Photo courtesy MoistureShield®

Deck accessories and special features

Today's decks and outdoor living spaces are treated just like any other room in a home, with a wide range of accessories to choose from. Here are some popular deck features to think about:

Decorative railings—railings are one of the most visible and prominent elements of a deck. With many materials to choose from, don't feel you have to use the same material throughout the entire railing system.

Lighting and audio—both lighting and audio can create ambiance for your outdoor living space and extend entertainment into the night. Some composite decking manufacturers are incorporating convenient details into deck railing such as hollow posts for easy installation of outdoor lighting, audio systems and security systems.

Built-in benches—benches can add both style and function to your deck. By including permanent seating fixtures, you can save money by reducing the amount of outdoor furniture you need to buy.

Fireplaces and fire pits—outdoor fireplaces and fire pits both function for warmth and cooking and also adds to the ambiance. They can run on gas or the more rustic wood burning types.

Planter boxes—built-in planter boxes can instantly add colour and incorporate nature into your deck's design. Depending on the placement, a planter box can also be used to subtly divide one area of your deck from another.

Outdoor kitchen islands—are a great addition to a usable outdoor space. There are many outdoor appliances to choose from that can be part of the island. As an alternative, consider a gas outdoor grill, which costs less than an entire kitchen island.

Brent Gwatney is vice-president of sales and marketing for MoistureShield decking, a manufacturer of durable wood-plastic composite decking products. For more information, visit www.moistureshield.com.