Universal Consumer Products has added a second deck railing system to the Deckorators® brand lineup called CXT. The Deckorators CXT railing system is co-extruded for ultralow-maintenance and is available t
hrough Wolf, the newest distributor of Deckorators brand products. The CXT railing system will be showcased at the 2011 JLC Live tradeshow in New England, beginning March 25.
Deckorators CXT railing emulates the look of real painted wood and combines proven Strandex® technology on the interior with an ultralow-maintenance exterior cap stock for long-term durability and strength. Deckorators CXT railing boasts a 20-year limited warranty.
Available in two distinct profiles,
Contemporary and Colonial, CXT deck railing kits are offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.
Best of all, Deckorators CXT railing allows deck builders to work with several popular Deckorators railing baluster infills and post accessories. In addition, Deckorators offers four eye-catching post cap styles, including Tiffany-style Mission Glass, Copper, Solar and Traditional.
Available in spring 2011, the CXT railing system will be showcased at the 2011 JLC Live Show in New England (Deckorators booth 1036 and Wolf booth 306).
Deckorators deck, railing and fence accessories are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada. Visit www.deckorators.com for complete information.
About Deckorators
Deckorators is the first name in deck railing accessories and the originator of the round aluminum baluster. The pioneering spirit behind the brand has kept the Deckorators name on the leading edge of designing products that create beautiful and unique decks. The brand started the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category with the Classic Series and has since led the industry with innovative products: Colonial balusters, offering the look of traditional colonial times; Architectural balusters, with the beautiful appearance of hand-forged wrought iron; accessories that provide the special accents needed to customize the look of your deck; Connector Series installation products that make installing Deckorators balusters simple and easy. The brand’s approach to developing exciting and distinctive deck rail and railing products allows customers the opportunity to express themselves on their deck as they do in their home.
Deckorators Best Deck contest highlights creativity and superior worksmanship of both DIYers/consumers and professional builders. Each photo submission was ranked by creative use of
deck building material and overall appearance.
Best Deck Designs - Winners
There were many masterful entries, but the stunning, two-story New England composite deck from Josh Flowers (DIYer) captured the top prize due to its seamless implementation of decking and railing materials, resulting in two gorgeous decks. George and Caron Evans' DIY entry of a beautiful two-toned synthetic deck in Maryland earned them second prize for utilizing hidden deck fastener technology, low-voltage deck lights, Deckorators autumn-tinted
Scenic Glass Balusters. Rounding out the top three was Steve Patterson's (professional builder) luxurious
pressure-treated wood deck that displayed the stately nature of Deckorators to perfection with bronze
classic deck balusters and decorative
centerpieces.
See all three winning entries.Best Deck Designs - Honorable Mentions
The level of work on display made choosing a difficult task, and there are three more decks we would like to show off as honorable mentions. Joe Wengrin, Brian Manthey, and Mark Ferguson all submitted exquisite examples as well. View each of these marvelous wood decks in the
honorable mentions section.
An outdoor swimming pool combined with a pool deck is a great way to have fun and relax with family and friends from late Spring into early Fall, or maybe all-year-round depending on the climate. Outdoor pools and pool decks from the Midwest to New England are typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But pools and pool decking in hot southern climates like Atlanta and Miami may be open most of the year.
Adding pool decking to your outdoor living area
Whether you have an above-ground swimming pool or an in-ground swimming pool, there are a few things to consider before you add a swimming pool deck.
- Which type of pool decking material do your prefer (low maintenance composite lumber, pressure treated lumber, tropical lumber, concrete, stone pavers, other)?
- Choose a composite deck color or treated wood stain that complements your outdoor space
Pool deck safety is important
Make sure you choose a pool decking material that has a slip-resistant surface. Composite decking such as Latitudes Intrepid has a reversible brushed/woodgrain finish that is slip-resistant. Abaco tropical hardwood decking has a ribbed / grooved top surface on one side which allows for good traction in wet areas such as around pools.
Since most pools are under full sun, it's important to know that the deck surface may become hot. I strongly recommend using hidden fasteners on pool decks. Protruding metal fasteners can heat up under direct sunlight and burn the bottom of your feet or even cut bare feet. If securing wood or composite pool decking with traditional top screw fasteners, always countersink the fastener's head.
For the past decade, homeowners have been investing more in their decks and outdoor living areas, adding on products like
synthetic decking, fiber cement siding or new roofing. And not surprising, studies are reflecting changes to what many call investment improvements. In some areas, outdoor living improvements have matched or exceeded popular kitchen or bathroom projects.
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.
The
2009-2010 Cost vs. Value report published by Remodeling Magazine evaluates returns on investments for various home improvement projects based on regions of the country. Specifically decks, like other home improvements suffered in 2007-2008, but indicators are improving. Keep in mind the percentage listed on the return is the amount of money you would potentially get back if you sold your home within the 1st year after completing the project.
Here are two good examples of cost versus value for composite decking:East North Central Region (which includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin), if you spent $15,619 on a composite deck addition, you would potentially get back 62%, or approximately $10,000 back if you sold your home within a year.
The recouped percentage only gets better if you add a midrange
composite deck in New England. If you spend $15,724 on a new composite deck you can expect to recoup a whopping 71.5% when your home sells. Naturally the longer you stay in your home; the percentage should rise accordingly each year.
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