Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  I am thinking of having a deck built.  What is the first step?

A.  Call us for a free in home estimate. We will meet with you and come up with a deck plan that is unique for your needs. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

Q.  I have heard a lot about maintenance free composite decks.  Which deck material is best for my needs?

A. At Cedar Works, we use a wide variety of materials including Trex, WeatherBest, Eon, Crosstimber, treated lumber, and Western Red Cedar. Composites materials give you the warmth and quality of a wood deck without the associated maintenance. Trex in particular requires no sealant or weatherproofing, it does not splinter or crack; it will remain undamaged by rot or termites, and it is slip resistant.

Q.  What are my options for deck railing?

A.  Nowadays, there are many options for deck railing. There is of course Cedar and Trex railing that matches the material used on the deck. Other popular options include Deckorator spindles which come in a variety of styles and custom installed glass perfect for a lake view.

Q.  I love my new Cedar Works deck; do you build any other outdoor living spaces?

A.  Yes, we take pride in our outdoor rooms including screen rooms, and gazebos. We also build complements for your deck like benches, flower boxes, and trellis. We can also install low voltage lighting as well for a perfect evening on the deck.

Q.  I want to enjoy my new deck as soon as possible.  Can you outline the construction process?

A.  Once you have signed the contract and we have your deposit we can get started on your project. We apply for your permit and it can take one to four weeks to be approved (depending on the building department). Your deck is put into our rotation when the permit is approved and we’ll begin work as soon as we can. Our decks are usually completed with in 5-7 working days depending on the size and design of the deck. Our crew will see your project through from the beginning to completion; we will never leave your deck half completed to start another job. Therefore, we ask for your patience while waiting for your deck construction to begin. We are simply giving our customers the undivided attention that you can expect on your project.

Q: What is the lifetime value of Trex?

A: Because Trex never rots or warps, painting and staining will never be required. With pressure-treated wood decks, these costs add up over time. After four years, the total cost of owning a Trex deck equals the cost of a pressure-treated wood deck. Over the life of the purchase, Trex offers a far greater value than wood.

Q: Is Trex an environmentally friendly product?

A: Trex composite materials are made from post-consumer and/or post-industrial reclaimed plastic and scrap wood, which would otherwise end up in landfills. The reclaimed plastic comes primarily from grocery bags and stretch film, and the scrap wood is from woodworking manufacturers.

Q: What is Trex made of?

A: Trex composite decking, railing and fencing products are made from a unique combination of reclaimed wood and recycled polyethylene (plastic grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, stretch film), giving you the best qualities of both materials. The plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, so there's no rotting or splintering. The wood protects the plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a solid, natural feel.

Q: Why is Trex better than wood?

A: Trex products offer superior durability and performance that you can’t get from wood. Trex composite products won’t rot, warp or splinter, and they never require staining or painting to maintain their great looks. Trex products are incredibly safe for the whole family – they don’t contain any harmful chemicals and the decking boards are slip resistant, meeting ADA codes. And last but not least, Trex offers design flexibility and creative freedom that wood just can’t match. You can bend and curve Trex to create unique designs, and you can mix and match colors and finishes for a one-of-a-kind custom look.

Q: Can Trex be Powerwashed?

A: We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer. The use of a pressure washer with a greater than 1,500 PSI and/or applied closer than 10", and in the fan spray pattern only, from the deck surface could damage the decking surface and result in loss of warranty coverage.

Q: I have scratches on my deck. How do I repair them?

A: Common scratches from installation and use will weather away in approx. 4-8 weeks.

Q: How do I clean or remove Grease Stains?

  1. Wipe up and rinse off.
  2. First attempt cleaning with household detergents - such as Shout or Dawn and hot water. Rinse with hot water.
  3. Additional Recommendations:
    • Use other Non-Petroleum based oil stain products such as OSR (Oil Stain Remover) sold through Sherwin Williams or Pour'n Restore found at http://www.pournrestore.com/
    • Other Poultice products designed to remove oil stains from concrete.
    • These products are left on the stain to dry and then be cleaned off.
    • Behr #990 Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser also works in most cases.
    • Some of these cleaners may lighten the treated area of the deck. This lightened area will fade over the next several weeks of weathering.

Q: Why is my deck spotty and how do I clean it?

A: All exterior building materials require cleaning. Trex is no exception. Periodic cleaning of Trex decking will remove dirt that can feed mold. If mold colonies appear, clean the deck with a deck wash containing a detergent and sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach. This chemical will lighten the wood on the surface of Trex in addition to removing the mold. To minimize lightening of darker Trex colors, dilute bleach cleaner 50% with water. The following brands of deck cleaners have been found to be effective in removing mold from Trex decking:
Eco-friendly (no bleach):

Mold spreads easily and may return in some environments despite proper cleaning and preventative measures. Mold does not damage Trex and will cause no harm if allowed to propagate.

In some cases it will require several treatments with the deck wash to completely remove all mold colonies. Even if the spots are no longer visible, there may still be mold spores on the surface that could regrow.

Q: WHERE DOES CEDAR WORKS BUILD IN MICHIGAN?

A: We build more than just decks throughout Southeastern Michigan. Some of the areas we service include Bloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield, Novi, Rochester and Rochester Hills and more.
 

Q: DO YOU PREFER "DECK BUILDER OR DECK CONTRACTOR?

A: Some people use the phrase Deck Contractor. Others prefer Deck Builder. We honestly don't have a preference what you call us; just as long as you call us! Although there's a slight technical difference, we'll answer to both. Red more on this topic here.
 

MOLD TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Mold is a lower form of plant life that can settle and grow on any surface, including Trex® decking. Mildew is a form of mold that grows on damp surfaces.

Mold spores are similar to seeds, but cannot be seen until colonies form. Air currents, insects, animals and water transport the spores easily. Due to mold’s adaptability and large number of species, it is very hard to control and impossible to totally eliminate. Mold will not affect the structural performance of Trex decking.

In order to form visible colonies, mold needs food, moisture, and temperatures between 40 and 90° F. Trex decking is not a food source for mold, but can collect food in the form of dirt and debris such as the overflow from flowerpots and gutters. Trex decking can

WEATHERING

Because of Trex® decking's wood content, color shifts do occur. Twelve to sixteen weeks of exposure to sunlight and rain are typically required for Trex decking to achieve its faded color. This process is completely harmless to Trex decking and does not affect its durability.

A Note on Weathering:

Because Trex contains natural wood fiber, slight fading will occur with exposure to sunlight and moisture. Trex decking reaches its weathered color after 12-16 weeks. The "after weathering" color of the boards on a Trex deck may be different from the colors shown in the Trex Color Palette guide. There may also be color variation between boards. This is normal and gives each Trex deck a distinctive look and character.

The weathering process may be accelerated in dry areas by periodically wetting down the deck using a garden hose. Areas in heavy shade, or vertical decking members such as posts and balusters, may take considerably longer to fade.

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Our knowledgeable Customer Service Associates are waiting to hear from you. Call us today to discuss your project.

248-363-1113
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