Deck suppliers continue to add new services to their offerings, too. AZEK has introduced a 3D iPad app with a visualization tool that allows users to see the deck in the space where it will be built, explains Walley. TimberTech also has an app that will be upgrading to a 3D version later this year. “It’s a great collaborative tool for contractors to help their customers visualize the end result.”
MoistureShield has begun working with Angie’s List to provide support to contractors enrolled in its program. It provides a coordinator to assist with the contractor’s online profile, education on review-generation tools, discounts on advertising and other benefits. “We’re dedicated to helping our contractor customers have successful, thriving businesses,” says Gwatney.
Color Basics
The proliferation of products hides the fact that popular deck colors fall into a fairly small spectrum of options. “Colors have always centered around grays and browns,” says Fiberon’s Kello. “I don’t anticipate that they’ll be expanding off that palette, but the tonal values are becoming more realistic.” A few colors are popular in each market, but the specific tones vary significantly, manufacturers note.
“There’s a trend toward lighter colors over darker colors,” says Trex’s Zambanini. “Lighter browns and grays are becoming popular, but we also see darker colors being used to border decks and create framing. There’s getting to be a perimeter color and a field color more often.”
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Combinations of colors are more popular, notes Genova’s Seeger. “It used to be just a rectangle, but now we’re seeing borders and picture framing and herringbone patterns. There’s more mixing and matching for rails with balusters of one color and rails of another. They’re looking at complementary looks and using different colors of deck boards. Browns and grays still predominate, though.”
The expansion of product lines and color options creates inventory challenges for dealers. “Dealers like having new colors,” says Deceuninck’s Lipsius. “But they realize that new colors can mean obsolete, discontinued colors in inventory. They appreciate that our line has remained stable since 2010. Also, since all of our deck boards are reversible with complementary colors, dealers can offer more choices with less inventory.”