Aluminum Railing Systems

Crush blocks are important support pieces that fit snugly between the bottom section of your deck railing and deck surface. These blocks are used to support composite / synthetic wood railing, PVC railing, wood railing and many other deck railing material to keep the rail section from sagging and possibly warping over time.

Crush blocks are often made from leftover deck building material like 2x2 composite decking pieces, aluminum balusters, square aluminum balusters or treated lumber. You can also cut a piece of 5/4x6 decking and stand it on end under the bottom rail of a deck railing section. Secure the crush block with a silicone adhesive or with a fastener.

Deck or porch railing, balcony railing and angled deck stair railing from 2-ft up to 4-ft wide require one crush block while railing sections of 4-ft up to 6-ft wide require at least two crush blocks. More rigid aluminum railing typically only needs one crush block per 6-ft rail section.

Deckorators® new aluminum deck railing system has been named Editors' Choice Hot Product 2010 International Builders Show by LBM Journal Magazine, a leading national lumber and building materials magazine.

About Editors' Choice: Hot Products 2010
Last January, as the LBM Journal team worked the floor at the International Builders’ Show, their mission was clear: seek out innovative products, services and initiatives that will help LBM dealers grow business in 2010. While discovering many completely new products that deserved consideration, they uncovered many more existing products with incremental improvements—good products made even better.

Selected products were chosen as "the best of the best" products, ideas and companies to help grow business.

About Deckorators Aluminum Railing System
Deckorators aluminum railing system, designed to work with every Deckorators baluster style, offers robust profiles, an eye-catching appearance and comes in 36" and 42" rail heights.

The 6-foot on-center railing system features predrilled rails for ease of installation. An innovative cap and insert system allows you to snap on a cap rail without visible fasteners. Full 4 x 4 posts slide over treated lumber 4 x 4s for a system that's ideal for remodels and new projects. The rail and cap rail are sold in kits, and colors can be mixed and matched. 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.

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

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 bedroom—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.

The 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.

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.

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

The 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.

“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.

Composite decking is an excellent choice for above or in-ground pool decks. Whether you're a do-it-yourself or a professional deck builder, consider installing composite deck building material in your pool or spa area for its aesthetics, barefoot friendly, slip-resistant surface and its low maintenance performance. Most composite lumber deck boards now days are available with hidden fasteners and in several attractive colors to complement your home and outdoor living area. 

When planning your new composite lumber pool deck, don’t let the deck railing system be an afterthought. There are several attractive options on the market that will complement your home and pool design, ranging from aluminum and composite to vinyl.

Metal deck railing, with an all glass panel infill or glass balusters, is one of my favorite styles, as it allows for unobstructed views of the pool area. 

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. Enhancing 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 entrances, 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 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. Deckorators 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.