MSN Money Expert Includes Deck Renos In Top Projects For Your Dollar

With spring approaching, many homeowners are looking at ways to renovate their homes to retain or increase their value. Last week, Duradek released an article "Creating Value in Real Estate and Quality of Life" discussing the advantages of rooftop decks and outdoor living space.

This week, MSN Money expert Ian Harvey posted an article proposing that his top suggested renovation projects can increase the value of your property up to 75%. Deck renovations were 1 of his 8 top recommendations. If you read this article you will see that while Mr. Harvey acknowledges the value of deck renovations for the real estate value, he may not have yet heard of Duradek and the low maintenance advantages it adds to the equation as his construction recommendations are somewhat traditional yet labour intensive.

Regardless of the approach you choose to take, one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your home includes your deck and outdoor living space.

Update - We've Got a New Booth Location at Coverings 2012

Update - Duradek has a new booth location at the Coverings 2012 Show!

Be sure to visit us at Booth #3842

Taking Place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida from April 17, 2012 to April 20th, 2012, the Coverings Show - The Ultimate Tile & Stone Experience 'covers' all the flooring essentials.

Take advantage of Free Registration for the Ultimate Tile and Stone Experience and discover what the experts are saying about the latest in surface finishing.

Duradek will proudly be exhibiting at booth #3842 and showing the tiling community the best practices in preparing waterproof surfaces with our Tiledek waterproof vinyl membrane, specifically designed for waterproofing under exterior tile. Duradek installers know it's all about the details, and we want to be sure that you do it right the first time - do it with Duradek Ultra Tiledek.

At the Coverings 2012 show you can experience:

• 4 days of exhibits with over 800 exhibitors
• Nearly 70 FREE Specialized Training and Education Sessions
• Feature Speakers addressing Design, Marketing and Labor Trends
• Installation Demonstrations and Design Showcase
• Special Programs such as the Design Awards and Project Green

We hope to see you there. Be sure to stop by the Duradek booth #3842 and say hello to our sales Manager Kevin MacMillan and Duradek president, John Ogilvie who can answer in detail any questions you have on waterproofing flat roof decks and balconies.

Cable Railing System Is Now Proudly Offered By Durarail

photo provided by Premium Decks

Durarail, the powder-coated aluminum railing specialist, now offers Cable Railing - a contemporary deck railing system that provides minimal view obstruction with maximum style. The stainless steel  cables allow airflow through the deck and provide excellent resistance to the elements for an attractive, low maintenance railing solution.

photo provided by Premium Decks

Durarail's powder-coated aluminum top rails and posts provide the ultimate framework for the new Cable Railing System. Cleverly designed cable fasteners are hidden withing the posts, allowing you to attractively frame the perimeter of your deck with a sleek, clean and modern look that can stand up to the elements and provide many years of functional and esthetic appeal.

With a choice of 5 standard Durarail Top Rail designs, homeowners can choose the look that most appeals to them.

photo provided by Texas Railing Systems

Available in 8 standard colors and 180 custom colors, Durarail framework is UV resistant and will not peel, flake or blister as it ages so there is no need for sanding, staining or painting.
In addition to its esthetic appeal and durability, Durarail's Cable Railing System has another advantage; its stainless steel cables contain at least 65% recycled content which help qualify for LEED credits.

Rooftop Decks Create Substantial Value

Rooftop Deck in Baltimore

The value of residential real estate has many contributing factors and square footage of living space is one of the primary considerations. However, outdoor living space is sometimes overlooked and often underestimated for the value it brings to a property.

While suburbanites have typically held the advantage in quality outdoor living space, city dwellers are coming to realize that green space and outdoor relaxation are not out of reach. Roof top decks are growing in popularity from coast to coast. Although the scenic advantages at coastal regions have prompted the inclusion of rooftop decks for some time, many regions are unfamiliar with this design concept. But with the growing desire to enjoy quality outdoor entertainment and relaxation and the need to maximize space, new communities are appearing in which roof top decks are an integral feature to the property.

The Rivercrossing  Townhome Community in Utah

For example, the Rivercrossing Townhome Community in Utah is creating quite a stir with their design which include rooftop decks in a community quite unfamiliar with them. Residents can enjoy the leisure advantages of semi-private outdoor living space while avoiding all of the labor of yard maintenance.

To read more about urban outdoor living space and rooftop decks, check out our article, "Creating Value In Real Estate And Quality Of Life".  



