Universal Forest Products

Now that warm weather has arrived, you’ll be outside more; your outdoor space should be an area that you truly enjoy and are proud to show off to guests. You may not need a complete deck remodel to achieve that level of perfection. With some smart deck upgrades you can create an upscale look for less.

Start by looking at the deck railing itself. More than just a safety feature, the railing is one of the most prominent design elements of any deck, and changing it is a cost-effective way to make an eye-catching statement.

Remember, your railing doesn’t have to match your current deck material. If you have a wood deck that doesn’t necessarily mean you need wood railings. Think outside the box and blend different colors and materials - such as aluminum, glass and composite - for a complementary look that increases the aesthetic appeal of the entire house.

Aluminum railings are increasingly popular because they allow homeowners to introduce curves and angles to their deck design. Durable yet lightweight, aluminum won’t rot or corrode, making it a good choice for the outdoors. One example is Deckorators aluminum railing kits, which come in a variety of designs that are black or white powder-coated to weather the elements, plus they’re backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

If you like the look of wood, but want something more durable without the maintenance hassles, consider railings made from composite materials - Deckorators CXT Railing. With a look that emulates real painted wood, this composite deck railing option won't split, warp, rot or suffer from insect infestation.

While you’re researching railings, it’s wise to also look at balusters – the railing spindles – and decide what styles you like best. You can mix and match with your railing materials to get a one-of-a-kind look. Metal and aluminum balusters are popular and come in many shapes, styles, colors and sizes.

If you really want a distinctive look for your outdoor space, consider glass balusters. This is a particularly great option for decks with grand views, since the glass allows you to enjoy the landscape without the visual obstruction of traditional railing infills.

To create a dramatic appearance, consider adding a design to deck posts. Decorative postcovers enhance the personality of your deck by providing a stone pillar appearance to the entire length of each post. Deckorators cast stone postcovers fit over standard 4-by-4 or 6-by-6 wood posts corners of deck railing, and provide a realistic appearance of authentic stone, giving decks an upscale look at a fraction of the cost.

Finalize your deck upgrades with some decorative elements. Deck railing accessories can add the perfect stylish touch to any outdoor space. Decorative post caps, for example, install quickly and easily, changing the look of any railing to suit your design tastes. Ornamental post caps come in glass, metal, wood and planter styles. Some even feature solar lighting that provide a beautiful ambiance after the sun sets.  

Some simple changes to your current deck structure can take it from drab to fab without the cost of a complete remodel. Explore your options today to create a deck you’ll enjoy for many seasons to come.

See past blog post on "Features to consider when creating a living space on a deck."

See Deckorators collection of deck railing photos on Flickr.

Available at many lumberyards and big box retailers, Deckorators Scenic glass deck baluster infills are both a dramatic and practical accessory for your custom deck railing. If you have young children, these railing infills allow them to view the yard safely.

Deckorators Scenic Glass Balusters are made of durable 5/16-inch tempered safety glass, which makes them extremely durable. These balusters are also an advantage grownups too as they can relax in a Adirondack chair or chaise lounge while glancing out to view the pool, lake or wooded area without having to stand.

Glass balusters will also help reduce the wind, which is why many lakefront homeowners choose to incorporate them into their deck design.

Deckorators Scenic glass balusters come in two shapes—Frontier, a straight, beveled-edge baluster, and Contour, a tapered, hourglass-shaped design. Scenic glass balusters are the perfect alternative to glass panels.

• Frontier - available in 4" x 5/16" x 26", which must be installed with Scenic Connectors for a 36" rail height or 4" x 5/16" x 32" for a 36" rail height when face mounting and a 42" height when using scenic connectors.
• Contour - available in 4" x 5/16" x 32" for a 36" rail height when face mounting and 42" height when using scenic connectors.
• Each 32" baluster has four predrilled holes with preinserted rubber grommets for face-mount installation. Stainless steel screws included. Rubber grommets can be removed for use with scenic connectors.
• Scenic balusters are designed to install 1.5 balusters per linear foot using our installation guide.
• Scenic balusters can be used with either wood, metal or composite lumber decking and do not require special fasteners.

