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?

Have you ever seen an outdoor space that makes you stop and stare? Or one that just gave you a feeling of class and elegance? Sometimes it’s hard to put a finger on exactly what “works” when it comes to outdoor living spaces, but here are a few ideas.

These are subtle touches you can use to bring sophistication to your outdoor space and make it stand out among the many other yards, decks, or porches in your neighborhood.

We know how it goes. People are out on the deck talking, eating, and having fun. The sun goes down, the stars come out—and no one is quite ready for the party to end. But no one wants to sit in the dark, either. Maybe there’s a floodlight on the deck—but that feels too bright. And the light from the house isn’t quite bright enough.

It’s April and spring is finally here (at least in the Northeast US). Now’s the time to get excited about what you’re going to do to improve your outdoor living space. And while maintenance or replacements aren’t the most exciting projects, don’t forget about checking your deck and outdoor areas for safety.

Here are some things to consider as you do your springtime planning.