Universal Forest Products

The companies of Universal Forest Products comprise the nation's leading manufacturers and distributors of wood and wood-alternative products to retail/dealer, site-built construction, manufactured housing and industrial markets. Our product lines include pressure-treated lumber, composite decking and railing, fencing, dimensional lumber, trusses, wall panels, engineered wood products, industrial packaging and concrete forming products. Started in 1955 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with facilities throughout North America, Universal is a multi-billion dollar company serving the... read more

May is Deck Safety Month - Have You Made It A Priority?

  Deck Safety Month and a good time to inspect decks for the upcoming deck season. A thorough inspection is important: More than 40 million decks in the U.S. are older than 20 years, and deck failures and injuries are increasing. Take advantage of Deck Safety Month by using the following tips and resources to carefully inspect your deck and make it hazard-free. When inspecting, take time to check: Railings and balusters Are balusters or railings rotted or corroded? Do they need replacing? If so, you might consider a complete swap with durable and long-lasting composite or metal materials such... read more

Deckorators Launches 2013 "Best Deck" Contest

        Deck lovers, here’s a grand opportunity from Deckorators, the leader in deck railing and accessories: Show off your deck in the annual Deckorators 2013 “Best Deck” Contest for a chance to win up to $1,000. New this year, Deckorators will also award the grand prize winner a one-year membership to the North American Decking & Railing Association (NADRA). Building professionals, do-it-yourselfers and homeowners are invited to submit deck pictures between May 1, 2013, and September 30, 2013, for a chance to win.   Entries must incorporate Deckorators products and will be judged on two... read more

Things To Consider When Planning A Deck

      Now that warmer temperatures are taking hold, people are heading to their favorite outdoor spots, like the deck. Once primarily used for sunbathing, decks have grown into outdoor living spaces to work, relax, cook, dine and entertain -- day or night. And deck options have grown with them. Here are a few basics any deck planner should consider: Decking materials Wood, composite or plastic? It’s perhaps the most important - and most difficult -- choice to make because cost, durability and maintenance needs can vary significantly. Wood can be the most affordable or the most expensive... read more

Deckorators LED's The Way to Help You Shine a Little Light on Your Deck

  Spring is coming and the hibernation is ending! It's time to head outdoors to soak in the warmer temps and get reacquainted with outdoor living spaces-and neighbors. But you don't need the sun to enjoy that beautiful deck you've designed and built-all you need is LED lighting.   Energy efficient LED lighting will allow you to enjoy and show off your deck, and eliminate the dangerous "black holes" created as stairs and railings disappear into the darkness of the newly warm nights. And homeowners have many lighting options to set the mood with as little or as much light as they please:   Here... read more

A Colorful Trend in Outdoor Living: Mix and Match

  By introducing new colors, materials and products for decks and rails, manufacturers have opened up the doors for homeowners to add more personality to their outdoor spaces. They also have swept away a few dusty rules of decking, such as the need to maintain a uniform color and material. Now, deck colors and materials no longer need to match. They can just coordinate.   Fortunately, the options are simple enough that you don't need to hire a professional designer. But it pays to be aware of the new products and materials that are available, the color options that come with them, and the ways... read more

Deckorators' New Products Will Light Things Up at IBS Next Week

  New Deckorators low-voltage accent lighting for outdoor living spaces to be introduced at IBS  Lighted balusters, recessed lighting, post cap lights add beauty, drama to decks, patios, stairs  Deckorators will unveil exciting new products including accent lighting, solar baluster lights, balusters, and new post cap designs, at next week’s International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Included in the new product offering to debut at IBS, Jan. 22-24, 2013, are:  Low-voltage lighting. This new line of low-voltage accent lighting offers all you’ll need to light an outdoor living area with flair.  •... read more

Latitudes Will Launch Wave™ Decking at IBS This Month

    Latitudes® decking and railing products, will unveil an all-new Latitudes decking product at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas.: Latitudes Wave™, which will offer many of the superior features of other Latitudes decking lines, at a more affordable price.  Like superior Latitudes products, Latitudes Wave™ features Strandex technology that’s extruded with a contour profile and slotted edges to be used with the Equator hidden fastening system. Latitudes Wave is available in Gray and Walnut, and opens the door to homeowners who want the beauty and endurance of a wood-composite... read more

Universal Forest Products To Introduce PreBuck — Innovative Manufacturer of Parapet Caps, Window and Door Framing Systems and Sill Plate Installation — at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas

  Entrepreneur Brett Schlosser has so many ideas, they’re practically bursting out of his head. So much so, he’s on the verge of single-handedly ushering in a construction revolution. UFP is proudly hosting Schlosser’s company, PreBuck, at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas in February to help debut his engineering innovations and introduce his advances to a much wider audience than the fans he’s already garnered throughout the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. PreBuck’s parapet caps, window and door framing systems, and “wet set” sill plate installation all focus on combining strength and... read more

Wrap Your Deck Like You'd Wrap A Present

  Want to add personality to your deck? Take cues from those beautifully wrapped gifts beneath the tree 'Tis the season for brightly wrapped packages, shimmering bows and personalized cards with just the right holiday greeting. Half the fun of receiving a gift is how it is presented, which is why many people personalize gift wrapping so it dazzles under the tree. Just as you find the right combo of paper, ribbon and bows, so too should you mix and match to find the perfect combo of deck accessories so your outdoor space fits your personality to a "T." Finding the right gift wrap is the first... read more

