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When you create a gazebo, grill shelter, deck, pergola or other outdoor living feature for your home, you’re investing your time, effort and money into the project. But if you choose the wrong materials, all that investment may be gone more quickly than you might expect. What kind of materials should you use for outdoor projects to ensure that you’ll get years of enjoyment out of your investment? Here’s a quick look at common components and what you need to create a long-lasting source of enjoyment for your home.

Composite Decking

Panel of Composite Decking Though there are a number of other options available on the market, composite decking is continuing to gain ground. It doesn’t use harsh chemicals as a preservative like pressure-treated lumber and can be manufactured using wood that would otherwise be waste, making it a hit for homeowners who want a green living approach without the high cost of naturally rot- and insect-resistant woods like cedar. It’s also virtually maintenance free, providing you with less work to get done and more time to enjoy your home’s beautiful outdoors. At Poulin Lumber, we stock Fiberon composite wood products for our customer’s needs.

Hardware

Not that long ago, if you wanted to use metal ties for your timber structures to provide a little extra security and durability, you are stuck with galvanized steel. Now don’t get us wrong – galvanized is great and does a great job, but it lacks a little something in terms of architecture and design. Enter Simpson Strong-Tie’s Outdoor Accents line. Created from the same durable galvanized steel the industry has come to depend on, the hardware pieces are then treated with a black powder coating to provide the appearance of black iron hardware.

Low-Maintenance Trim

image of house with Versatex trim Even when your home’s exterior is okay, sometimes it just needs a little something more. But wood trim can take a lot of maintenance and time that you’d rather be spending on other things. That’s okay! For that very reason, Versatex has developed a line of cellular PVC products to meet every trim need you have on your home’s exterior. Whether you’re adding highlights to your aging Victorian, dressing up a plain starter home or just finishing out those bare rafters under your porch roof, Versatex’s line of no-maintenance soffits, moldings, trim boards, sheet goods and corner profiles makes a tough job nonexistent.

No-Maintenance Outdoor Structures

Pergolas, arbors, porches: If your dream of a weekend is playing with the plants that grow on these structures instead of maintaining them, we’ve got a great solution for you. HB&G has developed a wide range of options for entry arbors, pergolas and porch fittings that help dress up your home without adding a lot of extra hassle to your maintenance schedule. Created from fiberglass and PVC, their line of designer features allow you to quickly set up your outdoor space and then spend your time enjoying it.

Though some of these items may cost a little more initially, they’ll deliver superior performance and longevity in the long run. If you have a project in mind and need a quote, or just need some help selecting the right components to make it perfect, our experienced associates are here to help. At Poulin Lumber, our job is keeping your job rolling, so just contact us today to get started.

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