Find out where to buy Deckorators glass deck baulster infills.
See my past blog post on How to Install Deckorators glass deck balusters.

It’s that time of year when homeowners are lured outside by the warm, sunny weather. Is your outdoor space ready to be enjoyed to the fullest? If your deck or patio needs updating, catching up on the top design innovations and trends will help you create an inviting area that will add value to your home investment.

This year’s leading trends focus on blending functionality with beauty to construct a stylish and usable space that requires little maintenance. To create the best outdoor space on the block, consider these popular ideas for your home.

Decorative post caps
A big trend in decking is beautification – taking your functional space and adding stylish elements that produce visual appeal. One easy way to incorporate this trend is by installing post caps. Mounted at the highest point on the railing, post caps are one of the most prominent features of any deck or patio. Deck and fence post caps like Deckorators VersaCaps give a polished, upscale look for your outdoor space. These one-size-fits-all caps have nested inserts that are compatible with wood, composite and vinyl posts, making installation simple. They come in a variety of colors and many are available with a built-in solar light. These unique post embellishments are sure to fit your color palette and will enhance your overall outdoor design aesthetic.

Fascia corners
Corner joints can separate over time, creating unsightly gaps. If you're looking for an easy way to spruce up your current deck, consider adding decorative fascia corners. Simple and unique, decorative fascia corners are an elegant way to adorn deck skirting and cover corner joint connections. Deckorators also offers two black powder-coated fascia corner designs - ridge and leaf - that install easily with screws. Fascia corners are an easy way to capture your own personal style while complementing your home's architecture.

Outdoor lighting
Incorporating lighting into your deck area is a big trend because it extends the time you are able to spend in your outdoor space. It also adds an element of safety in a visually pleasing manner. Look for solar powered lights to continue to be popular - you'll find this sun-powered option on numerous outdoor items such as string lights and fountains. Recessed deck lights are another popular lighting option - perfect for stairs because they softly illuminate steps once the sun has gone down.

Multifunctional furniture
Furnishing outdoor space is essential for creating a relaxing, comfortable environment, but it is also a big investment. That’s why more people are looking for multifunctional options that provide a variety of benefits. For example an outdoor sectional can serve as a large couch or be separated for multiple sitting areas. A small table serves double duty when it opens for hidden storage. An outdoor umbrella with solar lights provides shade during the day and soft light at night for easy all-day entertaining.   

Composite lumber decking
If it's time to replace your whole deck, you might want to consider using composite lumber decking in your new design. Composite decking continues to grow in popularity due to its low maintenance and durability. Today's composite decking is much different than past options because the designs closely mimic the natural look of wood. Latitudes composite decking, for example, features a more natural-looking surface with a realistic grain pattern available in a variety of colors. Plus it's backed by a 25-year stain and fade warranty, so it's guaranteed to look great on your home for a long time,
making it a wise investment.

By incorporating these top trends not only will you have a great outdoor space this year, but for many years to come.

It’s pretty simple actually. Design and build a treated lumber deck or composite lumber deck based on the types of activities planned for the outdoor living space. But a good rule of thumb is that you should not exceed twenty-percent of the home's interior square footage. Take time to consider how your family will spend time enjoying the deck, because if you build an expansive deck that’s too big you’ve wasted money on unnecessary material and space that won’t be used. And conversely, if you build a deck that’s too small, it’s going to cost even more to add on to the existing structure. Your goal should be to build a deck that suits your lifestyle just right and fits within your building budget.

If you plan to host dinner parties consider building a separate section where a table with plenty of seating will fit. If an outdoor kitchen is in the plans you’ll want to make sure it’s positioned near the dining area for easy access. Keep relaxation and reading areas simple with smaller spaces. And for adding a raised fire pit area, a cozy round deck space works great—size of this area will vary, but should be large enough to host friends and family. This deck area should allow for guests to move around while not getting too close to the hot surface of the raised fire pit.

Reviewing deck plans on paper my be hard to understand, so consider laying out the space to get comfortable with its shape and size. Use a tape measure and some spray paint to layout the design's outline. You can also arrange furniture within the outline to help you visualize how the space will be used. Do this to help determine if you need to adjust the plan.

