Homestead Post

Summer is officially here, and homeowners are ready to get outside. As you meet with customers this season, lead with questions about how they plan to live in their space, not just what they want it to look like. When you take their ideas and apply them to their actual lifestyle, you become more than just a contractor; you become a trusted partner. The result? Better projects and clients who come back. 

Here’s what to be ready for this summer.

2026 Outdoor Living Trends:

1. Shade 

This summer is going to be a hot one! Pergolas, awnings, and other shade structures are in high demand, especially around or above decks and patios. Ask your customers what time of day they use their deck the most; knowing this helps you find the best shade structure and placement!

2. Outdoor Zoning 

Separate, intentionally designed spaces, for example, a space around the grill and one around the pool, help make a large outdoor area usable. Creating these ‘rooms’ outdoors helps the entire space feel like an extension of the home itself. Weather-resistant furniture, screened porches, or cabinets also help blur the line between indoor and outdoor living rooms.

3. Balancing Views and Privacy With Railing 

Railing is so much more than a safety feature. Railings can do a lot for a deck. For customers who want a more private space, something large and solid helps create that cozy enclosed feeling, while those with a great view may prefer a sleek, more open design. 

4. The Return of the Front Porch 

The front porch is having a serious comeback. As homeowners expand their living spaces outdoors, the front porch is getting a lot more attention. Think added seating, lighting, more aesthetic railings—the works!

5. Light Design  

The days might be getting longer, but a well-lit outdoor space means the fun doesn’t stop at sunset. Work with a customer to understand how and when they use their space, then add lighting accordingly. Whether it’s task lighting near a grill or simple stair accent lights. 

Summer Products— Every “Thing” You Need and Want 

TimberTech Decking  Composite Decking — Choose TimberTech Composite Decking for the real wood look and texture of wood decking with four-sided protecting capping that provides unbeatable protection against sun and moisture damage. Available in a number of styles and prices!  Advanced PVC Decking — For extra durable capped decking with a realistic wood aesthetic, made with 60% recycled material and with superior resistance to scratching, fading, stains, and moisture, choose Advanced PVC Decking.

Trex RainEscape – Just Added! Give your customers more with every deck you build. This under-deck drainage system uses a network of troughs and gutters to divert water away from the space below, creating a dry, usable area while protecting the deck substructure from moisture. With straightforward installation and a 25-year warranty, it’s an easy value-add that turns one deck into two usable spaces.

When you order TimberTech and Trex products from us, you can count on the same exceptional customer service, quick order fulfillment, and inexpensive delivery that Homestead Outdoor Products is known for.

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Many of you have asked us to consider supplying TimberTech® decking, and we’re happy to announce you can now find their premium decking at Homestead Outdoor Products.

We’ve added TimberTech products to our stock so that you can quote more quickly, avoid extended lead times, and build faster.

TimberTech Decking: The Authentic Look of Real Wood—Without the Wear, Tear, and Maintenance

Composite Decking

• Real wood looks and textures
• Four-sided, protective capping—for exceptional protection against sun and moisture damage
• Available in a wide range of styles and price points
• Made of a blend of up to 85% recycled content
• 25 to 30 Year Fade and Stain Limited Warranty

Advanced PVC Decking

• Ultra-durable capped decking with a realistic wood aesthetic—no two boards look alike
• Resists scratching, fading, stains, and moisture
• Made from up to 60% recycled material
• Limited Lifetime Product Warranty
• 50 Year Fade and Stain Limited Warranty

When you order TimberTech products from us, you can count on the same exceptional customer service, quick order fulfillment, and inexpensive delivery that Homestead Outdoor Products is known for. With a wide selection of styles and colors in stock and the option to receive non-stock decking in a week, you can get any TimberTech decking you need from one trusted source committed to helping you build better projects.

Breakfast and coffee are on us during our upcoming Business-Building Breakfast at New Holland Coffee Co.!

Join us at our next breakfast to learn about product updates, get installation tips, and ask questions of representatives from our favorite vendors.

Thursday, April 9
Topic: Superior™ Plastic Products

Where: New Holland Coffee Co., 832 W. Main St., New Holland, PA
When: 7 to 8 a.m.
Reserve your seat: Call 717-656-9596.

Watch your email in-box in the coming weeks for information about the topics we’ll cover.

In his book Atomic Habits James Clear discusses how small changes to our habits can benefit us in big ways as we strive to achieve our goals. This article centers on his insights about developing habits intentionally by creating obvious cues that lead to specific behaviors.

