Thinking about getting a composite deck? We are, too. If you want to compare TimberTech and MoistureShield decking reviews, start here! See what I've learned about the similarities and differences between MoistureShield and TimberTech decks. See which one we are leaning toward right now and why.
My Idea Notebook goes everywhere that I go! It usually stays in the car, but I always have it handy should I need a measurement, a color, or a description for someone who's helping us make this home a reality -- such as a bank lender, blueprint designer, or cabinet installer. Or, if my friends & relatives have a question or make a suggestion on the fly, then I just grab the Idea Notebook and add it to my collection of great ideas.
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT) is the manufacturer of ChoiceDek and MoistureShield composite decking materials. I've spoken with ChoiceDek and MoistureShield reps several times now. Here's what I've learned about these composite decks. Good stuff!
There are a number of factors which can ultimately increase (or decrease) the costs associated with building your new home. Some things to keep in mind...
We built a log cabin that is CLOSE to our dream log home, but a few things are lacking. Here are a few things that we would do differently if we were to build a log home again.
We fell in love with the log staircase that Hiawatha had in their model log home. It was comprised of half logs for steps and fit perfectly into the home's layout. It was something that we just 'had to have' in our log cabin. We researched the cost, and then compared the various log staircases that were available. Here's what we've learned about log stairs...
The look of exposed trees brings a bit of nature indoors. And who doesn't want to bring a little outdoors in, right? Especially in a log home! Here's how you can create the look of real trees inside your home -- particular around pillars, columns, and poles located in the basement, near stairways, and around kitchen islands & bars.
If log homes are your thing and 'rustic' is your game, then you're going to love these pictures of REAL tree accents and the use of rustic looking logs -- or heavy timber -- inside a log home. You'll also see photos of fun ways to incorporate trees and heavy timber logs into the EXTERIOR characteristics of your log home.
After a lot of research and homework, we've actually decided AGAINST using composite decking at this time. It wasn't an easy decision. Far from it. In fact, we were honestly looking forward to trying it. But the cons outweighed the pros at this point in time. Here's why...
Without a doubt, our log home will be more like a bungalow with some interesting angles, curves & unique hardware, rather than purely straight lines and squares. But it wasn't until we started fine-tuning the details like a big wooden speakeasy door with a dentil shelf -- Arts & Crafts; prairie style windows -- Craftsman; tapered columns and wide steps on the porches -- bungalow that we even realized we were gravitating toward the Craftsman style of home architecture and decor which encompasses all of these things, and more.