If you're planning on designing and building the treated lumber deck or composite lumber deck area yourself, I recommend consulting with a building professional, landscape designer and before any footings are poured.

Use deck design software or the FREE online deck visualization tool from Deckorators to help conceptualize your space. Get inspired by viewing photos of decks from past Deckorators best deck contests.

Looking to demolish or reskin your treated lumber deck or composite deck surface? Consider using the Deck Wrecker for fast and easy removal of deck boards. This easy-to-use tool has several great features and benefits that make it the best tool for deck board removal.

Easily removes deck boards
The Deck Wrecker's curved rocker design rolls onto joists for quick board removal.

Provides Maximum Leverage
The Deck Wrecker's 44-inch fiberglass handle saves your back, hands and fingers from the strain of conventional decking removal. The padded handle provides extra comfort and grip.

Compatible with Both Single and Double Joists
The Deck Wrecker's end fits over both single and double joists for efficient floor-board removal.

Keeps Existing Structure Intact
The Deck Wrecker's patented rocker design protects your existing joists from harm, so you won't have to spend time and effort replacing them.

Minimal Damage to Decking
The Deck Wrecker causes only minimal damage to existing decking material, allowing you to re-use it if desired.

Resists Corrosion
Deck Wrecker's powder-coated finish makes the tool resistant to corrosion.

Find out where to buy this deck board removal tool.

With temperatures on the rise, does your mind often wander to the sunny days of spring? Maybe you long for the activities only warm weather can provide, such as outdoor barbecues, sharing ice cream with the kids, or watching the sunset from your favorite Adirondack chair. Many of these cherished activities center around one area of the home: the deck.

If your house doesn't have a low maintenance composite lumber deck, or perhaps the old wood deck you have leaves something to be desired, now is the perfect time to take action and make a plan. That way, when warm weather arrives, you're ready to start building and can enjoy every moment outdoors.

If you're not quite sure what your dream deck should look like, you can find inspiration by looking through photo galleries of different decks. Explore the treated lumber decking and composite lumber decking photo galleries and deck railing images to see a sampling of the options that are available.

For the past couple years, Deckorators has held deck design contests, drawing entries from across the country from both builders and DIYers. Submissions for those contests can be viewed on the Deckorators Flickr page for even more idea generation, as well as motivation to enter your new deck into this year’s contest.

Additions to Latitudes Composite Decking and Railing products and Deckorators deck railing and deck railing accessories products for 2012 have been added online, so there are plenty of new things to incorporate into your final dream deck design.

Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is co-extruded from two layers of materials—making this one beautiful and tough railing system. The core is made with Strandex—the most tested and trusted composite technology—while the outer cap-stock layer gives CXT Composite Deck Railing the look of painted wood and makes it ultra scratch- and weather-resistant. Deckorators CXT code-compliant deck railing is available in white, black and bronze colors and boasts a 20-year limited warranty for piece of mind.

Deckorators CXT Deck Railing Installation Video

The unique "U-Bracket" design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, the CXT railing is offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Best of all, Deckorators CXT railing allows deck builders to work with several popular Deckorators railing baluster infills and deck post accessories. In addition, Deckorators offers four eye-catching post cap styles, including Tiffany-style Mission Glass, Copper, Solar and Traditional.

See a 360 degree view video of the CXT Deck Railing from the International Builders' Show in this blog post.

Periodic washing with soap and water is necessary to remove surface dirt and chalk that accumulate on the surface of a composite deck. This will also prevent the build-up of pollen and debris that can cause mold and mildew growth. Pressure washers should be used for wetting and rinsing only. Pressure washers should not be used to “blast-off” soiling agents; attempting to do so can drive the dirt deeper into the material. Test on an inconspicuous area before washing the entire deck.

Basic Deck Cleaning Agents:

Deck wash/cleaners usually contain sodium percarbonate and a detergent, which is effective on normal dirt and grime and bleaches out mold and mildew stains. Oxalic acid cleaners are effective on rust stains from metal furniture. Commercial degreasers contain propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.

