Wood Windows – Types and Styles

Posted on August 14, 2011 by admin

Types and Styles of Wood Windows

Walking into a modern window showroom can be a little intimidating as there are so many shapes and types to choose from. Our goal is to arm you with information so that choosing your new windows will be a little less confusing.

Modern manufacturing methods have given us a wide variety of materials to choose from. There are wood, vinyl, aluminum, aluminum-clad, steel and fiberglass. The same styles and shapes are available in nearly every type of window; however, the strength of metal windows allows for some enhanced design possibilities. Today we will be focusing on wood windows.

Wood windows have been around since ancient Rome where poor quality glass was mounted in a handmade wooden frame. As glass making technology improved so did the design of windows and the quality and clarity of the glass panes. Since large sheets of glass could not be manufactured, smaller panes of glass were separated by strips of wood called muntins. Large vertical pieces of wood that contributed to the structural integrity on the window were dubbed mullions. Large horizontal structural members were called transoms.

Single-Hung and Double-Hung Sash Windows

Double Hung WindowThe most popular type of window by far is the double-hung window which consists of two overlapping sections called sashes that are mounted in a wooden frame and slide vertically past each other. This arrangement allows either the top sash to be lower or the bottom sash to be raised depending on ventilation needs. Single-hung windows are the same as double-hung windows except for the top sash does not move. It does bear mentioning that there are horizontally mounted double-hung windows, sometimes called “Yorkshire Sash” windows but are typically called sliding windows in the United States. Double-hung windows can be mounted together as doubles, triples, or more and installed as a single unit, providing a great deal of light and ventilation.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are also very popular and come in a wide variety of options. Casement windows are hinged on one side and crank outward. One of the most popular arrangements of casement windows are a group of two that are hinged on opposing sides. In recent years, advances in manufacturing technology have allowed complex shapes for wood casement windows that were only possible before with metal windows. One popular configuration is to have a single unit built with casements on the bottom and a semi circle of fixed glass above a transom. This window is similar in appearance to a Romanesque arch. Combinations of these casements in a home provide striking architectural detail.

Awning and Hopper Windows

Awning windows are similar to casement windows but they are hinged at the top and open upward and outward. Hopper windows are simply inverted awning windows where the hinged side is on the bottom. Both awning and hopper windows can be used in combination with double-hung or traditional casement windows depending on your needs.

Bay / Bow Windows

Bay WindowOne of the most impressive types of wood windows are Bay and Bow Windows. These large window units actually project out from the outer wall of the structure in either a square or radiused look. They include combinations of other windows such as double-hung, casement, awning, and hopper windows. Bay windows are typically expensive but provide a great deal of light and are great for reading nooks or breakfast areas.

Picture / Fixed Windows

Picture windows are typically fixed pieces of glass in a wood frame that is designed to frame a view like a picture. In order to maximize the view most fixed picture windows have very little ornamentation and are not typically divided into lites with grills.

Specialty Windows

Specialty WindowSpecialty windows are a category of wood windows that includes all other shapes including, but not limited to, octagons, circles, ovals, and semi-circles. Specialty windows are traditionally used in combination with other types of windows to create a specific architectural effect.

I hoped that this article has helped clarify some of the terms used in the window industry and that your next trip to the window showroom will be a little less intimidating.

If you are in the market for replacement windows in Nashville then I think this primer will help you and I hope you call on us.

For more information on windows for your home you can visit the National Window and Door Manufacturing Association.

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Vinyl Siding Still Number One Choice Over Wood

Posted on May 7, 2011 by admin

Vinyl Siding is still the Most Popular Choice for Homeowners in America. Just like any outdoor wall cladding, vinyl siding will be a highly important part of a high performance home. Its primary function is to shed the majority of the bulk water that comes in contact with the external walls of the house. When installed properly it can expand and contract with temperature changes without becoming damaged.

Vinyl siding is now the most used siding material and it comes closer to being totally maintenance free than any other siding on the market today.

Impervious to:

  • rain
  • cold
  • salt
  • snow

This low-maintenance siding option is both attractive and cost-efficient, which makes it a popular choice for the exteriors of homes. Vinyl siding is made from organic materials and will melt or burn when exposed to a significant heat source. Home and building owners should always take precautions to keep fire sources (e.g., barbeque grills) and combustible materials (e.g., dry leaves, mulch, trash) away from vinyl siding.

