Miles Bradley Categories Archives

October is here, which means Halloween is coming up! Many homeowners get into the Halloween spirit by decorating their homes with spooky decorations. Whether you are hosting a Halloween party, or just want to show off your spirit, incorporating your deck into your ideas can add a great touch! Check out some of our great “deck-o-rating” ideas:

Mums and pumpkins up your stairs to your deck. Create a unique design by rotating their pattern! If you have deck lighting, this will even look great at night
Utilize the steps– Using the steps to your deck; add rubber spiders and webbing, but make sure they are safely on the back or sides.
Carved or Painted Pumpkins- There are many creative ways to use pumpkins as decoration. You can drill holes in special patterns and add a candle to shine through, or if you have a squirrel problem, painting maybe your best option! This is also a great way to get the kids involved in the decorating process!
Spooky Skeletons- If you are looking to add a little fear factor to your deck during the Halloween season, you can purchase plastic skeletons that can be maneuvered however you like. Bend the joints of the skeleton to make them look as if they are climbing up your deck or onto your home. You can add fog, lights, or gravestones to enhance the look even more!

These are just a few of our ideas on how to decorate your deck for Halloween. We have shared much more DIY-inspired ideas for patios, porches, or decks on our Pinterest page. Be sure to check them out and share some of your favorites!

We would love to see what you have come up with this year! Be sure to share your Halloween-inspired decorations on our Facebook page!

Fall Deck Building in Michigan

Fall is a great time to have a deck built in Michigan. Because temperatures are dropping and building conditions aren’t so “perfect,” you can save tons of money on your build! With the demand lower in the fall or winter months, you can save nearly 20% with an offseason build, talk to our professional deck builders today for more information!

Are you considering moving into a home that already has a deck installed? Deciding which house is right for you can be a tough choice to make. What are things one should consider upon saying, “I’ll take it”? Here are a few helpful deck tips to keep in mind before making a final decision.

Four Things to Ask Before Buying a Home with a Deck:

What is the deck’s overall condition? Take a thorough look around the perimeter and “under the hood” of the deck to see what shape it’s in. Do not just look at the surface of the deck to check out its health. Make sure that the joists and other components are supporting one another and that the deck isn’t decaying, rusting, or rotting.
Does the deck meet current building codes? If the home that you’re trying to purchase has a deck that is not up to code, this can turn ugly. The last thing you would want to do is to pay a fine for an outdated deck–or even, have difficulty trying to sell your home later on down the road. Be sure to ask your realtor if the deck meets the community’s guidelines.
What’s the age of the deck? Now, this question is super important to ask. Obviously the older the deck, the sooner it needs to get inspected. Make sure to have the deck inspected (if it hasn’t been already) and to ask to see if any part of the deck was replaced.
What type of deck is it? Is it an older composite deck? Or is it a wood deck? Whatever deck it may be, be sure to ask to know how to treat and maintain it so that it can last for a good while.

Maintaining Your Deck

So you’ve finally found the home of your dreams, but your deck needs a little bit of maintaining, eh? Maintaining your deck takes a lot of work. You have to consider all of the time it takes to power-wash, sand, stain and even, paint. However, once the work is done, it’s such a refreshing feeling knowing that your work did not go in vain.

Contact Us!

Are you currently looking for a moving company to help make your move a smooth transition? Men on the Move would be more than happy to help make your move a successful one. Are you planning on getting a deck installed soon? Contact Miles Bradley today to help you get started or to find out more information regarding the deck tips.

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Deck railing and stair railings are the finishing touches on a deck that gives it a look and feel while providing a natural safety barrier for guests. Your deck’s style is meant to complement your home, increase curb appeal, and will help increase your home’s overall value. The porch railing gives your deck a personality depending on what style and material you get. Metal railing vs. composite has a different look and feel to them that will change the style of your deck.

Custom deck with bent glass rail finished off this outdoor patio!

Get Your Deck Railing Installed By A Professional

You may be asking yourself “Where is there a local porch railing contractor near me?”, well, we here at Miles Bradley have been your local deck railing contractor in the Metro Detroit area for over 20 years. We can install any style or type of railing on your deck. Vinyl railings, metal railing, aluminum railing, we’ve installed them all. Our specialty is installing Trex’s signature aluminum rail and Transcend rail with aluminum balusters or spindles. Both of these Trex railings are made of a high-end composite that will last throughout the years.

We know that there are a lot of DIY’ers out there who would want to install their own deck railing. Unless you are well versed in the building codes surrounding decks and railing installation we highly discourage you from attempting it. Avoid the headache of fines and city inspections, hire a professional contractor who will worry about this for you. Miles Bradley has been all over the metro Detroit area including cities like Brighton, Novi, and Canton.

If your Deck Railing Is Old, Rotting Out, Or Damaged

The damaged railing should be replaced. Not only are you damaging your deck, but you’re also putting your guests and loved ones in harm’s way. Replacing your old rotted wood railing with new materials like metal, vinyl, and Trex composite railings will ensure your deck’s longevity and increase your home value.

If you have yet to install the railing or need to replace your railing, now is the time! We are running a special from now until the end of April: 6 Free Light Rail Kit Installed with Your Next Deck Purchase!

Need a Local Stair Railing Installer?

Miles Bradley can install the stair railing on your existing deck. Stair railings add an extra layer of safety while you and your guests enjoy the summer months outside.

Finally, get your free quote on your deck railing today.

Pergolas and gazebos are becoming more popular additions to add value to your home. Have you recently had a pergola or gazebo added to your deck or yard in Michigan? If so, you may be wondering how you can decorate it for the winter. There are many creative decorating ideas for pergolas or creative decorating ideas for gazebos that will turn heads. Of course, without any work at all, the wood stain against Michigan’s bright white snow is beautiful in itself, here are some simple additions that will truly make your pergola or gazebo stand out.

Gazebo Lighting

Adding simple holiday lighting to your pergola or gazebo will create a stunning ambiance that will illuminate your structure. Whether you select basic white lighting or another color, it will reflect beautifully off of accumulated snow. Because of the unique structure of your custom pergola or custom gazebo, your lighted snow-covered gazebo or pergola is sure to produce a great photo op!

Greenery

Whether you go with a faux garland or choose a real evergreen, you will create a stunning contrast to your pergola or gazebo finish. Garland can be wrapped around the posts of the bottom of your gazebo or pergola or draped from the roof. You may also choose to incorporate your lighting into your greenery by twisting it around as you would for holiday decorations. Some even add red bows in the center of draping or at the top of posts wrapped in garland to really add a holiday touch.

Whether or not you choose to decorate your gazebo or pergola is completely up to you. Check out some of the awesome winter decoration ideas for pergolas or winter decoration ideas for gazebos that we have found on Pinterest.

If you haven’t contacted us to have a pergola or gazebo added to your home, it’s not too late. In fact, this is the perfect time to schedule your pergola construction or gazebo construction in Michigan. With off-season building, you can save up to 20% on your project! Contact Miles Bradley today for more information.

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.

Spook Up Your Deck- Halloween Deck-O-Rating!

Fall Deck Building in Michigan

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Home with a Deck