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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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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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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, 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
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...
read more
Thursday, March 29, 2012 by
Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is co-extruded from two layers of
materials—making this one beautiful and tough railing system. The
core is made with Strandex—the most tested and trusted composite
technology—while the outer cap-stock layer gives CXT Composite Deck
Railing the look of painted wood and makes it ultra scratch- and
weather-resistant. Deckorators CXT code-compliant deck railing is
available in white, black and bronze colors and boasts a 20-year
limited warranty for piece of mind. Deckorators CXT Deck Railing
Installation Video The unique "U-Bracket" design provides a
fastener-free...
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012 by
Enerflex radiant barrier insulation, a highly reflective,
double-sided, multilayered material, blocks up to 96% of radiant
energy and can be installed in new and existing homes. It installs
between rafters to the underside of a roof and on other vertical
surfaces in an attic to reduce solar heat gain into the home. It
also reduces heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air
space between the roof and attic floor, keeping an attic up to 30
degrees cooler. In cool weather, Enerflex helps prevent radiant
energy from leaving the home and reduces heat loss, which adds up
to significant energy...
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Thursday, February 16, 2012 by
Insulation may seem a bit basic to be the “key” to anything new,
but saving energy through what the architects referred to as
“passive” elements—those are the elements which, like insulation,
work without using any energy—has not been a priority in building
most houses in the last several decades. To maximize the efficiency
of the envelope, the building’s main spaces should be oriented to
the south, where the sun provides the most natural light and heat
and, if there are solar panels, energy. All the architects who
spoke emphasized the use of triple-glazed windows as part of the
envelope. The...
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by
Over the years Deckorators has built a solid brand reputation by
offering innovation, durable deck railing accessories like
balusters and post caps. Now Deckorators has broadened its product
range to include CXT co-extruded composite deck railing kits and
aluminum deck railing kits. Showcased in the Deckorators booth at
the 2012 Builders' Show in Orlando, both Deckorators CXT Railing
System and Aluminum Railing System were highlighted using an
assortment of Deckorators brand balusters, including the new copper
colored round baluster, solar post caps and hardwood cap railing
and Duo Connectors...
read more
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by
Deckorators, the nation’s leading brand of deck balusters and
decorative railing accessories, has introduced another industry
first called VersaCaps™ — decorative post caps with nested inserts
that allow for a snug fit over the most common size deck and fence
posts. With new VersaCaps, post size is no longer a barrier when
choosing the right post cap for your project. VersaCaps come with
three inserts perfectly nested inside the base, making them
adaptable for virtually any post ranging from 3-1/2”x3-1/2” to
4-5/8”x4-5/8”. The true-fitting nested inserts take the
guesswork out of matching up...
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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....
read more
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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Thursday, July 28, 2011 by
DIYer/homeowner, Dan Simpson of Manchester, New Hampshire recently
constructed a masterpiece deck using Deckorators CXT Railing while
incorporating compatible Deckorators glass balusters and solar post
caps for great looks and safety. "I'm very happy with the railing
and have received nothing but compliments," said Mr. Simpson. About
Deckorators CXT Deck Railing System Deckorators CXT deck 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...
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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
Typically, you’re going to build your treated lumber deck, tropical
hardwood deck or composite lumber deck wherever your pool is. But
how will you connect that pool deck to the house? Your objective is
to provide swimmers with easy access to the pool, without losing
the appropriate scale for your backyard space. Choose a pool that
works for your area. The size and style of your pool and pool deck
will help shape your pool entertainment area. Adding a combination
of functional add-ons like Deckorators low voltage deck lights and
solar-lit post caps, privacy lattice, stepping stones...
read more
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
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 by
Enjoying your deck is definitely a high point of summer. But if you
really want to ice the cake and put a big cherry on top, you need
great landscaping to go with that awesome deck. Landscaping on and
around you deck not only adds to the deck’s visual appeal, it can
enhance usability. Many landscaping improvements are easy enough to
be done in one weekend. Here are some deck design ideas to create
the perfect environment on and around your deck: Planter post caps
Made of cast stone, Deckorators’ planter post caps add the charm of
flowers and greenery to a deck. Available in copper round...
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
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 by
If summer’s approach has you thinking it’s time to remodel a deck,
you might be looking for a cost-effective, high-impact way to do
it. Taking your deck’s railings to the next level could be your
solution. Deck railing is more than just a safety feature to keep
guests and kids from a nasty fall. It can also make a powerful
design statement. Railing kits can make it easy to upgrade your
deck with a whole new look. Consider these railing upgrades:
Balusters You have more choices and alternatives than ever when it
comes to spicing up deck balusters. Aluminum balusters allow you to
introduce...
read more
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