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HGTV Dream Home 2011 Builder and Architect Share AZEK® Deck Design Details

The home's architect, Paul Robert Rousselle, AIA, felt that due to the weather conditions, a low-maintenance material for the deck was important, but also had to fit in with the beauty of the mountain lodge style of the home. According to Rousselle, AZEK Deck in Acacia®, a rich walnut brown color, blends in well within the rugged setting. Acacia, part of the AZEK Deck Arbor Collection®, features a subtle wood grain and texture that resembles tropical hardwoods but without the upkeep.

"The deck location with southern exposure is subjected to the harsh mountain environment in both winter and summer, with snow and ice accumulation, extreme temperatures, winds, rain and sun making it critical to use a product like AZEK Deck that could stand up to this weather and damp location," explained Rousselle. "During the summer, tree canopy coverage provides adequate shading, potentially sponsoring the development of mold growth." Among its benefits, AZEK Deck lists mold-resistance and easy cleaning.

Rousselle explained that SPRUCE PEAK @ STOWE's Development Design Guidelines advocate the use of 'natural and noble materials' for all exterior building materials, excluding man-made building products. "However, with the application of 'deck surface', the case was made for AZEK on the basis of green and sustainability," he said. "It negates the need to sacrifice trees or to use massive amounts of fuel and energy to get them onsite," said Rousselle. "And, harmful VOCs are eliminated on a regular basis since the deck does not need sealants applied each year." Rousselle says the review board, which normally objects to non-organic materials, was won over by AZEK Deck's overall sustainable value which exceeded any environmental concerns.

For Brendan O'Reilly and his team at Gristmill Builders, installing AZEK Deck was a first, as was the use of some new hidden fastening systems. In Stowe, O'Reilly says low maintenance is the number one building trend due to the weather. "AZEK is very natural looking and has the moisture, stain and scratch resistance that should hold up nicely for years to come," he said.

The crew installed the 14 X 20 ft. AZEK Deck off the kitchen with a landing and stairway leading down to a patio. To give the project a contemporary, high end look, Gristmill Builders used two hidden fastener systems that worked quickly and easily with AZEK Deck: HIDfast, which features a pneumatic gun that fastens through the sides of the boards and the Cortex plug system for areas the gun could not reach, such as the stairway and end boards. "The HIDfast method is one of the best out there and definitely very fast," said O'Reilly. "I would estimate it cut our labor in half. And because you can miter cut AZEK so cleanly and precisely, we were able to picture frame around the deck so there are no visible ends."

Both Rousselle and O'Reilly were pleased with the deck's final result--a beautiful outdoor room to take in the incredible mountain views. As professionals, they would consider AZEK Deck for future projects.

The HGTV Dream Home 2011 sweepstakes runs from January 1 - February 18, 2011 and the winner of the home will be announced in March, while a one-hour special about the home premieres on New Year's Day at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and 9 p.m. ET/PT. For more information about the HGTV Dream Home such as floor plans and time-lapsed photography, visit HGTV.com/dreamhome.

About AZEK Building Products: With over 25 years of cellular pvc manufacturing experience, AZEK Building Products makes and markets premium, low maintenance exterior building products under the AZEK Brand such as AZEK Deck, the leading brand of stain and scratch resistant decking, and AZEK Trim, the leading brand of trim. Other AZEK products include AZEK Mouldings, AZEK Porch, and AZEK Rail. All of these products offer tangible benefits as an ideal wood replacement product for myriad outdoor uses. For more information about AZEK Building Products, call 1-877-ASK-AZEK (275-2935) or visit the AZEK website at www.azek.com

SOURCE AZEK Building Products