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Wednesday, May 1, 2013 by
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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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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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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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Tuesday, November 20, 2012 by
If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor kitchen, there’s no
better time to use it than when the weather cooperates on
Thanksgiving. With more dishes than will fit in your indoor oven,
and recipes needing to cook at different temperatures and for
different lengths of time, your outdoor kitchen has never been
handier. But with or without an extra oven on hand, don’t let your
turkey hog all your precious cooking space. Grill that bird
instead! Some grills offer fancy rotisserie options, and if you
have one, take advantage of it. But even without a rotisserie, you
can roast your turkey inside...
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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...
read more
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
It's August already, and the first week of the month is National
Simplify Your Life week. We thought it would be a great time to
announce our new Lifestyle Blog to be introduced this month with
our new blogger, Denise Cripps. We already share stories around
decking, construction, energy savings and more, but thought we
could round it out with the addition of some lifestyle stories on
how to enjoy these things and how they may affect your everyday
life or style perspective. To give you a taste of what's to
come, Denise wrote the following story in honor of National
Simplify Your Live Week....
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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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Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by
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
Thursday, March 1, 2012 by
With temperatures chilling you to the bone, 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 outdoor deck. If
your house doesn't have a treated wood or composite lumber deck, or
perhaps the one 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,...
read more
Friday, October 14, 2011 by
If you're having your deck built or doing it yourself, deck
building requires planning and forethought. Even the best deck
plans can get off to a bad start if you don’t understand how your
deck construction components fit together. Deckorators offers
special connection products to make installing these glass baluster
infills on a wood deck rail quick and easy. A few easy steps will
get your deck rail up and looking good in no time. Before you
install Deckorators Scenic Glass Deck Balusters, check with your
local building inspector to verify the product made with 5/16-inch
tempered safety glass...
read more
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by
In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of
trying to sell a house when there’s snow on the ground and the
trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes
throughout the year. While winter may not be the optimum season to
showcase your landscaping, there is one improvement you can make
that will help you boost your home’s outdoor appeal no matter what
the season: a deck. When potential buyers visit your home in
winter, they might not be able to envision how green and lovely
your backyard will look come spring. But they will be able to see
with their own...
read more
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 by
When you’re planning on building a deck or thinking about a deck
renovation or patio project, consider how you’ll use your outdoor
living space. Outdoor kitchens are popular, but you might also
consider creating an outdoor family room with a cozy seating area
and warming fireplace. Outdoor family time is a great way for
family members to reconnect with each other while also enjoying the
outdoors. When you’re planning your outdoor family room, keep in
mind that you’ll want to incorporate many of the elements your
family enjoys in their indoor environment. Your inside family room
probably...
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Friday, August 19, 2011 by
Building a deck from scratch or remodeling an existing deck with
new railing? There are plenty of ways to make your wood deck or
composite wood deck stand out—and it doesn't have to cost an arm
and a leg.Here's a short list of cool and unique ways to make your
deck area pop without breaking the bank:add unique features to
railing with decorative post caps or postcoversincorporate metal or
glass baluster infills to your deck railbuilt in bench
seatingincorporate deck stone transitionsinstall low-voltage or
solar deck lightingplace colorful plants on your deck and
stairsincorporate colorful...
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by
Is this summer your family’s year to finally put in that backyard
pool they’ve been dreaming about? Or maybe you already have a pool
and you’re looking for a way to make using it an even more
enjoyable experience. Composite pool decking is a great way to
enhance the look, appeal and usability of any pool or hot tub.
Latitudes composite decking is a great choice, especially around
water, as it's slip resistant. Add matching composite pool deck
railing, aluminum pool railing from Deckorators
or Veranda vinyl pool fencing and you’ve got a great
start on your own personal outdoor oasis. Whether...
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Friday, June 3, 2011 by
A graspable secondary handrail is an important component to
consider when planning a deck with stairs. So whether you're
constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck or a deck
made from other decking material, you're typically required to
install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck's
stair railing when there are four or more stair risers
present. Key Residential Stair Handrail Requirements (IRC -
International Residential Code) Stairways having four or more
risers, or rising more than 30 inches in height, whichever is less,
must have at least one grab rail....
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Thursday, March 31, 2011 by
Building a deck and going on vacation have at least one thing in
common: upfront planning leads to fun and relaxation. Don’t fall
prey to disappointment and additional expense by failing to
consider the details. Below are some of the items you need to
consider when planning a deck.Local codes and requirementsHave you
checked the local building codes? Have you followed sound building
practices? Does your neighborhood owners association have special
requirements? Few things are more troublesome than having to redo
work because some building requirement was overlooked.How will you
use your...
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Friday, March 25, 2011 by
Let’s say you’re contemplating having a treated lumber deck or a
Latitudes composite lumber deck built or remodeled, and you don’t
have the time or the inclination to do it yourself. Choosing the
right contractor/deck builder is both art and science. Doing your
homework goes a long way toward being satisfied with the end
result.Important tips for choosing the right professional deck
builder:Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or reference
the decking or railing manufacturer's web site for a list of
preferred installers (composite decking installers, deck railing
installers). Narrow...
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Friday, January 14, 2011 by
Turn your deck design ideas into reality with the Latitudes Deck
Visualizer interactive deck program. This deck design software
allows you to freely design a unique, conceptual composite decking
and railing layout.The Latitudes Deck Visualizer is an intuitive
program that allows users to create a custom look in just a few
minutes. This unique deck design tool can be used on virtually any
computer or mobile device and allows you to print your custom deck
design, save it, e-mail it to your contractor or share it with
friends and family.Latitudes Deck Visualizer incorporates real life
background...
read more
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