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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by
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Deck Safety Month and a good time to inspect decks for the
upcoming deck season. A thorough inspection is important: More than
40 million decks in the U.S. are older than 20 years, and deck
failures and injuries are increasing. Take advantage of Deck Safety
Month by using the following tips and resources to carefully
inspect your deck and make it hazard-free. When inspecting, take
time to check: Railings and balusters Are balusters or railings
rotted or corroded? Do they need replacing? If so, you might
consider a complete swap with durable and long-lasting composite or
metal materials such...
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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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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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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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Tuesday, December 11, 2012 by
Photo credits: thinkstock.com Sorry, I couldn’t resist the
pun in my title. After all, decorating your outdoor features with
garlands and sprays of evergreen this winter will enhance your
enjoyment of the season every time you look out your windows, go
outside to play with your kids or get your mail. Elegant swags of
green garland draped along your deck railings and fence line, as
well as beautiful sprays of evergreen on your posts and mailbox —
with or without lights or additional flair like wreaths, bows or
pinecones — will make your deck and yard cheery for winter. Real
garland can be...
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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
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...
read more
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....
read more
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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Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by
If you have decided to sell your home, that last thing you want is
for it to sit on the market for a long time. Taking some home
improvement steps before listing can make your house more
attractive to potential buyers and put you in a better position to
sell quickly. So what do you need to do to ensure that listing your
house floods your real estate agent’s office with showing requests?
1. Spiff up the entranceway Every interested buyer will enter
through your front door. Have you looked at your entranceway with a
critical eye lately? Consider replacing old or sagging screens. If
your front...
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Thursday, November 3, 2011 by
We received nearly 100 entries for consideration during this
competition. The judges were impressed with the creativity and
superior workmanship from both DIYers/consumers and professional
builders. Each photo submission was ranked by creative use of deck
building material and overall appearance. Congratulations to the
top three winners and honorable mentions. Thanks to all who
participated and made this a great deck competition! Grand Prize
Winner Doug Mominee, Around Your House, LLC. Lambertville, MI Deck
Details: 1800+ Square foot deck. Hardwood deck is Ipe, rail
Postcovers are Deckorators...
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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...
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011 by
Adding a built-in bench to your deck seating area evokes the charm
and convenience of a window seat while providing additional seating
for family gatherings and entertaining. You can enhance the cozy
atmosphere of your outdoor family room with the addition of a fire
pit. If adding to a deck, define the space for your chiminea or
fire pit and protect your deck by using Latitudes Deck Stones.
Available in 16-inch square Smoke slate or Riverstone granite
tiles, the deck stones interlock, self-drain, require no mortar and
can easily be installed on new or existing conventional wood-framed
decks....
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Thursday, July 7, 2011 by
As a savvy homeowner you're always looking for something new and
different—and you should be, too! If you're willing to do a little
exploring, you can create or renovate a composite deck or lumber
deck that positively sizzles with visual and functional appeal in
your outdoor living space. Suggest creating multiple levels.
Perhaps an embedded inset for visual appeal. And why settle for
straight lines and predictable runs? How about incorporating
sweeping curves or compound angles with your deck
planks? Create contrast with complimentary deck board colors
and reversible textures. A grill...
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Thursday, June 30, 2011 by
You’ve probably heard the expression “God is in the details.” Well,
when it comes to creating a truly unique and beautiful deck design,
the right mix of details can create a heavenly result. Every deck
is essentially a blank canvas. Adding design details such as
ornamental post caps, decorative balusters and deck inlays, can
turn your blank canvas into a custom deck that is a work of art.
Not sure which details will work best for your tastes and design
parameters? Deck design software can help you envision how your
deck will look with the addition of certain details. The Deck
Visualizer is a...
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011 by
When a friend was looking to spruce up the posts of his treated
lumber deck, he was looking for an easy, high-impact option that
was both functional and eye-catching. So, I recommended the
Deckorators brand of metal post caps. Deckorators has some unique
solar deck lighting options to choose from and the convertible
solar post cap was the perfect choice. For this particular deck
lighting need, we went with a round copper post cap that sits atop
the deck’s 4x4 railing posts. The post cap is referred to as a
convertible post cap because it provides a deck with ambient
lighting at night, using...
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by
Pool Deck Safety: Build smart. Keep safe. Most municipalities have
safety regulations governing what you use around your pool, such as
privacy fencing and deck railing, to restrict open access. Before
you begin construction on your pool deck, be sure to check your
local building codes. Pool deck lighting requirements should also
be considered (solar post caps and low-voltage deck lighting from
Deckorators can help address these) as well as gate latch/lock
requirements.
read more
Thursday, June 2, 2011 by
I've touched on decorative post caps in many posts, but these
ornamental accents are such a versatile and economical way to dress
up a deck or fence post, that they deserve their own moment in the
spotlight. Post caps / post tops are easy to install, even for
novice do-it-yourselfers. In addition to looking good, they also
serve the purpose of protecting your post from the elements. Solar
post caps can also add helpful illumination when you enjoy your
deck and outdoor living area at night. If you're looking for a
quick, weekend project that will give your outdoor area a whole new
look, adding...
read more
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