The beautiful summer weather means barbecues, grilling and outdoor fun. A great way to make your home an entertaining mecca for family and friends is to have a well-built deck. Besides adding to the atmosphere of your backyard, a deck actually increases the square footage of your home.

But before you run out and buy materials for this new space, here are a few things you should consider:

• First things first: make sure you know what you can and cannot do based on your local building codes. This is especially true for all you do-it-yourselfers out there. Structural stability, location and size are main factors to consider before the first post goes in place.
• Don’t overbuild the deck. A huge deck next to a small house looks odd and can even detract, rather than add, to the resale value of your home. That’s why designers generally scale the size of the deck to the size of the home. If you really think you need a lot of extra space, build the deck in several layers. This will break up the expanse and also add some character to your entertaining area.
• A low maintenance deck could be well worth a little extra cost—especially if you do a lot of entertaining. The deck needs to be able to stand up to traffic, moving furniture back and forth, kids, pets, line dancing….you get the picture.
• Shy away from boring lines in the deck boards. Mix and match the layout to create some diagonal patterns, inlaid designs or other features to bring some life to your deck. Give it personality!
• Consider functionality. Adding built-in benches, planters, even built-in cup holders in the railing can enhance your entertaining space.

To further hit home the necessity for a low maintenance deck, consider composite plastic decking. While it looks just like wood, composite lumber usually is a combination of plastic and wood, which means that you get the benefits of durable, weather-resistant plastic with the look of wood. Plastic composite lumber can be partially made from recycled plastic, such as grocery bags, molded to look like real wood planks, pillars and railings and installed exactly the same way as wood materials.

So what’s the big deal? Well, plastic composite decking has remarkable advantages. Wood decks may be susceptible to damage caused by the weather, things like sun, humidity, rain, snow and extreme temperatures, which can cause warping, splitting, splintering and rotting. Decks made from plastic composites hold up really well to weather, which means you can spend more time enjoying your deck instead of maintaining it and paying for repairs. And if your family enjoys going barefoot, plastic decking lets you stop worrying about splinters and slivers!

Finally, for homes without decks, don’t forget that even the simplest additions can create a fabulous entertaining area outside, even if only for one or two people. A spot for a couple of chairs and an outdoor fireplace, maybe a water feature or a bench (made from plastic composite lumber!) beneath an arbor can provide a very nice spot to enjoy the outdoors.

Outdoor areas such as backyard decks and patios can add square footage (and value!) to your home and are great places to relax and to entertain. Whether building or renovating a deck, look for plastic composite lumber, some of which is made from recycled plastics from grocery bags and plastic containers.

Why plastic? Plastic composite decks are easy to maintain and are durable enough to outlast many decks made from wood! Plastic composite decks also hold up well to outdoor conditions, which means you can spend more time enjoying your deck instead of maintaining it and paying for repairs.

While plastic composite decking is virtually maintenance free, it does require some cleaning from time to time. Here’s how to go about it for the most common deck-damagers:

• General Dirt and Debris: The affected area can be sprayed off with a hose to remove surface debris. Use warm, soapy water and a stiff-bristle brush or broom to remove dirt and debris from the embossing pattern.
• Tannin Due to Debris: Remove all debris from the deck using a hose or broom. Once the deck surface is dry, apply a “deck brightener” as directed by the manufacturer.
• Ice and Snow: A plastic shovel may be used to remove snow from the deck. Use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface.
• Oil/Grease/Food: All food spills should be removed as soon as possible (the surface must be cleaned within seven days to maintain the stain warranty). To remove, spray off with a hose and use warm, soapy water and a stiff-bristle brush or broom to remove spills from embossing pattern.
• Mold and Mildew: Mold can feed on debris such as pollen and dirt that remains on the deck surface or between planks. Use a hose and warm, soapy water with a stiff-bristle brush to remove the mold and its food source.

National TV-radio personality and home improvement expert Danny Lipford has developed a series of do-it-yourself videos that show homeowners how to update their homes and improve energy efficiency by using plastic home building products. Check out this video on the benefits of installing plastic composite decking!

In the video below, Holly Clegg shows you how to make this yummy tropical dessert pizza yourself.

Family Features Video with Holly Clegg on Vimeo.

The videos will highlight innovative solutions that can help reduce maintenance and energy costs, thereby saving homeowners money and reducing their impact on the environment. The first video of the series is featured today at plasticsmakeitpossible.com and DannyLipford.com. Additional videos will be rolled out over the next six months.

Plastics Make it Possible^SM is an initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council.

“Plastic home building products are highly valued because of their durability, versatility and ability to save energy in both new construction and renovations,” said Danny Lipford. “Partnering with Plastics Make it Possible^SM allows us to show homeowners how to properly use and install many plastic products throughout their homes, which can help them save money and protect the environment.”

Plastic is used to make a wide variety of home building products used throughout the home in flooring, windows, plumbing, insulation, decking, roofing and beyond. Some of the video topics include: installing low maintenance, composite decking to brighten up your backyard; using vinyl windows, plastic films and proper sealing to reduce drafts, which can help homeowners save energy; installing plastic piping and plumbing that lower maintenance and repair costs and can even save on heating and cooling bills; and installing insulation to cut down on heating costs throughout the home. The videos will be featured on plasticsmakeitpossible.com and, DannyLipford.com, as well as throughout the Danny Lipford Media network.

