In this episode, Shane and Wade dive into the often-overlooked world of joist flashing. Learn how protecting your framing can extend the life of your deck, save on future repairs, and boost long-term performance. We compare flashing tapes and brush-on coatings, explain when to use them, and spotlight two standout products—G-Tape 3040BK and FastenMaster Deck Coating. If you’re a homeowner or contractor debating deck flashing, this is a must-listen. Shop for G-Tape Shop for FastenMaster Deck Coati...
Jun 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 253
In this solo episode, Shane shares 7 practical tips to build composite decks more efficiently — saving time, money, and materials. Learn how to design with standard board lengths, avoid unnecessary framing, use layout tricks like picture frames and seam boards, and repurpose offcuts for blocking and fascia. Whether you're a homeowner or contractor, these strategies will help you reduce waste and build smarter with composite materials.
Jun 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 252
Not sure whether your project calls for a deck or a patio? Shane and Wade break down the key differences between the two; from budget and elevation to style, function, and longevity. They cover which heights make the most sense for each option, when one outperforms the other, and what to consider before you start digging or framing. If you’re planning a backyard transformation, this episode will help you make the right call.
Jun 20, 2025•10 min•Ep. 251
How much space should you leave between deck boards? It depends on the material, the climate, and the tools you're using. In this episode, Shane and Wade break down the ideal spacing for pressure-treated lumber, cedar, composite, and PVC boards. They also cover the best tools to get it done right and explain what happens when you get it wrong. Whether you're a DIYer or a seasoned builder, this episode helps you build smarter, one board at a time.
Jun 17, 2025•12 min•Ep. 250
Joist spacing might not be sexy, but it’s what keeps your deck from bouncing like a trampoline. In this episode, Shane and Wade break down everything you need to know about joist sizing and spacing: 12" vs 16" on center, when to use 2x8s vs 2x10s, span rules, structural pros and cons, and how it all affects your budget and your build. Whether you're planning your first deck or dialing in your crew's standards, this is a must-listen for getting framing right.
Jun 13, 2025•14 min•Ep. 249
What’s going on under your deck? In this episode, Shane and Wade dive into the unsung heroes of backyard projects: underdeck and drainage systems. From Trex RainEscape to Haven, ZipUP Ceilings, Dexerdry, and Duradek, they break down the pros, cons, and use-cases for each. Whether you're a homeowner looking to maximize dry space or a contractor avoiding callbacks, this episode is packed with insight to help you build better from the top down.
Jun 12, 2025•20 min•Ep. 248
Building a new deck can be a stressful experience for a homeowner. There are so many unknowns, and so many questions - so here are the answers to the top 5 questions homeowners ask when they are about to tackle a deck project. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeckshop https://twitter.com/t...
Sep 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 247
2024 has been a funny year. I mean, they've all been funny since Covid. But now we are dealing with economic pressures, and many contractors are saying it's tough going out there. So how can you rise above and find those jobs? Here are 10 tips that should get the ball rolling. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.ti...
Aug 30, 2024•24 min•Ep. 246
Our good friends Scot Scheffield and Korey Welterlich from Fortress Building Products are in town - so let's do a podcast! I'd like to say this episode is full of value, but really it's just full of four friends talking about whatever comes to mind. Enjoy. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimate...
Aug 06, 2024•57 min•Ep. 245
Everyone has a bad deck stain story. The fact is, the market is full of BAD products - AND... good products in bad markets. Listen up to hear what we think is the best TYPE of deck stain to use... and a pretty passionate endorsement of one of our favs. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeck...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 244
You built a deck - so now what? Think about the rooms of your house. You wouldn't build living room without a couch and a TV. You wouldn't have dining room without a table. Or a games room without games? A deck is a living space - so LIVE IN IT! Here's 16 great additions to make any deck more enjoyable. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theulti...
Jun 24, 2024•58 min•Ep. 243
When it comes to building materials for decks, there is a wide range of quality, aesthetics, and price points. But let's say budget is no concern - and you just want the best of the best... what materials would we select? Here it is... our premium deck selections for high end decks. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://...
May 27, 2024•41 min•Ep. 242
Last week we talked about good budget decking materials to build a good deck on a budget. This week, we close the loop with the building tips to ensure an efficiently built deck with little waste to again - save money. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeckshop https://twitter.com/theultdec...
May 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 241
Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to build a bad deck. While there are many terrible products out there that will burn your wallet - there are also many good quality, budget friendly products to build a deck with. So... if we were going to build a deck "on the cheap" and still make sure it was a good deck - this is what we would do. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedecks...
May 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 240
Some might look at this and wonder how we got here - how did we let the patio guys compromise the borders of our deck world? But we couldn't be more excited and believe that these worlds were meant to merge. And nobody is merging them better than Old Castle who has built a portfolio of backyard brands such as Moistureshield, Barrette Outdoor Living, and of course Belgard. We sit down with George Karas and Lee Hotas, Key Account Managers at Belgard to talk about the industry and how Belgard conti...
May 06, 2024•44 min•Ep. 239
There is a lot of $#!++y composite decking in the market. And if you're not careful, your savings might get burnt by a BAD product. Nobody wants to experience this. But if you don't live and breath the industry, you may not know what constitutes a bad product versus a good product. Lucky for you - we are deck nerds. And here is what to look for to avoid becoming a statistic. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop h...
