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5 Key Takeaways from C&L Ward's “Live In The D” Interview About Building A Deck

August 7, 2026 | By Pat Ward

0:00 Custom Deck Design

1:29 Composite Materials

2:58 Build It Right

4:05 Next Steps

C&L Ward CEO Pat Ward appeared on WDIV Local 4 News and ClickOnDetroit.com to discuss decking materials and project installations during Home Improvement Week. 

During the segment, which aired in April of 2026, Pat Ward discussed C&L Ward’s product offerings and installation costs with the hosts of Live In The D, Kim DeGiulio and Tati Amare. He explained how a quality deck begins with a strong foundation, and how your use of the space influences deck design.

Ward also shared the differences between wood and composite boards and explained why many homeowners choose PVC or composite deck boards.

Table of Contents

5 Key Takeaways from C&L Ward’s WDIV Segment About Decking Materials

  • Decking Basics

“You could build something and get yourself into a whole bunch of trouble if it’s not done correctly,” Amare said to the audience. 

“Lots of trouble,” Ward agreed. When building a deck, you or the company you hire must go through the proper channels. One of the things that makes C&L Ward stand out when building a deck, Ward said, is the company’s certifications and process. C&L Ward decking specialists study and are certified in how to properly build a deck and understand local building codes.

  • Custom Deck Design

In the segment, Ward explained how understanding what you plan to use the deck for influences the design of your custom deck. If you need railing, or want a grand stairway, or just want something quaint, it all depends on your wants and needs for the space. A lot of considerations go into planning. 

C&L Ward’s deck specialists are able to sit down with clients and understand those needs and wants, Ward said. The company can build anything you want, and will account for your budget when making plans.

  • Composite Deck Materials and Maintenance

During the conversation, DeGiulio asked what materials homeowners choose today and why. Ward explained that many Michigan homeowners opt for maintenance-free options.

“The days of staining a wood deck or maintaining a wood deck are behind us,” Ward said, “and people are really focused on today’s products, which are composites,” Ward said. 

These newer boards have a composite core—made from a blend of wood fibers, plastics, and other compounds—wrapped inside a plastic or PVC cap. The result is a no-maintenance, easy-to-clean, and durable board. 

Our composite boards also utilize grooves and hidden fasteners, which keep nails out of sight and give the final result a seamless look.

  • Build Quality and Training

C&L Ward works with crews and implements training models, Ward said, with foremen and install managers working to ensure every step of your project is done right. Quality installation matters because, “when you build a deck, you’re building it for a lifetime,” Ward said. 

You’re building something meant to last for decades, not a temporary structure. This requires not just educated installers, but a solid foundation. To help achieve that, C&L Ward rarely places wood in the ground, Ward explained. 

Even if it’s rated for ground usage, treated lumber will eventually rot out. To combat this, C&L Ward uses a precast system when possible. Instead of dropping exposed wood into the earth, the company uses a cement base that provides support while keeping the wood above ground.

Built Right and Everlast precast systems help to protect your deck’s foundation from the ground up.

 

  • Next Steps and Contact

If you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor space, start by looking at what you’re trying to create and what your vision is, Ward said.

Then, if you would like more information about decking services, replacing your windows, or any home remodeling needs, visit goclward.com and Schedule a Consultation with a C&L Ward product expert. 

The company also offers an online cost estimator tool, where you can answer just a few questions and get an instant range of what your project could cost.

FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most common questions Michigan homeowners ask about deck materials, installation, financing, and choosing the right product for their home.

What decking materials are available from C&L Ward?

C&L Ward offers Fiberon decking, with your choice of composite or PVC boards. You can explore products and learn more at goclward.com/decking. 

Between the two, composite deck boards have a lower starting price than PVC boards. The total cost of a deck installation depends on many factors, including size, customizations, demolition, and design preferences.

Composite and PVC deck boards are both durable, moisture-resistant, and low-maintenance options for Michigan winters. Wood boards may become water-damaged, while composite and PVC boards won’t warp or rot. These newer materials also won’t split or crack and are designed to stay cool during hot summer days, making both great choices year-round. 