Due to expansion and contraction due to temperature change this siding alternative must be attached loosely but securely to allow for movement to occur without damage to the siding. When you contract Building Company Number 7 we make sure you get the most out of your investment.

Generally, vinyl siding can be cleaned satisfactorily through the use of an ordinary garden hose. If needed, you can equip the hose with a soft bristled, long-handled car brush.

Cleaning Vinyl Siding
Wash vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to avoid smearing stains into the grooves of the texture. To prevent streaking from soap and water running down the house during cleaning, start at the bottom of the wall and work up. Rinse the cleaning solution with water before it dries.

Before painting vinyl siding, scrub with a warm, soapy water solution, rinse thoroughly and allow plenty of time to dry. Be alert for mildew as well; if present, use a bleach solution to eliminate prior to painting.

Caution: Never paint vinyl siding a darker color than the original hue. Heat build-up can create heat distortion and cause the siding to buckle or warp. Also, if the siding manufacturer recommends against painting, there must be a good reason. Don’t paint it.

The use of aluminum and vinyl siding really involves two separate industries. The siding materials themselves, including a variety of inside and outside corner pieces, trim and molding pieces and panning for window and door frames, are produced by a comparatively small number of manufacturers. The product information, advertising, and any manufacturer’s warranties on the product itself are handled by this part of the industry. The installation of aluminum or vinyl siding is generally carried out by independent contractors or applicators, who are frequently called “home improvement” contractors, and they are not affiliated with the manufacturers. The manufacturer’s warranties normally do not cover the installation or any damage or defect resulting from the installation process.
Any holes punched in the vinyl siding will forever be there. Water and insects could get behind the siding and into the building structure.

Finally, if you are replacing your vinyl siding or building a new home, be sure to check if your product has been independently certified for quality assurance through the Vinyl Siding Institute. The better your product is, the better it will stand up to the tests of time, weather, heat and impact Vinyl siding remains the number one choice for exterior cladding on new single-family houses sold, as indicated by recently released 2009 U.S. Census Bureau data. Fifteen years ago, vinyl siding overtook wood for the number one spot and has continued to hold its popularity ever since.

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The Timeless Beauty of Stone Veneer Siding

Posted on April 30, 2011 by admin

To get the look and feel (as well as some of the incredible performance) of stone siding, home owners have two reasonably priced options to consider. Stone veneer siding is made of real stones that are cut thin and put in place to give the appearance and texture of whole stones. Cheaper and easier to install than true stone siding, veneers will look and feel genuine (even up close) because they are made of actual stone. Another option to consider that is even less expensive is simulated stone siding. Formed from concrete and other materials, simulated stone looks very close to the real thing, but will save you money during installation.

Composed of mixtures of natural ingredients, including cement and lightweight natural aggregates, and fabricated to replicate the look and texture of natural stone, stone veneer siding is cast in molds made from natural stones, with iron-oxide pigments used to achieve the authentic coloration of natural stone. It costs about half as much, installed, as full-thickness stone. Stone veneer siding is noncombustible and just about maintenance-free, with occasional washing to remove dust and dirt.

It will not rot, does not have to be painted, and is very weather resistant.  The panel systems of many varieties of natural stone veneer siding are designed to seamlessly click together like puzzle pieces.

Stone façade siding used to be reserved for only the wealthiest home owners. It was widely believed that stone was simply too expensive and unwieldy to be practical on most homes. With new and improved technology in the masonry industry, this is no longer true. Stone veneer siding is now available to anyone who wants to add elegance and drama to their home’s exterior.

Whether inside or outside the home, stone is timeless, varied and beautiful. According to BobVila.com, it lends stature and conveys an image of quality, particularly in fine homes. If you love the look of stone, but don’t plan on rebuilding your entire home anytime soon, cultured stone veneer siding may be precisely what you need. Cultured stone products replicate natural stone quite well, but cost much less than a full-thickness of stone. These synthetic stone products are amazingly realistic, lightweight and less expensive to install than natural stone. They are easy to work with, and suited to a wide variety of applications.

