2 recycled vinyl provide safe and durable outdoorliving space. (NAPSA)—Homeowners with decks and patios know the joys that come with outdoor living spaces. The added space provides the perfect outlet for relaxing at the end of the day, a special place for family and friends to gather, and a safe area for the children to play. Outdoor living spaces continue to grow in popularity as they offer homeowners a simple way to increase property value and square footage of living space. There are many points to con- sider when planning an outdoor living space. Homeownersrepeatedly tell remodelers that they want materials that look good, are safe for their families, are rela- tively easy to maintain, and that will provide them with years of usability. Deck additions have remained at the top of the list of popular home improvement projects for several years because they are affordable, relatively easy to install, and provide the perfect setting for personal relaxation and quality family time. There are an estimated 3 million decks built, repaired or replaced yearly. Until recently, most decks were built primarily with traditional pressure treated lumber. However, the popularity of pressure treated lumber for decking projects has been fading over the years due to its high maintenance demands and recent EPAfindings regarding the health hazards of pressure treated lumber which often contains harmful chemicals like arsenic. Today there are many safe, maintenance free options for homeowners to consider when choosing decking materials. Woodplastic composite products like CertainTeed’s Boardwalk” Composite Decking & Railing offer a safe alternative without harmful chemicals. Composite lumber offers benefits over traditional lumber. For instance, CertainTeed’s Composite Decking and Railing is manufactured using recycled wood fibers and recycled vinyl. The end product is strong and durable. The material won’t splinter, so it is safe for bare feet and it features the highest fire rating in the industry—a critical point for homeowners who enjoy outdoor grilling. Also important to homeowners is that the material looks great, does not require annual maintenance, and is resistant to moisture and wood boringinsects. The composite decking industry has seen steady growth over the past six years. Smart homeowners are learning the value of investing in safe, high-tech products that eliminate the need for maintenance. Homeowners today are more interested in enjoying their decks than they are in maintaining them. For the quietest of times to the liveliest of outdoor parties, these outdoor living spaces provide years of enjoyment. For more information on safe, main- tenance-free decking solutions, call the CertainTeed HomeInstitute at 1-800-872-8777 or visit www.certainteed.com/bw.
