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Published by Shane Chapman
The Deckheads Podcast is where backyard building gets talked about the way it actually happens — unfiltered.Decks, railings, pergolas, patios, materials, pricing, mistakes, and contractor business decisions. Not tutorials — real experience. Whether you're a homeowner planning a project or a builder in the trade, you’ll hear what works, what doesn’t, and why, without the sales pitch.Hosted by the team behind The Ultimate Deck Shop, The Deckheads Podcast combines practical knowledge, honest opinions, and the conversations contractors usually only have off-camera.Build smarter. Avoid expensive lessons. Understand the backyard industry from the inside.
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Planning a deck or backyard project and not sure where to start? You're not alone. In this episode of The Deckheads, we tackle the five questions every homeowner asks before breaking ground - from budget and materials to permits, DIY vs. hiring out, and how to find a contractor you can actually trust. Whether you're just dreaming or ready to build, this episode cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear path forward. 00:00 - 16:59 Banter 20:27 Deck Cost Question One 23:24 Deck Cost Range Explained 24:42 Price Per Square Foot Breakdown 25:31 Online Deck Budget Tool 25:58 Composite vs Wood Choices 27:49 Railing Matters Most 29:31 Do You Need a Permit 31:08 Permit Risks and Code Changes 35:01 DIY or Hire a Contractor 36:50 Assisted DIY and Learning Resources 38:57 Picking the Right Contractor 41:06 Referrals Reviews and Red Flags 46:08 Wrap Up
Ever wonder what it actually takes to go from a blank backyard to a finished deck? In this episode of The Deckheads, we walk you through the complete deck-building process from start to finish - seven steps that cover everything from your initial plan and permits all the way through railings and finishing touches. Whether you're a homeowner trying to understand what your contractor is doing, or a DIYer ready to take it on yourself, this episode gives you the full picture so nothing catches off guard.
Are your mitered deck joints opening up after installation? You're not alone — it's one of the #1 callback reasons for deck builders. In this episode of The Deckheads Podcast we break down everything you need to know about managing joints in composite and PVC decking. 🔧 WHAT WE COVER: Why composite and PVC decking expands and contracts more than you'd expect Mitered joints vs. butt joints — which to use and when The "day 1 vs. day 100" rule for choosing your jointing method When miters are acceptable (hint: keep it under 12 feet) How to use breaker boards to define "rooms" and hide expansion Fascia corners — why you should avoid mitering fascia, and what to do instead Gap Cap: a new product that solves fascia corner and picture-frame joints Why you must follow manufacturer gapping instructions to keep your warranty How to protect yourself when a homeowner insists on a risky installation 🇨🇦 GAP CAP IN CANADA: We're the official Canadian distributor for Gap Cap. Canadian stock is landing soon — we'll be able to ship anywhere in the country. Builders and dealers: reach out about wholesale pricing. 🪵 BRANDS DISCUSSED: Deckorators Voyage • Eva-Last Apex Plus • Clubhouse PVC • Azek • Trex • Fiberon • Venture Decking 🛠️ PRODUCTS MENTIONED: Gap Cap • Axxent End Cut Paint • Marksman Pro X1 • Camo Fasteners Whether you're a pro builder or a serious DIYer, understanding how your decking moves with temperature is the difference between a deck that looks great on day one and one that still looks great years later. 🛒 Shop composite and PVC decking: www.tuds.ca 📲 Follow us: Instagram: theultimatedeckshop Facebook: The Ultimate Deck Shop #CompositeDeck #DeckBuilding #PVCDecking #DeckInstallation #DeckTips #MiteredJoints #BreakerBoard #GapCap #Azek #Trex #DeckPodcast
