Add value and style to your home with color treated decking and fencing

Sunny days and clear skies are perfect for making exterior home improvements. Homeowners want to use their time and money wisely, so it’s important to choose projects that don't require a whole lot of maintenance and have a good return on investment. Consider a top exterior project that will increase your home’s value and curb appeal – like a color treated lumber deck or fence. And, because you won't have immediate maintenance like staining or sealing, you’ll get more time to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor area. Fence, railing or deck upgrades: no painting or staining required If you’re... 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

Why ProWood Dura Color Treated Lumber is Right for Your Next Building Project

  Say goodbye to annual staining of your treated lumber deck or fence when you build with ProWood Dura Color™. ProWood Dura Color pressure-treated lumber isn’t pre-stained; instead, the color is driven deep into the wood fibers during the pressure-treating process, penetrating the wood through-and-through and allowing the natural characteristics of the wood to remain visible. Best of all, ProWood Dura Color features a two-year color-assurance limited warranty and a lifetime limited warranty against rot and termites. That’s why ProWood Dura Color lumber is perfect for decking, railings, fencing... 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

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

Spruce Up Your Deck, Fencing and Mailbox For The Holiday Season

  Photo credits: thinkstock.com Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun in my title. After all, decorating your outdoor features with garlands and sprays of evergreen this winter will enhance your enjoyment of the season every time you look out your windows, go outside to play with your kids or get your mail. Elegant swags of green garland draped along your deck railings and fence line, as well as beautiful sprays of evergreen on your posts and mailbox — with or without lights or additional flair like wreaths, bows or pinecones — will make your deck and yard cheery for winter. Real garland can be... 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

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

Illuminate Your Deck for Added Nighttime Ambiance — It’s a Bright New Idea!

The team at Deckorators — the outdoor-living people who bring you state-of-the-art innovations in deck building, plus styling that matches your unique tastes — recently had a light bulb moment (pardon the pun). We’re thrilled to announce our latest bright idea: personalized, low voltage accent lighting for your outdoor living area. Think fireflies ... or starlight. Then capture that same magical feeling when you chase away the darkness with illuminated balusters and post caps. The soft attractive glow enhances the ambiance of your deck or outdoor room and virtually begs you to stay out and... read more

How to renovate a deck with railing and accessory upgrades

Now that warm weather has arrived, you’ll be outside more; your outdoor space should be an area that you truly enjoy and are proud to show off to guests. You may not need a complete deck remodel to achieve that level of perfection. With some smart deck upgrades you can create an upscale look for less. Start by looking at the deck railing itself. More than just a safety feature, the railing is one of the most prominent design elements of any deck, and changing it is a cost-effective way to make an eye-catching statement. Remember, your railing doesn’t have to match your current deck material.... read more

Advantages of glass deck railing baluster infills

Available at many lumberyards and big box retailers, Deckorators Scenic glass deck baluster infills are both a dramatic and practical accessory for your custom deck railing. If you have young children, these railing infills allow them to view the yard safely. Deckorators Scenic Glass Balusters are made of durable 5/16-inch tempered safety glass, which makes them extremely durable. These balusters are also an advantage grownups too as they can relax in a Adirondack chair or chaise lounge while glancing out to view the pool, lake or wooded area without having to stand. Glass balusters will also... read more

How to Plan for the Deck of your Dreams

With temperatures on the rise, does your mind often wander to the sunny days of spring? Maybe you long for the activities only warm weather can provide, such as outdoor barbecues, sharing ice cream with the kids, or watching the sunset from your favorite Adirondack chair. Many of these cherished activities center around one area of the home: the deck. If your house doesn't have a low maintenance composite lumber deck, or perhaps the old wood deck you have leaves something to be desired, now is the perfect time to take action and make a plan. That way, when warm weather arrives, you're ready... read more

How to install Deckorators CXT Deck Railing

Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is co-extruded from two layers of materials—making this one beautiful and tough railing system. The core is made with Strandex—the most tested and trusted composite technology—while the outer cap-stock layer gives CXT Composite Deck Railing the look of painted wood and makes it ultra scratch- and weather-resistant. Deckorators CXT code-compliant deck railing is available in white, black and bronze colors and boasts a 20-year limited warranty for piece of mind. Deckorators CXT Deck Railing Installation Video The unique "U-Bracket" design provides a fastener-free... read more

Why Deckorators balusters are better

Is there a difference in the quality of powder-coated aluminum deck balusters? You bet! Because Deckorators aluminum deck balusters are Interpon 810 powder-coated (for High Durability), they provide significantly improved gloss retention and resistance to color change versus most other brands. On top of that, they’re AAMA2604 compliant and that means twice the humidity resistance and five times the outdoor exposure resistance when compared to other brands. Deckorators powder-coated balusters, like the Classic Series, are tested for 3000 hours for fade and blistering, while other baluster... read more

Want to sell your home fast? Tips to help your home stand out.

If you have decided to sell your home, that last thing you want is for it to sit on the market for a long time. Taking some home improvement steps before listing can make your house more attractive to potential buyers and put you in a better position to sell quickly. So what do you need to do to ensure that listing your house floods your real estate agent’s office with showing requests? 1. Spiff up the entranceway Every interested buyer will enter through your front door. Have you looked at your entranceway with a critical eye lately? Consider replacing old or sagging screens. If your front... 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.