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Time For Your Nashville Home Makeover

Posted on November 12, 2010 by admin

Over the years, Nashville Residents have been quite interested in giving their homes a new look. They want their homes to look perfectly up to the mark in sync with the latest trends and fashion. The need for home remodeling arises due to various reasons. People may consider remodeling their homes simply to give a new and fresh look to their homes. Whereas others may give in to peer pressure which is why they resort to home remodeling in order to fit in and show off.

Nowadays people want their homes to be functional as well as they should be so designed as to represent a perfect combination of style and comfort. With little planning and investment one can do wonders with the help of home remodeling. Home remodeling is a million dollar industry that has been quite successful in devising innovative means of redesigning homes within the limited budget. In order to remodel homes, people can decide about the necessary changes that they would like to introduce. Such changes may include renovating bedrooms, changing flooring of the house, adding beautification features like carpets, paintings, wall papers or cabinets and fixtures. The extent to which one would like to change the décor of the home would depend upon the budget and requirement for such alterations.

Types of Remodeling

  • Bathroom remodeling: In order to remodel a bathroom one needs to decide as to what changes he would like to introduce to make it comfortable and stylish at the same time. People are now keen on pampering themselves by having a luxury bathroom. This involves installing such facilities and utilities that would provide an enriching experience to people. People can go for installation of sauna baths and whirlpool bath tubs for a relaxing and exotic experience. People can also furnish their bathrooms with stylish cabinets combining them with selective toiletries. Ceramic tiles can be used to beautify the bathroom flooring.
  • Kitchen remodeling: Kitchen is one of the most important areas of the house. In order to give a make-over to the kitchens, people can go for quality kitchen appliances. In order to get the right kind of kitchen appliances, people should seek professional advice as to know about different brands available and then make a wise decision. People can give their kitchens a renewed look by introducing noticeable changes in kitchen lighting, flooring, and using quality kitchen sinks and fixtures.
  • Bedroom remodeling: Bedroom is one area where people like to relax and calm themselves after all day’s work. A bedroom should be beautiful as well as comfortable where one can peacefully lie down and have a good night’s sleep. A bedroom can be remodeled by using attractive and colorful wall papers to make the room bright and vibrant. The bedroom furniture should be so designed as to be in perfect sync with its natural aura and warmth. People can chose from different kinds of flooring to make their rooms elegant and graceful. In order to add a special touch of style, people can include wall paintings, gorgeous lighting, and a perfectly designed bed to make it look elegant.

Home remodeling can play a crucial role in making ones home the dream home. Home remodeling can be a time consuming and a tedious process which should be undertaken with lot of patience. With the help of home remodeling people can make a huge difference to their homes.

Get a free estimate on your next Nashville remodeling job.

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Bathroom Remodeling – Aiming For Proper Accessibility

Posted on November 2, 2010 by admin

The bathroom can both be a relaxing and dangerous place for anyone at home, especially when we deal with the elders. Bathrooms can be dangerous for those older people who cannot already be up steady on their feet. Hence, it could help a lot that in your bathroom remodeling plans, you remove anything that would put them in much danger. And instead, apply some other accessories that would make that portion of the house much safer.

In your Nashville bathroom remodeling, you can choose to install walk in bathtubs. These prevent the idea of getting out of the tub and slipping accidentally on wet floor, no matter what your age may be. These walk in bathtubs come in a wide variety of models, shapes and sizes which of course serves as your regular bathtub. Some of them even come with powered bath seats and watertight doors to limit the dangers of tripping.

You can also decide to install transfer benches which help the user slide into the tub without any danger. In shopping for this, what’s important that your choice of a transfer bench can be able to support the weight of anyone. The average transfer bench can only handle about 250 pounds and below. If you are something that can handle more than that, then seek to know more about the bariatric models.

The grab bars can be seen as useful too not only for the older people. It can be installed in numerous locations all around the bathroom and not just in the shower or tub. You can be sure that it won’t ruin the aesthetics of your bathroom’s total look for in the market today, grab bars already come in various finishes and colors too.

