My motto has always been: Change Is Good. But never has that seemed more true than now.

You see, it's been about 2 years since we started the process of building our log home. We had the land picked out, the bank picked out, the GC picked out, the builder picked out, the logs picked out, the floorplan designed the way we wanted it, and we even started clearing the land.

Then why isn't our log home done yet? Why haven't we even raised the first log yet?

We've been forced into a slight holding pattern right now due to all the banking & loan issues going on these days. Now is not a good time to get money -- especially large amounts of money.. Especially for home loans.

So, we are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, I guess. And we have to wait it out a little longer until banks are willing to lend money like normal again.

In Everything Bad, There Is Something Good
Fortunately, this gives us plenty of time to take a step back and reflect on where we are and how we got here -- in terms of planning and building our new log home. And I have to say, I'm honestly quite glad that the process of getting everything in order to build our log home has taken so long this far.

What I mean is...
If we had built right away (back in August of 2006), and gone with our first gut instincts on the details including:

• where to build


• what we want the house to look like


• where we want the windows


• ...etc, etc. etc.

Then we wouldn't have truly ended up with the log home of our dreams! (Which is right around the corner... I'm sure of it.)

People have been asking if we made a decision yet about using composite decking on our new log home. Here are some of the questions we've received from Jim, from Jeffrey, and from Ron.

Well, we've actually decided against composite decking at this time. Here's why...

What follows are some of the most interesting things I've learned about composite decks, along with some of the questions I still have about composite decking materials.

Most of my initial questions have been answered by TimberTech reps here and MoistureShield reps here.

Onto the trivial facts about composite decks...

Underdecking is a drainage system that turns the area under a deck or balcony into dry usable space.

Regardless of whether we end up going with a composite deck vs a pressure-treated wood deck, we will probably use underdecking on at least 1 or 2 of the 4 overhead decks/porches that we have on our log home.

I have only explored 2 underdecking manufacturers at this point:

Undercover Systems

TimberTech's "DrySpace"

In theory, they both offer the same thing. The differences are in the details.

One interesting thing I learned from the guy at TimberTech is a trick for covering deep scratches in composite decking.

It's going to happen. Over time, scratches are practically inevitable. For the most part, "routine" scratches won't even be noticeable, but the deeper scratches you will probably want to cover up.

Some examples of circumstances that might lend themselves to deep scratches:

• ...if you happen to drag a heavy piece of furniture over the deck (particularly if it has metal "feet").


• if someone wears metal golf cleats on the deck.


• if repair men, contractors, etc. enter your home via the deck and they carelessly drag their industrial-strength equipment on the deck.

So what's the "fix" for deep scratches?...

I have met with reps from TimberTech several times now. And they've been wonderful at answering my many questions. I still have a few more... as you can see below.

At this point, I'm leaning heavily toward TimberTech as my composite deck company of choice. (Though I have to say... MoistureShield is a very close second.)

Specifically, I am most intrigued by the Earthwood line, due to its realistic "wood" colors and the degree to which it looks natural even after weathering.

I have thoroughly studied two different composite decking manufacturers at this point:

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT) -- maker of ChoiceDek and MoistureShield composite decking

Crane Plastics -- maker of TimberTech composite decking

This, as part of my quest to determine whether composite decks make sense or not for our new log home.

What follows are the biggest differences between ChoiceDek (also sold as MoistureShield) and Timber Tech. Those are the brands I like best at this point.

Here's a guide to asking the right people the right questions...

This weekend I went to the Nashville Home Decorating & Remodeling Show. No, it's not a log home show, but those are geared more for people who are just beginning to consider building a log home anyway. And we're way beyond that... We're at the actual design and building phase now. So we are more interested in the nitty gritty details that separate one roof company or window company from the other at this point.

Okay, so I've gone to this annual event at the Nashville Convention Center for the past 3 or 4 years now. But never have I gotten SO much out of a show like this before!

For starters, I spent 5 hours there ... the first day! And another 3 hours the second day! By myself, too. (Jim's out of town... again.)

Okay, after a 45-minute conversation with the customer service rep at ChoiceDek's manufacturing plant (and 6 full pages of notes!), I have to say I am quite impressed by what I've learned so far.

Both, about composite decks in general, and the ChoiceDek brand (also sold as MoistureShield), specifically.

Where do I begin???

Our current dilemma: Whether to use composite decking for the porches and decks of our new log home or not.

First thought...
It's a log home/ Why in the world would we want to use non-log products in our all-log dream home? I know. I certainly feel guilty even thinking about using "fake wood" in our log home. But if I can get a similar look and quality product with less maintenance, then I'm all for it.

Second thought...
Composite decking uses recycled materials, is longer lasting, and requires less maintenance & upkeep. I can just look out our back window for a firsthand reminder of the problems we've had with our wood deck, wood railings, wood stairs, and wood fence. (And they're only 5 years old!)

Of course the biggest drawback to using composite decking is that "fake" look that sometimes results. That is the biggest factor holding us back at this point.

So I'm wondering... Have any of you used the newer composite decking materials for decks or porches? Or, perhaps you've seen a completed project (in person) that was built using composite decking?

If so, we welcome your thoughts...