<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">What to Know When Buying a Deck for Your Home</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – When it comes to home improvements, deck systems top the list with an estimated four million new decks built annually in the U.S. and 40 million remodeled decks gracing today’s homes. This rising trend has led manufacturers to offer a wider variety of deck materials, styles, and options, but choices can be overwhelming. While wood has traditionally won the popularity contest for decks due to its natural appearance, vinyl is becoming a choice material for outdoor home entertaining due to its combination of carefree maintenance, aesthetics and value. Vinyl isn’t just for windows and siding anymore.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Why are more people "decking out" their homes with vinyl? One big reason is time. Working families value leisure time more than ever because they have less time to maintain their outdoor environments. Vinyl decks are virtually maintenance-free, requiring only a yearly power-wash to maintain, whereas wood fades and deteriorates with costly regular stain and sealant applications. Unlike wood or composite, vinyl is color-fast and non-porous, so dirt and stains don’t collect to compromise appearance. Vinyl decks retain their original fresh appearance for many decades.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Consumers are also choosing vinyl to save money. While vinyl has a higher up-front cost than wood, it lasts longer and delivers a total return on investment in just 5 to 7 years versus wood, which delivers no payback due to its prohibitive maintenance costs," says Deron Manwaring, national sales and marketing manager, Royal Outdoor Products.<span>  </span>Busy consumers who want to enhance their home’s value feel vinyl is well worth the investment."</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">When shopping for the right deck supplier, keep several things in mind. Not all vinyl deck systems are the same. Find a supplier with a complete vinyl package that includes not only basic deck materials, but compatible vinyl rails, posts and trim to create an integrated look that adds curb appeal to your home exterior. Whether you’re a homeowner or residential contractor, you want an experienced vinyl deck company that delivers custom, innovative solutions to suit specific needs and tastes. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/17c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/17c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">One company offering trend-setting vinyl deck solutions since 1988 is Royal Outdoor Products, which helps homeowners create stunning outdoor entertaining spaces. With Royal Outdoor Products’ customizable vinyl Deck Lok system, all deck, rail, post, and trim components interlock using a tongue-and-groove system for easy installation, seamless beauty, and versatility.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Homeowners want low-maintenance, natural-looking alternatives to wood. Deck Lok rapidly gained popularity once people learned it’s an affordable, component-based vinyl system that mimics the look of wood without the hassles. Our unique extrusion process creates variegated textures, and our vinyl withstands heavy use and elements for a lifetime," says Manwaring.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For more information call (800) 488-5245 or visit <a href="http://www.royalcrownltd.com" target="_blank">www.royalcrownltd.com</a> . </p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>