Yes, composite and PVC deck boards are designed and grooved to closely replicate the appearance of traditional wood boards, while offering improved durability and lower maintenance requirements. Composite decking is a popular option for homeowners seeking a wood-look exterior with modern benefits.

No, both PVC and composite deck boards are designed to be fade-resistant and maintain their colors for years. In fact, Fiberon products come with a 20- to 50-year prorated stain and fade limited warranty. 

Our composite decking lines come in a variety of colors, with 5 to 8 options for each line. Our two PVC lines are available in 4 or 6 colors. You can easily view colors through our physical or digital catalog, or see the full selection by visiting a C&L Ward Design Center or Scheduling a Consultation with one of our experts. 

C&L Ward’s exclusive Built Right Decking System comes with a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty, the Everlast Decking System comes with a lifetime warranty, and Fiberon offers five-, ten-, or fifteen-year limited residential labor warranties based on product. 

C&L Ward will assign an installation crew to your project. All of our crews are certified and undergo specific, continuous training on all decking products C&L Ward offers. The work of all our installers is protected under warranty and exceeds manufacturer criteria.

Once installation begins, installing a deck can take 3 to 7 days, depending on the size and height of the deck, any add-ons, and if the project requires a new frame and/or the removal of an old frame. 

Yes, C&L Ward offers financing for all projects, including decking projects. You can read more about C&L Ward’s payment plans on our financing page or blog, “How Does Contractor Financing Work?: Financing with C&L Ward”

You can easily find an estimate of what your deck installation could cost with C&L Ward’s online cost estimator tool. Take less than two minutes to answer a few questions, and you’ll receive an instant range of what your project could cost.

Whether you already know what you want your deck to be, or if you’d just like to learn more about different materials and options, Schedule a Consultation with one of our expert design consultants. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and work with you to make custom selections. 

Full “Live In The D” Interview Transcript

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability while preserving the substance of the original interview.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability while preserving the substance of the original interview.

Host Kim DeGiulio, Live In The D: Decking is a big focus right now. So what would you say makes C&L Ward stand out when it comes to building a deck? 

CEO Pat Ward, C&L Ward: I’d say our certifications and our process. I mean, we really focus on understanding how to properly build a deck and understanding local building codes. That’s a really important part of it, just to make sure you really do it the right way and do it once and do it right. 

DeGiulio: You’re not just throwing up a deck.

Ward: We don’t throw up decks. Matter of fact, we study decks, we understand decks, we’re certified in decks. We’re deck specialists. 

Host Tati Amare, Live In The D: And it’s nice to have someone who does understand all of that coding and, and, and zoning and all of those things, because you could build something and get yourself into a whole bunch of trouble—

Ward: Lots of trouble.

Amare: —if it’s not done correctly. So let’s talk about this, because someone might have maybe an awkward kind of backyard space or something unique that they’re dealing with. So what goes into designing a custom deck? 

Ward: Great question. Really, just understanding what you’re gonna use the deck for. Are you big entertainers, or is it just a quiet reading area? Is it something where you have little ones? Do we need railing around it? Do we not? Do you want a grand stairway opening yourself to the backyard, or do you just want something quaint? Maybe you don’t want a stairway. Okay. So really, just a lot of considerations, and our deck specialists are really able to sit down and understand those needs and wants. 

Amare: What’s your favorite to design? A party deck? [Laughs]

Ward: A party deck, multi-leveled, hot tub area. [Laughs.] I mean, we can do it all. 

Amare: Okay.

DeGiulio: I can only imagine the Pinterest boards you guys have seen. 

Amare: Ooh. 

Ward: Ooh. 

DeGiulio: Like, “Can you make this?” “Well, let me, let me check.” [Laughs.] 

Ward: Exactly. We can make anything you want. “Can your purse afford it?” “Can your wallet afford it?” Is the question.

Amare: That’s right. That’s right.

DeGiulio: Right, right, that’s the real question. But let’s talk about materials. What are homeowners choosing today and why?

Ward: Absolutely looking for something maintenance-free.

Amare: Mm-hmm. 

