The Deckheads Podcast

Stop Building 50-Year Decks on 15-Year Frames

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

 

Spring Deck Inspection Every Homeowner Needs to Do

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

Eva-Last Decking Review 2026

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. 

The 2026 Deck Season Just Got Interesting - Here's What's Changed

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. 

Shop Talk With Brolaws

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, Contractor Events, and Making Every Show Count

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.

 

Composite Decking Explained

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. 

Avoid Rebuilding Your Deck

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.

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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.

We're Back as The Deckheads!

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.

Cold Cuts: How to Build with Composite Decking in Winter

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.