Spot removers/thinners can be used sparingly on particularly stubborn grease or oil stains but should be washed off quickly with water, as it will attack the grain pattern. They normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents.

Visit my video blog on Cleaning Latitudes Composite Decking.

Is there a difference in the quality of powder-coated aluminum deck balusters? You bet!

Because Deckorators aluminum deck balusters are Interpon 810 powder-coated (for High Durability), they provide significantly improved gloss retention and resistance to color change versus most other brands. On top of that, they’re AAMA2604 compliant and that means twice the humidity resistance and five times the outdoor exposure resistance when compared to other brands.

Deckorators powder-coated balusters, like the Classic Series, are tested for 3000 hours for fade and blistering, while other baluster brands only withstand 1500 hours of testing with no greater than “Few” size #8 blisters and 1 year of South Florida Outdoor Exposure. 

When it come time to choose, the choice is clear. Choose a proven brand with a lifetime warranty. Go with Deckorators, the originator and leader in deck railing accessories.

The 2012 JLC Live Tradeshow at the Rhode Island Convention Center featured many great hands-on demonstrations like Abaco Hardwood Decking.

The Abaco Tropical Hardwood Decking booth was packed with deck building pros wanting to know more about the decking and railing system. Also featured in the Abaco booth was the Pro Plug Fastening System from Starborn Industries.

The Pro Plug System has been engineered to maximize performance and provide beautiful results.

Drill, screw, glue and plug in under 20 seconds with the Abaco Pro Plug System. Secure your Abaco hardwood deck boards with a proven engineered system. The Abaco Pro Plug system has been precisely engineered to maximize performance and provide beautiful results. This fastening system makes securing and plugging quick and easy. Pro Plug system has been shown to significantly cut installation time when compared to other plug installation methods.

See Pro Plug Fastening System Video here.

Enerflex radiant barrier insulation, a highly reflective, double-sided, multilayered material, blocks up to 96% of radiant energy and can be installed in new and existing homes. It installs between rafters to the underside of a roof and on other vertical surfaces in an attic to reduce solar heat gain into the home. It also reduces heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air space between the roof and attic floor, keeping an attic up to 30 degrees cooler. In cool weather, Enerflex helps prevent radiant energy from leaving the home and reduces heat loss, which adds up to significant energy cost savings.

Customer product reviews of Enerflex Radiant Barrier

Soccersmith from Corsicana, Texas - purchased 24 in. x 4 ft. Enerflex Radiant Barrier - Contractor Box
"This is the easiest install you could ask for.I had no issues at all. You bend the panel to cause the tension rods to flex, you place it between the rafters and release--it's that easy. It's also easy to re-position if you need to move it too."

DLewis from Dallas, Texas - purchased 24 in. x 4 ft. Enerflex Radiant Barrier - Contractor Box
"I'm in Texas so I'm looking forward to the idea of cooling down the attic. I'm waiting for the summer to get here so I can really see the difference.The worst part of installing these panels is having to go into the attic. These are a lot sturdier than I thought they would be when I ordered them. This is great considering I had to do quite a bit of tugging sometimes to get them to fit in certain areas. Very little problems with tearing and whatnot. Sometimes if you are too hard on them you have to watch out for the metal rods inside popping out. You will definitely need gloves when working these because the metal interior would do a real number on your hands if you don't. You will also need a sturdy tool to cut through the inner wiring. Scissors wouldn't last one panel. Easy to install. Mostly hold themselves up accept in those few areas where the rafters are irregular in size. Then a couple of staples do the trick. Easy for one person to install unlike the rolls.
The only negative thing I can say is they don't install themselves."

luqui03 from Bethesda, Maryland - purchased 4 ft. x 250 ft. Enerflex Radiant Barrier Insulation Roll
"I used this insulation for my sun room, it works great, I use to have a 100 degree temperature during the summer time inside the room and now that we are experiencing record-high temperatures the thermometer reads 90 degrees. I strongly recommend this product. And if you want more R factor use a little bit of the regular insulation."

See how to buy for a retailer in your area.

If you have decided to sell your home, that last thing you want is for it to sit on the market for a long time. Taking some home improvement steps before listing can make your house more attractive to potential buyers and put you in a better position to sell quickly.