Ward: The days of staining a wood deck or maintaining a wood deck are behind us, and people are really focused on today’s products, which are composites. So they are no-maintenance; they’re maintenance-free. A simple hosing it off with a garden hose or a scrub brush, and it’s done. And they look like a million dollars for 40, 50 years. 

Amare: Now, this, these are gorgeous. But explain to me exactly what a composite is. I am the least home improvement handy person you know. So what is a composite? 

Ward: So basically, a composite deck is- they’re taking some inner core of the product, which is typically like wood fibers and composite materials, they— 

Amare: Let me hold this for the camera so they can see that.

Ward: —they blend together. And then over top of it, they put a PVC capstock. So that’s where the maintenance-free durability comes in. So you have no worry about, you know, flaking, fading, bubbling, cracking.

DeGiulio: You know what gets me excited about this? No slivers.

Ward: No slivers. 

DeGiulio: For me or the little ones. 

Amare: That’s so true.

DeGiulio: This is so nice.

Amare: That’s very true. 

DeGiulio: Nicely finished. 

Amare: And of course, because I am a neat freak, easy to clean, I imagine.

Ward: Very easy to clean. And when you deal with composite decks, you’re gonna notice there’s this little groove in the side here. With that groove, we use what we call hidden fasteners. So these kind of slide together. And you see no screws.

Amare: That’s beautiful.

DeGiulio: No screws. ‘Cause those are tough on the feet if you step on one. 

Amare: Exactly.

Ward: Tough on the feet. They back up. They rust. They look, yeah, so. Absolutely. 

Amare: Well, there’s a lot that goes into building a deck properly. How do you ensure that everything is done just right?

Ward: Training. Training, training, training. Again, we work with our crews. We have training modules. We have foremen, we have install managers, to make sure everything’s done and done right. When you build a deck, you’re building it for a lifetime. You’re not building it for a temporary structure for four or five years. It’s something that we want to build to be there 20, 30, 40 years. 

Host: Well, that’s so important that you’re not just hiring somebody to go out to somebody’s deck on the first day of the job. The training is important, and I assume that that’s the difference.

Ward: Huge difference. Plus, we do things a little differently. We don’t believe a lot of times to put wood into the ground. When you build a typical deck, you’re putting treated lumber in the ground. Well, over years, that treated lumber will rot out, even though it’s treated and it’s, you know, rated for ground usage. So what we do is we use a precast system. Where we can use a precast system, we’re able to provide a lifetime warranty on your deck because we’re not putting wood in the ground. We set the wood on the concrete. 

DeGiulio: Oh. So that, I can just see from this example, what a difference that would make.

Ward: Absolutely.

Amare: More sturdy, right?

DeGiulio: Yeah, absolutely. So let’s say somebody watching right now is thinking about upgrading their outdoor space. What should they do next?

Ward: Give us a call.

DeGiulio: Okay.

Ward: It’s that simple. Give us a call. Get your Pinterest boards. Look at what you’re trying to create, what your vision is, and then sit down with one of our deck specialists, and we’ll go over the whole process. 

DeGiulio: Okay. 

Amare: Okay. You need some hand-holding with this one. 

Ward: A lot of hand-holding. 

Amare: And I think that you guys have the right ones to do it. 

DeGiulio: But imagine the memories on the party deck. 

Amare: Yes. 

Ward: Yeah, the party deck, the hot tub, all of it.

Amare: The hot tub.

[Laughs.]

Amare: I like how you think, Pat. I love how you think.

DeGiulio: The grand staircase. Yeah. I’m so excited. 

Amare: I know. [Laughs.]

DeGiulio: I don’t even have a place for a deck, but I’m getting one.

Amare: Yeah. [Laughs.] We can dream. I don’t have a deck either. We’re dreaming. We’re dreaming for all of you guys. Pat, thank you so much for joining us. 

Ward: Awesome. Thank you. 

Amare: We appreciate it. Again, if you would like more information about decking services, replacing your windows, or any home remodeling needs, visit goclward.com and schedule your free quote. That’s goclward.com.

C&L Ward was honored to be part of and sponsor this educational piece to help our local homeowners with their deck planning needs.