Apr 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 238
Cable rail continues to be desired by homeowners everywhere. The clean, modern, industrial look provides many of the same benefits of glass rail, without the maintenance. So here's a bunch of reason why cable rail is a great choice. BUT... is it safe? Wade and Shane discuss this hot topic. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop h...
Apr 22, 2024•38 min•Ep. 237
Decks versus patios... the lifelong debate about what makes more sense in your back yard. Well the short answer is: either. In this episode, Wade and Shane discuss five scenarios where it makes more sense to build a deck, and five other scenarios where a patio makes more sense. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop - Backyard Building Centre: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.t...
Apr 16, 2024•28 min•Ep. 236
Getting to the top if a feat in of itself... but staying on top is even harder. In this episode, Wade and Shane discuss Trex's dominance, the competitive challenges it contends with, and its unprecedented successes. They explore the concept of brand recognition, discussing how brands like Kleenex, Coca-Cola, and Skidoo have come to define their respective product categories, just as Trex has done within the decking industry. The increasing variety among decking products presents opportunities fo...
Apr 01, 2024•48 min•Ep. 235
In this episode, Wade and Shane discuss why deck building businesses may want to adopt a comprehensive backyard approach. They discuss how broadening spectrum can enhance customer experience, enlarge customer base, and increase profitability. Tackling everything in the backyard, from decking, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, hardscaping, lighting, to decorative fences into a unified vision results in visually appealing works that resonate with homeowners. From one contract to pay, reduced coordinatio...
Mar 26, 2024•30 min•Ep. 234
Wade and Shane recently made the trip to the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. In this episode we discuss what we saw, and didn't see, in the world of outdoor living at IBS 2024 Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeckshop https://twitter.com/theultdeckshop...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 233
Spring weather means the spring frenzy construction season gets underway. That's right - shoulder to shoulder at the store, long permit wait times, waiting longer for quotes, not getting scheduled when you want, etc. It's not much fun to get caught up in it. So... here's 10 reasons why you should start planning your deck NOW! Check out our blog on this topic: https://tuds.ca/blogs/news/10-reasons-to-start-your-backyard-project-early Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.y...
Feb 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 232
It's 2024 and spring looks to be knocking at the door. So what can we expect for trends in outdoor living this year? Wade and Shane discuss 12 of the top trends we expect to see, or continue to see, in 2024. Check out our blog on this topic: https://tuds.ca/blogs/news/the-top-10-myths-about-the-decking-industry Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https:...
Feb 05, 2024•30 min•Ep. 231
There are a lot of misconceptions and myths in the decking industry, and unfortunately that leads to homeowners making important decisions based on poor information. Here are 10 common myths that we debunk on the fly. Check out our blog on this topic: https://tuds.ca/blogs/news/the-top-10-myths-about-the-decking-industry Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedecks...
Jan 30, 2024•43 min•Ep. 230
Dry space under your deck can be very desirable to convert that space into a weather-safe patio or even just a dry storage space. We discuss four great systems that will accomplish this for you: Trex Rain Escape, Dexerdry, Duradek, and ZipUp Ceilings. Check out our blog on this topic: https://tuds.ca/blogs/news/deck-waterproofing-solutions-for-canadian-climates Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop ...
Jan 27, 2024•52 min•Ep. 229
Dealer reps - it's a position that seems to have morphed a little over the last few years. It's an incredibly important job as the person in it has a direct impact on the brand of the entire company. Relationships are one of the most important factors of success at the retail level. So what makes a great rep? Let's discuss. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatede...
Dec 04, 2023•47 min•Ep. 228
Fresh off their visit to Deck Expo 2023 in Las Vegas, Wade and Shane discuss the top products that made an impact at the show. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeckshop https://twitter.com/theultdeckshop...
Nov 30, 2023•58 min•Ep. 227
Many deck builders build a great deck. But they may not be great at all the fine details of running their business. And if you don't pay attention to these details - they can sink you - FAST. Here are 15 ways a deck builder can find themselves looking for a 9-5 again, if they're not careful. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://www.tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com...
Nov 07, 2023•49 min•Ep. 226
Homeowners often have some sticker shock when it comes to hourly rates that tradespeople charge. Mechanics, HVAC, carpenters, electricians, deck builders... it doesn't matter. $75, $90, $150... it always comes with the reaction that it's "too much". But who decides what is a fair rate? In this episode, we try to break down all those included expenses that small business have that go into that rate. Spoiler... they're charging a very fair rate. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://www.tuds.c...
Oct 30, 2023•40 min•Ep. 225
We get a full perspective of industry roles with a couple guests in the studio: Korey Welterlich from Fortress Building Products and Meghan Grant from Mclean Lumber. Lots of laughs, some Q&A, and just an all around swell time. Find more The Ultimate Deck Shop: https://www.tuds.ca https://www.youtube.com/theultimatedeckshop https://instagram.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.facebook.com/theultimatedeckshop https://www.tiktok.com/@theultimatedeckshop https://twitter.com/theultdeckshop...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 224