Duradek Invites You To The Coverings Show

Taking Place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida from April 17, 2012 to April 20th, 2012, the Coverings Show - The Ultimate Tile & Stone Experience 'covers' all the flooring essentials.

Take advantage of Free Registration for the Ultimate Tile and Stone Experience and discover what the experts are saying about the latest in surface finishing.

Duradek will proudly be exhibiting at booth #4664 and showing the tiling community the best practices in preparing waterproof surfaces with our Tiledek waterproof vinyl membrane, specifically designed for waterproofing under exterior tile. Duradek installers know it's all about the details, and we want to be sure that you do it right the first time - do it with Duradek Ultra Tiledek.

At the Coverings 2012 show you can experience:

• 4 days of exhibits with over 800 exhibitors
• Nearly 70 FREE Specialized Training and Education Sessions
• Feature Speakers addressing Design, Marketing and Labor Trends
• Installation Demonstrations and Design Showcase
• Special Programs such as the Design Awards and Project Green

We hope to see you there. Be sure to stop by the Duradek booth #4664 and say hello to our sales Manager Kevin MacMillan and Duradek president, John Ogilvie who can answer in detail any questions you have on waterproofing flat roof decks and balconies.

Comforting Colors and Waterproof Confidence

Update - In late 2011, Duradek, the original Walkable Roofing Membrane introduced two new colors in its Ultra Cork line of 60 mil vinyl that caught on faster than any other color in the company's 37 year history. The decks finished with these vinyls have an immediate contemporary feel and blend well with other outdoor furnature and accessories, and so far the reviews have been fabulous!

Joining the initial, organic-looking Ultra Cork Natural that launched this popular pattern, the Ultra Cork Macchiato and Ultra Cork Espresso offer deeper, richer color options to the earthy texture of the Ultra Cork Line.

Ultra Cork Espresso
Photo courtesy of Matt McClure at Dek Max

Ultra Cork Macchiato
Photo Courtesy of Paul Gordon at Golden Gate Enterprises

With the market demonstrating a desire for naturally inspired colors and textures, Duradek also introduced its newest product line with Ultra Forest Floor. The flagship color for this line is Birch, which offers a distinctive blend of subtle earthy, neutral tones with a gentle fossilized leaf pattern throughout , reminiscent of an actual forest floor.

Ultra Forest Floor Birch
Photo courtesy of Royce Hayes at Duradek of Georgia

This unique product is an innovative example of Duradek's leadership in outdoor flooring. For the best balcony on the block, protect your deck with a stylish Duradek membrane.

For more details on these new colors, take a look at our press release.

Exclusively installed by specially trained professionals, Duradek has been the leader in waterproof roofing membranes for over 35 years and provides low maintenance, stylish solutions for outdoor living space.

Ideas For Deck Designs Offers Quality Advice From Duradek Professional

Waterproofing is a specialty and the folks at Ideas For Deck Designs online know that when something requires specialized skills, it is the professionals that you rely on that can make the difference between a successful project and a costly, time consuming headache. With this in mind, Ideas for Deck Design called on Duradek professional installer Matt McClure of DekMax to answer some key questions that should be considered when undertaking a waterproofing project on a patio or rooftop deck.

Matt, who was a regular do-it-yourself man throughout his life will be the first one to tell you that the trained professionals can make any job look easy, but when it comes to waterproofing,
D-I-Y is NOT a good idea. In fact, besides the quality of the vinyl itself, it was this philosophy and the essential basic training for laying vinyl (and all of the intricate details involved) required by Duradek that originally attracted Matt to the product. Laying down  a waterproof vinyl membrane is not as simple as rolling out the vinyl and gluing it down. Waterproofing requires some very specific and intricate details to be effective and as the Duradek slogan states - "It's all in the details."

Check out Matt's interview where he addresses specific questions regarding how the vinyl decking handles hot and cold, finishing details and the superior results being performed in the area of outdoor tile decks with Duradek's Ultra Tiledek waterproof membrane. Specifically formulated to best adhere thin set (tile bonding agent) and provide unsurpassed waterproofing protection under tile, Tiledek is part of a tested and proven system that takes the challenging task of waterproofing under outdoor tile from almost inevitable failure to a successful system with a rating that can meet the requirements for rooftop decks.

Ideas for Deck Designs is a great source of information for whether you intend to build your deck yourself, or simply to arm yourself with enough information to ensure you are asking your contractors the most pertinent questions and getting the results that you want. Enjoy your deck!