Many of these plastic products can help reduce the environmental impact of homes and buildings. For example, a recent study found that using plastic insulation in homes and commercial buildings helped save 290 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to alternatives.

“Danny Lipford and his team are doing a great job highlighting the benefits of a whole host of plastic building products for homeowners,” said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. “Our partnership will help more homeowners become aware of the many ways they can use these products to help reduce energy and maintenance costs for years to come.”

In addition to the video series, the partnership includes expert DIY blog posts by the Danny Lipford team designed to help homeowners tackle home improvement projects, exclusive newsletter content and consumer contests with exciting prizes. More information is available at plasticsmakeitpossible.com and DannyLipford.com.

National TV-radio personality and home improvement expert Danny Lipford has developed a series of do-it-yourself videos that show homeowners how to update their homes and improve energy efficiency by using plastic home building products. Check out this video on fixing drafty windows!

Plastic Windows from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Feeling any drafts or hot/cold spots in your home? Concerned about your monthly energy bill? You might be losing heat and air conditioning through drafty windows and doors without even knowing it.

Using plastic-based caulks is an easy, simple solution to this problem, and the good news is that just about anyone can apply them! Start at a hardware store or large retailer where there is a wide variety of plastic-based caulks, often an entire aisle’s worth. Choosing the correct type of caulk can be a bit tricky, so follow my easy tips on selecting the right one for your job.

There’s not one “all-purpose” tube of caulk that works indoors and outdoors and in different climates. All of these plastic-based caulks have different characteristics and advantages, you simply need to analyze your project and select which type will be the best for your job.

Keep the following factors in mind for your specific project¹:

• Materials – Some caulks adhere better to certain materials than others, so make sure you read the labels or ask for help to figure out which one is best for your job. For example, silicone2 caulk is best for sealing glass, metal, ceramic tile and other non-porous surfaces. It doesn’t adhere as well to porous materials like wood and masonry. Silicone is available in clear and several colors and remains flexible after drying.
• Moisture – In areas that stay wet, such as around a tub or sink, use a caulk that is highly resistant to both water and mildew. PVA and acrylic latex kitchen and bath3 caulks are specifically designed for areas subject to high moisture like around sinks and tubs. It comes in a variety of colors that resist mold and mildew growth. You do need to leave ample time to allow it to dry thoroughly before using the tub or sink or anything in the kitchen.
• Temperature – Some caulks can only be applied in warm weather while others aren’t designed to handle extreme changes in temperature. Silicone caulk, for example, works well through all four seasons.
• Location – When using caulk for outdoor application, choose one that will hold up to the elements and is flexible enough to withstand movement in a joint. For example, butyl rubber caulk forms a highly water resistant seal and is excellent for caulking concrete, brick or metal surfaces. It can be painted when completely cured. This type of plastic caulk remains flexible and is a good choice for joints that expand and contract, like gutters and roof flashing. It requires solvent for cleanup.
• Paintable – While most caulks can be painted over after they have cured, others cannot. Acrylic Latex  is good for general applications such as sealing around windows, doors and moldings and can be used both inside and outside as long as the temperature is 40ºF or higher while curing. This type of caulk can be painted and also comes in a variety of colors.
• Application – Most caulks are easy to apply and can be cleaned up with water, but some (like butyl-based caulks) may require solvents to remove. Check the label before you begin.

Application Tips:

• More is not always better. If you apply too much caulk to a joint and then smooth it out, the caulk tends to spread onto adjoining surfaces.
• Apply caulk evenly from a high-quality gun to ensure even distribution.
• Make sure you take advantage of the many colors to save yourself time painting.

By using plastic-based caulks on your drafty windows, doors, cracks and crevices, you can cut down on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint – both great incentives to get out to the hardware store for this easy DIY project.

Happy Caulking!

Danny Lipford

* All tips from DannyLipford.com,  http://www.dannylipford.com/diy-home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/homeowners-guide-to-caulk/

Plastics can live again…underfoot

Any idea what happens to all that plastic we recycle? Sure, plastic bags can be made into new bags and plastic bottles into new bottles. But plastics also can be recycled into long-lasting products.

For example, your feet may be resting on former plastic water or soda bottles. Most carpeting is made from plastic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester. In recent years, manufacturers have been able to create carpet fiber from recycled plastics, such as the plastic used to make beverage bottles. It takes approximately 50 two-liter bottles to create one square yard of carpet fiber.

Like “virgin” plastics, the recycled plastic fibers often are more stain-resistant and color-fast than materials such as wool, and manufacturing carpeting using recycled plastics produces fewer emissions than using virgin plastics.

But let’s face it – no matter how great the carpeting, it’s not going to last forever. Approximately five billion pounds of carpeting are replaced each year in the U.S. Because carpeting often has a complicated structure made of several materials, it can be difficult and expensive to recycle. However, organizations like Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) are working with manufacturers to make recycling carpeting easier and more accessible for consumers. CARE has set a goal of diverting forty percent of carpeting waste from landfills by 2012.

Recovered carpeting can be made into building products such as composite lumber, roofing shingles and carpeting cushion, just to name a few. Just think – your well-used living room carpeting could become your new backyard deck!

Recycling everyday items such as plastic bottles and household products such as carpeting can help give these plastics a second life. Or a third. Or …

Visit www.carpetrecovery.org for more information on how to recycle your carpeting.