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Artificial Turf and How It Benefits Your Outdoor Space
Traditional decking is a thing of the past; far gone are the days of only wood decking as your choice of material, getting splinters, and having to paint your deck year after year to keep it looking new. Options for decking material have come a long way as well; from flagstone to porcelain to concrete, you have endless opportunities to customize your deck. If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor space even further, artificial turf is a rising trend we believe is here to stay! There are numerous benefits to installing artificial turf on your deck, we’re going to highlight a few in the article below and if you’re on the fence about installing artificial turf, hopefully these ideas and tips will help you decide.
The most notable use of artificial turf comes if you have a dog, or take care of a dog on a regular basis. Everyone loves a green, luscious lawn, dogs included! After being used over and over again though, the lawn can start to become discolored, die off and can get dug up if your pup has a knack for digging. If you don’t have the time to take care of a lawn, if you don’t have any lawn space at all or if you’re tired of filling holes in your yard, artificial turf is your answer. Adding in turf on top of your deck is a great option for pets, they can freely use the restroom and play on the turf just like they would on a regular lawn. Artificial lawn often contains an anti-bacterial element to help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, and it’s easy to clean! Matter of fact, the only maintenance an artificial lawn requires is the occasional rinsing to prevent dust and odor build-up, and you’re good to go!
Turf is also ideal for use on patios when it comes to odd shaped areas, since it is easy to cut and shape into tight places, it’s the perfect solution to any ‘problem areas’ or specific project ideas that might not be achievable with grass. Take a home putting green for example, if you or someone in your household is a golf fan, having a putting green right on the deck outside is as convenient as you can get! Maybe you’re tired of your feet getting burnt as you walk around your pool; adding in turf completely solves that issue! Since turf is so customizable, you can shape it just about any way you can think of, rounded edges, intricate diamond patterns and long slim strips are just a few to mention.
In conclusion, creating the custom deck you envisioned is easier than ever with StoneDeks and artificial turf; we mentioned just a few of the many ways in which turf can be used on your outdoor deck, but what are your thoughts? Have you used artificial lawn in your home another way? Will you embrace this trend?
Deck Build DIY
Perfect Project or Safety Concern?
Everyone loves a good DIY project; the excitement of a new idea, seeing it through from start to finish and the pride you feel once the project is done can’t be matched. Some projects, however, are better left to the professionals, especially if it’s your first time attempting a project or if there are major safety concerns involved. Deck building and sourcing the proper materials are a perfect example of this kind of project. Below you’ll find tips and guidance on what exactly goes into a deck build and whether you think you can tackle it safely on your own or if you should get the pros involved.
The first step in a new deck build, and what also may be the most important step, is planning. The more detail and time you put into planning your deck, i.e. how large you want it to be, whether it requires handrails and stairs, what you see the space being used most often for, etc. the less time you need to spend on the build itself. When working with a professional during this stage, they are likely bringing years of knowledge and experience to the table on the size and type of deck that will best fit your needs. If you have grand ideas but need to stick to a tight budget, a professional builder can guide you into a combination of the right size deck and type of material to get, that will give you more bang for your buck in the long run.
The type of material you choose for your deck is also a key factor, and since it will likely take up a good portion of your budget, you want to make sure you’re choosing the right material.
StoneDeks has a plethora of decking material to choose from, check out our products and applications page for more information on the right material for your build.
Working with professionals can prevent you from making costly mistakes, especially in the early stages. Oftentimes, homeowners will start the demolition portion of a project, thinking it’ll save who they hire some time, and it ends up adding in more because key structural elements can be accidentally removed. Making sure your deck is structurally sound is the top safety concern for both you and your contractor. The last thing anyone wants is a beautiful deck to look at, but not enjoy, because of safety hazards.
All in all, DIY projects are great and can save you money; money you can put towards a more safety conscious project, like a new deck. Taking everything we’ve mentioned above into consideration, the planning, structural importance, material and so on, don’t be afraid to call in a pro! It’s their job to help when needed and ensure you and your loved ones have a safe space to enjoy for years to come.
From Pool Patio To Perfect Hangout
How to Choose Which Material is Right for your Outdoor Space
Getting more than one use out of a space is something we have all come to learn (and love?) to do over the rise of impromptu home office spaces these last few years. An area that may not seem dual-purpose right off the bat? Your outdoor pool patio; however, when given the right accents, design and materials, you can easily transform this space into anything your mind can dream up.
As with any project, it starts with a solid foundation. StoneDeks has the perfect pool deck material, whether you’re looking for a slip-resistant, kid-friendly alternative like porcelain; a custom design option like concrete or a fan-favorite like flagstone pavers, StoneDeks has it all, and will work with you to make the right choice for your space!
