deck building contractor

www.stumpsqualitydecks.comBrowse with your phone or tablet for more information. 1www.stumpsqualitydecks.com

Lancaster County, PA • 717-351-0913

http://www.padeckbuilder.com

www.stumpsqualitydecks.comBrowse with your phone or tablet for more information.2

We build in a variety of sizes and with the best materials for each job. If you need a multi-level deck with roofs, pergolas, benches and more—we can help. Do you need a small to mid-size deck for a backyard barbecue? We can do that too.

No matter what the size and scope of the project, our mission is the same:

•To provide exceptionally built and reasonably priced decks for our customers. •To work with proven wood and low-maintenance materials •to provide prompt and courteous service at every phase of the project, from the initial sales call to the final inspection and beyond.

Stump’s Quality Decks & Porches has been building since 1994. We began with one deck crew and subcontracted our work through a local decking material

supplier.

Today, we build approximately 300 projects a year. Our company is now owned by our four foremen who have a keen interest in the building process and how we serve our customers. Our decks and porches can be found in Lancaster, PA and across eight nearby counties.

NADRA (North American Decking and Railing Association) is a group of established and reputable deck installers that strive to maintain high standards of workmanship, integrity, and professionalism.


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Planning your project will help you choose the right building contractor and determine exactly what type of deck you will have. We want your planning

and decision making to be an easy experience.

While you don’t need to have all of the details nailed down beforehand, knowing the answers to these questions will make the process go more smoothly:

Let’s plan your deck together

How much time will you spend maintaining your deck?

How big should your deck be?

Do you want to preserve the view of your backyard?

How will the weather affect the enjoyment of your deck?

What are important access points?

How much are you willing to spend?

Other things to consider.

Importance of obtaining the necessary permits.

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How much time will you spend caring for your deck?

Most people, especially in the Northeast, want a deck that they don’t have to stain or seal.

Vinyl or composite deck materials are your best low-maintenaince option. If you don’t mind a little work, you will save money going with pressure-treated wood or cedar. If you want something in the middle, the combination of wood decking and low-maintenance railing is a happy medium.



How big should your deck be?

Maybe the better question here is: What will you use your deck for, and how much will you use it?

Plan a specific area on the deck for everything you’d like to do, such as dining, grilling, and seating. Make sure each area is large enough to allow easy access from one area to another. Be sure your dining area is large enough for a table and chairs. Designate your grill area so the grill is away from vinyl products.



Do you want to preserve the view of your backyard?

Choose your railing carefully if you want a view.

Black aluminum balusters are smaller than typical deck balusters and don’t obstruct the view as much. Other options, including tempered glass or cable railing are more expensive but allow a virtually unhindered view of the surroundings. Another good idea is lowering the level of the deck, which lowers the level of the railing.



How will the weather affect the enjoyment of your deck?

If your deck will get a lot of sun, consider a roof or awning over one portion of the deck for shade.

(Pergolas look great, but don’t provide much protection from the sun and no protection from the rain). If that’s not a possibility, choose decking that reflects heat and doesn’t absorb it. Avoid uncapped composite decking. Choose lighter colors.



What are important access points?

Plan your deck for foot traffic patterns. Think about how your deck will be used and design entrances to keep criss-cross

traffic to a minimum. For example, if you grill frequently, be sure to keep the grill area close to the house entrance.



How much are you willing to spend?

A deck is an important part of your home.

Hire a reputable deck builder to build your deck to ensure quality, but it will require some investment. Many of our decks are between three and fifteen thousand dollars, depending on the materials and size of the project. We also build projects that are between fifteen and forty thousand dollars. We’ll do what we can to design a deck that meets your expectations and stays within your budget. This helps us make the most of your time.



Other things to consider.

Design your deck to protect your home.

We recommend keeping the level of your deck between 4” and 7” lower than the floor of your home. This prevents water and snow from getting into your house. It also lowers the railing, allowing you to see more of your backyard from inside.



Importance of obtaining the necessary permits.

Obtaining a building permit can seem intimidating. How-ever, permits are required by law and they can eliminate

future problems if you would want to sell your house. Acquiring a building permit also protects you from the unlicensed, fly-by-night contractor who’s willing to cut corners on quality and safety. We can handle the permit process to make it easier for you. All we need from you is a copy of the plot plan of your property, which is an overhead view of your property complete with property lines, setbacks, and existing structures.



Low-Maintenance Deck Materials

Synthetic decking materials are the best low maintenance choice. All decks will require periodic cleaning. Vinyl and composite decking is strong and comes in

a large selection of rich and long-lasting colors. It is mold and mildew resistant and spills clean easily.

