Frequently Asked Questions
Building a deck or other outdoor area structures is always a big undertaking for a property owner. We have found that most of our clients have questions about our services and products. We hope that we have answered some of the more commonly asked questions. If not, please feel free to contact our staff and have your questions answered directly.
- What Are Your Hours of Operation
We work Monday – Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm.
- What Is Your Service Area?
We proudly serve all of Chicago suburbs, with very few exceptions.
- Do You Work Weekends and Holidays?
We are dedicated to completing your project. We will work on weekends and holidays if the weather is permitting.
- Do You Accept Credit Cards?
We accept all major credit cards and payment methods.
- Can I finance?
Royal Deck does not offer financing on projects. We recommend contacting a lending institution to secure a loan. We will provide you with an estimate that you can provide your lender.
- Do You Provide A Warranty?
Royal Deck provides a five-year written warranty on all of their workmanship as well as manufacturer warranties on the products used.
- Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace A Deck?
Resurfacing your deck is always the less expensive option. However, it is important to make sure that your deck's base is in good repair and is building code compliant. If you are interested in repairing or resurfacing your deck, we'll want to complete an evaluation of your existing deck first.
If the base is in good repair, we will provide you with a quote for the repair or resurfacing. Otherwise, we may recommend replacing the entire unit.
- Is Composite Better than Wood?
Pressure-treated wood has a lower initial cost when you are building a deck. However, the yearly maintenance of wood decking can cost between $400 and $900 yearly. Wood decking is also more susceptible to weather, mold, and insect damage. Composite materials cost an average of $5-$15 yearly to maintain. This material does not suffer the same types of wear and tear from the weather and is not susceptible to wood destroying organisms. A quick wash with some soap and water and your deck will look as fresh as when it was first installed.
- How Long Does it Take to Resurface a Deck?
Depending on size, it usually takes between 3 and 5 days to resurface a deck.
- Do Composite Decks Look Like Plastic?
Composite material has advanced significantly in recent years. The new material has the look of regular or exotic woods, right down to the changes of tones found in regular wood material.
- Does Composite Material Get Really Hot?
The composite material does contain some plastic filler so that it will retain heat during the summer. However, it also contains a lot of wood, so the heat will not be extreme. If your deck is in direct sunlight during the summer, we suggest using lighter colors, so it does not absorb too much heat.
- How Often Do I Need to Wash My Composite Deck?
Older composite decks require periodic washing using a composite deck cleaner for the best results. Newer composite decks made from Trex composite materials like the ones we use only need to be washed with regular soap and water occasionally to retain their beauty.
- How Long Does A Composite Deck Last?
Trex provides a manufacturer's warranty of 25 years for their materials; this is why they are our preferred provider. Other composite materials may have different warranty lengths.
- How Often Do I Service My Deck?
We encourage our clients to have their decks serviced at least once a year. This includes a thorough cleaning and an inspection to make sure everything is in safe working order.
- How Long Should I Wait Until I Waterproof My New Wood Deck?
Pressure-treated wood needs time to cure once it has been installed. If your deck was installed in spring, it usually takes 2-4 months to cure before a sealant should be applied. In summer 1-2 months, in fall 4-6 months. It is important not to wait too long, however, or the wood could crack from being over dry without any sealant.
- Should My Deck be Stripped Before Coating?
If your deck is bare wood, you will want to do a pressure cleaning on the wood before the coating is applied. This ensures that grime, mold, or other particles are not sealed to your wood. If your wood has been painted, you will need to strip the paint off first, if possible, apply the coating for the most protection.
- Why Doesn’t The Water Bead on My Deck if it is Sealed?
Water will only bead on your deck for a limited time if the dealer uses paraffin wax as part of the sealant. If the sealer that you use is oil-based, the water will not bead.
- Recommendations
Decks have increasingly become popular places to relax and entertain. Royal Deck encourages all of its clients to consider using composite material for their decking because it provides the same wood appearance without all of the maintenance requirements.