Frequently Asked Questions

 Frequently Asked Questions

Reason’s we don’t offer wood decks:

1. With the advancement of composite decking and the significant increases in cost to treated lumber and cedar there are options in composite that are much closer in cost than consumers may know.

2. Wood splits and cracks. This is known as “checks” in the industry. This occurs when wood shrinks as it dries. This can be unsightly visually.

3. Warped decking. Lumber is not as good as it used to be. The trees that are harvested are not as old and mature as they used to be. This means that your contractor will likely get warped deck boards . Warping is the result of moisture. When a portion of the board dries at a faster rate than another portion, warping will occur. 

4. Wood rot. This is a result of wood that is above a certain moisture threshold. This moisture allows fungus to grow and will eventually ruin the wood. 

5. Mold and Algae. Mold is a fungus that can grow on wood decks when conditions are right. It typically appears as a black or dark green film. Algae is green and slimy and can also grow on the wood deck surfaces. 

6. Maintenance. This is the most important one for considering whether or not you really want wood decking and the maintenance that comes with it. It’s timely and expensive to maintain wood decking. 

When considering deck lighting you need to first establish if you want lighting on the railing post or riser lights, or both. Your contractor will need to know what railing posts you want to have lights and how many risers (steps) you want to have riser lights. You’ll need an outlet on or near the deck to supply power to the transformer for the lights.

The deck lighting we offer goes with the Westbury aluminum deck railings. This is low voltage lighting powered by a nearby outlet. Riser lights are commonly installed in pairs, so 2 riser lights per riser where lights are being installed.

The lighting typically comes with a remote to power the lights on and off. The transformers allow you to use the light sensor so the lights turn on and off at dusk and dawn. Keep in mind the transformer will need to be installed near the outlet and that space must get enough light for the sensor to work.

There are 2 types of under deck drainage that we offer.

1. Trex RainEscape is the most affordable option. This must be done at the time our deck is built. This product is installed on top of and in between the deck joist. It’s 20 mil troughs that are pitched to divert water toward the gutter that would be installed to catch the water at one end of the deck. This product ranges in price in most cases between $25-$35.00 per square foot.

2. QE Insideout Underdecking. This is a beautiful product that not only serves as a drainage system for water under your deck, but it’s also a finished ceiling. We highly recommend this product. This is an aluminum drainage system that comes in a variety of colors. It will not only keep you dry below your deck, but it also looks great too. This product ranges in price in most cases between $40.00 - $60.00 per square foot. Woodgrain color options are available for an additional cost between $5.00 - $8.00 per square foot.

The most commonly used lumber for deck framing is Southern Yellow Pine #2. This material comes in green treated aka pressure treated, and KDAT, which is Kiln Dried After Treatment. These 2 treatments for the wood are not the same. Most contractors use green treated lumber because it meets code and it’s cheaper than KDAT lumber.

At All Around the majority of our decks are built using KDAT material for all framing and posts, which is the structure of the deck. We’ve found that KDAT lumber is a better-quality lumber. This lumber is dried in a kiln to reduce the moisture content, which means less movement.

Most builders don’t want to risk losing a sale over the 10%-20% additional cost in lumber to use KDAT, so they don’t offer it in their estimates to their customers unless it’s requested. If you’re using green treated lumber you will have no idea what that board is going to look like as it dries.

By using KDAT lumber you can feel confident and know what to expect after approx. 80% of the moisture is removed from the lumber through the additional drying process.

All Around offers 3 types of footings:

1. Concrete footings require a hole to be dug out and inspected, then a form is laid in the hole and concrete is poured a minimum of 42” deep into the ground. Cost for a standard sized concrete footing range from $575.00 - $700.00 per footing.

2. Diamond Pier footings are a newer technology that is accepted in most areas of the state. These footings consist of a concrete base shaped like a diamond and steel rods. Diamond Pier footings come as DP-50 which has 50” rods and DP-75 which has 75” rods. Cost for Diamond Pier footings range from $325.00 - $500.00. If clay soil is present Diamond Pier footings can be used, but we do not recommend them for that type of soil.

3. Helico Pile footings. These are the best types of footing in our opinion. It’s a steel 2 7/8”x7’ steel rod that is screwed / driven into the ground. These footings will come with a report to show the torque and compression capacity and they are guaranteed not to heave. Cost for Helico Pile footings range from $625.00 - $725.00 per footing.

Demolishing an existing deck

If an existing deck needs to be demolished and disposed of it typically ranges in the $10 - $15.00 per square foot price range for the demo and disposal. This does not include removal of existing footings.

Removing existing footings

If existing footings need to be removed that typically ranges from $400.00 - $600.00 per footing depending on access and the size of the existing footing.

Upgrading to larger aluminum railing posts

Aluminum railings come standard with 2”x2” posts. You can upgrade to 3”x3” and 4”x4” posts for an additional cost ranging from $100.00 - $150.00 additional per post.

Installing drink rail bracket

Drink rail is a popular option to provide a flat surface for drinks on the railing. This is an additional bracket that is mounted to the top rail of your aluminum railing and it has a 6” deck board installed on top to create the drink rail. This is an additional cost ranging from $35 - $45.00 per lineal foot.

Installing a gate on the railing

Westbury also offers a gate with their aluminum railings. This is a great way to keep pets and little ones up on the deck and away from the stairs. These gates come standard with hinges and a pull handle with the ability to lock it as well. The cost for an aluminum gate is typically in the $1,200.00 range installed.

Concrete needs to be cut for footings

In some cases, footings must go where there is existing concrete. This requires the concrete to be cut in order to expose the ground below it. This typically cost $150 - $250.00 per footing.

Deck height

The height off the ground can increase the labor cost of a deck. Typically when the deck height reaches the 9’ mark there is an additional charge of approx. $750.00.

Color of the deck

Decking ranges are priced based on the color. Most decking manufacturers offer 3 main categories of decking. The more neutral and non-variegated the color the cheaper the decking is and the more multi color or variegated the more expensive the decking will be. This creates 3 price points for each decking manufacturer.

Deck width not matching available deck board sizes

When considering the size of your deck keep in mind the size the deck boards are available in. Decking is offered in 12’, 16’, and 20’ boards. If you stick to sizes where these boards are used you can save some money on the decking. For instance a deck 22’ wide would require to order 12’ boards and double what you would need if that same deck was 20’ wide using the full 20’ boards.

Building more than one landing

Additional landings on the steps versus a landing at the top with stairs going down to grade adds additional footings and lumber to be needed. Adding a landing can increase the price by approximately $4,000 - $5,000.00+.

PVC and composite decking are both considered “engineered” decking options. Both are man-made and both fall under the market category of “composite decking”. There are some key differences between the two.

PVC is made of 100% engineered polymer material. This means absolutely no wood filler in the core or cap.

Composite is made up of a mix of recycled wood and plastic fibers. Many types of composite decking are encapsulated in a 100% polymer cap to protect them from moisture.

Both options are low-maintenance, durable, moisture-resistant, insect-resistant, scratch-resistant, and available in a wide range of colors.

Both PVC and composite decking materials can either be capped or uncapped. Uncapped decking is a more cost-effective choice, but it’s more vulnerable to staining and mold growth if not carefully maintained.

Capped decking offers protection in the form of a hard exterior shell. Capping is not an add on. It’s bonded to the core material during the manufacturing process. It also increases durability and performance. Many caps have UV-inhibitors built in as well. If your deck is exposed to direct sunlight this will help to prevent rapid fading.