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Tuesday, December 18, 2012 by
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Top photo: Nate Salnick - 2011 Best Deck Contest Entry It
may be cold and snowy out there, and parents may be busier thinking
about their Elf on the Shelf’s next escapade rather than how to set
a pretty dining table for their first barbeque next summer, but
true die-hard deck-lovers dream of their outdoor living space all
year round. Therefore, why not give the gift of anticipation during
the darkest time of the year and bring a little taste of summer’s
warmth of into their lives this holiday season? Some of the best
gift ideas for the deck-lovers in your life include: Gifts for
serving food...
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012 by
Finding the right feng shui for your deck can sometimes be a
tricky business, because ultimately, you want your outdoor living
space to offer at least a few different cozy seating areas for
conversation. Achieving a comfortable balance between all your
various deck features is key. After considering where to cook,
dine, perhaps where to roast marshmallows or where to put your hot
tub, you may be left wondering where you can simply snuggle into a
couple of comfy chairs or a pair of soft chaises to relax with your
family, a neighbor, a good book or a glass of wine. Here’s where
the phrase...
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Friday, April 27, 2012 by
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...
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Friday, April 27, 2012 by
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...
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Thursday, March 29, 2012 by
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...
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Friday, August 19, 2011 by
Building a deck from scratch or remodeling an existing deck with
new railing? There are plenty of ways to make your wood deck or
composite wood deck stand out—and it doesn't have to cost an arm
and a leg.Here's a short list of cool and unique ways to make your
deck area pop without breaking the bank:add unique features to
railing with decorative post caps or postcoversincorporate metal or
glass baluster infills to your deck railbuilt in bench
seatingincorporate deck stone transitionsinstall low-voltage or
solar deck lightingplace colorful plants on your deck and
stairsincorporate colorful...
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Tuesday, July 19, 2011 by
This is one of the most common concerns homeowners have and for
good reason. You want to maintain the great looks of your new deck
surface as long as possible, so treat your composite decking with
care just like you do with wood floors inside your house. In my
opinion, preventive maintenance is the key. Tips for maintaining a
beautiful deck surface: Don’t drag heavy furniture over your deck
Apply pads to the legs of deck furniture Use covers under your
flower pots and other stationary items Add a grease pad / splatter
guard under your grill In the winter shovel snow off the deck with
a plastic...
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Thursday, June 2, 2011 by
I've touched on decorative post caps in many posts, but these
ornamental accents are such a versatile and economical way to dress
up a deck or fence post, that they deserve their own moment in the
spotlight. Post caps / post tops are easy to install, even for
novice do-it-yourselfers. In addition to looking good, they also
serve the purpose of protecting your post from the elements. Solar
post caps can also add helpful illumination when you enjoy your
deck and outdoor living area at night. If you're looking for a
quick, weekend project that will give your outdoor area a whole new
look, adding...
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Thursday, March 31, 2011 by
Building a deck and going on vacation have at least one thing in
common: upfront planning leads to fun and relaxation. Don’t fall
prey to disappointment and additional expense by failing to
consider the details. Below are some of the items you need to
consider when planning a deck.Local codes and requirementsHave you
checked the local building codes? Have you followed sound building
practices? Does your neighborhood owners association have special
requirements? Few things are more troublesome than having to redo
work because some building requirement was overlooked.How will you
use your...
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Monday, March 14, 2011 by
Spring is the right time to clean your decking and railing. Keep in
mind, when you build a deck with composite decking and railing, you
get years of relaxing, carefree use when compared to traditional
lumber decking. There’s no stripping, painting, sealing or staining
necessary. Of course, thanks to nature, no product is maintenance
free. But with Latitudes decking, a simple, occasional cleaning
will prevent the buildup of dirt and chalk—as well as pollen and
other debris that cause and accelerate the growth of mold or
mildew.When it’s time to clean your Latitudes composite deck, here
are some...
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011 by
Thinking about remodeling or resurfacing your deck or patio?