Vinyl deckingAZEK Deck first emerged as the industry leader in PVC decking. Timbertech has also crossed over into the vinyl market successfully with XLM decking, and other companies have followed suit.

Vinyl deckboards have established themselves as being more “low-maintenance” than uncapped composite boards. Because they are non-porous, they have a strong resistance to mold,mildew, and everyday spills such as grease and barbecue sauce are easily removed. They also have a stronger resistance to scratching.

Uncapped composite deckingTrex, the pioneer of the low-maintenance decking, created the first uncapped composite deckboard (first produced over 20 years ago), and is still the household name of the industry, but other companies, such as Timbertech, Evergrain, and Fiberon have established them-selves in the last several years as leading composite manufacturers.

Uncapped composite deckboards require no staining or sealing, and are usually warranted for 10-25 years against insects, rotting, and warping (among other things). On the downside, they are usually prone to mold and mildew and usually fade. Scratches also show up quickly. In addition, household spills are difficult to get out.

Capped composite deckingIn 2010, Trex introduced Trex Transcends decking with a newcapped composite technology that was a substantial improvement over the older uncapped composites. The hard shell of Transcends gives protection against fading, surface mold, and scratching. Timbertech also offers a capped composite with Earthwood Evolutions.



Ipe and other exotic hardwoodsHardwoods are the most durable decking product available. They are extremely dense, have a strong resistance to insects, and are virtually fire-proof. While hardwoods require maintenance to maintain their color and texture, it is less than treated pine. Hardwoods remain structurally sound for decades, even with no maintenance. When properly cared for, hard-woods have a lasting beauty that exceeds that of synthetic imitations.

Ipe (pronounced ee-pay) is the most popular hardwood available. Hardwoods such as cumuru, teak and garapa have many of the same features of ipe, but are slightly less expensive.

Wood Decking

Wood does require time and effort to maintain, but there are advantages to wood decking. Because wood has been used to build thousands of

decks for decades, it’s easier to predict how a wood product will perform. Wood has a natural beauty that can’t be matched by synthetic.

Pressure-treated yellow pinePressure-treated pine is the most economical decking available. It’s plentiful, easy to install, and is proven to have a long life. There are a few drawbacks to treated pine. It requires a substantial amount of maintenance, and is very prone to splintering, cracking, and warping (even if properly maintained).

CedarRed cedar is in many ways superior to yellow pine—it has a beautiful color and aroma, is more dimensionally stable (i.e., doesn’t warp), and is almost splinter-free. Cedar is a good choice if you or your children plan to spend a lot of time on the deck barefoot, as with a pool deck. The biggest disadvantage of cedar is that it doesn’t have the longevity of other types of wood, especially in more humid areas such as the South or Northeast.



Railing Materials

Customers are usually more particular about railing than decking for several reasons. It’s the most visible element of a deck. It contributes significantly to

a deck’s safety. The choice of railing (specifically the baluster) can also restrict or enhance the view of your backyard.

Vinyl railingVinyl is the most economical choice for low-maintenance railing. Vinyl railing requires no staining or sealing, and generally needs only an oc-casional power-wash to restore its color. It also has a relatively strong resistance to scratches. However, it does lose its luster over time.

Aluminum railingAluminum is a popular choice for railing for the same reasons as being the metal of choice for airplanes—it is strong and durable, lightweight, and naturally rust-free. It also blends well with any type of wood or vinyl exterior components (decking, siding, trim, etc.) Aluminum railing has a powder-coated finish, which means the paint is baked on to prevent peeling and chipping.

Composite railingComposite railing would include brands such as AZEK Rail, Timbertech Radiance Rail, and Trex Transcends Rail. Most of these brands are made of composite material with a hard shell PVC coating to prevent mold and mildew. They also have a bulky look which is very popular.



Other railingBesides the more common railings mentioned above, there are count-less other options available in deck railing. Stainless-steel cable railing, glass panel railing, and custom wood railing are just some of the railing choices available in today’s market. We enjoy the challenge of some-thing out of the ordinary.

Wood railingPressure-treated pine and cedar are commonly used with deck railing. If you’re looking for something more decorative, we work with many skilled local woodworking shops that can fabricate custom wood rail-ing. Another way to upgrade from a standard wood rail is to go with aluminum balusters (see below).

Aluminum balustersAluminum balusters can be used with vinyl, wood, and many types of composite railing. These thinner, darker balusters allow more visibility and absorb light instead of reflecting it.

Be creative. Your railing will be one of the most obvious design elements of your deck. We work with almost any material to make your project unique.



