odorless, silent, and invisible vapor to repel up to 92% of a yard’s biting bugs. Each fixture repels mosquitoes within 110 square feet, and four fixtures provide enough coverage for the average deck. nutone.com

Belgard
Finished to resemble natural wood, the company’s Noon porcelain pavers skirt the line between decking and paving. The pavers are available in four light and dark wood finishes, which range from moderate to high levels of shade variation. Their surfaces have a solar reflective index of 60% to 80%, and are naturally resistant to cold, chemicals, stains, and slippage. All Belgard porcelain pavers are designed and manufactured in Italy by Mirage. belgard.com

Maximus
The Smart Security Light is part outdoor light and part home security camera, all controlled from a smartphone. The company’s proprietary Kuna app allows users to set an on/off schedule for the light, sound an alarm, view live video, and review captured footage for up to two hours. Premium subscription plans are also available. The light includes a Wi-Fi camera and a two-way speaker, and also features panel lights for a wide range of vision. maximuslighting.com

Pavestone
Pavestone’s newest stackable stone system, SplitRock, can be used to construct a variety of outdoor living features, such as walls, kitchens, or fireplaces. The kits feature natural split-faced blocks fitted in a six-piece dry-stack system that does not require mortar. This allows projects to be constructed with minimal labor, skill, or material, though construction adhesive can be used to strengthen the product. SplitRock blocks are available in five colors. pavestone.com

Ideal Cabinetry
The manufacturer has expanded into modular outdoor cabinetry under its new WeatherStrong brand. The cabinets’ durability is based on their marine-grade PVC polymer and 304-grade stainless steel hardware, which provides resistance to rain, sun, and snow. WeatherStrong cabinets are available in three styles: freestanding island base cabinets, wall-based open-back cabinets, and bar-back cabinets meant for installation against a bar counter. A variety of sizes, colors, and door styles are also available. idealcabinetry.com

WAC Landscape Lighting
The company now offers a smaller version of its popular Landscape LED Accent light. The watertight Landscape Mini Accent operates on a 9-15V system, and includes adjustable beam angles and brightness controls. Customization options include brass or aluminum casts, a single or a double stem mount, or a 2700K or 3000K color temperature. Multiple mount and shroud options are also available. waclandscapelighting.com

Tremron Porcelain Pavers
Tremron’s new line of porcelain slab pavers have been designed for beauty and durability, with a breakage load of over one ton per slab. Given its non-slip surface, Tremron recommends its porcelain line for use in pool decks, patios, or pathways, including commercial and pedestrian spaces or indoor/outdoor transition use. The slabs are available in six colors: Beige, Venice, Sand, Chrome, Pearl, and Seastone Grey. Each paver is 20mm thick and 24 inches square. tremron.com

Lynx Grills
A unique addition to the Internet of Things, the SmartGrill allows its users to adjust its temperature, measure its heat output, or even apply recipe-specific settings from a smartphone or by direct voice command. Its smart tech is powered by a 1.5Ghz Processor with built-in wifi and 64GB of storage. The SmartGrill is available in freestanding or built-in models in 30”, 36”, and 42” sizes, with a choice between liquid propane or natural gas fuel. lynxgrills.com

The Tapco Group: Clubhouse Decking
The Tapco Group’s Clubhouse Decking composite boards are manufactured with the company’s proprietary Korelite technology. Its dense cell structure is engineered to create a lightweight, durable board which minimizes surface voids and moisture absorption. The timbers are denser at the top and bottom, like the structure of an I-beam, according to Tapco. Their dual-sided composition, which bonds high-performance capstock with a PVC core, also allows for greater design flexibility, including border use, framing use, and even curved designs. thetapcogroup.com

ChoiceDek Premium
ChoiceDek Premium, A.E.R.T.’s newest high-performance decking line, aims to address consumer concerns about high surface temperatures with its CoolDeck technology, which optimizes its decking boards for minimum heat absorption and maximum heat reflection.

The boards are built for durability as well as comfort, with advanced encapsulation for moisture protection. The decking can be installed on the ground, in the ground, or underwater without voiding its warranty. The composite consists of 95% recycled materials. choicedek.com

Duradek
Vinyl decking manufacturer Duradek has expanded its Ultra Legacy Series collection of decking options with Duradek Ultra Legacy Desert Quartz. Designed to resemble a natural stone surface, its light tones provide heat reflection and also provide effective camouflage for light sediment.

Ultra Legacy Series decking is 72 inches wide and 60 mils thick, with woven polyester scrim backing. The series is also available in Pebble Beach, Barnwood and Driftwood patterns, which emulate natural stone and wood appearances. duradek.com

MoistureShield
MoistureShield’s two newest decking types, Refine and Infuse, are optimized in two different styles. Refine decking’s cap is designed to create a high-quality wood grain finish, according to the manufacturer, and Infuse decking is available either with or without A.E.R.T.’s proprietary CoolDeck technology, which allows the boards to absorb as much as 35% less heat than conventional composites. Both styles are moisture-resistant enough to be installed underwater. moistureshield.com

Fiberon
Fiberon’s Symmetry decking line is designed to provide a natural wood look and feel with its matte finish, micro-texturing, and subtle, natural-looking random grain patterns, and a matte finish over multi-tone streaked boards. The proprietary four-sided PermaTech cap layer and solid composite core allows for increased durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Symmetry Decking is available in four earthy tones: Burnt Umber, Warm Sienna, Cinnabar and Graphite, a new color for 2017. fiberondecking.com

Simpson Strong-Tie
Simpson Strong-Tie’s new MPBZ moment post base is designed to provide moment resistance for wooden columns or posts, reducing or removing the need for knee bracing in outdoor structures, including carports, fences, and decks, and allowing for more versatility in these structures’ design.

The post base is available for 4×4 and 6×6 posts, with the required 1” standoff tabs and a hole for water drainage. Its ZMAX finish is designed to withstand exposure in many environments. strongtie.com

Deckorators Vault Decking
Deckorators Vault composite decking is now available in Hickory, a light brown natural wood tone, in addition to dark brown Mesquite and gray Dusk. This color pairs well with Mesquite for two-tone projects, including picture framing and breaker boards.

Vault decking is made with a blend of polypropylene and mineral filler. The manufacturing process utilizes Deckorators’ proprietary Eovations technology to form air pockets inside the boards, creating a light, strong board. Vault’s composition is resistant to moisture absorption, and its polymer cap is resistant to staining or fading. deckorators.com

DuraLife Decking and Railing Proprietary Color-Matched End Caps
DuraLife has just launched a new line of color-matched deck board end caps, which are designed to fit and cover the ends of the boards in DuraLife’s Siesta, MVP, and Starter decking styles.

The caps are offered as an alternative to the traditional “picture framing” method of deck installation. “For those contractors or DIYers who don’t want to spend the extra time and money required to add joists and supports…our color-matched end caps are a cost-effective option that really improves the appearance of any deck,” says Jim Poulin, National Sales Manager of Duralife. duralifedecking.com

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
The Smoker Cabinet by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet is designed not only to provide efficient function for outdoor cooks, including precise temperature control, but also to match the style, performance and rigorous quality control of Kalamazoo’s existing product line. The Smoker Cabinet is available either on a freestanding rolling cart or as a built-in under-counter unit, made to blend into a Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen. kalamazoogourmet.com