What is more important, Waterproof? or Appearance?

This project was in Jeremy Ranch / Park City. The home owner had found us on the Internet and inquired about what we can do to help with their deck. They were just sick and tired of spending money each year to clean and maintain the old wood deck. As suggested they did some looking around and found other products that they liked to look of and thought it would go well with the design of the home.

This is where the questions began. They wanted to know how to stop the water damages and rotting lumber. With the Duradek system and a company trained installer like the professionals at MBL Construction make is easy, we do it right. MBL Construction understands when waterproofing a deck here in Utah with our harsh climates and freezing winters you don't play around "Do it right the first time." The "other" guys said they would make it looks great but then there was no real warranty offered, they only coated the surface not up the walls, it would take several days for each layer to cure before the next goes on an inconvenience for the family. This is when we recommend the home owner does some homework themselves. Ask for the ICC/ES report, what has it been approved for? Has it been tested for the climate it is being installed in?

When asked if there was another job they could look at Shane at MBL said sure about a mile away we are in the middle of a repair similar to yours and we are just getting ready to to the Duradek's Ultra Classic Barley membrane. http://utahdecks.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-others-fail.html
When they took a look at what the neighbors were going through they realized how serious a little water intrusion can be. The neighbors deck had been done in a very similar product that was being considered here.

Happens all the time. Do you want the newest, greatest, most incredible looking thing there is or do you want to waterproof your deck with a good looking, well proven, long lasting low maintenance system? Do the home work, investigate the product and the installer and sort through the sales pitch to the reality. Many times we have told prospective customers that choose other products "Call us when it fails" and we will take care of you. It is not funny how often and how soon they call.

The cost between products was pretty much the same, the deciding factor in this case was waterproofing. They will enjoy this decks for the coming decades without the worry or cost of repair and maintenance. Had they chosen differently they may have been going through the tens of thousands of dollars in repair the neighbors went through. When the snow flys this year they can use rock salt or shovel the deck and in the spring just wash it off, ready for summer!