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.

New Deckorators integrated aluminum deck railing system delivers beauty, versatility

Friday, January 29, 2010 by Chris Fox

Long known as the leader in decorative railing accessory products, Deckorators now offers a fully integrated deck railing kit of its own.

Deckorators deck railingThe sleek, durable top profile creates an eye-catching appearance and is compatible with all Deckorators baluster styles. This innovative new railing system is available in powder-coated black or white and features a lifetime limited warranty. The rails are sold in kits to make purchasing simple. Post sleeves, stair rail bracket kits, angled brackets and matching post caps are also available. All kits can be shipped via UPS.

This new line also features two matching styles and colors of post caps to accent the railing. Deckorators aluminum post caps, available in black or white, include a pyramid and a square, solar-powered post cap. The solar post cap requires no wiring or electricity and comes with two rechargeable AA batteries. The small solar collector rests atop an attractive silhouette light made of shatter-resistant glass. Its glow is perfect for casting a relaxing ambiance on deck areas.
Deckorators white aluminum railing
“As an industry leader, we continue to push the design envelope and give builders and consumers world-class options for decks and outdoor living areas. We’re confident our new railing system will be a hit as we showcase it at the 2010 LBM Expo in Boston," said Rick Preble, Director of Product Development for Universal Consumer Products.

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

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.