White pants. A golf course. No bathroom in sight. That's where this one starts — and somehow we still end up breaking down the 7 outdoor living trends Deck Specialist Magazine says are defining this spring's decking season. We go through all of them: blending indoor and outdoor style, weather protection and why Zillow says an outdoor fireplace adds 2.8% to your home's sale price, the color debate, black railings, fast-install railing systems, whether cooler decking technology is real or snake oil, and wellness spaces. We agree on most of it. We push back on a few. Build something worth being outside for. 00:00 Deal Site Banter 06:48 Baseball Pants Talk 10:55 Outdoor Living Trend One 14:01 AI Designs and Expectations 16:34 Realtor Demo and Budget Shock 19:03 Weather Protection Upgrades 19:45 Selling the Fire Pit 21:09 Pergolas Shade and Privacy 25:13 Modern Black Railings 26:19 Fast Install Railing Kits 28:52 Cooler Decking Myth 33:17 Wellness and Home Gardening 37:40 Wrapping Up and Banter #DeckheadsPodcast #OutdoorLiving #DeckDesign #Decking #TheUltimateDeckShop #tuds.ca
Most people spend $3,000 on a patio set before they spend $200 on the deck it's sitting on. In this episode of The Deckheads, we walk through five deck upgrades that are all under $500, all doable in a weekend, and all the difference between a deck that looks tired in five years and one that looks (and lasts) like it costs twice as much. Some of these you'll see. Some of these you won't - and that's the point. From the $150 roll of joist tape that adds 10-15 years to your frame, to the lighting trick that changes how often you actually sit out there, to the picture-frame retrofit that makes any deck look custom-built - these are the upgrades contractors wish more homeowners knew about. Whether you're planning a new build, resurfacing an existing deck, or just trying to get more out of the deck you've already got, this one's for you. The Deckheads is brought to you by The Ultimate Deck Shop - Saskatchewan's backyard building centre, with locations in Regina and Saskatoon. We stock every product mentioned in this episode. www.tuds.ca
Modern deck boards last decades. Most deck frames don't. We break down the four framing systems contractors and homeowners are choosing between in 2026, plus the wood-protection products that extend a PT frame when budget rules out an upgrade. Real costs, real warranties, real failure modes. 10:25 Deck Framing Topic Switch 10:53 Composite Boards Vs Framing 13:28 Cedar Redwood Framing Talk 15:01 Treated Lumber Changed 17:36 Colors And Chemicals 19:29 Tape Your Joists 22:43 Alternative Framing Options 23:55 Fortress Steel Overview 26:13 Steel Pros And Cons 28:18 Tools for Steel Framing 29:13 Big Spans and Clean Fascia 30:19 Cost Reality Check 31:37 Rust Risks and Warranty 32:49 Steel for Pergolas 33:39 QuickBuild Aluminum System 36:42 Design Tools and Materials 39:00 OC Lumber 48:22 Hybrid Framing Best Of Both 55:14 Final Takeaways and Wrap
Winter is brutal on decks - especially in Saskatchewan. Frost heave, ice loading, and months of freeze-thaw cycles can turn a perfectly good deck into a safety hazard before you even notice. In this episode we will walk you through a complete spring deck inspection in about 20 minutes, covering every part of your deck from the surface boards to the ledger board(the #1 cause of deck collapses). Whether you've got a wood deck, composite, or PVC, this checklist will help you spot problems early - while they're still cheap fixes - instead of finding our the hard way in the middle of the summer. Got questions about something you found on your deck? Send us the photos and our team will help you sort it out. tuds.ca
If you're shopping composite decking in 2026, Eva-Last keeps showing up - but with three flagship lines and lots of marketing, it's easy to get lost. Today we break down Infinity IS, Apex Plus, and Pioneer: how they're built, what the warranties really cover, and who each one is actually for.
A lot has changed in the decking industry in just the last 30 days - new acquisitions, new products, new cost pressures - and if you're planning a deck this year, whether you're a contractor quoting jobs or a homeowner getting ready to build, there's some stuff you need to know. We're going to walk you through all of it, and by the end of this episode you'll know exactly how to navigate the 2026 deck season like a pro.
Dave and Joey — the BROLAWS behind one of Ontario's most recognized deck-building brands — pull up a chair at TUDS-X and it goes exactly where you'd expect. Zero script, zero filter. You'll hear why some young people walk away from the trades before they ever find their footing, why the trades need better culture as much as they need more workers, and what it actually takes to build a business — not just a pile of decks. Turns out, school teaches you how to learn. The trades teach you how to build. This episode is about doing both.
