When it’s time for a new deck, details count

Backyard decks beckon this time of year. They are the perfect place for spending lazy summer days or for entertaining on blissful summer nights.

Today's decks offer homeowners a comfortable place to spend time. As a home improvement that offers return on investment, a new or upgraded deck ranks near the top of the list, behind only kitchen and bath remodels.

What's the biggest trend in decks this summer? "Homeowners are asking for more add-ons, including different styles of outdoor lighting," says Mick Feduniec of Deckscapes, LLC, in Charlotte, N.C.

Feduniec says requests for deck lighting have skyrocketed in the last few years and that his clients appreciate the wide variety of lighting that is available today. Unique styles, like tiny, recessed LEDs for the edges of decks, LED strips for running underneath a rail, or lights with remote control dimming, tend to get customers excited about the finished product.

"Not every customer is building the elaborate dream deck, but every customer is concerned about value. That translates to quality in the materials and the special touches that make a deck special day and night," Feduniec says.

Deckscapes has found that lighting really sets their decks apart. The company recently received the National Illumination Award from the North American Deck and Railing Association for a deck the company built that featured lantern-style post cap lights by Aurora Deck Lighting and a glowing gas fire pit.

Aurora is one of the nation's leaders in the design and manufacture of deck lighting, and the company says their business has remained steady even during the latest economic downturn, thanks to offerings featuring state-of-the-art LED bulbs.

"Customers want to get the most for their expenditure, and energy efficient lighting is functional and adds value," says Jay Savignac of Aurora.

New styles of LED deck lights are virtually foolproof. Installation is simple and the bulbs last for years, saving both energy and money while remaining maintenance free.

Easy installation means homeowners can add Aurora's deck lights themselves on existing structures. To encourage that trend, the company packages some of its most versatile lighting styles, like the Odyssey LED strip lights and Phoenix Recessed LED lights, in kits designed specifically with the do-it-yourself homeowner in mind.

Savignac says customizing a deck is easy with lighting, because there are so many colors and styles to choose from. He says homeowners like convenience, so this spring they introduced a dimmer system that works with a remote control to allow you to dim the LED lights when just a little accent light is needed.

Aurora Deck Lighting's website, www.auroradecklighting.com, features dozens of different styles of lights, including low voltage LEDs, solar LEDs, and traditional line voltage systems.

For inspirational ideas for your new deck, visit www.deckscapes.com.