Top Showrooms: The Deck Supply
The Deck Supply is entering its 20th year as a family-owned and operated specialty lumber yard.
Formerly known as Kansas City Deck Supply, founders Tom Smith and Steve Alexander saw an opportunity to service deck builders, and took a risk to serve — what was at the time — a marginal and underserved portion of the contractor and builder segment.
In 2004, the company opened its first showroom in Kansas City, Missouri, which put a large gap between The Deck Supply and the other lumber yards when it came to the decking experience. Today, the company operates five showrooms and two lumberyards.
According to Jordan Smith, vice president of sales at The Deck Supply, input from customers and homeowners has been an important piece of the dealer’s success.
“From the onset, we’ve placed a high value creating an experience with full deck displays and dedicated deck-only salesman, offering decision makers an education and the ability to touch and see what they are getting, before they purchase,” Smith told HBSDeale. “Our mission to provide top-notch service and delivery of in-stock materials and supplies for builders throughout the city has been a significant factor for our growth.”
Over time, The Deck Supply has grown its partnership with area deck builders and contractors.
“We’ve gained their trust in providing material for their projects in the entire Kansas City metro area, warranting the opening of additional showrooms throughout the region, bringing an accessible experience to as many customers as possible,” Smith said.
The company’s mix of customers is 70% pro and 30% homeowner/DIYer. “Our primary customer is a contractor/builder,” Smith says. “Kansas City is a great deck market, with lots of dedicated deck contractors, and we have partnerships with many new home builders.”
In 2021, the company opened a lumber yard in Wichita, Kansas, along with new showrooms in Wichita and St. Joseph, Missouri in 2022. “It is our goal to serve markets where decks are in high demand, with the best options available,” Smith notes.
The Deck Supply launched a full-scale e-commerce site in 2023, offering shipping on products nationwide (U.S. only). Plans are underway to expand into Des Moines, Iowa this year with a yard and showroom.
The dealer can’t be a premier decking destination without carrying a wide variety of brands and products. The company stocks six brands of decking and four brands of railing in its yard. This includes products from Deckorators, MoistureShield, Envision, Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon. Railing brands include Fortress AI13 and Fe26, Dekpro Prestige, Westbury C10, RailFx - PFX 1000, Trex Signature, and Timbertech Impression Rail Express.
About 90% of the current decking volume handled by The Deck Supply is composite/PVC.
“For the money, we don’t see how wood measures up to an industry minimum 25-year fade and stain warranties on capped composite products, and fastener-free finishes,” Smith explains. “We do still offer traditional decking materials such as Yellawood brand treated lumber, Western Red Cedar and can procure exotic hardwoods if the customer so desires.”
Showrooms are updated at least once a year with manufacturers making changes to their displays and models with new product lines.
“The Deck Supply aims to provide the best service, experience, and selection for anyone looking to build a deck. We want to help everyone get their ‘Decks Done Right’,” Smith says.
(If you have a Top Showroom you would like share, contact LBM Editor Andy Carlo at [email protected].)