If you have an elderly with you in your home, then you must consider to include in your bathroom remodeling plans to widen up the bathroom door just a little bit more. Even if they are not yet using the wheelchair to get around in any place, you might want to expect that happening soon enough as well. So consider addressing all the possible concerns you might encounter so you can steer away from always giving your bathroom another luxurious remodeling. In fact, you might want to decide having a sliding glass door for easier access to your bathroom.

You can choose to do the Nashville bathroom remodeling on your own but it can help you a lot better if you would seek the help of a bathroom remodeling contractor.

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Top 5 Room Addition Trends That Will Increase the Size of Your Nashville House

Posted on October 20, 2010 by admin

Many people have the tendency or trend of improving their Nashville homes by remodeling them by adding rooms such as family rooms, so that their houses can accommodate more guests. This remodeling company offers designs and construction services for addition of rooms to your house. Many people find it ideal to find the space to locate additional family rooms near the bedroom of their children. Once they do this, the children can use the space left for study and other activities. These Nashville room additions prove to be very useful in the future.

The other top trend when it comes to room additions to a house is the addition of an additional place where guests can sleep if they will not fit in the spare bedrooms. This is possible if you place the right type of furniture into the family room. You can get a sleeper sofa that two people can sleep in comfortably. The other type of furniture that you can look for is ottomans or chairs, which fold out to become single beds.

You may also find it necessary to add more space to your family room to accommodate a larger dinning area. This is possible if you design the living room to have enough space for a large table. The table is useful for dining especially when you have many guests and will be useful as a study area for children. In order to use the space occupied by such a table efficiently, you can place it against the surface of a wall where you can pull it out when you need additional space.

The other top trend when it comes to room additions is the expansion of the family room to the outside. You can accomplish this through the addition or sliding or French doors. The patio or deck outside the family room will make the room look and feel larger.

The other top trend is the addition of more kitchen space. You can add up to two hundred square feet to make your small kitchen large. The other room addition that you can do is to add a ‘sun room’ that can also act as another family room. You can also add a dormer to your house if you have a storey house and this will enable you to have more space on your second or third floors. You can add the dormer at the front or at the back of your house. Front dormers will make your house have more curb appeal and help in bringing more light and air into your house.

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Home Additions – Create Your Space

Posted on October 1, 2010 by admin

Adding something to your house is not only very doable, but can actually be very affordable. Nashville home additions have always been a popular alternative to families instead of moving to another house entirely. If you aren’t happy with your current kitchen, you can remodel it and even make it larger. If you find yourself wanting a larger porch system at your house, it’s very easy to add that on to your home. This saves you from packing all your stuff and going through the nightmare of moving. Most importantly, home additions make your house exactly the way you want it to.

Your professional remodeling contractor that specialize in remodeling homes and installing additions to homes are not only licensed, but they are also fully insured. We also have a vast knowledge of carpentry, and what will work with your house, and can even help you out in the planning phase, to ensure your addition works properly with how your current house is setup. If you have a growing family, it would always be nice to add on another room somewhere, or make a family room bigger, which is exactly what home additions are all about.

From screened porches, sunrooms, garages with apartments above them, the possibilities are endless and it all starts with you. Whatever your family desires to add to your home, it is absolutely doable, and anything you have in mind can work. Don’t hesitate to contact a company that specializes in making peoples homes into dream homes, because you might actually be surprised at how affordable home additions really are.

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Managing Your Nashville Remodeling Contractor

Posted on September 21, 2010 by admin

One of the most important conversations you can have with your Nashville contractor is the one about house rules. Define the hours that are suitable for them to actually come to work. Most contractors like to get started early in the morning but if you don’t want them to show up until you have had time for a couple of cups of java let him know right from the start.

You also need to decide whether or not you want workers in your home when you are not there (after all most families are two income these days) If you decide its okay or really can’t take two weeks off work and have no choice, you need to define what is and isn’t alright for the remodeling contractor and his employees to do. For instance, if you would prefer that they stay out of your master bathroom and use the one downstairs make that clear, they won’t be offended and it will avoid uncomfortable misunderstandings once the project is underway.

If there are pets and or small children in the house it is really your responsibility to make sure that they stay safe during the course of the remodeling project. If you have to leave your pets in the house make sure they are secured away from all the action but that the people working in your house know where they are, so that someone does not accidentally open a door that should have remained closed and Fluffy gets out and gets lost or hurt.

