This summer, families are planning to spend time together at home, and that can mean building or expanding an outdoor living space. Outdoor spaces like decks and porches let you enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and all that summer has to offer without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

 Here are four things you should think about before beginning a deck build or remodel:

It’s spring, and outdoor improvement projects are happening everywhere you look! Weeding, planting, digging, raking out beds—everyone in the neighborhood seems to be doing something. With so many people spending more time at home, gardening (both vegetable and flower) appears to be exploding in popularity.

It’s easier to do now than retrofit later

When it comes to adding a deck or outdoor living space to your home, there are many considerations around time, budget, and add-ons. Lighting is a beautiful addition that you might be tempted to put off until another time. But lighting is almost fundamental! Here are four reasons we think you should consider adding lighting now, instead of waiting until “someday.”

It’s an exciting thing to build or remodel a deck! Together with your contractor, you are creating a beautiful outdoor living space for friends and family to connect or simply a relaxing place to take a breath, unwind, and enjoy the fresh air after a busy day.

With all the customization available, adding outdoor living to your home can be a fun (and occasionally exhausting) process. From the initial planning phases to the product selection to the building and finally to the finished product, there are many choices to make.

One choice most people don’t often think about at length is their deck railing.

Americans love their dogs, no doubt. According to statistics from the American Pet Products Association, there are currently are 89.7 million dogs in the USA, kept by 60.2 million households. Many are beloved family members, and their owners want them to be safe and comfortable, indoors and out.

One way to let your dog experience the joy of the great outdoors, is, of course, to fence your yard. Homeowners fence their yards for many reasons, but a big one is because they have pets who want to be outside, with all the exciting dog-adventure that entails.

With the arrival of a new year and a new decade, it’s time to take a look at what’s going to be trending for homeowners in the U.S. as they add or improve outdoor living areas, especially as it involves deck railing.

Based on our industry knowledge and studies (see the end of the post for more info), here’s what we see happening in 2020 and beyond.

We’ve all seen the gorgeous photos. Big decks with all kinds of amenities from pergolas to outdoor ovens. But not everyone lives in a place where they can enjoy such a large outdoor living area—not to mention those big decks are expensive, costing tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If your space and budget don’t allow for living large, here are some ways you can maximize the small space you do have:

First, what is yard fence?

Other companies might call it semi-privacy fence, but no matter what it’s called, it’s a secure fence with pickets going into a top and bottom rail, and it’s more open than a solid privacy fence. Yard fence is a great choice when you’re looking to blend yard security with a welcoming, open fence.

Vinyl fencing and railing are just part of the picture!

Vinyl fencing and vinyl railing are the most common uses for backyard vinyl. In any neighborhood you visit, you’ll probably spot a vinyl privacy, picket, or yard fence, and you’ll notice vinyl railing on decks and porches.

In addition to railing and fencing, vinyl manufacturers sometimes make or sell porch posts or porch columns. Here’s an overview of posts, columns, and what exactly goes into making them.

What’s the difference between posts and columns?