Extend the enjoyment of decks and outdoor spaces by creating or updating your outdoor living area. 
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.
—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.
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.
Deckorators—the leader in deck railing baluster infills—has a solution for your treated wood or composite balcony railing.
When you want to create a unique look for your outdoor living space, consider tropical hardwood decking from Aljoma Lumber; it's a sure-fire way to catch some attention. Tropical hardwoods come in a multitude of species. Aljoma markets one of their tropical species as Abaco decking. Abaco shares some of the same features and characteristics as other popular hardwood choices like Ipe and Cumaru (see Abaco / Ipe comparison). 
features a fine to medium texture and is warp resistant. When pre-drilled, Ipe holds nails well, is available in most popular decking sizes, and has a wide array of other uses such as:
Exterior replacement projects, which peaked in 2005, have made their way to the top of the rankings; and now they occupy the majority of the top spots in terms of cost recouped. One reason is that curb appeal influence prospective buyers. And outdoor projects like composite decks and pressure treated wood decks typically cost less than remodeling a kitchen or master bathroom. So why spend more on an investment improvement when your intention is to sell your property. I say spend wisely.
Latitudes, a leading composite decking brand, and Deckorators, the leader in deck railing accessories, both have options for glass deck baluster infills. A graceful alternative to the traditional wood or metal baluster, glass shouts elegance while bringing you closer to nature.
lighting using designer solar post caps. No matter if you have 4x4 deck posts or 6x6 deck posts, there’s a post cap style for you.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 a great alternative to wood decking. And because synthetic decks are made with wood plastic composite material, you need to take precaution when clearing off snow and ice during the winter season.
Here are three key tips for cleaning off snow and ice from your Latitudes composite deck:
Shovel all loose snow off with a plastic shovel. Shovel parallel with the grain. Make sure there is NOT a metal blade at the end of the shovel as it could scratch the surface.Just as wood decking materials can get marred or gouged, composite deck surfaces can be scratched just the same. If scratched, I recommend allowing normal wear marks to fade, as they will blend in with the weathered color over time.
I am not aware of any adverse effects from the temporary use of ice melting products on Latitudes and other composite decking brands; however, I recommend using an ice melt product that has a less harsh effect on the surface. These types of ice melt products may indicate "will not harm concrete" or "will not kill grass" on the packaging. Be sure to brush off any residual ice melt product after the ice and snow melts.
Latitudes Capricorn features two unique tropical colors, adobe and koa. These exotic-looking synthetic deck boards resemble tropical hardwood
like mahogany and ipe. With a natural-looking woodgrain pattern on both sides, Capricorn bridges versatility and aesthetics in one unique style.
appear to be a favorite target for these super-sized snow dispensers. While plow drivers aren’t intentionally trying to dismantle your mailbox, you should consider protecting it nonetheless.
With snow and ice adding up, plows begin their early morning expedition up and down the streets scraping and blasting snow and slush out of the road and into yards and driveways. No matter how well constructed, average mailboxes on treated wood posts cannot stand up to the pummeling a snowplow will unleash. Snowplows hurl hundreds of pounds of snow in one pass, and the result can be devastating.
Mailboxes are absolutely essential, but they can be very expensive to 
replace each year. So, if you're tired of the hassle and expense of replacing or repairing your mailbox, or don’t want to be among those in the neighborhood to plant a fallen mailbox into the snow bank until the ground thaws, assemble your own decorative mailbox support with wood.
Use pressure treated lumber and 4x4 or 6x6 wood posts and design and assemble your own piece of front yard art that not only looks great year-round but also will defend your postal integrity. Add decorative 6x6 or 4x4 post caps: wood post caps, copper post caps, solar post caps, or other low voltage lighting will add that final touch. For your posts, make sure to use MCA or MCQ lumber or other treated wood that’s approved for ground contact prior to constructing.
When you’re finished, you’ll have a decorative and structural mailbox support that will stand up to virtually anything the plows can throw at it.