So what do you need to do to ensure that listing your house floods your real estate agent’s office with showing requests?

1. Spiff up the entranceway
Every interested buyer will enter through your front door. Have you looked at your entranceway with a critical eye lately? Consider replacing old or sagging screens. If your front door is dirty or scratched, clean it up or add a fresh coat of paint. Sweep away dirt and grime and set out a new entrance matt. Oil any squeaky hinges. If you have plants or shrubbery leading up to your home, make sure that they are trimmed appropriately. A manicured landscape leading up to a welcoming front door will portray the positive experience of living there. An ugly or dirty entranceway can turn away buyers before they enter your house, meaning even if your home has the most amazing interiors, their minds may already be made up.

2. Create an outdoor oasis by adding eye-catching deck and deck railing accessories
Today’s buyer isn’t just interested in the inside of a home, but the outdoor space as well. Taking your deck or patio from drab to fab may only require adding a couple of stylistic extras. Start by adding beautiful deck and fence post caps like Deckorators VersaCaps to create a polished, upscale look for your outdoor space. These one-size-fits-all caps have nested inserts that are compatible with wood, composite and vinyl posts, and come in a variety of colors. Next, add unique decorative fascia corners that stylishly adorn deck skirting and cover unsightly corner joints. Deckorators new decorative fascia corners come in two designs and install quickly with screws.

3. Add outdoor extras for safety and style
Additions that are both beautiful and useful get noticed by potential buyers. Railings can add style to your deck, porch, patio or stairs, plus they add a safety element to your home. Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is the perfect choice because you get to choose from a variety of rail and baluster combos that emulate the look of real painted wood and are ultra low-maintenance for long-term durability and strength. Another addition to consider is LED deck lighting that makes your area stand out at dusk and provides just the right amount of light so outdoor space can safely be enjoyed any time of day.

4. Add modern colors to interior walls
Cracked paint or dated wall colors are sure to turn off buyers. For a small price, you can purchase plaster and several cans of paint to refresh dated looking rooms for a clean, modern feel. Not sure what paint colors are on-trend? Visit your local paint or hardware store for insight. Remember, it’s best to avoid anything too bold, so even if you love fire truck red, pick a shade a little more demur so you attract the most potential buyers.

5. Reduce clutter for clean, minimalist rooms
If you’ve ever visited a house that’s been staged, you know that it helps buyers envision what they might do with the room. To follow this example, you’ll want to make sure that you eliminate all clutter, clean up drawers and closets, stow away extra items like pillows and blankets, and reduce the amount of personal photography you display. Remember, you want buyers to visualize themselves in your home, not see your last family portrait and feel out of place.

Always keep in mind that you want to paint a picture for buyers of the wonderful life they can have if they purchase your home. If they have a good first impression and can envision their family enjoying each room in the house, they are going to want to submit a bid fast.

See more deck and railing accessory products to help sell your home at Deckorators.com or visit the Deck Railing & Accessories Blog.

Decks are a great “value add” for residents, but property managers face plenty of risks—including having a deck collapse—if their deck isn’t regularly inspected and maintained. It’s happening more frequently than many property managers and homeowners realize. Between 2003 and 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 224,740 injuries caused by outdoor decks and porches. “What’s happening across this country is an epidemic at this point,” says Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), adding that “in most cases if a deck fails, it’s a matter of neglect.”

The Ledger Connection
Common deck failures include a stair collapsing or a railing giving way. Of all the parts of a deck, “the most notoriously overlooked has been the ledger connection,” says Glenn Mathewson, a former deck builder and technical adviser to NADRA and International Code Council-certified Master Code Professional. The ledger connection is the board that connects the deck to a home or property, which can rot away, causing the deck to completely collapse. But, adds Mathewson, “poor construction and a lack of standards for construction is a large contributor to the problem.”

Not maintaining and regularly inspecting the deck, especially the ledger, puts your deck at risk for a collapse—and puts your occupants at risk for injury. “The lack of maintenance and the lack of knowledge of poor condition of the materials would be a due-diligence risk,” Mathewson says. “It would be like allowing the paint to peel off a house, but with much more drastic results.”

