Glass Post Caps

As the economy starts to come back around, many remodelers and deck builders expect to see a significant up-tick in requests from homeowners who want a new deck or want to update an existing deck to an expansive outdoor living area. Architects, landscape designers and building professionals are among those who typically stay up-to-date with the hottest deck trends.

Expansive, multi-feature decks

• multi-level decks that allow homeowners to add separate areas for entertaining
• incorporating unique deck patterns, deck insets, benches, built-in planter boxes and grill kick outs to make an outdoor living area one-of-a-kind

Outdoor living rooms, kitchens, grilling areas

• appliances, televisions, fireplaces and water features have become popular outdoor amenities for many homeowners
• many decks incorporate deck stones to protect the deck surface and add separation between outdoor kitchens and lounge areas. These natural stone deck tiles are perfect for use under grills and raised fire pits.

• co-extruded and other synthetic surfaces that are virtually impervious to stains and fading are becoming more common over their wood decking counterpart
• ultra-low maintenance decking requires less upkeep than treated lumber and standard composite lumber decking
• achieve a unique, exotic look with a composite deck plank that emulates tropical hardwood

Deck railing accessories

• add an extra touch of class with stylish post caps available in wood, metal or decorative glass
• unique railing infills like scenic glass balusters allow you to see with an unobstructed view to the pool or lake
• baluster accessories are inexpensive, ornate add-ons that turn an ordinary deck railing into a work of art

Deck lighting

• low voltage step and stair lighting is used for both ambiance and safety
• perfect for ambient lighting, solar post cap lights are already one of the top trends in accessorizing your deck
• installing rope lighting under deck railing highlights the rail and adds enough light to entertain throughout the night

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.

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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