Homestead Post

Thank you to all who attended our 2024 Business Building Breakfasts! We enjoyed seeing you and giving you an opportunity to learn from—and ask questions of—knowledgeable product representatives from some of the most respected brands in our industry.

Here are some highlights:

• January—Fiberon® announced the expanded color options available for their Promenade decking.
• February—Wolf® introduced the grooved deck boards for their Serenity™ line.
• March—Superior™ Outdoor Products shared information about their 400 Series vinyl cable railing.
• April—Key-Link™ presented its rod railing and Discovery Series railing.

All speakers shared helpful best practices for installation and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. We appreciate their insights and expertise.

We’re already looking forward to bringing everyone together again at our 2025 Business Building Breakfasts!

PART 3 IN OUR SERIES BASED ON THE BOOK TO SELL IS HUMAN

In To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, author Daniel H. Pink describes the importance of buoyancy, the ability to stay afloat “in an ocean of rejection.”

Selling doesn’t always have a successful outcome. Rebuffs and rejections come with the territory. So, how can you maintain optimism in the face of refusal?

Tips for Boosting Your Buoyancy   

1. Try Interrogative Self-talk: Rather than tell yourself, “I’ve got this,” try an interrogative approach instead. Before a sales call, ask yourself questions like, “How is what I’m selling valuable?” and “What do I bring to the table to close this deal?” Using this approach can yield more genuine confidence than a mere “pump up” talk.
2. Project Positivity: Demonstrate your belief in your product and services not only in what you say but in how you say it. Show enthusiasm about the opportunity you have to help the customer achieve their goals.
3. Look Back and Learn: After a sales call, identify what went well and what didn’t quite go according to plan. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. View the call with an objective lens so you can determine what you want to continue doing and what you want to change going forward.

Sales is a lot like baseball—a player with three hits in ten at-bats is doing quite well. Selling, by nature, will result in some swings and misses. The key is to stay positive and strive to improve your technique after a setback.

Next, look for Part 4 in our series: Clarity. If you missed them, read Part 1 and Part 2 now.

Wolf® Serenity™ Decking—already a fan favorite for its low maintenance, weather resistance, and enduring curb appeal—has become even more of a head-turner. Now available in grooved boards (with grooves channeled into both sides), it enables installers to use hidden fasteners
(Ninja™ clips are highly recommended) for a seamlessly aesthetic deck surface. The grooved design also allows for fast, easy installation.

Homestead Outdoor Products has all Seaside and most Tropical colors in stock. Contact us for more information!

Breakfast is on us as product reps from our top manufacturers share helpful tips and info.

Thursday, March 28
Topic: Superior™ Plastic Products

Thursday, April 25
Topic: Key-Link™ Railing Products

Where: New Holland Coffee Co., 832 W. Main St., New Holland, PA 

When: 7 to 8 a.m.

Reserve your seat: Email Jill at jill@homesteadoutdoorproducts.com or call our Sales department at 717-656-9596.

Made by bonding thin layers of wood veneers together, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) delivers added stability and versatility to projects. Consider using LVL for beams to strengthen the structural integrity of roofs over decks.

Benefits of LVL

• Stronger than conventional lumber
• Available in longer lengths than standard framing lumber
• Resistant to warping and twisting
• Fewer defects—such as knots and splits—than traditional lumber

We have LVL in stock NOW: 1 3/4  inches deep x 11 7/8 inches wide x up to 48 feet long.

Contact us for more information and to order!

Price alone doesn’t determine the ideal product for a project—composite decking is no exception. These key points about the main categories of decking board can help your customers make an informed choice.

Basic ($)
Products in this category have lower prices. The typical trade-offs include limited color choices, an artificial look (strong grain patterns embossed into the surface), thinner or narrower boards with only one side suitable for the deck’s surface.

Mid-range ($$)
These products generally have more color options and subtler grain patterns embossed into the surface for a more natural look. Usually, both sides of the board are usable. Price points are higher than basic products but lower than premium decking.

Premium ($$$)
Premium products cost more, but they have several advantages. Benefits include more expansive color choices; a natural wood aesthetic (with grains and patterns enhanced with colored pigments); and resistance to fading, scratching, and staining.

When comparing features and prices, customers should consider how they will use their deck, how exposed their deck will be to the sun and inclement weather, the brand’s reputation, and warranties.

Have questions about any of our decking products? Call or email us!

Part 2 in our series based on the book To Sell Is Human

In his book To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, Daniel H. Pink describes “attunement,” an often-overlooked superpower in the world of sales. “Attunement is the ability to bring one’s actions and outlook into harmony with other people and with the context you’re in.” 

Attunement lays the foundation for earning trust during the sales process and creating mutually beneficial relationships. It involves stepping into the customer’s shoes to understand their point of view, personal cues, and how they’re influenced by other people. It encompasses not only observing their style of collaboration and communication but also replicating it—it’s about meeting the customer where they are and demonstrating that you “get them.”

How can contractors flex their attunement muscles?   

• Ask questions to learn not just “what” the customer wants but also “why” they want it.
• Treat the customer as the project owner. Listen to their input without judgment before sharing your recommendations for moving forward and accomplishing their goals.
• Recognize that multiple decision makers, with their own perspectives, may have a say in the project. Gently encourage them to communicate if the project begins to push the limits of the desired budget.
• Adjust your interpersonal style to match your customer’s. If they’re serious and business-like, don’t act overly casual. Likewise, if they’re laid-back and easy-going, emulate that demeanor to make them feel comfortable.

Next, look for Part 3 in our series: Buoyancy. If you missed it, read Part 1 of our series now.

We’re happy to share that Mike Stoltzfus is now our Sales and Marketing Manager and Ken Burkholder is our Controller. We believe the transition will help us further our goal of simplifying our customers’ professional lives.

Starting February 1st, Wolf® will offer two new colors for its Serenity™ Decking line: Beechwood and Ashland. 

Beechwood has warm brown undertones that mimic the richness of natural wood. It exudes a cozy ambiance suitable for both classic and contemporary design styles.

Ashland brings a sleek, modern aesthetic that adds elegance to outdoor spaces. Its timeless grey tones pair well with a variety of decor styles.

Like all Serenity Decking colors, Beechwood and Ashland both come with a 50-year stain and fade warranty and a limited lifetime warranty.

Contact us for more information!

Although decks are not used as much now as they are in the warmer months, they shouldn’t be neglected.    

Share these four maintenance tips with your customers so they can keep their composite decks in optimal condition for spring and summer:

1. Keep your deck clear. Remove debris, leaves, and non-essential furnishings and decor from your deck. The fewer obstacles, the faster and frustration-free snow removal will be.

2. Remove snow with a plastic shovel or soft-bristled broom. Metal shovels or sharp tools can scratch the surface of your deck, so avoid using them.

3. To melt ice on your deck, use salt-free, dye-free ice melt products. Opt for products with calcium chloride or potassium chloride, which are less likely to damage or stain composite material.

4. Check fasteners and tighten them if necessary. Decking materials can contract in cold weather, so inspect your deck’s fasteners. Tighten any that have loosened or popped out to keep your deck stable and safe.