Backyard Vacations Save Money
(ARA) - Gas prices continue to go through the roof, giving Americans more reason than ever to stay close to home. In fact, “vacationing at home” is a new trend that is helping to fuel the remodeling industry during the current housing slump.
Financial experts say there are smart decisions being made with this “vacation at home” trend. “If you have the choice of spending $2,500 to take your family on a trip for a week or you can spend $2,500 on your backyard deck, make it something special, and increase the value of your home in the process, that’s smart spending,” says Marv Tuttle, CEO of the Financial Planning Association, a national organization of more than 40,000 financial professionals.
Businesses that cater to home improvement, particularly those involved in the popular “outdoor living” niche, are seeing this trend resonate into dollar signs. Many building products companies and remodeling contractors say their sales are up -- way up -- on items like decks, swimming pool installations and outdoor “rooms.”
“We took a look at trends in our market and have found that more and more homeowners are using their decks and patios to entertain regularly. It’s not just about the backyard barbeque anymore,” Rick Preble, general manager of operations for Maine Ornamental, LLC (www.postcaps.com), a company that makes decorative accessories for outdoor living that range from attractive copper or stained glass post caps to deck rails and innovative outdoor solar lighting. “Today, people are installing full-blown outdoor kitchens, custom stone fire pits and lots of mood lighting.”
To answer the growing demand for attractive products that are also functional, Maine Ornamental has designed and introduced creative outdoor lighting solutions that add ambiance to backyard decks, patios and fences. “Our newest products coming out of our product design studios are creative lighting options. One of the most innovative is the Convertible Post Lights, which can operate either with solar-powered LEDs or simple tea light candles. They fit easily over deck or fence posts and add both an attractive finish and a functional use to the post,” says Dan Gauthier, director of consumer products for Universal Forest Products.
Outdoor lighting makes it possible for people to entertain outdoors without requiring the use of flood lamps, flash lights, messy torches or other overpowering light options that can detract from the ambiance.
Upgrading your outdoor areas is affordable for virtually every budget. Whether you have a small home or a huge, rambling estate, you can enhance your available entertainment space and make guests feel relaxed and comfortable with investments in your deck or outdoor patio area.
In suburban neighborhoods, backyard decks are everywhere. People love the idea of customizing their deck with simple accessories or touches, like decorative balusters or creative lighting. The inviting ambiance also means there’s a comfortable place to relax and “vacation” every day of the year.
Courtesy of ARAcontent