How to make your deck and outdoor living area stand out when it’s time to sell

Saturday, March 13, 2010 by Chris Fox
If you're preparing to sell your home this spring but aren't in a position to invest in ambitious renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or new hardwood floors, the best advice is to look to the "bonus" spaces in and around your home and maximize their appeal.

Decks, patios, sunrooms and porches have always been popular with home buyers, but real estate agents say that too often those spaces are neglected or not used to their best advantage.

Upgrades that add living space adds value, and the least expensive way to gain space is to build a deck or turn the one you have into an outdoor room by staging it so that it flows seamlessly with the rest of the house. A great deck can set your home apart from others with the same interior floor plan or square footage, and deck additions typically add value when it comes time to sell.

A bonus space—for example, a tiny deck or rarely used balcony off a master bedroomLatitudes Deck Stones—can be transformed into a romantic getaway by adding cushioned seating and a raised fire pit. You can safeguard your deck and add designer style with deck stones, 16-inch interlocking square tiles made of natural slate or granite. Deck stones can provide an effective fire barrier that's an asset under fire pits or grills, or when used to create an outdoor kitchen.

More than ever before, people look at their decks as outdoor rooms. For some, it's a kitchen; for others, a living room. Decks can be party spaces or quiet retreats. With so many different types of deck materials, lighting, rail systems and decorative accents, it's possible to turn a nondescript deck into a great outdoor space.

Latitudes Capricorn Tropical Composite DeckingThe Latitudes product line features low-maintenance, top-quality synthetic decking, hand railing and accessories. Latitudes Capricorn composite decking gives the exotic look of rich tropical hardwoods which is a current design trend that will instantly update a home.

Whether working with an old wood deck or a new composite lumber custom deck, details count when it comes to staging. Outdoor rail lighting on a deck or patio provides ambience and adds versatility to the space, showing buyers endless possibilities for evening entertainment.Solar post caps and recessed LED lights from Latitudes

If you want to open up the view on a bonus space, consider replacing wooden deck balusters with tempered glass balusters from Deckorators, or update the rails with distinctive aluminum balusters. New rails will add a dramatic difference to your deck. Deckorators aluminum rail systems come in kits that allow easy installation and give old decks a fresh look at a fraction of the price of a total deck replacement or addition.

Buyers will react positively to nice decks that look like a great place to hang out. From a buyer's perspective, if all else is equal, it's true that the home with the best deck and outdoor living area wins.

How to customize your balcony railing with balusters

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Chris Fox
An overlooked design element when constructing a balcony is its look. What look do you want to achieve? Simple, yet elegant? Want to make a statement? It doesn't matter which you choose, Deckorators Colonial Deck BalustersDeckorators—the leader in deck railing baluster infills—has a solution for your treated wood or composite balcony railing.

Classic Aluminum Deck Balusters give you a distinctive look that is simple, but eye-catching. They come in seven colors (Black, White, Clay, Forest, Bronze, Stainless and Rust) and in three lengths.

If you're looking for something equally simple, but with a little zing, the Colonial Aluminum Balusters are the way to go. It combines the classic baluster look with a traditional Colonial twist. Available in three colors (Black, White and Bronze).Baluster accessories

Many Deckorators balusters are able to be customized with baluster accessories like collars, centerpieces and designer connectors. They can be installed on a wood or composite lumber deck railing. Deckorators also offers Post Base Trim to help hide the gaps between your posts and decking.

Accessorize your deck railing with style

Thursday, April 16, 2009 by Chris Fox
Deck railing accessories come in an array of eye-catching materials and styles, making it easier than ever to design or upgrade your deck railing system. Basket and collar accessories by DeckoratorsEnhancing the look of your wood railing or composite railing with these accessories will increase the charm and functionality of your deck and outdoor living area. With so many ornamental post caps, decorative balusters and other add-ons, you'll be able to customize your railing system to match your taste while complementing your home's architectural style.

The latest trend is to add ornamental lighting with post caps. Post cap lights highlight the posts at the top and bottom of stairways or deck Deckorators tiffany-glass solar post capentrances, or mark the perimeter of a deck. Solar post caps require no wiring and give off ambient light that's not overpowering.

In most cases, railing upgrades are easy to make. Installing post caps can be as simple as adding some adhesive to the post caps and securing it directly to the post. Some post caps are built specifically for composite deck posts, so you'll want to check with the manufacturer to see what options are available and install according to their specifications.

Installing maintenance free powder coated aluminum baluster on your deck Deckorators aluminum balusters and post caps railing system is another way to add creative flair, but will take a bit more time to install, especially if you'll be retrofitting a current railing system. Scenic glass balusters from DeckoratorsDeckorators aluminum deck railing balusters are available in several colors and designs and come with a lifetime warranty on the finish. Adding ornamental glass balusters is also a unique idea if you desire an unobstructed view to a pool or lake, or if you just want to enjoy a scenic setting.