Is Your Deck Wood or Composite?
That’s why it’s important to know what material was used to build your deck. Newer decks may be made of composite materials, usually a mixture of wood components and plastic, which range in type, density and strength, but are not as strong as wood, Mathewson says. “Imagine the strength of a plastic shopping bag compared to the strength of Tupperware,” Mathewson says. “They’re going to have different strength properties as well as different properties of expansion and contraction.” Composite decking is available in three different series and grades, Boyer says, with the most current known as capstock decking, which combines composites of a plastic and wood fiber core wrapped in an outside vinyl layer (PVC) which keeps water out. Be careful, cautions Mathewson, composite lumber decking may not span as far across joists, the boards that run perpendicular to the house in a deck fame, as the wood decking you wanted to replace. “It’s not a one-for-one trade,” he says.

Know The Code
Codes may be a pain to follow, but if you’re building or remodeling a deck there’s a reason behind using them: safety. Make sure that if you’re interested in building a deck on your property or adding additional decks, you research the building code for your local jurisdiction. It may be your municipality or your state that oversees this. The American Forest & Paper Association has a guide on building decks based on recent building codes and www.deckfailure.com has a variety of white papers and tips on building and maintaining decks.

There are many codes that apply not only to residential property such as single family or town homes, but commercial establishments such as apartment complexes and condos sometimes aren’t always the same. These are key differences for commercial decks:

• Railing height is higher at 42 inches.
• Commercial deck stairs are standard; residential deck stairs can be steeper.
• The live load weight requirement is more, at 100 pounds per square foot.

What To Inspect On A Deck
Deck inspections are a needed service that isn’t being met, but property managers can be proactive about it themselves by having a building professional or home inspector check your deck, Mathewson says. “We’re talking about people’s lives and it does make a difference,” agrees Beaudry.

When inspecting a deck on your property, it’s important to review all the components. Mathewson and Joel Boyer, owner of Unique Deck Builders and Unique Builders, suggest this checklist to inspect your deck:

• Evaluate the condition of deck railing, guards and stairs
• Review screws and board connections to make sure they’re not rusted or broken.
• Look for debris in cracks, water stains, corrosion or rotting
• Is the flashing (metal barrier material that prevents moisture from entering the house) keeping water out?
• Does the deck sway?
• Is the deck sinking or heaving?
• Do the stairs feel sound and solid?
• If one deck is having problems on a multi-unit property with multiple decks, make sure to inspect all the decks

NADRA also offers a deck evaluation checklist that covers the ledger connection, posts and footing, post-to-beam connections, joists and joist connections, stairs, deck boards and hand rails.

By inspecting your deck regularly and ensuring that it’s up to standards can help you keep residents and guests safe on a deck. “The bottom line for property managers,” Beaudry says, “is that they need to be proactive rather than reactive.”

Courtesy of NADRA.ORG

See past blog posts on cleaning your composite decking and railing in the spring.

Drill, screw, glue and plug in under 20 seconds with the Abaco Pro Plug® System. Secure your Abaco hardwood deck boards with a proven engineered system. The Abaco ProPlug system has been precisely engineered to maximize performance and provide beautiful results. This fastening system makes securing and plugging quick and easy. Pro Plug system has been shown to significantly cut installation time when compared to other plug installation methods.

So if you value strength of top down fastening and a high-quality finished look of hardwood plugs, put the Abaco Pro Plug System to work on your next hardwood decking project.

Abaco Pro Plug kits are available in 350- and 1,000-plug quantities. Each box contains #8 Abaco plugs. 2.5 in. stainless steel fastener screws, glue nozzle and driver bit. Pro Plug tool is sold separately.

Homeowners expect to get a bill from their utility company each month, but opening one for a particularly expensive month can be a real shocker. If your bills seem consistently higher than what they should be, it’s time to look for hidden energy drains and consider some changes that can make a huge difference.

Consider these home improvement solutions to take a huge bite out of your energy bill:

The sun’s rays beat down on your roof, increasing the temperature in your entire house. Your air conditioner has to work hard to counteract these intense temperatures and that means a high energy bill. The best way to defend your home from this type of heat is to install reflective radiant barrier insulation in your attic, especially if your AC unit or duct work is present.