Interlocking deck tiles are rapidly becoming one of the easiest
ways to do so, especially because these modular wood tiles are able
to be installed by almost anyone.How to install deck tilesStart by
clearing your deck or patio of debris and furniture. If installing
on an existing wood deck surface, replace any rotted or warped deck
boards and make sure there are no protruding nails or screws. The
surface your tiles will be installed on should be as flat and level
as possible to prevent the tiles from shifting.Once your surface...
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by
After the leaves have fallen on and around your deck, consider
giving your composite wood deck or pressure treated deck a thorough
cleaning, especially in colder climates where snow could deter your
decision to maintain your decking and outdoor living area. Cleaning
your deck late in the year is always a good idea as it helps
prevent the buildup of mold and mildew on the deck surface. By
making sure all leaves and debris are swept off the deck surface
before snow accumulates, your spring cleaning will be much
easier.It's important to clean bird droppings and common spills
that happen...
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Friday, October 8, 2010 by
The results are in for the 2010 Latitudes Best Deck Contest, and
the winners have been chosen. There were several impressive entries
in the Latitudes Best Deck contest, but Gina Leggett’s custom deck,
built for some good-ole entertaining in Indiana, incorporates many
great features that one would look for in a low maintenance
composite lumber deck, including a raised portable fire pit area,
featuring Latitudes deck stones, and built in bench seating around
an octagon space. For this, Gina takes home the grand prize.Project
Name: My Backyard EscapeSubmitted by: Gina Leggett, Roanoke,
INJudges...
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by
The University of Florida recently entered their Project RE:FOCUS
home in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition in Madrid
Spain. The Project RE:Focus home blended innovative architecture
with sustainable materials to create a zero-energy home. With a nod
to Cracker House design prevalent in the late 19th century Florida,
the Project RE:Focus home used innovative Accoya® wood solar
screens to control solar gain in the home. The Accoya wood screens
were supplied and machined to spec by Universal Forest Products. A
unique feature of the Accoya solar screens is its ability to appear
as a...
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Friday, April 2, 2010 by
Spring is the start of the outdoor living season when homeowners
begin to get their deck or patio ready for outdoor
entertaining. Here are some general tips for cleaning your
composite deck along with types of cleaning agents best suited for
washing composite decking materials.Wash and rinse your deckStart
cleaning your composite decking by washing with soapy water. Start
at the top of the deck railing and work your way down to the
composite deck surface. It's necessary to remove the dirt and
chalking that accumulates on the composite deck surface. This will
also prevent the build-up of pollen...
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Friday, November 13, 2009 by
Exposed decks take a beating from Mother Nature, and general wear
and tear from moving outdoor furniture around, kids playing and
occasionally the family pet. Whether your deck has constant sun
beating down on its surface or you live in an area that typically
gets a lot of rain or has harsh winters, your wood deck boards may
wear faster than expected and become unsightly or even dangerous to
walk on. Provided your deck structure (framework underneath decking
boards) is solid and up to code, consider refacing / replanking the
surface (deck boards)—It's more cost-effective and most DIYers...
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Friday, May 8, 2009 by
May is Deck Safety Month; so before you get the deck furniture out
of storage, give your deck a thorough inspection. Grab a pen and
notepad and take your time inspecting and documenting trouble areas
that need repair or need to be inspected by a professional. Common
deck problems include:• Loose railings and balusters• Missing or
loose connections• Corroded fasteners • Wood rot• Warped and
cracked wood• Nail and screw pops• Insect infestation• Mold and
mildew growthFor a comprehensive deck safety checklist visit NADRA
(North American Deck and Railing Association) Web site. Most
experts agree...
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Friday, May 1, 2009 by
Whether cleaning pressure treated wood decking or synthetic /
composite decking material, many of the same cleaning agents are
effective on both surface types.Many deck wash/cleaners contain
sodium percarbonate and a detergent, which works well on normal
dirt and grime and bleaches out mold and mildew stains. An oxygen
bleach-based formula is another great alternative. It's effective
in removing mildew stains and the weathered grey residue from UV
(sunlight) degradation. Both cleaners are environmentally safe and
will not harm plants or animals, damage wood's cell structure or
leave a...
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