Hidden fastenersHidden fasteners have exploded in popularity during the last five years. We work most often with Cortex hidden fasteners. The Cortex system uses normal face screws covered with matching plugs, allowing a beautiful hidden-fastener appearance while keeping the structural stability of traditional screwing.

Other Upgrades

Stone and landscapeBesides inhibiting weed growth, stone and landscape fabric adds a finishing touch underneath a deck area.

Deck trim and skirtingAs a standard, we cover the outer bandboard of low-maintenance decks with matching fascia. As an option, we offer either lattice or vertical skirting.

LightingThere are numerous deck lighting options available. The most common light system are low-voltage LED lighting systems that attach to the top or sides of rail posts. Timbertech makes an excellent light system that intergrates into their railing.



A roof structure or screened enclosure over a new or existing deck can be a valuable addition, providing protection against sun, rain, and insects, while

adding more aesthetic and resale value than an awning or a gazebo.

Remember that a roof structure doesn’t have to cover an entire deck. A typical covered area normally ranges anywhere from 100 square feet to 250. If your deck is much bigger, consider covering only one portion and leaving the remainder uncovered. Besides reducing the price of the project, it allows you to enjoy the sun more on cooler days when shade isn’t needed.

Ideally, a roof structure should be designed so that it blends into the profile of the home, instead of looking like it was an afterthought. Because of this, we match the shingles and siding of the roof with those of the existing home whenever possible.

Covered Decks, Screen Porches, and Sunrooms



Roof Designs

Gable roofsGable roofs, also called A-frame roofs, are one of the most popular styles of roof structures. They allow a higher ceiling and a roomier feel when under the porch.

The design of the roof can significantly change the final look of your home. Do you want it to blend in with the original architecture or stand alone as a

statement? Here are three of the most common roof designs:

Lean-to roofsLean-to roofs, also called shed roofs, are the simplest roof designs. There are many times where a lean-to is the best design, especially if the roof is adjacent to an existing sunroom, or if the roof structure is much wider than it is long.

Hip roofsA hip roof is a beautiful combination of gable and lean-to designs. They are slightly more expensive than a typical gable or lean-to roof.



& Enclosures

ColumnsOur roof structures are supported by 4x4 wood posts encased in vinyl. Decorative columns are an alternative to wrapped 4x4 supports. Vinyl columns offer the same low maintenance quality as 4x4 vinyl posts.

ScreeningBesides the obvious advantage of keeping bugs out, screening provides limited protection from wind and rain. It also allows for more privacy if you have a small backyard with close neighbors. We offer both perma-nent screening systems as well as removable screen panels. Remember that screening can usually be installed later. If bugs aren’t a problem for you, you may prefer the more open feel and visibility of no screening.

Ceiling designs and materialsMost customers prefer the open feel of a vaulted, or cathedral ceiling. Flat ceilings are available as well. Vinyl soffit is standard on our ceilings, with other options available, such as tongue-and-groove pine, as well as AZEK beadboard.

SunroomsWe are experienced in all facets of three and four-season rooms. While we do most of this type of work “in-house”, we also work with skilled and reputable contractors who handle facets that would be outside of our normal scope, such as drywall and flooring. We also can work with your choice of subcontractor if you someone in mind, or if you’d like to do a portion of the work yourself.


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Why choose Stump’s Quality Decks & Porches?

After all, can’t anybody build a deck?Well, yes and no. Before you go with the lowest bidder, remember that a deck is an investment, both in your home and in your family’s safety. Stump’s Quality Decks & Porches cares about both and offers this snapshot of our qualifications.

17 years of experience:• We have a thorough knowledge of building

codes and safe deck construction methods.• We have a good working relationship with

township building inspectors, a factor that helps projects to go smoothly.

• We have the ability to get a job done quickly while not sacrificing workmanship.

Memberships in business and trade organizations:• Our membership in the Better Business Bureau

means a level of accountability that many smaller operations don’t have.

• We are also a part of the North American Decking & Railing Association, an organization that provides beneficial training as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas with some of the top deck contractors in the nation.

Quality of materials:• #1 grade framing lumber designed to hold its

shape for the long haul, a step above the industry standard.

• Time-tested, reputable decking and railing materials tested to meet today’s stringent building codes.

Professional, courteous work crews:• There is no drinking, smoking, or foul language.• Our company is owned by our job foremen,

meaning they have a vested interest in each project—making sure that you are satisfied.

• Most of our employees have been with the company for 3-7 years

Thanks for choosing us to quote your project!

2458 Division Hwy, Ephrata, PA 17522

Office: 717-351-0913 Fax: 717-351-0914