Mailbox Placement
Placing your mailbox at a safe distance away from the road as you possibly can is a good place to start. There are, however, postal regulations for the distance your mailbox can be from the street. Your mailbox must be at least 8 to 12 inches away from the curb of the street and 36 to 42 inches off the ground, according to the U.S postal regulations, so be sure to keep those numbers in mind before beginning any project.
Is your boat dock suffering from years of neglect? While you've
focused on the house and yard, has your wood dock slowly slipped away, and now is in need of a facelift? That's where Latitudes from Universal Forest Products comes in.
Latitudes composite marine decking is fortified with Strandex technology and is composed of a perfect blend of wood fiber and polymers, providing protection against UV degradation and water absorption. It's also thicker than typical composite deck boards for added strength.
Latitudes Marine composite decking comes in four colors: gray, cedar, redwood and walnut, and has a dual-finish option with a brushed surface on one side and a woodgrain texture on the other. The composite decking boards are perfect for marinas, boardwalks, footbridges or wherever you need a thick, durable composite boat dock material.
Latitudes marine decking comes with a 10-year limited warranty for commercial applications and a 25-year limited warranty for residential applications. Latitudes marine composite decking is the perfect choice for your next project.
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 can handle this type of project.
you may be able to save your structure and simply reface the top with new pressure treated wood or composite deck boards—Regardless, make sure you check and replace damaged or rotting structural boards if needed. If you do find some structural issues, consider consulting with your local building inspector or hire a licensed builder. Mold and mildew can be a nuisance on any exterior building surface, regardless of the material. If the conditions are right, they will spawn on wood, plastic, concrete, metal and other surfaces. Mold formation is most prevalent in consistently wet, shaded areas. Spores from the natural environment are carried by the wind and commonly land on decks surfaces. It is important to note that the appearance of mold and mildew is a function of nature, not necessarily a deficiency with any of the material on which it grows.
Deck Cleaning
Periodic washing with soap/detergent and water will help remove surface dirt. This will also help prevent the buildup of pollen, debris and spores that can cause and accelerate mold/mildew growth (it also helps to remove deck mold). Caution: A pressure washer should not be used to “blast” mold/mildew or soils from a deck surface. The abrasive nature of the water stream can potentially damage the material by driving the spores into the material, which may create a more
challenging problem to remediate. A pressure washer with a fan-tipped nozzle should be used only to lightly wet or rinse wood or composite deck surfaces.
There are many deck wash and exterior cleaning products available at retail. It is important to make sure you use a cleaner specifically intended for your application. After selecting a product, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Some cleaning products and inhibitors may be more effective than others, depending on the environmental conditions your deck is subjected to. Additionally, it is always a good idea to test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to the entire deck.
Mold Inhibitors
As with deck washes, there are several mold-inhibitor products available from paint stores, hardware stores, online outlets and home centers to help prevent long-term mold/mildew growth. For any product selected, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer. Depending upon the environmental factors affecting your composite lumber or treated wood deck, some preventive cleaning products may be more effective than others. It may be necessary to try more than one product. For ongoing preventive maintenance, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.
With the real estate market slowly rebounding from its plunge and credit still tight, housing figures show that more homeowners are staying put. But that doesn’t mean they’re sitting idly by. People are investing in affordable home upgrades that not only make an immediate impact, but make their property more attractive should they decide to put it on the market later.
Today, when it comes to upgrades for your home, it’s all about bang for the buck. Homeowners are looking for the best return on 
investment as well as simple, inexpensive ways to make dramatic improvements to their homes. Outdoor living spaces, landscaping, decks and patios all make a big difference -- not only in how comfortable your current home is now, but how buyers see it when you’re ready to sell.
The trend in outdoor living space has moved toward creating outdoor living “rooms,” and the options available to homeowners have grown with the number of available products on the market.
