If you’ve been living with your deck for a while, there are probably things about it you are ready to change. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a new, bigger space or tear down your entire deck and start over. There are ways you can improve or enhance any deck space, from large to small.

Here are some things to consider as you think about deck improvements.

Traditionally, with fall approaching, most people are thinking about moving indoors. But this year, with more people staying home, maximizing all living space is taking on a higher priority. How do you keep living and working on your deck for as long as possible? And how do you transition your deck to fall? Here are some ideas:

If you are building or remodeling your home, you might need to select porch posts. If you’re thinking “I didn’t know I had options!” you’re not alone. Most people don’t think a lot about the style of their porch posts or columns, but there is a wide selection of vinyl porch posts and columns available to you. And if you’re planning a covered porch, make sure you are looking at structural vinyl posts, which have metal reinforcement channels so they can bear the weight of a roof.

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: