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. 

The vinyl railing market is saturated with product at different price points, from different countries of origin, and in different styles and colors. But not every vinyl railing is the same. Here are some questions to ask about the vinyl rail you plan to purchase:

To support their claims about the quality and superiority of their vinyl fencing or railing, manufacturers often back their products with warranties. Warranties demonstrate that a company trusts in the quality of their product and stands behind it. In fact, many companies put their warranty on their website, so it’s easy to find and to read.

But warranties vary, both in terms of length and coverage. Here are some things to look for:

These two terms sound alike, but most building codes distinguish between the two. So what is the difference?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) changed how businesses handle issues of accessibility for people with mobility issues. Everything from ramp rise to stair depth to door width—and more—are now things that property owners have to take into consideration when building or improving a structure.

Trying to figure out exactly what kind and size of fence you need to meet residential pool code requirements can be confusing. Are there national standards? State requirements? What about local code?

You may not realize it, but there are tons of possibilities for deck and porch railing customization. Mixing and matching colors, styles, and infill gives you a wide variety of ways to get creative with your deck or porch railing.

Homeowners choose fences for lots of practical reasons.Privacy. Security. Safety for children or containment for pets. And of course everyone knows the benefits of vinyl: low-maintenance, long-lasting, and attractive.

However, not everyone requires privacy or has to worry about pets or children. But that doesn’t mean that your property couldn’t benefit from a vinyl fence! Here are three ways you can use vinyl fencing to your advantage.

Cleaning? I thought vinyl was low-maintenance!

Vinyl is low-maintenance, especially when compared to wood. You’re never going to have to paint vinyl or replace a rotting board or picket. But low-maintenance is not NO maintenance. Vinyl fencing and railing is outdoors, so vinyl fencing and railing is going to get dirty.