Steps To SUCCESS In Buying The Most Appropriate Decking Material

The steps to successful buying of any decking material can easily be remembered by using the pneumonic - SUCCESS

S - Start with a clear view of what you are buying and why (consider benefits as well as features).

U - Understand what your own customers really want. It may be different to your opinion.

C - Comparative analysis of alternative materials.

C - Centre your buying activity on customer needs.

E - Educate yourself regarding alternatives.

S - Sincerity is the key to lasting customer relationships; do not try to sell your own prejudices.

S - Start from the beginning each time you buy, whilst remembering to build on previous relationships where value has been obtained.

During the mobilisation phase of any large project it is usual for the project procurement manager to issue procurement procedures specifically for the project well in advance of the first commitment being made. These procedures determine how the vendors will be selected and how awards will be made.

It is usual to state that the cheapest material that is technically acceptable will be procured. This stark requirement process is however in danger of ignoring any special requirements that your customers may have, and it is vital that these requirements should be fully established at an early stage so that SUCCESS can be achieved.

What are the minimum requirements that should be met when selecting decking material?

The following are minimum requirements that the decking material under consideration should meet, in no particular order of priority:

It should be safe for pedestrian traffic
It should be weather resistant and rot free
It should provide value for money and offer good whole life costs
It should be structurally sound and durable
It should be (environmentally friendly), sustainable in production, use and eventual disposal

There are of course a number of other desirable qualities that the decking should possess such as being splinter free, stain resistant and algae resistant (nonporous) but for the purpose of evaluation these other qualities can each be assigned to one of the main categories set out above

How do you ensure client requirements are met?

It is the first duty of the procurement manager to ensure that the client's requirements are met, and within budget. A happy client will be likely to return again and again with repeat business and importantly is likely to recommend the contractors work to other potential clients - thus becoming a salesman for the organisation.

There are four main groups of decking material from which the modern procurement manager can make his selection:

(1) hardwood from, ideally, a sustainable source;

(2) recycled plastic decking;

(3) glass reinforced plastic; and

(4) decking manufactured using wood flour and polyester (composite decking).

Each group has different benefits and disadvantages that can make a balanced evaluation difficult. There are however a number of aids that assist the procurement manager in his duty and these include, published data, technical papers, published test results and articles in trade papers.

Set out below is a comparison between recycled plastic decking and composite decking.

Recycled Plastic Decking

This is typically made from high quality recycled plastic residue mainly from the nutrition and packaging industry. The various constituent plastics are ground, mixed and fused at high temperature and pressed into moulds.

Properties (relevant material characteristics):

Maintenance free - no algal growth
Potential life of 50/70 years
100% recycled input material
Polymeric material is recyclable after use
Does not exude toxic substances
Thermal expansion 0.1mm/m/oC
Fire resistance Class B2 DIN 4102
European manufacture

Composite Material Decking

Composite decking boards can be formed from a mixture of wood flour and ground recycled plastic mixed together with virgin polymer resins and curing agents before being extruded to the required section. If polyester resins are used durability can be compromised.

Properties (relevant material characteristics):

Algal growth can feed on surface wood flour
Life 25 years (10 in extreme conditions)
Resin supplies have high oil demand
Polymer composites discarded after use
Resins & curing agents emit greenhouse gas
Some thermal expansion
Fire resistance Class 3 BS476 Part 7
Often Far East manufacture

What does the information above tell us?

When you compare the properties for recycled plastic and composite decking, it is clear that recycled plastic decking gives better value for money as it requires little or zero maintenance, lasts longer and is actually better for the environment.

When aiming for SUCCESS, more thought has to be given to alternatives to traditional hardwood or composite decking as the impact on maintenance schedules, safety and replacement timetables is huge. Recycled plastic decking is now readily available, and offers better value for money while maintaining a low negative impact on the environment compared to alternatives.

David Croucher is the Managing Director of Plasti Limited, providers of fully recycled industrial plastic products in the marine, building and civil engineering sectors. Plasti products are manufactured using feedstock from approved sources. They are also extremely safe, have very long lives, are environmentally friendly and require zero or low maintenance. This means they have excellent whole life costs when compared to hardwood and composite alternatives.

David's expertise in the specification and design of marine, building and civil infrastructures is recognised within the marine and construction industry. His technical advice and input into projects is highly valued, which is a result of his great experience as a senior procurement leader in complex, global organisations.

For more information about Plasti Limited, please visit http://www.plasti.co.uk.

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How to Choose the Appropriate Deck Materials for Your House

Deck materials are available in a wide variety of options depending on the kind of look you are going for. Because there are so many types, it might be hard to figure out what works best and what the differences actually are. However, by doing a little research, you can soon make the decision on what will last the longest and be the most durable for your particular home environment.

When planet-friendly supplies entered the field, composite materials became very popular. These are already recycled products that have been remade to offer some of the best building materials you can find. One fact that helps with this is that it is reusable and sustainable. There will always be things to recycle, thereby creating an endless stream of supplies for this kind of use.

For a wood finish, know that it's going to be a beautiful look when it's done. It's very popular, and does need a few things to keep it maintained well. Your first step of protection should be applying a sealant to prevent rain and any other water damage. The normal changing weather conditions will cause the planks to swell and shrink anyway, so you want to avoid any unnecessary saturation that you can.

Making choices based on what is good for the planet not only saves your pocketbook in the long-term, but it also allows you access to great tax breaks. When you use something that is easily replaced, you also lower any future costs that may be out of your pocket. Prices will vary anyway, depending on the quality of wood or density of composite types that you choose to use.

When you purchase the stain to seal your deck, you may have other questions in terms of which brand works best, what really makes a difference, etc. This is where the staff at your local home improvement store become invaluable for advice. By listening to their expertise and knowledge, you can save a lot of money on things that don't work the first time around.

Any project has the potential for getting out of hand in terms of spending. One easy way to avoid this is to follow your financial plan in every decision you make. If you use this as a base, then you will avoid the temptation to make a drastic change midway, increasing your costs unnecessarily, and your investment will be just as profitable as you meant it to be in the first place.

For first-time do-it-yourselfers, the web can be a great resource of information. Here is where you can find information, directions, things to watch out for, and all kinds of helpful tips when it comes to doing this on your own. There are many contractor sites you can submit questions to, and receive answers based on the products you're using.

While choosing deck materials is one of the first steps, it's not the only one involved in adding to your construction project. So keep in mind that the value it adds to your home is worth the time it takes to investigate the right choices. Then, you will be able to enjoy your addition for many years to come knowing that it is safe, durable and didn't cost you any extra money.

Visit the Bid For Materials website to submit your lists of needed deck materials and construction supplies to dozens of local suppliers in one easy and convenient step.

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