Great Railing – Home Improvement Projects and Ideas

No matter the size of your yard, your outdoor living spaces will work better together if you establish traffic patterns. You can do this in a variety of ways, including laying formal walkways, creating shifts in hardscape materials, or planting shrubs or trees to establish corners and borders.

Include a Variety of Seating Options

Benches, chairs, even pint-size stools: As many choices as you can include in an outdoor living space will help family and friends enjoy it. Scaled-down kid versions allow little ones to seat themselves, while chairs are a more flexible option — pull two together for a quiet chat or add extras around the table for a big dinner. One tip: Don’t include so many that traffic patterns become cluttered.

Create a Focal Point

Well-designed indoor rooms typically build off one element — a sofa or piece of art, for example — which gives the eye something to land on; the rest of the furnishings and accents support that piece. That same principle applies to outdoor living spaces. Here, an extensive pond becomes the central gathering point, providing a spot to arrange furniture and orient views.

Make Furnishings Work Twice as Hard

Because space is often at a premium in outdoor living areas, furniture and accessories have to do double-duty. Benches may have storage space underneath; tables may also be containers. Here, this pretty side table features a stunning container planted with low-maintenance succulents that add color and texture under a raised tempered-glass top resting on copper supports.

Connect to the Indoors

Outdoor living spaces that are easily accessible to indoor rooms are the most likely to get used. So when you’re designing your deck or patio, try to locate it in a spot that’s in a traffic pattern or in a place that offers refuge, such as off the master bedroom or living room.

For more design ideas come back every week.

Spring is here! Let’s take a walk outside and see what needs to be done.

If your one of these folks who just walked outside today and realized that your deck is in desperate need of some TLC and know there is no way you can afford at least $4,000 for a new deck than think again. The solution is Deck-Topper. Fox 29 News and Jenn Frederick interviewed Jason Cameron from Deck-Topper. Deck-Topper has been rated Best New product for 2013.

The Deck-Topper system can install over any pressure-treated wood deck and allow for years of low maintenance to come. Currently there are three colors, Gray, Cedar and Walnut and they are available in 8 or 12 foot lengths. Installation is a snap, literally and it all comes backed with a 10 year warranty.

For more information and installation go to http://deck-topper.com.

The winter is almost done and all that work has paid off and you are enjoying the beauty and convenience of your well designed deck. The whole family, their friends, neighborhood children, pets, etc love all the extra space to run around and play in.

However protecting your deck is a big challenge. Over the years, there are many challenges to the deck such as:

1. Foot traffic
2. Furniture scrapes
3. Grill (and heat produced by it)
4. UV rays from the atmosphere
5. Insects, Algae or fungi
6. Wind, storms and tornado activity
7. Wood warping or checking
8. Movement of deck supports
9. Water below deck can cause supports to weaken
10. Mud and dirt tracked on to the deck damages stains or sealers.
11. Water getting into nail holes causing warping
12. Nails popping up above the surface

The condition of a deck after a few years depends on the maintenance that we perform on it regularly. A well maintained deck retains its beauty forever. To keep the deck as beautiful as the day it was built, we need to do the following:

1.  Periodically check for nails that pop up from the wood. Reset it with a drip pin as soon as they are found. This prevents accident spills and injuries.
2. Over the years, a lot of dirt and dust builds up on the deck. This can be removed using good cleansing deck wash. Avoid chlorine bleaches which may damage the wood as well as the surrounding greenery. A power washer can give the deck a thorough cleaning. However, take care not to use it too close to the wood as this may damage the wood. 3. Use a long handled brush to loosen the collected dirt until you see the grain of the wood clearly.
3. If you have a wood deck, it might be time to apply a sealer which will waterproof the deck, giving is some color without masking the natural grain and also protect it from UV rays and other external threats. Remember to apply the sealer on the sides of the wood slats, starting with the top.
4. Periodically, it is good to clean the deck with just a simple round of soap and water is enough to keep your deck in the best condition for years to come.

Now that you have a concept of the style and size of the deck that you want, it is time to think of a design or plan that will help you realize your dream. The addition of a deck to any building or outdoor space will increase the value as well as the enjoyment of the place.

Decks should be built to last a long time. So it is important to take your time in conceiving and planning a deck even if you will use a specialist for the actual construction. Decks are very useful whether it is just for the family to enjoy the backyard or for a whole crowd to enjoy an outdoor summer party.

The most important step in deck building is to design it in complete detail. There are many things to consider and decide upon when it comes to planning decks:

Shape of the deck should be customized for your area whether it is at the back of the house, all around the house or part of a pool or lake. However, it is best to measure the dimensions of each side of the proposed deck from ground up to the top railing and a roof if any to get an idea or estimate of its complexity.