Trade show season is here — but are you actually getting ROI, or just showing up out of habit? In this episode, we break down how to evaluate trade shows the right way, what we learned from building our own contractor-focused event, and how to set goals that actually drive results — whether you're chasing brand awareness or qualified leads.
Most people still believe composite decking gets too hot, is slippery when wet, and costs way more than it’s worth. Some of that used to be true — but the industry has changed. In this episode of the Deckheads Podcast, we break down how composite decking has evolved in the Canadian market — from capped vs uncapped boards to PVC, mineral-based composites, pricing ranges, traction, expansion, and installation rules that matter in our climate. This is contractor-level, unsponsored insight — built for Canadian homeowners and builders planning a backyard project.
Most deck problems don’t start with the build — they start with the plan. In this episode, we break down the biggest mistakes homeowners (and sometimes contractors) make when building a deck. From layout and stair placement to structural spans, permits, fasteners, and budgeting — this is the stuff that actually costs you money if you get it wrong. If you're building this season, watch this before you buy materials. 00:00 – Funny Deck Fails (Staples & Plywood Ideas) 08:03 – Design Mistakes: Size, Stairs & Wasted Space 13:34 – Structural Mistakes: Spans, Cantilevers & Code 19:50 – Material Selection: Don’t Cheap Out 27:57 – Fasteners: What NOT to Use 30:50 – Railing Rules & Safety Changes 36:18 – Water Management & Drainage 40:16 – Staining: When Should You Actually Do It? 43:24 – Budget Contingencies (Plan for Surprises) 48:16 – Final Advice: Do Research & Be Open to Feedback Building a deck isn’t just picking a board you like. It’s layout planning, understanding traffic flow, managing water, following span charts, choosing the right fasteners, and budgeting smart. Build it once. Build it right.
People planning a deck all ask the same questions: Is composite decking slippery? Does it get too hot? Why does it cost so much? Is it actually worth it? In this episode of the Deckheads Podcast, deck store owners break down what’s changed in decking over the last 10 years — and which problems are real vs outdated advice. We explain how modern decking materials improved traction, reduced heat, and why pricing ranges so wildly between products. If you're budgeting a backyard project, this will save you from expensive mistakes before you build. 00:00 Why People Still Believe Old Decking Advice 07:04 What Actually Changed in Decking Over 10 Years 11:56 Why Some Composite Decking Is Slippery 21:04 Does Composite Decking Get Too Hot? 23:20 Why Decking Prices Range So Much 24:20 The Budget Question Homeowners Hate 25:35 Real Example: A $50,000 vs $25,000 Deck 26:56 Why We Give Honest Opinions (No Sponsorship) This is honest contractor discussion — not a tutorial and not sponsored.
Building with composite decking in freezing temperatures? Before you tighten that clip or make that cut, tune in. In this episode of The Ultimate Deck Podcast, Shane and the crew break down how cold weather affects composite boards — from expansion and contraction to proper gapping, fastening, and cutting techniques. Learn insider tricks for clean edges, durable installs, and stress-free winter builds. Perfect for contractors and DIYers looking to stay productive (and accurate) through the cold season.
It’s spooky season, and nothing’s scarier than a DIY deck gone wrong. 👻 In this Halloween special, the Ultimate Deck crew counts down the top five decking horrors — from phantom footings and cursed ledgers to fastener fails and permit nightmares. Learn the scariest mistakes homeowners make (and how to avoid them) in this entertaining yet educational episode that’ll have you laughing, cringing, and double-checking your joist spacing.
Rotten or damaged deck boards can ruin your deck and pose safety risks. Learn how to identify, repair, and replace boards the right way.
Not sure if your deck project requires a permit? We explain when permits are needed, who handles them, and why skipping one can be costly.
Composite decking is low-maintenance, but not no-maintenance. Learn the simple steps that keep your deck looking like new — no sealing required.
Unsure whether to stain or seal your deck before winter? We break down the advantages of fall application versus waiting until spring.
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Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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