The Roanoker Sept/October 2023 - 99

Ask the Experts
Building &
Remodeling
How to choose the best decking
material for your outdoor living
space?
The decking material you select is an
essential investment you will need to make
to provide efficient outdoor entertainment,
leisure and relaxation space and curb appeal.
With an increase in options of material to
choose from, it is important to know what
is available to you. For time's sake, I will
provide a sampling of priorities you might be
weighing in your outdoor living space vision
and compare them to what options are out
there. Pressure treated decking is lumber
that has been saturated with preservatives
to make it more durable. This is the most
budget-friendly option for the initial
purchase, but it will be necessary to invest
time and money in yearly maintenance that
can include pressure washing, sanding,
staining and sealing. Exotic hardwoods are
an option for those wishing to add unique
colors and textures that you can't achieve
with pressure treated lumber; however, the
maintenance level will be similar.
The next available option, boasting the
most design options, is capped composite
decking. Composite decking is made of wood
fibers mixed with synthetic materials and
capped with a synthetic layer to discourage
mold, prevent scratches, lock in color and
provide texture while also eliminating the
need for pressure washing, staining and
sealing. Composite decking typically comes
with a 25-50 year no fade, warp or splinter
warranty. Maintenance will require simply
sweeping leaves and promptly wiping
muddy paw/footprints. For tough spills
like red wine, mustard or BBQ sauce, you
may need to use warm water and a gentle
detergent to wipe it up. Last, PVC decking
is a fully synthetic option. Without wood or
wood fibers, it offers the most resistance for
durability issues such as warping, splitting,
mold, rot and insect damage. Most PVC
decking offers a 50-year warranty against
these concerns. Maintenance requirements
for PVC are the same as composite. This is
your best option for docks or decks by the
water. It is also lighter than composite so,
while it can still get hot in direct sunlight
on a summer scorcher, it tends to cool off
faster than composite. It is important to note
that lighter colors can help with concerns of
high temperatures in all decking materials.
Within each of these material options, there
are several manufacturers offering their
own colors, textures, fastening systems and
warranties. That is why it is important to
research your options and rely on an expert
to offer guidance for your individual needs.
The better you understand your options, the
happier you will be with the outcome of your
project!
Michelle Reno, Outdoor Sales
Capps Home Building Center
540-900-6400
michelle.r@shopcapps.com
Shopcapps.com
I need new siding and doors on
my house. What are the most
common products and installed
price ranges?
The two most common siding types we see
in our area are vinyl siding and fiber cement
(the most recognized name is Hardie).
Both types of siding include various style
options such as board and batten, lap and
shingle. While vinyl comes in a prefinished
color, fiber cement can come prefinished
or unfinished for field painting. The price
ranges for both can vary greatly depending
on the application; however, the most recent
data for the Roanoke area shows the average
cost of vinyl lap siding to be approximately
$12/sf while the average cost of fiber cement
is approximately $14.50/sf for prefinished
lap siding. Door options generally revolve
around wood, fiberglass and steel. Wood
doors are not nearly as common as they
used to be and are generally used for custom
applications. Steel is quickly becoming
obsolete due to the broader adoption and
superior performance of fiberglass units.
A standard 3-0 door replacement could
be as little as $2,000 while a comparable
fiberglass unit may run about $2,500. Both a
grand entrance fiberglass or wood door with
sidelights could run in the $10,000 range.
Jay Gauldin, President
Elegant Exteriors
540-238-2359
www.Elegant-Exteriors.com
What's the difference between a
framed and frameless cabinets?
I am frequently asked this question by
visitors in our Christiansburg showroom. I
answer their questions through show and
tell of our full-sized showroom displays.
Yes, there is a difference in construction
between the two types of cabinets, but the
most noticeable difference is the space
gained with a frameless line. With a framed
cabinet the framing on the front of the base
cabinet is typically 1-1/2 wide on either side.
Example, if you subtract that from a 12 " wide
base cabinet, you at best will have an 8.5 "
wide drawer box. With a frameless cabinet
the sides of the cabinet are typically ¾ "
thick on either side. Multiply that by 2 and
it equals 1-1/2 " . If you subtract both the sides
and a little space for the undermount drawer
slides from the same 12 " wide base cabinet,
you will typically end up with a 10 " wide
drawer box. It doesn't sound like much but
Mike Bryant's Design Pick
by Construction Marketing, LLC
540-339-5279
Constructionmarketingllc.com
TheRoanoker.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 99
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The Roanoker Sept/October 2023

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