Fall Care & Maintenance For Aluminum Railing

  Now is the perfect time of year to show your Deckorators® aluminum railing system a little love and attention. Though your railing needs only minimal care and maintenance, we recommend checking and cleaning it at least once a year in a standard outdoor living space. Near swimming pools and spas, aluminum railings should be checked and cleaned every 6 months, which makes fall yard cleanup and pool close-up time ideal for giving your railing a quick once-over. Cleaning Begin with a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Test a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that no color change or... read more

Small Deck Changes That Make A Major Impact

Updating your deck to enhance its appeal doesn't mean replacing the entire structure. A few easy steps and simple additions to refresh your deck’s appearance can give your outdoor space a new personality. Clean the entire structure When is the last time you cleaned your deck? Even if you don't use your deck frequently, nature's elements leave layers of dust, dirt and grime that detract from the appearance. The easiest way to clean a deck is with soap and water. Once it dries, you'll be amazed at how fresh and clean your outdoor space appears. For deeper cleaning and more detailed information... read more

The 2012 Deckorators Best Deck Contest Grand Prize Winner Is:

The judges have voted and John Borkovec is this year's Grand Prize Winner!  A homeowner in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconson, John will be awarded the top prize of $1,000. You can see additional views of his winning deck and his comments about it here.  Congratulations, John! read more

Second Place Winner Announced in Best Deck Contest!

Deckorators Second Place Winner in the 2012 Deckorators Best Deck Contest is Michael Jerminski! Michael is with Get Decked in Downingtown, PA and says this is one of their favorite Deckorators decks in their 27 years of business! We think it looks great! Thanks for your support and congratulations, Michael! read more

Winners Week is here for the 2012 Deckorators Best Deck Contest!

Deckorators is proud to announce the Third Place Winner of this year's contest: Sean McAleer!  Sean is with DeckRemodelers.com from Sparta, NJ. He submitted this photo of a client's beautiful deck they did and took third prize. You can see another view and read Sean's comments about the project here.  Congratulations, Sean!   read more

Popular Composite Deck Designs and Add-Ons

You've decided to add a new composite deck to your home. A wise investment. Composite decking, such as natural-looking materials from Latitudes Decking and Railing , brings visual appeal to your home and expands your living space. The first step is to decide what design best fits your use. While the size of your house and yard, along with your budget, will impact your design options, there are still a multitude of choices to be made during this important planning phase. Basic Composite Deck Designs If you have a smaller backyard, a limited budget or simply prefer a minimalist approach to... read more

The Deckorators 2012 Best Deck Contest is Ready for Your Entries!

  Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer who’s built a fabulous Deckorators deck this season, a professional builder who depends on Deckorators products to deliver spectacular results, or have an existing deck that you've incorporated Deckorators products into, this contest is for you! Share a few quality photos of your handiwork and you could win up to $1,000 in the 2012 Best Deck Contest! The Deckorators Best Deck Contest is back, and participation — as well as anticipation — is mounting. With big money on the table, grab your camera when your deck project is wrapped up,  and send us a few... read more

Walking on Water? Meet Latitudes.

Boaters and folks who live on the water — whether it’s an ocean, lake or river — know better than any of us the toll the elements take on almost anything left outdoors unprotected. And structures, such as docks, intended to be wet most of the time, don’t last long unless the proper materials are chosen to begin with. So when residential or business owners invest in something as substantial as a new dock, they want durability, sustainability, low-maintenance, and above all, longevity — ensuring years of easy use and enjoyment. With Latitudes composite decking and composite marine decking,... read more

It's The Heart of the Grilling Season - Is Your Deck Ready?

  There’s no better time than the present to prepare your deck so you can be the grill king or queen of the neighborhood. Consider these tips to set up the ultimate barbecue space while safely enhancing your outdoor environment. First, decide what type of grill you want. Grills come in many shapes and sizes. Propane is the most popular for deck grilling, but depending on your preferences, you may like charcoal, electric or even a smoker. Modern grills have many features to choose from, including multiple tiers, side burners, prep space and even mini-fridges. Whether buying a new grill or... read more

Maximize The View From Your Deck

  Having a landscaped yard and a comfortable deck is the perfect way to blend the natural beauty of the outdoors with a design that is both stylish and functional. But what happens when you really want to showcase your yard's view? Does a deck’s railings block your field of vision?  The good news is homeowners who want a minimally obstructed view of their landscape have some great options. Whether you have a fantastic flower garden, pristine lakeshore property or land that overlooks the mountains, you can have a deck and keep the view spectacular when you install the right kind of balusters.... read more

New Blog Coming and Simplify Your Life

It's August already, and the first week of the month is National Simplify Your Life week. We thought it would be a great time to announce our new Lifestyle Blog to be introduced this month with our new blogger, Denise Cripps. We already share stories around decking, construction, energy savings and more, but thought we could round it out with the addition of some lifestyle stories on how to enjoy these things and how they may affect your everyday life or style perspective.  To give you a taste of what's to come, Denise wrote the following story in honor of National Simplify Your Live Week.... read more

Universal Forest Products is the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-alternative products to the retail building materials, industrial packaging/components, manufactured housing, residential construction and commercial construction & concrete forming markets.