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Friday, May 31, 2013 by
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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...
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Wednesday, May 1, 2013 by
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...
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Monday, April 1, 2013 by
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...
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Friday, March 29, 2013 by
Use Ultra-Bright Accessories and High-Energy Hues on Your Deck this
Spring and Summer to Stimulate your Senses and Boost your Spirits
Color is everywhere this year. Gone (…yawn…) are neutrals’ days of
design dominance. Just ask Pantone. Widely acknowledged as the
leading authority on color trends, Pantone has named Emerald
17-5641 Color of the Year and forecasts Lemon Zest, Poppy Red and
Nectarine to be popular as well. Likewise, Sherwin-Williams
predicts June Day, Kumquat, Exuberant Pink and Gladiola will make a
big splash this spring and summer. For deck enthusiasts,
there’s nowhere more...
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013 by
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...
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Saturday, January 19, 2013 by
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. •...
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Friday, January 18, 2013 by
Latitudes® decking and railing products, will unveil
an all-new Latitudes decking product at the International Builders
Show in Las Vegas.: Latitudes Wave™, which will offer many of the
superior features of other Latitudes decking lines, at a more
affordable price. Like superior Latitudes products, Latitudes
Wave™ features Strandex technology that’s extruded with a contour
profile and slotted edges to be used with the Equator hidden
fastening system. Latitudes Wave is available in Gray and Walnut,
and opens the door to homeowners who want the beauty and endurance
of a wood-composite...
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012 by
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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Tuesday, December 18, 2012 by
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...
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Monday, December 3, 2012 by
Photo credit for images: www.bhg.com Whether you find decorating
for the holidays a joy or a chore, many of us focus more on making
the inside of our homes merry rather than the outside. But as the
days grow shorter and colder, a bright, colorful focal point
outside your windows — enjoyable both day and night — can really
boost your mood. One way to add decorative fun to your deck posts,
front porch, steps or walkways is with homemade frozen luminaries.
This craft project is perfect for one person or the whole family.
Children of all ages can participate, but it’s an easy
do-it-yourself for...
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012 by
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...
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Friday, November 16, 2012 by
Temperatures in many parts of the country have been quite warm this
fall; if this trend continues, your family could be treated to
bonus time outdoors together over the long Thanksgiving weekend. So
get ready to throw on a sweatshirt or heavy coat if necessary, and
be sure to take advantage of the last pleasant days of autumn while
you still can. Try a few new ideas for outside fun this holiday.
You never know: you could start new family traditions! Let the kids
create the Thanksgiving centerpiece – If your area hasn’t yet
experienced a hard frost, chances are good your landscaping or...
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Friday, October 26, 2012 by
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...
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Friday, September 28, 2012 by
You've decided to add a new composite deck to your home. A wise
investment. Composite decking, such as natural-looking materials
from Latitudes Decking and Railing , brings visual appeal
to your home and expands your living space. The first step is to
decide what design best fits your use. While the size of your house
and yard, along with your budget, will impact your design options,
there are still a multitude of choices to be made during this
important planning phase. Basic Composite Deck Designs If you have
a smaller backyard, a limited budget or simply prefer a minimalist
approach to...
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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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Tuesday, August 7, 2012 by
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....
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Monday, July 16, 2012 by
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...
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Thursday, May 3, 2012 by
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....
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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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