Radiant barrier insulation, such as Enerflex, reduces heat transfer between your roof and the attic floor where insulation is typically installed. Enerflex radiant barrier will reflect up to 96 percent of the radiant heat energy from the sun back through your roof, making your attic space up to 30 degrees cooler. A cooler attic leads to a more comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your home and a decreased workload on your air conditioner and other appliances. This also leads to a lower utility bill.

See demonstration video here.

Look for leaks

No matter what time of year it is, having even small leaks in your windows or doors is like letting money, literally, float away. Just an 1/8-inch crack all the way around a doorway creates the same air loss as a 6-inch square hole in the middle of your door, according to the Edison Electric Institute.    

There are various ways to check for window and door leaks, from holding a candle flame near the crack and gauging how much the flame moves to sliding a piece of paper through the opening to see if it catches or tears. If you find a leak, the easiest solution is to add weather-stripping around doors and to caulk windows.  Remember to check once a year to see if any repairs or replacements are needed.

Swap the bulbs

You’ve likely heard plenty about switching to more energy efficient light bulbs, but maybe you’re not sure if it really makes a difference. Consider this: homes that use Energy Star qualified light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and they last at least six times longer.

Additionally, an incandescent lamp is really more of a heater than a light, with nearly 90 percent of the input energy being converted and lost in waste heat rather than light, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. All those little heaters warm up your home fast and you have to turn on fans and your air conditioner to regulate the temperature. Switch your light bulbs and the savings will follow.

Keeping energy bills low is a challenge, but with the right strategies you reduce your bill and help the environment, a win-win for everyone.

Check out some of our past energy savings tips at our Go Green - Energy Efficiency in Your Home blog.

With temperatures chilling you to the bone, does your mind often wander to the sunny days of spring? Maybe you long for the activities only warm weather can provide, such as outdoor barbecues, sharing ice cream with the kids, or watching the sunset from your favorite Adirondack chair. Many of these cherished activities center around one area of the home: the outdoor deck.

If your house doesn't have a treated wood or composite lumber deck, or perhaps the one you have leaves something to be desired, now is the perfect time to take action and make a plan. That way, when warm weather arrives, you're ready to start building and can enjoy every moment outdoors.

If you're not quite sure what your dream deck should look like, you can find inspiration by looking through photo galleries of different decks. Explore the Latitudes Composite Decking and Railing photo gallery and the Deckorators deck railing and deck accessories gallery to see a sampling of many deck products and design options that are available.

For the past couple years, Deckorators has held a deck design contest, drawing entries from across the country from both builders and DIYers. Submissions for the contests can be viewed on the Flickr page here for still more idea generation, as well as motivation to enter your new deck into this year’s contest. Additions to Latitudes products and Deckorators products for 2012 have been added online, so there are plenty of new things to incorporate into your final dream deck design. This year’s contest details will be announced soon!

When it comes to designing your deck, the possibilities are endless. Seeing examples and putting together a solid plan is the first step toward getting ready for the warm days of spring.

See this blog for features to consider when creating an outdoor living space on a deck.

Start designing your dream deck with an online deck design program.

Insulation may seem a bit basic to be the “key” to anything new, but saving energy through what the architects referred to as “passive” elements—those are the elements which, like insulation, work without using any energy—has not been a priority in building most houses in the last several decades.

To maximize the efficiency of the envelope, the building’s main spaces should be oriented to the south, where the sun provides the most natural light and heat and, if there are solar panels, energy. All the architects who spoke emphasized the use of triple-glazed windows as part of the envelope.

The roof is a somewhat different story, because there are times of year in which holding heat in the house is not the only goal; there is also ventilation to think about. In a net-zero home, the roof insulation is meant to keep heat out as much as it is to keep heat in, but Bialecki doesn’t think it’s enough, and believes that all net-zero houses should be outfitted with radiant barriers insulation, which are more or less anything that prevents heat transfer, in this case from the roof down to the rest of the house. (A radiant barrier developed by NASA goes on the surface of spaceships to protect them from extreme temperatures.)

