What deck material is best for you

Tell us your outdoor cooking needs, and we'll come up with a kitchen design to accommodate them. From family dining to elegant entertaining, we'll build exactly what you need to make your outdoor kitchen everything you've dreamed it could be. Outdoor deck

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK) makes niche footwear, such as sport sandals and luxury sheepskins. Like most clothing manufacturers, Decker's is subject to both the fickle fashion tastes of its consumers and general economic conditions. These vulnerabilities take on new dimensions for Deckers, however, due to the unique nature of its business. The company's main product is its UGG boot, a trendy sheepskin boot that accounts for three-quarters of its sales. The company's reliance on a single product, however, means that any shift consumer fashion preferences away from sheepskin boots will have a dramatic impact on its business. Moreover, a large part of the company's customer base consists of young middle income women, and this increases the company's sensitivity to economic conditions. The UGG boot can cost up to $200 and as such is considered a luxury by the company's customers. As a result, during downturns, UGG will be the first thing to get the boot. The company earned $265 million in revenue and $31 million i net income in 2009.

A deck is essentially an outdoor room, usually in a space you didn't previously use. The extra space adds value to your home, but adding value to your life is a different story. A deck has to fit the way you live. And, of course, unlike the other rooms in your house, your deck has to handle exposure to the elements. Here are four considerations that will help you build the deck that best fits your lifestyle.

How big should you make your deck? Consider what you'll use your deck for and size it to fit your needs. No decking material is completely maintenance free, so making a deck too big will mean spending time maintaining space you don't use. outdoor deck chair

Don't forget the space under your deck, either. Depending on how elevated the deck is, the space underneath can serve as storage. Or, if you include a product such as Underdeck in your planning, it can be a shady space protected from the rain.

What deck material is best for you? If your deck is to be built at grade or on top of a roof, think about whether you will need access to the space below the deck in the future. The deck in the picture is built from modular panels that can be removed for access to the space below. If building over a roof or patio with a slight pitch, adjustable deck supports such as those from Bison can make leveling the deck much easier.

Without a doubt, one of the most essential furniture pieces for outdoor lounging is a comfortable deck chair. And, over the years, the deck chair has come to include a wider selection of designs, from colorful slingback seats to larger adirondack styles (some even recline). Lounger-like deck chairs make relaxing seats by a pool, while foldable and stackable ones can serve as extra garden chairs in a more traditional backyard.

Although the style of your deck chair depends on your personal preference and your backyard, there are a few very general things you should keep in mind when you're shopping for one. We break down these basics for you here.

Consider heavier, long-term materials. Natural weather-resistant woods like teak are more expensive but are a better long-term investment because they actually develop a pretty patina over time. The same goes for certain unfinished cast metals like steel, which acquire a nice sheen after they have been left out for a while. Another tip: While iron does rust easily, unfinished aluminum does not.

Think finishes. While teak and certain certain metals can hold up in all weather, most outdoor seating should come with weather- and rust-resistant finishes. Woods such as natural solid maple need to be protected with a water-repellent, wood preservative as they can warp and crack over time. Similarly, painted or colored metal pieces should have a powder-coated finish for protection from the elements. outdoor patio flooring