Deck of the Month Winner for October 2023: Brandon A. of Farmersville, TX
Congratulations to Brandon A. of Farmersville, Texas, who wins our Deck of the Month award for October 2023!
How Brandon Built His Family Deck To Last: Going Completely Wood-Free
Brandon's family deck was rotting. Between years of rain and humidity and its proximity to the family pool, the wooden deck had weathered and needed a replacement.
Brandon, whose family runs a metal fabrication company (Adams Construction & Fabrication), wanted to rebuild his deck to last longer without the heavy maintenance requirements of wood.
"I had wood before," said Brandon. "I'll never go wood again."
So Brandon planned a completely wood-free deck, built on a custom steel deck frame and using composite deck boards.
Meanwhile, the family's annual Fourth of July gathering was creeping closer. Every year, the deck hosts a huge group of family and friends - sometimes up to 200 people - for a massive get-together.
Aiming to host the 2023 gathering on a brand new deck. Brandon worked with DecksDirect to get Trex composite deck boards shipped directly to the work site, along with all the hidden fasteners he needed. His project shipped for free, and saved him the hassle of hauling long, bulky deck boards home from a lumberyard or big box store.
The result is a beautiful, comfortable, welcoming deck that's perfectly suited for hosting huge outdoor gatherings. Even better - the deck doesn't have a scrap of wood in it, setting it up to last for years and saving Brandon and his family the time and trouble of yearly staining and sealing.
Brandon finished his deck in time to host the Fourth of July celebration, with about 200 guests enjoying the brand-new outdoor space.
How To Get This Industrial Style & Ultra-Low-Maintenance Appeal For Yourself
Brandon was especially innovative and skilled in designing his own deck and custom-making the steel elements. But we don't all have to be pros like Brandon to follow his lead in creating a low-maintenance deck.
If you're in the Greenville, Texas area, you can check out Adams Construction & Fabrication. If you live anywhere else, check out these recommendations to help emulate Brandon's style:
Never Stain Again With Trex Transcend Island Mist Decking
Brandon chose the look and feel of wood without the maintenance by selecting Trex Transcend composite deck boards for his deck surface.
Trex Transcend decking combines a natural-looking wood grain texture with natural color streaking within each board. You can see the darker gray streaks combining with the light-gray in Brandon's deck to create what deck board manufacturers call "natural variegation" within each board. In layman's terms, it means each board looks different and natural, like the knots and streaks of wood.
The cool-gray Island Mist color is a classic choice that looks great with the industrial steel framing and railing. It's also a smart choice with a pool nearby, as the light gray tone will stay cooler in the sun than a dark color would.
SHOP TREX TRANSCENDUp Your Frame Game With Steel Framing
Creating his own steel framing, Brandon completed his project in stages. He started with the upper level of the deck…
...and then moved on to the lower deck after that:
Brandon created his own sturdy steel deck frame - but you don't have to be an expert to get the same modern look and incredible performance!
If you want to build your deck on the strongest foundation, check out Fortress's Evolution Steel Deck Framing - DecksDirect can help you plan your frame and ship it directly to your jobsite!
Get The On-Trend Look Of Mesh Panel Railing
Adams Construction & Fabrication creates a lot of metal features like corten steel planters that are designed to weather over time for a rustic look. So Brandon was right at home adding his own steel mesh panel railing to the perimeter of the deck.
For a similar mesh panel look, you can check out Trex Signature Mesh Railing, an aluminum railing system with classic mesh panels.
Make Those Stairs Shine With Riser Lights
To make his deck accessible even late into the night, Brandon used recessed stair lights mounted into the risers of his stairs:
You can get a similar rectangular light look with these Aurora Corona Recessed Low Voltage Riser Lights that mount directly into your stair riser boards.
Inspired? See More
Enter Our Deck of the Month Contest & Win Free Swag!
Are you the proud owner of a newly-upgraded deck? Show off your sparkling outdoor oasis and win some free swag - submit your best photos and your deck could be a future Deck of the Month winner!
To enter, send your best deck photos to social@decksdirect.com and briefly tell us about your project. If your deck wins, we'll hook you up with some free DecksDirect swag and feature your photos on our site and social media profiles!
Enter Your DeckTo help your deck submission stand out, here are a couple of our favorite photo-taking tips:
- Try several different angles: a high shot can show off more of your deck surface. A low shot lets everyone experience your deck the way you do when walking up to it. Try a couple different angles to really show off all aspects of your deck.
- Include your decor and furniture: once you've completed your deck upgrade, don't take your photos until you've moved your furniture, grill, outdoor decorations and personal touches back into your space. We love seeing lived-in spaces that homeowners are already enjoying!
- Wait for good weather: it's tempting to snap photos the moment you finish a project. But if it's raining or the sky is covered in dark and gloomy clouds, wait for a dry deck and brighter lighting to really show off the best side of your space.