“A roof system in the summer, in the Hudson Valley, can easily get to 160 degrees and any insulation—I don’t care what you put up there—is going to fail eventually,” Bialecki said. “It’s heat transfer; it will go from there into your building. With a venting system, with a radiant barrier system, at least you’re just circulating the 90-degree air. It’s not 160. It’s a huge difference,” said William Zoeller, an architect and senior vice president at Steven Winter Associates.

Read entire article here.

Over the years Deckorators has built a solid brand reputation by offering innovation, durable deck railing accessories like balusters and post caps. Now Deckorators has broadened its product range to include CXT co-extruded composite deck railing kits and aluminum deck railing kits.

Showcased in the Deckorators booth at the 2012 Builders' Show in Orlando, both Deckorators CXT Railing System and Aluminum Railing System were highlighted using an assortment of Deckorators brand balusters, including the new copper colored round baluster, solar post caps and hardwood cap railing and Duo Connectors on the aluminum railing. See video.

Deckorators railing systems are designed to allow builders to incorporate all styles of Deckorators  baluster infills and post accessories into a project.

About Deckorators CXT Deck Railing
Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, the CXT railing is offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

About Deckorators Aluminum Deck Railing
Deckorators aluminum railing offers a durable black or white powder-coated finish that weathers the elements. The aluminum railing system with a robust profile and eye-catching appearance is backed by a lifetime limited warranty, designed to work with all Deckorators baluster styles, and available in 36- and 42-inch rail heights and both 6' and 8' lengths.

About Deckorators
Deckorators is the first name in deck railing and accessories and the originator of the round aluminum baluster. The pioneering spirit behind the brand has kept the Deckorators name on the leading edge of designing products that create beautiful and unique decks. The brand started the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category with the Classic Series and has since led the industry with innovative products: Colonial balusters, offering the look of traditional colonial times; Architectural balusters, with the beautiful appearance of hand-forged wrought iron; accessories that provide the special accents needed to customize the look of your deck; Connector Series installation products that make installing Deckorators balusters simple and easy. The company’s approach to developing exciting and distinctive deck rail and railing products allows customers the opportunity to express themselves on their deck as they do in their home.

See all Deckorators 2012 Builders' Show featured product video clips.

Deckorators, the nation’s leading brand of deck balusters and decorative railing accessories, has introduced another industry first called VersaCaps™ — decorative post caps with nested inserts that allow for a snug fit over the most common size deck and fence posts.

With new VersaCaps, post size is no longer a barrier when choosing the right post cap for your project. VersaCaps come with three inserts perfectly nested inside the base, making them adaptable for virtually any post ranging from 3-1/2”x3-1/2” to 4-5/8”x4-5/8”.  The true-fitting nested inserts take the guesswork out of matching up proper post cap size. VersaCaps are compatible with wood, composite and vinyl posts and are available in traditional solar, solar band and high point pyramid options and in a variety of colors.

Deckorators full line of VersaCaps will be available in the spring of 2012 and showcased in the Deckorators booth (W429) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Deckorators deck, railing and fence accessories are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada. Visit www.deckorators.com for complete information.

Introducing the next generation of Latitudes co-extruded composite decking with an innovative new cap stock for a richer look and even better performance. The new decking features an improved scratch resistant surface that is extremely stain- and fade-resistant. Backed by an all new 25-year Stain and Fade Warranty, it offers a more natural-looking surface, realistic grain pattern and is available in two Capricorn® tropical colors in Koa and Arabica and three Captiva™ colors in gray, cedar and walnut.

Fortified with the same proven Strandex® technology, the new Latitudes co-extruded synthetic decking is the perfect balance of beauty, strength and ultra-low maintenance performance.

Latitudes Capricorn and Captiva composite lumber deck boards feature:  

• Specialized formulation of high-density polyethylene
• Advanced co-extrusion technology for ultra low-maintenance
• Durable, stain-and fade-resistant exterior finish
• 12', 16' and 20' slotted board lengths
• 16' solid length for stair and trim boards
• Slotted edges encapsulated on one side with a stain, fade and scratch resistant cap stock
• Solid edge boards capped on three sides