Does Zuri Premium Decking by Royal get too hot during the summer and in direct sunlight? How well does Zuri retain heat?

Living in an area with sweltering summers, the amount of heat your porch or deck retains is an important consideration when choosing the design of your deck or porch in Maryland or Virginia. And while Zuri Decking by Royal and alternatives to Zuri will unsurprisingly heat up in direct sunlight, it can be more difficult to set expectations for the temperature of a deck made with low-maintenance Zuri decking than for one made with a more familiar deck material like natural hardwood. However, composite decking materials like Zuri PVC decking are not liable to retain any more or less heat than natural wood.

You’ve thought of it for years. A gorgeous deck or porch you can comfortably use year round. There are many decisions to make, but 2 major choices stand out: choosing a screening system (whether it's retractable or not ) and climate control. With climate control, outdoor ceiling fans may work well for warm weather, but you won't be able to enjoy the fall or winter months without a heating unit to keep you warm. There are 2 options you can choose from: outdoor fireplaces and electric outdoor heaters. If you would like to learn more about electric outdoor heaters, we have that information right here. In this blog, Design Builders discusses the ins-and-outs of outdoor fireplaces for screened porches, screened-in decks, and covered patios.  

Even though porcelain paver tiles have been in the home construction arena for a while now, they continue to grow in popularity. As more and more people discover the benefits of working with porcelain for exterior living spaces (everything from rooftop decks to patios to walkways), this material becomes more prevalent across residential and commercial jobs with each passing year.

Among companies that provide this material, Archatrak is one of the leading industry names. They’ve been in the business since 2001 and were instrumental in bringing Italian-made porcelain pavers into the US construction market.

If you’ve been looking into materials to use for your rooftop deck, patio, walkway, or other exterior living space, you might have come across the various benefits of porcelain paver tiles. If you’ve been researching this material, you might also be familiar now with Archatrak, one of the industry-leading purveyors of these Italian-imported porcelain pavers.

In addition to the more practical benefits of porcelain—minimal weight; durability; impermeability; ease of maintenance; frost, scratch, slip, and fade resistance; and more—the sheer beauty and craftsmanship of these tiles are undeniable, and it’s that aesthetic factor that’s on full display in these stunning Archatrak installs across the United States.

Outdoor heating is a must and and fire is......cool!  Whats the best way to heat your outdoor space and make it look great?

Things to Considerations when Building a Fire Feature in your Outdoor Space

One of the most common add-ons for decks and patios is a fire feature. Whether it’s for the ambiance, the look, the functionality, or some combination thereof, backyard fire pits are extremely popular outdoor living space accessories in Maryland, Virginia, and the District. While there's no universal standard to what makes the most effective fire pit design, there are some guidelines you can discuss with your local deck contractor about pitfalls to avoid and possible issues to consider.