When you’re looking at homes in a certain price range, you tend to see a lot of the same things. The features that make a home stand out and make people want to live there are often the outdoor spaces.
Outdoor living products, including composite lumber decking and deck and fence accessories, have continued to sell well in this economy, even as new construction remains slow.
Decking products, such as Latitudes Composite Decking, continue to be desirable for homeowners who are staying put and updating their existing homes rather than moving. Deck updates and upgrades are projects that make sense in this economy and that create added value for the future, as well as enjoyment and added living space for right now.
Composite decking products are low maintenance and eco-friendly. Latitudes is made from 70 percent recycled materials. And “green” home improvements can make a difference when buyers are comparing properties.
Homeowners who already have decks find that swapping out balusters or adding decorative post caps or lights can also make a dramatic difference that adds beauty as well as value to their outdoor living space.
Deckorators offers aluminum and glass balusters in a variety of styles to accent virtually any architectural look. Deck railing balusters can be installed on a new deck or can be used to update the look of an old one.
In neighborhoods where every home has a deck, the nicer decks can help sell the home faster. Typically, it’s about the details even more than the size. Designer rails, deck lights and finishes make all the difference.
Homes are sitting on the market longer, and that causes property owners to look for things they can do to set their property apart. In many areas, that means adding more living space to docks or replacing tired-looking wood decks with long-lasting composite material.
Whether you’re looking to update an existing home for personal enjoyment or preparing it for sale, outdoor living spaces present opportunities for improvement. Turning a generic deck into an inviting and attractive space to spend time sets a home apart, which is what real estate experts say home buyers will look for when the real estate market improves.
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lattice as an accent or barrier. 
Standard 4x4 and 6x6 post caps are the most common size post caps
and are ideal for covering the top of cedar, pressure treated wood, composite deck lumber, vinyl and metal posts on decks, fences, porches, mailboxes or anywhere a finishing touch is desired. 
Today you can choose from hundreds of eye-catching post caps made from wood, vinyl, metal, composite and glass. Some post caps are simple and conventional, while others are more elaborate and display amazing detail. Deckorators' decorative post caps by Maine Ornamental include tiffany-glass or metal post caps with solar LED lighting. Solar-lit post caps add an intimate glow without wiring or electricity.
Even with the economy woes, homeowners are still interested in improving their homes — whether to enhance resale value or personal enjoyment — and they’re looking for improvements with the biggest payback.
Decks remain a top renovation, often cited as delivering the highest return on investment and homeowner enjoyment. The outdoor living trend is likely to remain strong this year, and a great deck is the showpiece of your outdoor environment.
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If you're thinking about having a new dock built or are about to replace an existing dock, then consider two popular types of decking material—natural lumber decking and composite lumber decking. Each type of dock / deck building material has it's own unique benefits, and each has passed the test of time in unforgiving elements.
Natural Lumber Decking
Pressure-treated wood decking is a great option for a tighter budget. The classic look of wood gives a more rustic feel, and can be stained or painted to match virtually any color scheme. Pressure-treated decking can be notched for installation of hidden deck fasteners for a clean, fastener-free appearance.
Tropical hardwood has a highly desired exotic look and is very durable. Hardwood species like Ipe have been known to last over twenty years. Tropical decking like Abaco can span greater distances to accommodate wide 24" on center joist spacing. Some hardwood decking comes pre-grooved for use with a hidden fastener system.
Composite Lumber Decking
Composite decking is manufactured from wood fiber and 
plastic to form a plank that requires less maintenance and typically has a longer lifespan than natural wood decking. Composite lumber is similar in cost to tropical hardwood and has many of the same benefits. Like tropical hardwood, Latitudes Marine composite decking allows for long 24" on-center joist spans. Latitudes Marine also incorporates a profiled edge specifically designed for docks, boardwalks and walkways. Additional benefits of composite lumber decking is that it's barefoot friendly, slip-resistant and comes in a variety of colors that never need to be sealed or stained.
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