Children should be kept away too. Kids are curious creatures and all the activity could look like something they would love to explore but of course they too could get hurt. Before the remodeling work begins explain what will be going on to your children and then make a plan for what they will do and where they should play when the work begins.

Once the project is underway it’s a good idea to keep a casual eye on things but try not to get in the way too much. If you have a concern or question it is fine to voice it but second guessing every move the remodeling contractor makes will drive him insane and get you marked down as a “problem client”.

Finally, when the work is complete review it all carefully and if you see something wrong say so while your remodeling contractor is still there, rather than three weeks down the line when he has gone on to other jobs and will not have the time to come back and fix the problem for months. And of course if you’re happy with their work, tell them. Like anyone else, they are people trying to do a good job and they take great pride in what they do for a living too.

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Weather Proofing a Deck

Posted on September 18, 2010 by admin

If you want your outdoor wooden deck to last as long as possible, it is important to be become somewhat skilled with the techniques for weather proofing a deck.  These techniques as well as materials seem to constantly change as new products become available to the homeowner.

Though mankind has been erecting wooden buildings for millennia, we seem to learn mainly through hard experience . . . and open-to-the-weather, natural-finished wood decks are a comparatively new idea. They didn’t begin to replace traditional roofed entry stoops and porches till the concept of an “outdoor room” became popular during the postwar housing boom of the late 1940s and early 50s.

Lacking a porch’s roof and water-resistant painted finish, the wood of a deck is fully exposed to the elements. And it took a while for us to learn how to build and maintain a structure that has all of nature’s processes allied against it–the wood alternatively soaked and dried, frozen and sun-baked, assaulted by forces of wind and snow, hail, and acid rain, plus, on muddy days, battering from your youngsters’ Big Wheel. From nature’s perspective, deck lumber is nothing but dead wood to be recycled into forest mold, and the mold into plant nutrients to fuel new growth.

Woodpeckers, gnawing bugs, and mildews will attack it from the outside.  Termites and bark beetles and carpenter ants will bore in and tunnel through the inside, and whole legions of fungi, rot molds, and bacteria will infiltrate it. Together, they can convert a shiny new kiln-dried fir or spruce 2″ x 4″ x 8′ stud to a heap of sawdust in a very few years.

Some woods, however, produce toxic oils that repel insects and kill mold spores and bacteria, serving as pest deterrents for the living tree, and in lumber acting as natural preservatives. Bald cypress, California redwood, the white and red cedars, and a few others will last ten, perhaps fifteen years till the oils degrade or wash out. But cypress has been in short supply for decades. A generation ago, California redwood was plentiful, shipped nationwide, and relatively cheap, so most decks used it. Today, of course, standing cypress is preserved from logging; what little cypress lumber is available comes from old abandoned saw-logs being dredged from river bottoms where they sank 100 years ago–and it sells at antique-furniture prices. As we all know, the once vast redwood forests are being overcut.   Most of us wouldn’t buy fresh redwood even if we could afford it. Even eastern red and western white cedar has become so scarce of late that its price is as high as redwood.

With the cost of naturally decay/bug-resistant woods outtasight, most decks today are built of “PT”–common softwood lumber that’s been “pressure treated” with rot-proofing chemicals. If overhauled periodically, pressure-washed frequently, and treated annually with the latest exterior wood preservatives and waterproofing compounds, the wood in a modem PT deck can hold up against weather, bugs, rots, and molds indefinitely. Modern fasteners and fittings–such as deck screws and the joist hangers used to join the deck frame and beams (joists) that hold the planking–are also made to last of hot-galvanized steel or rustproof alloys that won’t “weep”–make those ugly dark streaks of corrosion you see streaming down the wood of so many decks and fences cobbled together with common nails or power-staples.

The latest plans and how-to books and videos incorporate rot- and pest-preventing measures learned over a half-century of practical experience. But, fair warning: the deck plans in the old how-to books you find in every library (and those still sold by some plan services) hark from the 40s, when decks were a novelty. Structure may be too weak to hold up or to satisfy building codes, and lumber/fastener specs will surely be out of date. Most importantly, the latest materials and techniques to guarantee long-term structural integrity and minimize water, rot, and insect damage will be missing entirely. If only to stay legal, be sure to have any construction plan pre-approved by your local building-permit authority. They will turn up serious structural deficiencies, but won’t mention the modern niceties that can add decades to your deck’s service life.