Find out about building codes and zoning compliances in your area. If you live in a community, get the approval of the “Home Owner’s Association” as well as the city or town construction approval agencies. Easements which provide access to Utilities such as power, gas and water, local ordinances that limit the size of the deck and other regulations need to be carefully considered.

Get the estimates and measurements checked by a professional deck builder. They may be able to point out the shortcomings of the concept such as consideration for soft terrain, height issues, privacy issues, etc.

Depending on the size, shape, height, weight, location, terrain or other caveats, you may need additional support structures, knee braces, bridging between joists, etc.

The choice of deck system whether it be wood, PVC or Vinyl all have different price structure and warranty’s, different upkeep and limitations. Make sure you check out at least three different decking products before making a final decision. To help with the search we have listed some websites you should read carefully before a decision.

• Gorilla Deck - Vinyl Decking
• AmPro Decking – PVC decking
• Great Railing – Composite Decking

For more information on decking kits and other decking materials including composite, PVC and Vinyl decking head over to our Master site Great Railing at http://www.greatrailing.com.

All that work has paid off and you are enjoying the beauty and convenience of your well designed deck. The whole family, their friends, neighbourhood children, pets, etc love all the extra space to run around and play in.

However protected the wood is, over the years, it is a big challenge to keep it secure and sturdy as well as aesthetically pleasing. Over the years, there are many challenges to the deck such as:

1. Foot traffic
2. Furniture scrapes
3. Grill (and heat produced by it)
4. UV rays from the atmosphere
5. Insects, Algae or fungi
6. Wind, storms and tornado activity
7. Wood warping or checking
8. Movement of deck supports
9. Water below deck can cause supports to weaken
10. Mud and dirt tracked on to the deck damages stains or sealers.
11. Water getting into nail holes causing warping
12. Nails popping up above the surface

The condition of a deck after a few years depends on the maintenance that we perform on it regularly. A well maintained deck retains its beauty forever. To keep the deck as beautiful as the day it was built, we need to do the following:

1. Periodically check for nails that pop up from the wood. Reset it with a drip pin as soon as they are found. This prevents accident spills and injuries.

2. Over the years, a lot of dirt and dust builds up on the deck. This can be removed using good cleansing deck wash. Avoid chlorine bleaches which may damage the wood as well as the surrounding greenery. A power washer can give the deck a thorough cleaning. However, take care not to use it too close to the wood as this may damage the wood. 3. Use a long handled brush to loosen the collected dirt until you see the grain of the wood clearly.

4. Add a wood brightener which removes all dirt from the wood and brightens it. Work the brightener into a small area and use the power washer to remove even more dirt from the boards.

5. Thoroughly dry out the deck for a couple of days.

6. It is time to apply a sealer which will waterproof the deck, giving is some colour without masking the natural grain and also protect it from UV rays and other external threats. Remember to apply the sealer on the sides of the wood slats, starting with the top.

7. Apply the sealer on the deck using a painting pad with even strokes along the grain. One coat is all that is needed for years of protection.

Periodically, it is good to clean the deck with just a simple round of soap and water is enough to keep your deck in the best condition for years to come.

Everyone knows it could be costly to replace an entire deck, wouldn’t it be much easier to just reface it. I mean you can reface kitchen cabinets these days, why not your deck. Well, I am happy to tell you that now you can. The latest craze in decking is swarming the nation by storm and Great Railing has the scoop.

Deck-Topper has a state-of-the-art is a cost-effective product that covers your old deck with a tongue and groove plank system. This revolutionary design provides years of low maintenance.

Why Choose Deck Topper?
• Wood color & variegated wood grain design.
• Made with the highest grade of outdoor PVC.
• Low maintenance.
• Easy to install.
• Embossed wood grain surface pattern,resistant to heavy traffic.
• No more splinters or cracking boards.
• Superior surface design & finish will outlast the structure.
• Slotted holes allow for contraction and expansion.
• Low cost resurfacing solution.
• Large selection of trims for a professional installation.
• 10 year warranty.

The kit includes all necessary pieces needed to complete the installation, except the screws. For more information on the Deck-Topper http://deck-topper.com.

it’s almost Autumn and in the Northeast are nights are getting cooler. Wouldn’t it be nice to stay on that back deck you just built a little bit more and cozy on up to a fire pit or fireplace of your own. You bought your composite decking from Great Railing so why not buy your fire pit or fireplace as well.

Great Railing sells some of the best fire pits and fireplaces in the area, and if you’ve already went to them for composite decking I’m sure they could help you create your fireplace/fire pit into your current design or if you have an even build your deck let Great Railing incorporate your new fire pit into your new deck.

By adding a fireplace or fire pit you can create a dramatic entrance to your outdoor deck. My favorite happens to be the firewall it is a beautiful architectural design fireplace that will add the ambiance and dramatic effect when someone walks onto your deck.