(NAPSA)—If you’re like an increasing number of Americans, your next vacation destination might be closer than you expect: your own backyard. More and more people report passing up the annual family travels on a plane or by car in favor of a less expensive, stay-athome vacation. In fact, U.S. homeowners are spending more time and money than ever before to create outdoor living space. More than a third of the annual $230 billion spent on remodeling and renovation now goes toward out- door amenities, including porches, decks and decorative patios. Tools Of The Trade Whether you decide to build a new deck or patio this year, or if you already have one, you'll want to have the “outdoor room”basics: a grill, table, chairs and umbrella, a firepit or chiminea, and a comfortable seating area. Many homeownersare opting for at least two grills, a gas model for quick grilling and a charcoal/smokergrill for the flavor and entertainmentfactor. Protecting Your Yard While creating or updating your outdoor living space, remember to protect the deck or patio surface, too. With spills, sparks and flareups from outdoor appliances being major culprits of surface destruc- Protective pads can shield decks from spills, grills and more. tion, consider using The “Original” Grill Pad underneath every grill, smoker, fryer andfirepit. Madeofflexible, durable and lightweight fiber cement, the pad will likely outlast most any grill. It is easily cleaned with a garden hose and, unlike other deck protectors, it breathes to minimize water buildup that can damage the surface beneath. The padsare even available in five designercolors—Earth Tone Brown, Berry Black, Garage Gray, Big Green or Brick Red. They’re also made in rectangular, oval and round shapes. You can also find Collegiate Edition pads, which are imprinted with anofficial college logo. The pads provide protection while offering the fun of supporting a favorite team. For more information, visit www-.grillpad.com.