You will want to talk with your professional deck contractor about the latest weather preservation tactics for your new deck.  Make sure any articles you read are current so you can receive information on the latest products available.

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What’s popular on decks around Swimming Pools

Posted on September 18, 2010 by admin

Property owners are investing much more on the areas where they relax and swim, especially on the deck surrounding the swimming pool. Here’s a glimpse at the new wave of pool and deck Gadgets.

People in America tend to overbuild their houses. We place cooking stoves in our our kitchens using enough power to light up the streets of Paris, then we ordered pizza from Papa John’s.  Some even fancy up their laundry rooms with elaborate stereo systems and $5000 mini dry cleaners. So it doesn’t surprise us that people are now moving this design fad outside to the deck around the swimming pool.

Gone are the types of concrete rectangles plowed into the backyard garden and ornamented with plastic outdoor patio furnishings that stuck on your thighs. Instead, property owners are adding swimming pools with underwater sound systems, and fire pits.  There are even artificial lagoons that produce a product called “fake fog”.  Little wonder the typical price of a new swimming pool has leaped in cost.

For those who may think of sophisticated pool styles as being worthwhile investments, may wish to reconsider. The experts in real estate tell us that even the most elaborate pool does not raise the value of a home in the majority of cases.  Yet, the majority of people who build waterfalls and poolside theaters are speculating on their dreams and not their finances. It’s okay with them if the costs are never recovered.

Pool Cleaners That are Programmed for You

Scrubbing a pool underwater is mostly a pain and no one wants to do it. Currently, automatic gadgets determine a pool’s measurements, and then search its bottom part and sides, as well as the steps for soil and trash. It’s also a thing of the past of adding chlorine by hand. There are pool gadgets that slowly change the sodium to chlorine and pump it into the water, saving you the hardship of dispensing the powder yourself.

Sun tanning racks on Your Deck or in the Pool

To prevent over tanning in the dry sunlight, sun worshipers remain cool while browning their skin inside the pool by sunning on submerged platforms.  Usually a foot or so deep, these tanning platforms can to be custom-made and may be slim enough for four tanners or large enough for tanning get-togethers.

Equip your Pool and Deck with Waterfalls and fiber optics

Alluring waterfalls lit up by a spectrum of colors; divide the new super pools from the ho-hum to variety. Some of these waterfalls and showy fountains also rise out of elaborate deck sculptures they are lit by multicolored lights managed by a remote wireless setup.

Alfresco kitchens are the Latest Craze for Outdoor Decks around a Swimming Pool

Other deck jewelry for the gourmet cook includes such items as an ice cream maker, a giant rotisserie, grill a refrigerator, a sink and a bar.

Why Not Install Outdoor speakers on your Swimming Pool Deck?

State-of-the-art speakers are often found on the modern swimming pool deck. Of course the speakers are waterproof, so they should be safe during splashy poolside parties.

Fire pits are Hot for the Pool Deck

These glowing hearths add a dramatic flair as many sit on top of lava rocks and are enclosed by brick or stone. Fireplaces are also trendy as a deck and poolside accessory. They are either built in with a mantel or compact and portable.

Hot tub theaters

There are extravagant, all-in-one theater systems for the deck hot tub or swimming pool. The systems can offer a pop-up plasma TV, a DVD player as well as 50 jets to massage your back and neck. These theater systems are almost as expensive as the pool and deck its self.

Lagoon landscapes Surrounding your Deck

If you want to swim laps but not in those murky backyard ponds, consider a lagoon landscape. This theme is designed to make you and your guests feel like you are at a resort in the islands. Again, this is not an inexpensive undertaking. A lagoon landscapes can easily cost $100,000.

A deck surrounding a swimming pool can have many accessories from lamps, lounge chairs to playhouses for the grandchildren but the main consideration should always be safety. Decks around a swimming pool absolutely must be nonslip and well drained as well as attractive.

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