While enjoying the outdoors on your new Trex Composite Deck, you may think you would like a fire pit on the deck. So the question becomes, can you put a fire pit on your composite deck? Well, the answer is a little muddy. First, you should never put a fire pit directly on your deck with no protection. The heat alone can warp the decking materials as well as embers can burn the deck as well.
Trex decking can soften at about 176 degrees Fahrenheit so you have to very cautious about the size of your fire. In addition, never install the firepit directly on top of the deck. A gas type fire pit is a much better option than a wood-burning one
If you are determined to add a fire pit to your deck try to keep some of this advice in mind. Make sure under the firepit you install fire-resistant material for the pit to rest on. Insulated walls of stone or other types of materials are used to prevent heat from escaping. Deck Protect is another product that is used to prevent fire damage to your deck. Also, you can have a new custom-built deck that encompasses the fire pit and does not have the fire pit directly on the deck.
At Miles Bradley, we custom build low-maintenance composite decks all the time and we can accommodate your needs. While it is not highly recommendable to put a large fire pit on your composite deck. With careful planning and the right type of materials and fire pit, it can be done. Call us today at 248-478-8660 in the Detroit area or 847-920-7601 in the Chicago area. Finally, we can answer any questions you have about Trex composite decks and your options.
Cedar is one of the most widely used materials for outdoor structures like; Decks, Pavilion, Pergolas, and Gazebos. All of which are custom-made by Miles Bradley builders. When considering wood decks for a home, Cedar Decks are a very popular choice in Michigan and Illinois. That natural beautiful wood gives you the look and feels that many other materials just can’t compare. Cedar does not absorb moisture as fast as other woods, which helps to prevent future damage such as twisting and splitting. A life span of a cedar deck is usually around 15 to 20 years if treated properly.
Because cedar is durable and reliable material it’s used in other exterior products as well, such as siding, fencing, shingles, saunas, sheds, outside windows, and doors. The only downside to cedar is it should be stained and treated at least once every couple of years. The four best grades of cedar are architect clear, custom clear, architect knotty, and custom knotty.
Having a cedar pergola or pavilion installed in your yard adds certain benefits for the homeowner. One of the first features a pergola or a pavilion adds to your yard is privacy. These structures offer a great place to enjoy the outdoors without the prying eyes of the neighbors as an added bonus.
Pergolas and pavilions provide shade and protection from harsh weather. Pergolas also add value to your home. Attractive landscaping to a home can add almost 20% to the overall value of your home.
Any one of our custom-built cedar structures will really improve the view and beauty of your yard while providing a great area to entertain guests. At Miles Bradley, we have decades of experience with working with and installing cedar decks and pergolas as well as pavilions, three-season rooms, and gazebos.
A cedar deck can give your yard the look of beautiful natural wood and last your family for decades to be sure. However, the cost may be a consideration when having one built. The price for building a Trex Deck for example may be cheaper depending on the current prices. There is a way to save on the cost of building a deck and still use cedar. The following is a recently built deck with pressure-treated decking. It has cedar rails and cedar fascia with black aluminum balusters. That combination is cheaper than Trex. So, if you have a huge deck to replace, that combo of material is price competitive.
Finally, please Contact Miles Bradley today for a quote on a new cedar deck installation. Or, feel free to give us a call at 248-478-8660 in the Detroit area or 847-920-7601 in the Chicago area, you will be glad you did!
Don’t let Halloween pass without decorating your deck. Incorporate your Miles Bradley deck into your Halloween party by using the following ideas.
Turn your deck into a Pumpkin patch
Deck your deck out with carved pumpkins. Scatter fake leaves and straws to give your mock pumpkin patch an authentic look. Placing a stack of hay with a scarecrow will add the perfect touches. You can make your pumpkin patch look haunted by adding red lights, spiders, and fake body parts. You can add fake blood to the body parts and pumpkins to enhance the spookiness of the display.
Candy riddled graveyard
Turn your deck into a creepy candy land. First, get a few headstones and place them sparsely on the deck. Next, grab a few skeletons and place them around the headstones. Add large fake insects and cobwebs to the headstones and to some of the skeletons. Hide candy around the headstones and in other areas of the setup. This is the perfect activity for your children before going trick or treating. It also is not as scary or gory as the haunted pumpkin patch.
Important: Write down the places that you placed the candy. This is so all the candy that was not found can be picked up. Protect your deck from the chemicals from decorations that may be hard to remove by using a deck cover.
Contact us today for a quote on having a new deck built. Be sure to check out our specials.
Has the weather and use taken their toll on your Trex Composite Deck? You can clean your deck and give it that new look again with little to no effort at all. We recommend Olympic Deck Cleaner, with Olympic Deck Cleaner a hose, sprayer, and an optional scrub brush you can clean your whole Trex Composite Deck in one afternoon.
Trex composite decks are strong reliable decks that will maintain it’s beauty for years. But even the most reliable deck, will need cleaning from time to time, weather, people, animals, and overall wear and tear takes its toll on any deck. With good cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your Trex Composite Deck looking great for years to come.
If you are looking to have a Trex Composite Deck built or need some maintenance on your current deck, give Miles Bradley a call today at 248-478-8660 in the Detroit Area or 847-920-7601 in the Chicago Area. We are one of the premier deck builders and you will be totally satisfied with your new composite or wood deck from Miles Bradley!
We are proud to offer such a great product from the largest manufacturer of composite decking (wood-alternative). Today Trex was awarded the 2013 Green Award from Washingtonian Magazine. This award recognizes people, companies, and organizations in the DC area that work to improve the environment and encourage eco-friendly living.
Trex was awarded this because of their efforts in salvaging more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap out of landfills each year. They kept more than 2.5 billion pounds total from 2007 through 2012 alone. Trex decking products are manufactured from more than 95 percent of recycled content. This includes; wood and sawdust, along with plastic and newspapers from household items.
Their green efforts do not stop there. Trex manufacturing’s final process also is green. This is done by using a proprietary method that recycles factory refuse back onto the manufacturing line. By continuously improving their process with green methods, Trex supports their community through recycling and education.
We are delighted to see Trex earn this award and are proud to support this company as a platinum builder. Contact us today to see how we can build your deck with Trex composite decking material.