Cues (especially visual) from our surroundings trigger actions that become habits over time. For instance, suppose someone puts a cookie jar next to the coffeepot in your breakroom, and each time you fill your cup you see that jar and grab a treat. Eventually, eating a cookie with your coffee becomes automatic, triggered by the association between coffee and the cookie jar.

Leveraging Human Nature

One way to take advantage of the power of environmental triggers is to create obvious cues that drive specific actions.

Consider this example: Suppose you’d like to make a habit of reading Scripture in the morning. You might do so by placing a Bible or devotional book next to your coffeepot. This creates a visual cue within your morning routine to remind you to read a passage, thus forming a new habit (reading Scripture) by springboarding off an existing one (drinking coffee).

We can also use this approach in reverse to make undesired habits disappear. For example, if you want to stop eating cookies with your coffee, put the cookie jar in a cabinet so it’s out of sight and out of mind.

Self-control is a short-term strategy, not a long-term one.   ~James Clear

Clear says that self-control and perseverance are important, but sometimes we need some extra help when making changes in our behaviors. Priming our environment with positive cues can reinforce and strengthen new habits.

Stay tuned for more tips inspired by Atomic Habits in our next newsletter. Did you miss our first article in this series? Click here!

We’re excited to bring another series of Business Building Breakfasts to you in 2026!

Featuring a FREE breakfast and coffee at New Holland Coffee Co., each morning session will give you an opportunity to learn about product updates, get installation tips, and ask questions of representatives from our favorite vendors.

Watch your email in-box in the coming weeks for dates, times, and topics!

Suggest a topic! We want to hear from YOU!

With this season’s weather conditions less than optimal for outdoor projects, these winter months are the perfect time to think about ways to ensure a safe working environment in the New Year.

Three Tips to Enhance Safety

1. Review your safety record
   What accidents or near-misses occurred over the past few years, and what can you do to avoid them in the future?
2. Consider getting safety accreditations and certifications
   Boost your team’s awareness and strengthen customer confidence with official stamps of approval from organizations such as OSHA (10- or 30-hour programs), National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) certification, and local trade association training (e.g., ABC Keystone, BIA of Lancaster County).
3. Inspect your equipment
   Carefully examine tools and machinery for cracks, leaks, and other damage or flaws that could impact their effectiveness or potentially cause harm. If you find issues, repair or replace your equipment to avoid injury risks. Also, review manufacturers’ manuals to ensure you are following their recommendations for ongoing maintenance; this will help keep your assets in safe working condition and deliver a stronger return on your investment.

Leave the frustration of splines behind with this innovative solution for creating an insect-free environment.

• Hassle-free installation: Smart design and simple process eliminate the need for splining.
• Durability-tested: Withstands winds of up to 140 mph!
• Versatility: Spans up to 150 sq. ft. and has frame options for openings of virtually any shape.
• In Stock: Ready for your next project!

Decking. Every Thing You Need!

James Clear’s book Atomic Habits centers on the idea that lasting change happens through tiny improvements in our habits over time rather than major revamps in an effort to achieve a goal.

Without devoting time to changing underlying habits, failure is inevitable.

The Layers to Changing Your Habits

Clear identifies three layers involved in making behavioral changes.

1. Outer layer of Outcomes (goal layer)
2. Middle layer of Processes (habits layer)
3. Inner layer of Identity (beliefs layer)

It’s important to work from the inner layer out. Rather than making the goal the sole focus, we should identify the type of person we want to be and the habits necessary for getting us closer to that goal.

As we demonstrate habits consistent with our desired identity, we begin to prove to ourselves that we can be the person we want to be. Clear also suggests we must envision ourselves as who we aspire to be. He shares this example to convey that point: If someone who wants to quit smoking is offered a cigarette, rather than replying with, “No thank you, I’m trying to quit,” they should respond with “No thank you, I’m not a smoker,” to reframe their self-perception.

Key Takeaways:

• Whenever you act in a way that aligns with your desired identity, you are becoming that identity.
• Incrementally adopting better habits will allow goal accomplishment to happen naturally.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series: Make It Obvious.

Back by popular demand, our Business Building Breakfasts, featuring a free breakfast and coffee at New Holland Coffee Co. will return this winter!

We look forward to once again inviting reps from our favorite vendors to share product updates, offer tips and best practices for handling installations, and answer your questions.

Stay tuned for information about dates, times, and topics!

Suggest a topic! We want to hear from YOU!

Need lumber for a deck project? With our wide variety of standard lumber products in stock, we make it fast and convenient to get what you need when you need it.

• Pressure-treated lumber
• Glulams (glue-laminated beams)
• LVL (untreated is in stock; we can order treated LVL on request)
• And more!

Decking. Every Thing You Need!