The next step requires you to determine your vision/usage for the space. Are you aiming to host dinner parties or your kids’ birthday parties? Have a wine tasting or have fun in the sun come summer? Once you’ve narrowed down the future of the space, then you can move on to decor, lighting and more!
While it may seem obvious, keeping within the same color palette as your home can help unify your patio space, making it feel elevated and purposeful. On the flip side, however, don’t be afraid to choose a pop of color to bring fun, playful elements into your space! It’s all about making the space yours and using elements that bring you joy. If you want a little bit of both, a fun pattern on cushions, table settings, pillows or towels is a good way to break up neutral tones and have fun with design!
Playing with the colors of the material you’ve chosen for your decking is always a good jumping off point if you’re really stuck on what to do. If you’ve chosen porcelain from StoneDeks, for example, earthy, muted colors as the main focal points of your design elements will help amplify those found in the porcelain itself. Think jewel tones for some warmth, dusty greens, oranges and beige as your neutrals!
Lighting can transform a space as well. If you’re someone who visualizes a space as more of a ‘feeling’ than a particular design, lighting could be the perfect starting point. Finding the perfect bright white lights to keep the pool illuminated at night might be your goal, or perhaps finding hanging edison style bulbs to string across the area and create a more intimate, cozy feeling is what you’re after. There’s a solution for everyone, try creating a vision board to help you make decisions. As you copy and paste or cut particular pages out, you might notice a design preference that you didn’t even realize you had!
All in all, your space needs to work for you. From the patio decking material to the throw pillows, you should love your space once it’s completed. If you need help choosing the right material to start, contact one of our friendly, expert staff members and they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!
These Stones Are Made For Walkin’
How to Choose Which Material is Right for your Outdoor Space
We know the amount of information, material and decisions that go into creating a custom deck can feel a bit overwhelming. Starting right off with “what material is the best fit for my space and lifestyle”? StoneDeks has endless decking solutions and the kind of material to choose is just the tip of the iceberg. Before you go down a google rabbit-hole about flagstone vs. travertine, let us break it down for you!
The first thing you need to consider is what area you’re putting the decking in or around.
For instance, if you have a pool, porcelain can be your best friend.
Not only is porcelain non-porous so it won’t absorb moisture, it’s slip-resistant as well! We’ve all been told to “slow down” by the pool a time or two, and this material can help alleviate those slip-fueled worries. It’s not a winner in every category, porcelain can get hot, can easily break during installation and will require specific tools for installation. In conclusion though, porcelain is tough, aesthetically beautiful and won’t fade in sunlight, making it one great choice for the poolside!
Another noteworthy competitor for poolside is outdoor travertine pavers. Travertine is a natural stone, heat-resistant and slip-resistant! If you live in an area where temperatures are hitting above 85 degrees, these stones have your back. Travertine is porous in nature, being the one drawback for installing poolside, however sealing every 3-5 years is a way to save the durability and look of your pavers. All in all, it’s a thick, beautiful, comfortable stone!
Flagstone pavers are the most common and hearty poolside decking option for those living in northern, cooler climates. Flagstone is the northern region’s highest quality stone and has a longer life-span because it’s less porous, making it ideal for cold winters. On the opposite side of things, they are very heavy stones and can be labor intensive to install. Overall, the durability and long life that flagstone has more than pays for itself, and no two flagstone decks look the same thanks to it’s naturally occurring patterns!
Concrete pavers boast the most options. Unlike other decking materials, concrete can be shaped and designed to look like just about anything you can dream up! These pavers are also extremely durable, lasting through the toughest conditions from weather, heavy foot traffic or even insect damage. It’s also the least expensive to maintain, hosing it down on occasion is about as far as you need to go. Concrete, however, can be slippery when wet and crack even if intentional breaks are made during installation. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a low-maintenance option, or a seasoned pro looking to customize your space on a budget, concrete is your answer!
Brick pavers are classy, permanent in color, environmentally friendly and easy to install! Brick is also a low porous material, making the maintenance on these little to nothing. Bricks come in a wide variety of color and shade options to match your home, they’re far less expensive than most other decking options and they are a 100% recyclable material! A few things to keep in mind is that you need to start with a level base, will need to buy extra bricks to eventually replace any broken ones down the line and that hiring a pro to build is always a good idea!
In summation, talking to a StoneDeks professional about your specific space, wants and needs in a deck can prove to be the best bet. Not only will you get trusted expertise, you’ll get the right material, setting you up to enjoy your deck for years to come!
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