1. Make sure you properly measure the space available for the hot tub to determine the size you need. Whether you are looking to accommodate 2 or 10 people, you need to calculate the area first.
2. Contact your insurer to find out how much space you need between the hot tub and the home as well as the edge of the property.
3. The shell of the hot tub, usually made of acrylic, fiberglass and resin, must be at least 5 millimeters thick. Microban technology is used in certain finishes to prevent the spread of bacteria.
4. Make sure all four panels of the hot tub are well insulated.
5. Choose which type of skirt, a wooden structure surrounding the hot tub, you’d like for the hot tub. The skirt is usually made of cedar or resin. You’ll need to preserve the skirt with a water-repellent treatment. You’ll want to make sure that parts of the skirt can be removed in case you need to get to a part in the hot tub.
6. Choose a pump that best suits your needs. If you want a more therapeutic massage two pumps might be necessary. The more jets in a hot tub, the more powerful the pump needs to be.
7. You’ll want to make sure the light and control panel for the hot tub are within easy access once you are sitting in the tub.
8. The cover of the hot tub must be at strong enough to support the weight of a small child and we recommend getting one with a lock.
9. The filtration system should be closely monitored and we recommend purchasing two filters so you can rotate them during cleaning.
10. The water heater must have an output of at least 5.5 kilowatts.

Below are some of our hot tub enclosures, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

When composite deck boards are not spaced correctly you’re setting yourself up for deck drainage issues, dirt and debris buildup and potential expansion/contraction problems, as deck boards expand and contract with changes in the temperature.

One of the best solutions to achieve proper spacing on composite deck boards is to use a hidden fastener system to install your decking instead of deck screws. The patented Equator hidden deck fastener pre-gaps each board with the proper ¼” spacing and its special design allows for proper side-to-side expansion and contraction. These hidden deck fasteners are compatible with most grooved / slotted composite boards.

One box (175 pieces) of Equator hidden fasteners will install 100 square feet of 6" wide (5-1/4" actual) deck boards on 16" centers, or 87 square feet of 6" wide (5-1/4" actual) deck boards on 12" centers.

Read one of my past blog posts for additional information on hidden deck fasteners.

Our company is committed to providing high-end design and construction services for our customers.  We try to stay on top of the latest products and trends in the industry. One of the greatest improvements in deck construction over the past generation has been the improvements in deck handrail design, and Deckorators has been a leader in this movement. All-wood deck handrails used to be the mainstay, but they had little architectural interest and they aged poorly. Deckorators came along and changed everything. For more than eight years Deckorators has given LandWorks the innovative deck railing product options we need to make our decks stand out from the competition. Your products are well designed, easily available, and have stood the test of time. We have been rewarded with countless customer referrals, industry awards, and even magazine exposure.

Thank you Deckorators for your fine products and thank you for your contributions to our industry."

Steve Patterson
Owner
LandWorks
Silver Spring, Maryland
www.elandworks.com

Make sure you set the table with these biodegradable bamboo plates.

Bamboo Veneerware Plates from Re:Modern

Toast an evening under the stars with these indestructible wine glasses.

Permaglass Wine Glasses by Smith & Hawken

Light up the way with these polished nickel glass hurricane candle holders.

Santorini Round Lanterns Polished Nickel by Restoration Hardware

This rattan flatware organizer is ideal for carrying the silverware to the table.

Vintage Rattan Kitchen Organizer by Smith & Hawken

Outdoor rugs have come a long way and will sure to dress up any deck they touch.

Outdoor Kilim Rug from Pottery Barn

Bon appetit!

There was a private residence that had a huge pond out front. Across the back of the pond, they had a series of American flags on elbow poles to lean over the water. I thought about the shape of the poles as I was driving and realized why they used those poles. The pond was gorgeous. The scene with a row of American flags was stunning and meaningful. But to see the reflection of the flags on the water made these two elements come together in a completely new way.

I wondered if the home had landscape lighting and pond lighting and longed to see the scene at night.

To fully appreciate the beauty of this tribute to America, I have to describe the rest of the scene. At the entrance to the drive, they had two flags marking the entrance. As you began to drive down the driveway, they had a statue of the Statue of Liberty flanked by two flags. Then, on the wooden rails that decorated the front of the pond, there were semi-circular flags across.

The whole scene was spectacular.

I envisioned what this scene would look like with landscape lighting. Landscape lighting, and outdoor lighting, is all about shadow and texture. If you use spot lights to illuminate an entire tree or house, you get to see the tree or home the way they look during the day. At night, the shadows created by the light reveal nuances of the texture of a the tree bark. The shadows reveal the subtle features of a window such as the way the slats divide the window panes. Light creates shadows such as the shadow of an American flag on water.

Don't forget that if flying flags at night, they need to be illuminated. We've all heard this but have you wondered where it comes from? The US Code, Title 4; Chapter 1 says the US Flag should be flown only from sunrise to sunset. The code further states that if the flag is flown at night, it must be illuminated.

Do you have any great pictures of illuminated flags? Please send them to us and we will post them on this blog.

Deck Railing Ideas
Consider replacing your old wood balusters near your pool decking with scenic glass balusters from Deckorators. They’re great for opening up the view and will make your deck seem larger without adding a single square foot. Plus they offer a clear unobstructed view.

Deck Lights
New deck lighting can make a dramatic difference when dusk arrives. From solar metal post cap lights to recessed deck lighting, Deckorators has a wide range of deck lighting to amp up the ambiance.

Decking Material
Don’t forget about the deck surface itself. Latitudes Capricorn composite decking mimics the look and feel of real tropical hardwood decking like mahogany and ipe. If your deck is made of pressure treated lumber, consider stepping up to Latitudes Intrepid composite decking for low-maintenance, superior durability and your choice of four natural colors with a reversible finish.

If you’re selling your house, buyers will love it. If you’re staying, your family will love it!

Check out my other related deck blog post on getting the most out of your deck investment.

Take a look at these inspiring spaces that will make you want to head outdoors.

Lonny Magazine

This space above is one of my favorites, I love how the  mounted shovel brings the whole room together.

Lonny Magazine

This above room doesn’t even look like it belongs outdoors.  It reminds me of something you’d see at a resort in South Beach.

Lonny Magazine

The mixed use of style of furniture in this above photo caught my eye.  I love the look of the wooden bench with these garden chairs.

Lonny Magazine

This is the perfect table setting for eating outdoors, the tray allows for easy transferring of drinks and dishes.

1. You need to regulate your time spent outdoors, especially for infants, young children and people over the age of 65.  Try avoid being outside during the extreme high temperatures of the day.
2. Constantly stay hydrated with proper liquids, this does not include soda or alcohol.
3. Take precautions when exercising or working outdoors in extreme heat.  You are more likely to experience heat sickness.

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen when outdoors!  Visit the CDC website for more tips on having a healthy outdoor lifestyle this summer.